Congratulations to the May T3 Athlete of the Month, Sibyl Jacobson (F70-74). Sibyl brings a witty and fun sense of humor to her training - while competing at the highest levels of triathlon. Posting numerous accolades often seems second nature in comparison to her drive to "feel" successful internally. Having split her time in Florida and New York, her race season has been extended this season. Always willing to try new methods of training has kept her healthy and motivated, this year adding barrelates and aqua spin. Most recently Sibyl posted a 1st place AG finish at the Florida 70.3. Congratulations to Sibyl!

Let’s get to know Sibyl in a bit more detail:

A:  Sibyl Jacobson. I live in New York City and spend time in New Lebanon, New York.

A:  I don't talk much about age for obvious reasons. I am 73 and my USAT racing age is 74, so I am at the top of my age bracket.

A:  I am retired from MetLife where I was President and CEO of MetLife Foundation. I had various responsibilities over my MetLife career, but was always involved with philanthropy and social responsibility. Before moving to New York from the Midwest, I was in education at the high school, community college and college levels as a teacher and administrator.

A:  My first triathlon was the Berkshire Y-Athon in 2004. I started biking again after a hiatus of many years and enjoyed it. I started running after 9/11 and did various runs in the Albany area. I heard about the triathlon and thought it would be fun to try it. I went alone and didn't really know many people. Although Pontoosuc Lake tasted like boat fuel, I enjoyed the experience. That tri later moved to Lake Onota and recently to its demise. My main motivation in doing a triathlon was to do something different and a bit daring on the weekend after a week sitting at a desk.

A:  I learned about Kevin from Christine McKnight. I watched her get faster and faster as I got slower at various runs in the Albany area. She told me about Kevin. I wasted precious time deliberating whether I should approach him. Finally, I did in 2013. I have benefited from his approach and his swim clinics.

A:  I like the Fronhofer and HITS Hague. The Fronhofer because it was well run, beautiful and friendly. And, after a few years, I found out where the ice cream sundaes were. The Hague race is one I love to hate. It is early in the season and, for me, the bike course is daunting and scary.

A:  I guess it is my Garmin Forerunner 310 XT. I wear it for practice but never for a race. I feel as if it has clocked me forever. My bike is nice, but I never feel it's perfect.

A:  I don't think of myself as having an athletic career. I wish I had started some sport earlier and stuck with it over the years. As a pre-title IX woman, I feel fortunate to have found sport even though it's a bit late in my life arc.

A:  I was lucky enough to qualify for and participate in the ITU in New Zealand, London, Edmonton, and Chicago. New Zealand was the most exciting because it was my first and stiff winds made for challenging conditions. Last year I did the Ironman 70.3 championship in Zell am See, Austria. The course was way too tough for me with steep climbs and terrorizing s-curve downhills. Had I known more about the course, I wouldn't have gone but I felt exhilarated by actually finishing the race.

A:  My goals for 2016 are to stay healthy and to practice intervals with more fervor. I would like to place well in my A races, but recognize that it will be difficult as I turn the year to the next age bracket in 2017. I have nationals and the ITU on the docket as well as the Ironman 70.3 championship.

A:  I would like to stay in the sport for years to come using it to test and strengthen my physical and mental agility.

A:  Peanut butter, coconut water and hummus are always in my kitchen.

A:  I listen to country, folk and gospel music. I no longer use an iPod because I need to use my mind more, and I also want to hear traffic. Maybe it was my choice of music that kept my cadence down. My cadence is always too slow and it slows even when I think I'm going fast.

A:  Transitions are the easiest way to shave off seconds. I should run faster to and from the bike. In big races, the distance to run in transitions can be long. I should practice the choreography of transitions more than I do. I have learned to have virtually nothing that isn't essential at my spot. I don't use socks for anything below a half iron and don't wear gloves at all.

A:  Just do it. Sign up for a race and then you will practice. In terms of practice, quality beats quantity. Work on intervals and form. Don't just grind out the same distance, the same way. That continues to be my battle. I like the rut -- same cadence, same course and same way. Unfortunately, that means no performance change.

A:  If you have a coach, trust him or her. Don't be tempted to work in every gimmick you read about. Most of all, it is intervals that build strength, endurance, and speed. Find the joy in the training, not in the race.

A:  That Tabata thing is fun if I could ever remember it, and, even if I don't, my approximation makes the time and me go fast.

A:  Triathlons are fun in large part because they offer challenges that keep changing. It is a healthy sport that helps you to treat your mind and body right or at least better than if you didn't do this. You meet great people.