Coach Carl says, "I believe that the second year of coaching is where things really come together for an athlete and Jason Hare is making huge progress in his second year with T3. We're balancing training for Ironman Lake Placid in July with a busy family life. Jason's willingness to ask questions is contributing to a steep triathlon learning curve. His balance and dedication recently resulted in finishing fourth overall (!) at the Hudson Crossing Triathlon. Take a read of Jason's answers to the interview questions - there is some real wisdom expressed in there, an excellent complement to his athleticism."

A:   Jason Hare, Wilton, NY

A:   45

A:   Director of Patient Experience at Glens Falls Hospital

A:   Since 2010 (with a break from 2013-2018)

A:   This is my first year on the #CoachCarlCrew and second with T3! Last year, I was coached by John Evansky.

A:   I will always have a special place in my heart for the NYC Triathlon. It's the first one I ever completed in 2010, and my wife Jessica and I did it together while raising $16,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It was large and overwhelming, but having lived and trained in the city during that time, it was thrilling to ride directly on the West Side Highway and run through Central Park, and slightly disgusting to swim in that section of the Hudson…but at least the current made it my fastest Olympic-distance swim ever!

A:   Up until a month ago, I would have said it was my power meters – both my Assioma pedals and my Stryd footpod. They have helped me get stronger and faster by focusing on specific metrics. But now, I'd have to say it's my Garmin Varia radar for my bike. It gives me an alert whenever cars are approaching behind me. It's no substitute for being aware of your surroundings, but with wind noise and quieter cars, it makes me feel so much more comfortable on the road. I would recommend it to every cyclist!

A:   My very first triathlon, because I never knew it was something I could ever complete, and I overcame some injury to do so; the Girls on the Run 5Ks I've been lucky enough to run with my 10-year-old daughter, who is the definition of grace and joy when she runs; and hopefully I'll be able to add one more highlight before the end of July…

A:   Complete my first IRONMAN feeling strong, injury-free, and with a smile on my face.

A:   I want to continue to have fun, find balance in the sport and the rest of life, and do this until I'm an old guy.

A:    A homemade maple granola that I'm now rebranding as "T3 Granola" due to Coach Kevin's love of it, dark chocolate, and Trader Joe's Baby Bananas (which are very polarizing and kind of look like goose poop but I don't care, I love them).

A:   I have an "FTP" playlist that gets me going for any hard workouts. It's mostly classic rock - Queen and the Who!

A:   Two pieces, which I am still learning/re-learning myself:



Foster your relationships with others in the sport but run your own race. I love connecting with my fellow triathletes, which usually happens on social media. Social media is hard. I see my friends and can't help but sometimes compare myself: why don't I swim/bike/run as strong as they do? Why are they doing that workout? Should *I* be doing that workout? Comparison is the thief of joy. I try to remember that my journey is my journey, and everybody is unique. If you're a T3 athlete, this is easier: trust in your coach to give you what you need (as you give them feedback, of course), and run your own race.

Practice gratitude. I've had my share of injuries over years of triathlon, starting with year one. As I've worked through them, I've become especially grateful for any day I can move my body in a way that feels good. I've extended that to gratitude for the people around me, the scenery outside, the wind blowing in my face. Remember: we don't have to do this. We *get* to do this!

A:   The off-season is a great time to focus on other habits that will improve your triathlon season. Over the past few off-seasons, I've focused on strength training, mobility, hydration, nutrition, sleep and mental health, all which are now part of my daily routines without having to expend much additional mental energy.

A:    The one that just ended! :) I think I like bricks the most because I'm off and running before I have a chance to process (aka overthink) what's just happened beforehand.

A:   Going through training can be long and sometimes isolating. As Mister Rogers said: look for the helpers. If you're in T3, you're lucky -- you have them all around you (and you'll find them in your local tri clubs as well!). They will lift you up. They will share the lessons they've learned, and tips/tricks you may have never thought of. Ask any and all questions, no matter how silly or obvious you think they are. I am so grateful to all of those in T3 - athletes and coaches alike - who have given so much of themselves, simply because they want to see me be awesome. And to you reading this: please don't hesitate to reach out to me if I can help you in any way. I, too, want to see you be awesome.