Introducing The Crew

Most of my good ideas start with a dumb bet…

“How many times do you think we can go up Pikes Peak today? Can you eat that donut while standing on your head? I bet we can run up that mountain as fast as we can bike up it? Where does that road go… I don’t know… me either, let’s see.”

Those were pretty typical conversations, on pretty typical days while training with our team this past summer,. Of course, this was mixed in with a ton of pushing, pain and suffering. Our coaching staff and I had some really great training blocks and adventures together- we had lots of laughs, lots of really ridiculous bets you can only have when a group of somewhat like minded folks get together, and we all found new levels in our training.

What came out of this is one of our new initiatives for 2019- THE CREW.

One of my main goals in the sport of triathlon is to help it grow by making it ACCESSIBLE. Simply put, we said, how can we lower all of the barriers to entry:

GREAT COACHING: Want the right advice, coaching, and mentorship, we can provide that.
AFFORDABLE: Need that great coaching cheap- we got you. Need a ton of gear- we got you with sponsor products, free product, discounted race entries and so much more. Need a support network for places to train or folks to stay/travel with across the world- we got you.
NON-INTIMIDATING: Anything new can be intimidating. We lower this barrier by providing a great environment, mentorship program, constant support and affordable resources.

We do all of this with our AP Racing team and we could not be happier. With that, We realized that our AP RACING TEAM serves about 98% of the tri market. So, what else we can do to help move the needle further while also helping ALL AP racing team members?

I Realized that our current AP Racing Team serves about 98% of the Tri Market. So, we said to ourselves, what else can we do?

It was important to me that the emerging pro or elite age group athlete receive the support he/she needs too. Questions I knew I had when I was startingi out needed to be answered- How does a new pro find sponsorship, work with sponsors, ‘up’ their training to reach new levels that Pro racing demands, etc? In addition, how can we support this group of athletes while providing more benefits to the AP Racing Team, at large. My answer: The Crew.

The Crew is a small group of athletes that we hand selected to receive all of the support listed above, plus the chance to train together throughout the year at various training camps. In addition, these athletes can help support and mentor our entire AP Racing community. I am pumped for 2019!!

So, without any more delay, let me introduce you to The Crew!

Featured

POTTS + BRIENZA

The dynamic duo. You will be hard pressed to find one of these guys without the other. These two are the lead staff for the crew and can’t wait to help everyone PUSH THEIR POTENTIAL.

STEPHEN CAMBELL

Stephen Campbell is AP Racing’s first official staff member and all around amazing guy. Steve mentors athletes, is part of our camp/event staff, and is training to become an AP racing coach.

Very similar to Andy Potts, Steve Campbell was not introduced to triathlon until his mid-20s. Unlike Andy Potts, he received his first swim lesson also in his 20’s and signed up for his first Ironman without owning a bike. Steve was an All-State athlete in XC, Track & Field, and Soccer but went on to play Basketball in college. He completed his first marathon when he was 14 but took a break from endurance sports until after school when his friend dared him to do an Ironman. He has completed a handful of Ironman and Ironman 70.3 races while also completing a few ultra-marathons. Day to day Steve is an Athletic Director and PE Teacher at Middle School in Arizona. He is very excited to be apart of the Andy Potts racing team and hopes to inspire youth the same way Andy has inspired him.

BRIAN ABRAHAM

Brian is an AP Racing Crew Member, 1:1 Coached Athlete and one of AP racing newest staff members. Brian works with AP Racing mentoring new athletes, working at camps, and running all information technology for AP Racing. Back in 2017, Brian retired after 15 years in the the Action Sports Apparel and Footwear Industry and has been living the tri life every since.

Favorite Race: IM703 Oceanside- It is in my hometown and the course is just amazing. Rollers, hills, flats, ocean swim and the kickoff to the 2019 season.

Race he is most proud of : IM1406 Santa Rosa(2018): This is the race that Brian finally turned a corner in full distance racing and has only made improvements since. I think AP Racing might have had a little to do with that.

Go To Recovery Smoothie: Infinit Recovery Chocolate, BP Fit, Frozen Pineapple Chunks, 12 oz of Dark Chocolate Almond Milk.

Favorite Place to train: Olympic City USA with Brienza + Potts. #LETSCLIMB

MATIAS PALAVECINO

With calves as big as watermelons, this guys crushes it. You think you can out swim him- you can’t, he has real swimming pedigree and his training partner and wife is world class. You think you can out bike him, think again: he raced bikes for years. And you think you can outrun him- try again- he was a collegiate runner with PB’s of 32:38 in the 10k, 1:12 in 13.1 and 2:34:40 in 26.2

Race Highlights:
Chicago Triathlon- 1st Place OA Amateur
IM703 Eaglemean- 1st Place OA Amateur (08’, 10’)
IM1406 Chesapeke Man- 1st Place OA Amateur

Favorite Food: Taco’s + Burgers

Favorite Race: 5150 Columbia, it is in my hometown and was so much fun!

