Congratulations to Dean Haspela on his Athlete of the Month recognition. Not only does Dean excel as an athlete (having already qualified for this year’s World Championships in Kona), but also as a T3 Coach. He provides a very thorough and caring approach with his athletes. As you will read, Dean has learned a lot about himself through his coaching, and is continually improving all aspects of his triathlon career. Congratulations to Dean

A:   I’m Dean Haspela. I grew up in the Lake George area but now split my time between Boston, MA and Sebago, ME

A:   My race age is 48 - but technically won’t be 48 until October.

A:   I am a RN and Clinical Nurse Specialist. I work at a hospital in the Boston area. I’ve worked in many Nursing roles over the past 20 years.

A:   My very first triathlon was the Bud Light Triathlon. I was in one of the summers before 1991 - but honestly I have no idea what year it was. I swam in the pool at the Ramada that used to be off of Aviation Road in Queensbury - I could swim but never did competitively. And I borrowed a bike what was way too big for me.

A:  Through High School and College I raced Cross Country Skiing. That is where I really got the competitive bug and learned that individual endurance sports were what I really enjoyed. The racing was fun but I just loved being outside running on trails in the woods, hiking mountains in Lake Placid, and enjoying the winter months in the snow. In college I ended up with a back injury that took me away from athletics for quite some time. So I refocus on my education and career. I graduated from The University of NH - twice. First with my BS as a Clinical Exercise Specialist - then back to get my BS in Nursing. I started working at Mass General Hospital on a Cardiac unit and then returned to school at University of Massachusetts for my MSN - Clinical Nurse Specialist. I then began working at South Shore Hospital in Orthopedics. I’m still there today.

Triathlon has been a wonderful way to travel and see many places in the US. I’ve enjoyed travel to train and race.

I was never an overnight success - I learned - like with most things in my life - with consistency, persistence, and positivity - you can get far. I qualified for 70.3 Worlds and raced in Nevada and also qualified to race out in Kona twice - once in the past and heading there again this October.

Racing has been a wonderful part of my life that has given me a structure and rhythm that keeps me happy. Now coaching with T3 is a chance for me to help others with some of the things that I’ve learned along the way. It’s an honor to be a part of other individuals lives.

A:   The most rewarding part of coaching has come from hearing athletes recognize their own improvement. At first it is a challenge - but when sticking to it - benefits come. I like long range plans. They are like a road map that gets us from one place to another. Much like driving from one destination to another - having a ‘route’ in mind is key - but we also know that the route my vary or change along the way. But the same destination is always in mind.

A:   Coaching, training, working, and home life has been a lot to juggle. Each week I spend time planning out the week on paper so that I can figure how to make things fit in well. I make time to plan priorities and time for all important things in my life - and I put it down on paper. There are so many apps and electronic ways to keep organize - but for me - I just start with a notebook of unlined paper. It’s clean - simple - and flexible. When I plan out the day - I also schedule things with times so that I know I am on track as the day unfolds. And - as with all of us - crazy days happen. It’s important to be patient and kind with yourself and not take things too seriously.

A:   What I have really liked is a Balance Drill progression that a few athletes are using. It’s not one workout - but a series of drills that progress from very basic to more and more like swimming. The progression is pretty slow - but really helps you to solidify the drills into the subconscious while swimming - helping create muscle memory. I actually have done this progression myself and really feel that it has impacted my swimming. Each workout includes some drills from the last workout but will drop one drill and add a new one…always slowly progressing the drills from very basic to more swim-like. I highly recommend this work as it is free speed for us. Most triathletes have the fitness - but the drills help us with efficiency. This way we can put the fitness to work in the water.

A:   Coaching has made me more aware of how one workout can affect the days later. In scheduling workouts it’s important to create a cadence that will maximize the key sessions. I’ve noticed this more and more in my own training.

A:   For me - it’s more about what I can’t keep in the fridge or cupboards. Keeping my body composition in check has never been easy for me. If there is candy, chips, or ice cream in the house I just can’t control myself. So, I really like to follow simple plans and guidelines that can keep me on track. I am a big fan of food prep ahead of time so that when the hunger hits - there are good choices int he fridge. A few things that I like to prep ahead of time is overnight oats and vegetable soup. The vegetable soup is great as you can easily fix it up by adding a little cheese or diced chicken. Now that the summer is here I love to grill vegetables and chicken and have extra chopped up for an easy left-over meal. When it’s colder out - a go-to meal is a sheet-pan dinner. Chop up vegetables and some chicken sausage - toss with a little olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper - and roast in the oven. So tasty!

A:   Above all - keep it fun and ask lots of questions. Above all else - consistency in training is king. This means being conservative but sticking with things over the long haul. Be patient with yourself - and sometimes it’s good to have a laugh at yourself.

A:   Involve your family, friends, and pets as much a you can. Endurance sports are so individual that they can become isolating. Can your spouse ride with you while you run? Can your dog go with you on your recovery run? Can the kids do some stretching and foam rolling with you? If you’re creative - you can make a lot work so that you’re sharing the good times together and making memories. When it feels like ‘it’s all about us’ - everything just seems to come together better.