27016712
Imagine going on a 2.4-mile ocean swim, followed by a 112-mile bike race and a 26.2 mile run. Now try to imagine doing all three in 11 hours without taking a break to eat, drink or even go to the bathroom.
Ready to pass out?
Then you’re not ready to join the ranks of South Philly residents Anthony Molino, 39, and Michael Pinto, 25, who are actually volunteering to put themselves through the physical and mental torture.
The two friends are in intensive training for an Ironman Triathlon event this fall. Their goal is to qualify for next year’s Ironman Triathlon world championships in Hawaii.
"Both of us dream about being on Wide World of Sports," said Molino, of the 2400 block of South Watts Street.
When the duo tells friends they plan to travel more than 140 miles on the power of their own bodies, a normal response is, "I don’t even like to drive that distance."
Indeed, only a select number — 1,300 worldwide — will make the cut for the Hawaiian contest. That means American athletes have to finish in the top 10 of their respective age groups in a qualifier event. Pinto, of the 1200 block of Alder Street, and Molino are already in serious training mode for November’s Ironman Florida Triathlon in Panama City. Two weeks ago, they competed in a pro sanctioned event in Maryland and finished in the top 10 percent of their respective age groups. They plan to continue participating in numerous other competitions this summer.
Like an NFL team training to win the Super Bowl or a heavyweight boxer preparing for a championship, the pair has to train for several months. Molino, the head of nutrition at Methodist Hospital, and Pinto, a technician for AJ Appliance, started competing five years ago when they realized they shared an interest in endurance sports.
They started out by competing in sprint races, and later moved up to medium to long races, half-triathlons and, ultimately, the Ironman races. The athletes even hired a private coach, who gives them a workout schedule. Saturdays are usually spent taking 50-70-mile bike rides; they do speed laps around The Lakes once a week. A couple other nights are reserved for practicing stroke work at local swimming pools. Molino and Pinto also take 10-12-mile distance runs, and recently ran in a 25-mile marathon in New Jersey.
The two competitors admit the training takes its toll, which is a big reason they train with each other.
"Not only do you get physically tired, but you get mentally tired," Pinto said. "That’s why it’s real good training together because we are able to push each other through."
Monitoring their diets is equally crucial. This is where Molino’s full-time job in nutrition comes in handy. Sixty-percent of their food intake consists of proteins such as shakes, chicken and fish, while 30 percent is made up of carbohydrates such as pasta, rice and potatoes. The other 10 percent is fats, which can include ice cream and cookies. Instead of eating the typical three meals a day, the athletes have six smaller meals.
The day before a triathlon race, athletes will saturate their bodies with carbohydrates. During the actual race, Molino said they’ll have some fruit, Gatorade, water, a liquid carbohydrate gel, which they can squirt into their mouths, and sodium tablets.
The riders use special $3,500 carbon fiber bikes — conveniently equipped with a beverage compartment in the middle of the handlebars. Even with all the fluids and preparation, pain is unavoidable in the demanding 140-mile race.
"By the time you start running, your legs feel like two slabs of concrete," Molino said.
"You have to be able to manage the pain. If you let it take over, you might as well give up," he added.
Time management is also essential, as the clock doesn’t stop between the transition stages or bathroom breaks.
In November, Pinto and Molino will start their test of endurance with a swim in the Gulf of Mexico. The bike portion of the race is extremely flat and fast, and is followed by the marathon.
"When you see the finish line, you forget your pain," Pinto said.
The two competitors, who teach a variety of classes at Fitness Works, have made tremendous strides since their first Ironman event, which they finished in 14 hours. This year, the goal is to finish the race in under 11 hours. Molino and Pinto are getting plenty of support from Fitness Works, which is covering the $1,000 registration fee and other expenses associated with the competition. A few months ago, owner Joanne Renzi even threw a party to help cover some of the competitors’ expenses, which includes transporting their bikes to Florida.
That trip will give Pinto and Molino an excuse for a well-deserved vacation in Walt Disney World. If they are lucky enough to qualify for Hawaii, they will get the chance to compete against the top triathlon performers from around the world. The promise of top-echelon opponents is what keeps the duo going.
"It’s like playing baseball with [New York Yankees shortstop] Derek Jeter," Molino explained.