ERIC ENGEL

Eric first got hist start in triathlon after taking a "Triathlon Training" class his sophomore year of college at University of Wisconsin-Madison (go Badgers!). Over the last 10 years in the sport of triathlon, he has competed in 14 full IRONMANs and have been fortunate enough to toe the start line in Kona four times (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018).

Favorite Race: IRONMAN Coeur d'Alene (RIP)

Race most proud of: My first Kona qualifying race at Coeur d'Alene in 2014

Smoothie Recipe: INFINIT Repair + Chocolate milk

Favorite Place to train: Wisconsin hills!

BEN DEAL

A runner, rower and climber at Columbia University, Ben decided to try his luck at triathlon and has found much success.

Ben is one of the AP Racing Pro Athletes that will be racing in his 1st year as a pro in 2019. We are really excited to help him grow as an athlete and to learn more about the sport. Ben is also joined on The Crew with his wife, Summer, who will quality for her pro card this spring as she attempts to win collegiate nationals.

Favorite Race: Maine State Triathlon- it was Ben’s 1st triathlon and his first age group win, two years after his 1st attempt.

Race he is most proud of: 70.3 Indian Wells/La Quinta in 2018- This was my first overall amateur win and the race in which I qualified for my pro card.

Go To Recovery Smoothie: My go to recovery smoothie is whatever my wife, Summer, makes extra of and allows me to have.

Favorite Bike Rides: I have two favorite bike loops that are tough to choose between as my favorite training spots: New York's Central Park at night and the Park Loop Road in Acadia National Park.

GUSTAVO CEZAR

Born in 1986 in Rio de Janeiro - Brazil, Gustavo grew up playing soccer, riding bikes and motorcycles. As most Brazilians he wanted to become a professional soccer player but "school got in the way”. After finishing undergrad and masters in mechanical engineering, he moved to US to start his PhD. During this time he got used to bike a lot commuting to school and work. While commuting, any cyclist he would spot going in the same direction would become competition. Eventually he started swimming and run, just to get some diversity. Signing up for his first triathlon was just a matter of time. After almost quitting his first race (olympic distance) due to some respiratory issues he grinded it out to the finish line. Even though the result was far below his expectations, he had won the mind game - or as he likes to call the "chimp-brain game". That’s when the seed was planted and he jumped straight to ironman distance events. From then on, he was just looking to race and learn as much as he could, searching for improvements, not repeating mistakes and having lots of fun during training and racing.

Favorite race - IM Kona.

Race you are most proud of - Half Moon Bay Triathlon.

Go to recovery smoothie recipe - Lavoisier style: open the fridge/shelves see what you have, blend it, drink it! Best Lavoisier up to now: chocolate powder protein, peanut butter, banana, hemp seed, ginger, almond, berries, plain kefir (or yogurt), kale/arugula.

Favorite place to train - Anywhere out in the wilderness with lots of sun.

SUMMER DEAL

Summer is a registered nurse at the University of New Mexico as well as a full time graduate student, studying Public Health. Summer did her first triathlon, without any training, in an attempt to impress her now husband and fellow Crew member, Ben Deal.

Favorite Race: PumpkinMan in Las Vegas, NV- because the course is beautiful and hilly

Race She is Most Proud of: IM703 Indian Wells, where she swam a minute faster than she expected in freezing cold water (57 degrees).

Summer's favorite recovery smoothie recipe: 1 banana, 1 cup of cold coffee, 1 tray of ice cubes, 2 scoops all natural peanut butter, 2 scoops chocolate Vega protein powder and dark chocolate chips.

Favorite place to train: Albuquerque, NM. Why- because the city is at elevation, has ample places to run as well as being a relatively safe bike community. Additionally she has found remarkable training buddies including, Natty Plunkit, Margaret Gavin, and the Bun Headz.

ANDY ZABEL

Andy Zabel is from the frozen tundra known as Sartell, MN with his wife, Kim and 4 children. He started training with AP Racing late 2017 and have enjoyed the variety of workouts and the group’s light-hearted feel. Having a club like this to talk & train with is paramount in keeping energized and focused. I started training with AP Racing for Ironman Cozumel. Nearly every race I entered in 2018 was a PR- Thanks guys for the support. I’m looking forward to meeting more AP Racers and spreading AP Racing love across the globe for 2019!

Favorite race: Ironman Madison: The crowd support is unbelievable. It is a difficult course, but the thousands of cheering spectators get you to the finish!

Race you are most proud of: Apple Duathlon (Sartell, MN) It’s in its 36th year + has been a National & World Qualifier. Very competitive & difficult but always rewarding. 2018 was the first year I broke 1:30:00. It took 9 years of hard work to get there!

