MEET our T3 June ATHLETE of the MONTH, David Cann!

Q:  What is your name and where do you live?

A:  David Cann.  I live in Queensbury, NY.


Q:  What is your age?

A:  38


Q:  What is your occupation?

A:  I am an independently practicing Anesthetist.  I am currently credentialed at 8 hospitals throughout New York State and hold Licenses in six other states.


Q:  How long have you been participating in triathlons?

A:  Last year I nervously attempted my first sprint triathlon.  After the first, my season exploded to include 6 sprint triathlons, 1 olympic distance tri, and 5 duathlons.


Q:  How long have you been coached by T3 Coaching?

A:  Last May I met with Kevin to discuss my goals.  I told him I was thinking about training for an olympic distance triathlon in september, but I was unsure if this was a realistic timeframe given my limited multisport experience.  I also mentioned that the only swim stroke I was proficient with was the dog paddle.  After reviewing my workout log and assessing my limited swimming ability, he confidently assured me that not only could I do it, but I could do it well.  Kevin began coaching me from that point forward and with his help I had a great race at the Lake George Tri.  This year Kevin is coaching for my first half IM race in June.


Q:  What is your favorite race, and why?

A:  This is difficult to answer because they all have their own bit of charm.  Vermont sun series is very well run, Lake George was a beautiful coarse with lots of friends around, Duanesburg was fun because it seemed like the entire bike course was downhill......I could go on.  The T3 Duathlon series is a blast!  I like how it falls so early in the season to get you motivated, I like that it is very short and fast, I like that it is close to home, and I  like that it is always attended by a great group of people.


Q:  What is your favorite piece of triathlon equipment?

A:  I would not know how to train or race without my multiple Garmin devices.  My 405 Forerunner and my 705 Edge, both with HRM and vital to my training.


Q:  What are some of your career highlights as an athlete (not necessarily triathlon)?

A:  Three years ago when I weighed over 300 lbs I remember running a full mile without stopping.  This was incredibly motivating for me.  At that point I realized that I could do more if I put my mind to it.  My first race was 2 months later; a 10K at the Troy turkey Trot.  The following June I ran in my first half marathon in Lake Placid as a part of Team in Training.  The following year I did my first triathlon and my first full marathon.  All of these races were highlights of equal importance to me.  I know that Tupper Lake Half IM will be a similar milestone as will Lake Placid in 2012!  Being named as AOTM is also a highlight - when i look down the list of previous athletes of the month, I am truly humbled and honored  to be included on the same list as these remarkable athletes.


Q:  What are your triathlon goals for this season?

A:  I am hoping for faster splits and smoother transitions in sprint triathlons this year.  I would like to be upright after my first half IM at Tupper Lake this year and I would like to compete in 3 olympic distance races.


Q:  What is your long-term goal in the sport of mtn. biking/triathlon?

A:  My long term goal is to participate in the sport for many years to come.  My father did his first triathlon at the age of 60 and my son did his first duathlon at the age of 5.  This is truly a lifelong sport.  I don\'t see either one of them giving up anytime soon and I hope to stay healthy enough to compete along side of them for years to come.


Q:  What are 3 foods someone would always find in your refrigerator/cupboards?

A:  Coffee (my only true addiction), apples ( I eat about 10 per week.  I find that they are a very handy snack for commuters), greek yogurt ( a very easy way to eat breakfast in about 30 seconds as I rush out the door in the morning).


Q:  What kind of music could we find on your iPod?

A:  A very weird mix.....Grateful Dead, Kid Rock, Hendrix, Sublime, Led Zeppelin, Dave Mathews, CSN, Ben Folds, Chili Peppers...... anything but country music.


Q:  Do you specialize in a particular mtn. biking/triathlon distance? If so, why that distance?

A:  I have done sprints the most, but i am working my way up the ladder.  Last year was olympic, this year will be half IM, next year full IM.


Q:  What advice would you give to a 'newbie' in the sport?

A:  Have fun.  Have confidence.  Test yourself.  Have fun.  Get a coach.  Listen to your coach.  Trust your coach.  Have fun.  Talk to other triathletes.  Join clubs.  Train with friends.  Have fun.  Its ok to be nervous, we all are.  You won\'t finish last.  Compete mostly against yourself and avoid comparing your time to seasoned athletes.  Have fun.


Q:  Do you have any secret training tips? (Not really secret if you share, huh?)

A:  I haven\'t figured out and secrets yet,,,I am still out there busting my butt everyday.  I have days that feel great and I have days that are a constant struggle.


Q:  Please list your favorite workout:

A:  Any long slow workout.  a long run in the trails, a long bike through the adirondacks or a long open water swim in Lake George are all my favorite workouts.  I like the way I can feel totally relaxed during the training and let my mind wander,,,,but when it is done I am totally wasted.


Q:  Any thoughts you want to share?

A:  After 8 years of unhealthy college life I found myself to be morbidly obese with encroaching health problems.  After the birth of my first son, I decided to make a lifestyle change for the better.  I wanted to be a good example for my son and I wanted to be able to enjoy life without being short of breath.  I did this with diet and exercise.  My life now consists of a daily workout routine incorporated into my already busy life as well as frequent races on the weekends.  Without the love and support of my family, I would never be able to maintain this.  I am proud to say that my family is also getting involved in the sport.  My six year old son Charlie has a wall full of medals and ribbons from fun runs and duathlons, my father is a seasoned athlete and a willing training partner, and my wife Dana competed in her first 5k last weekend!  My 2 year old son Benjamin can be seen at many of these races cheering us on from the sideline as well.  The triathlon community is extremely supportive and provides a motivating way to maintain a healthy lifestyle for our entire family.




Previous Athlete's of the Month ::

November 2023:  Kerri Thomas
October 2023:  Matt Dowling
September 2023:  Nolan Hogan
August 2023:  Gil Silvestre
July 2023:  John Reid
June 2023:  Tyler Lingel
May 2023:  Julia Slyer
April 2023:  Kevin Crossman
March 2023:  Carl Regenauer
February 2023:  Amy Farrell
January 2023:  Tim Russell
December 2022:  Rachel Waller
November 2022:  Bobby Thorborg
October 2022:  Jeremey Frye
September 2022:  Jillian Richards
August 2022:  Rebecca Miller
July 2022:  Jason Hare
June 2022:  Julie Scherer
May 2022:  Martyna Brooks
April 2022:  Derek Demeter
January 2022:  Kaitlyn Hansen
October 2021:  Chris McNally
September 2021:  Jack Putnam
August 2021:  Sarah Adelson
July 2021:  Niki Kellogg
June 2021:  Jack Bordeau
May 2021:  Dean Haspela
April 2021:  Dina StClaire
March 2021:  Jamie Hoyt
January 2021:  Paige Montanye
December 2020:  Lara Vivolo
November 2020:  Erika Eckrote
October 2020:  Heidi Underwood
September 2020:  Tom Williams
July 2020:  Christian Weber
June 2020:  Mara Fronhofer
May 2020:  T3 Medical Professionals
April 2020:  Steve Vnuk
March 2020:  Luis A Castro
February 2020:  John MacDonald
December 2019:  Steciuk Family
November 2019:  Nathan Rieger
October 2019:  Jess Corwin
September 2019:  Amanda Williams
August 2019:  Chris Erwin
July 2019:  Deborah Curtis
June 2019:  Rachel Waller
May 2019:  Ariel Dickson
April 2019:  Jonathan Demers
February 2019:  Laurie Scheuing
January 2019:  Alexandra Besso
December 2018:  Kim Kilby
November 2018:  Jessica Cronin
October 2018:  Kerri Thomas
August 2018:  John Evansky
July 2018:  Lonnie Halusic
June 2018:  Chris McNally
May 2018:  Dan Finnin
April 2018:  Terry Spooner
March 2018:  Ann Crossman
October 2017:  Isabelle Dickens
September 2017:  Ivy Kasallis
August 2017:  Michael Robinson
July 2017:  Chuck Lester
June 2017:  Colleen Dolan-VanZandt
May 2017:  Nick Marcantonio
April 2017:  Ryan Keller
March 2017:  Bobby Thorborg
September 2016:  Vinny Cooper
August 2016:  Jane Mastaitis
July 2016:  Jamie Hoyt
June 2016:  Jeff Halusic
May 2016:  Sibyl Jacobson
July 2014:  Christine McKnight
June 2014:  Sereena Coombes
August 2012:  Kim Didrich
July 2012:  Michael Jordan & Barbara Jordan
June 2012:  Ray Liuzzo
October 2011:  Joe Hall
September 2011:  Carl Regenauer
August 2011:  Timothy Healey
July 2011:  Jason Gardner
June 2011:  David Cann
May 2011:  Fran Vincent
August 2010:  Jim Fox
July 2010:  Mike Jaworski
June 2010:  Carla Burhoe
May 2010:  Christine McKnight
April 2010:  Dean Haspela
September 2009:  Rebecca Pedersen
August 2009:  Michael Winston
July 2009:  Paul Fronhofer
June 2009:  Heidi Underwood
May 2009:  Johan Bosman
April 2009:  Mike Sorrentino
August 2008:  Patrick O'Keeffe
July 2008:  Jason Chlopecki
June 2008:  Mara Fronhofer
May 2008:  Pat Grasso
April 2008:  Tami Olheiser
March 2008:  Michael Robinson
February 2008:  Bob Stocks