Go to recovery smoothie recipe: Blueberry Smoothie
½ cup ice
8 oz almond milk (unsweetened vanilla is my fave)
1 scoop protein powder
2 oz fresh or frozen blueberries
1 frozen banana
Optional Ingredients:
1 handful of fresh spinach, Beet root powder, Frozen cube of ginger, Sweetener (honey, agave, stevia, sugar etc)

Favorite place to train: Tucson AZ. Mount Lemmon is an epic climb. You start in the desert and 2 hours later you are riding in the evergreens surrounded by snow. Oh, there is a cookie shop at the summit for rewarding yourself

TANIA HERNANDEZ

Tania is ‘La Reina De Las Montanas’ in the AP Racing inner circle. She is 100% all the time and has such a positive outlook on training and life. Her goal is to always PUSH and have a Passion for all Sports.

Tania is a former swimmer, who represented Mexico in international competition for years. A few highlights from her swimming career:

Central American Championships: Gold Medal in 50 free, 4 x 100 free relay, and 4 x 200 free relay
Former Mexican Record Holder: 4 x 200 free relay and 4 x 100 Free relay

A Few Triathlon Highlights:
5150 Miami: 1st Place
IM703 Cancun: 2nd Place
Oktoberfest Tri: 1st Place

Favorite Race: ITU WC’s 2018

Race She is Most Proud of: ITU WC’s 2018 as it was the first time her 3 kids could watch her race and cheer for her!

Favorite Place to train: Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. We are noticing a pattern here, I am thinking more people should come to our Colorado Springs Camp.

Go to recovery smoothie recipe
Coconut milk +1 cup of Bananas + tea spoon of Amaranth + New dark Chocolate Infinit mix

TODD MELLINGER

They call him the ‘clockwork’ because he is precise and accurate in everything he does. You say 256 watts, he gives you 256 watts. Todd has been a member of AP Racing since 2017 and was part of our first camp in Arizona.

Favorite Race:
Kona, IM world championship. It is also the race I hate the most. Racing with the best is a huge draw, the conditions are so brutally hard. Such a love/hate relationship with that course.

Race you are most proud of:
IMAZ, race where everything came together, so fun when it does. Plus, it was amazing having the whole AP Racing crew cheering and screaming all day long.

Go to recovery smoothie recipe:
Keep it simple- Chocolate milk

Favorite place to train
Northern Colorado.. The climb to Estes park, starting from Fort Collins, thru glen haven, has to be my favorite rides of all time. Never gets easy, never gets old.

MATT RASKE

Watch out, here comes Matt Raske!

Matt is an accomplished veterinary surgeon, father, husband and rockstar athlete. Matt has been an AP Racing 1:1 Athlete since December of 2018.

As a former D1 swimmer, he races from the front and usually stays there. When we spent time with Matt at our Chula Vista Camp, we told him that he could be anything he wanted to be in this sport. He put his head down and became one of the best, period.

A Few Highlights from 2018:
IM703 New Orleans: 1st Overall
703 MightyMan Montauk: 1st Overall
IM1406 Arizona: 9:05:15 in IM1406 Debut, 5th

Go to Smoothie:
1 scoop of Infinit MUD, 1 Frozen banana, 1 Spoonful of peanut butter, 8 oz. coconut milk

KATIE FIDLER

Katie is one of our newest camp staff members and will be training with the crew when she is not globetrotting and slaying some of the world’s highest peaks. Katie is an expert mountaineer and can be seen equally riding bikes or ‘ice axing’ her way to the top of a mountain.

Favorite race - Lake Placid Ironman, aside from an absolutely stunning course, the town comes alive during ironman week, the energy is amazing and incredibly motivating!

Race you are most proud of - Ironman Arizona, despite a challenging year of losing my father and moving to a new state, I took each day one at time and remained focused as best I could on training. In the end, I had a great day, and over an hour PR!

Go to recovery smoothie recipe - banana, blueberries, almond butter & almond milk - no measuring, just throw it all in and blend

Favorite place to train - Colorado - the climbing is epic!

ROBBIE WALKER

Robbie Walker is one of the newest members of our camp staff and self-proclaimed social media captain for The Crew and AP Racing Camps.

In 2018, Robbie could have be found pretty much anywhere in the world racing and/or in your social feed. With an infectious personality, a great heart, and a ‘can do’ attitude, Robbie will be at AP racing camps and events showing the world how we all should try to live.

A Man That Chases His Dreams:

Born in England, Robbie moved to Seattle at 7 but always wanted to return to play in the EPL. Upon high school graduation, Robbie moved back to England to try and fulfill his dreams.

Robbie found triathlon in 2001 and has not looked back. He still goes crazy for EPL, steel frame bicycle racing, and all of his clients in his financial services business.

Favorite race: Ironman Canada- beautiful course, very nice village, fantastic food options, drive-able from Seattle, and the full/half/half-relay are all available so almost anyone can compete.

Race he is Most Proud Of: IM Canada- best finish yet!

Go To Smoothie: PB&J- Infinit RAW protein powder, milk, dehydrated PB, jam/fruit of choice, and the key- wheatgerm (super healthy and adds bread flavor).

Favorite place to train: Anywhere sunny with little traffic, or my trainer!

WATCH OUT, THE CREW IS COMING!

athlete spotlightDaniel BrienzaFebruary 16, 2019crew1 Comment