October 23, 2007

To: Tri Star Athletes

On April 15, 2007 I was fortunate enough to find out I was selected as one of the 200 worldwide lottery winners for the 2007 Ford Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii on October 13, 2007.  While I was ecstatic about the great news, my anxiety level started to red line since my longest triathlon to date had been a sprint triathlon!  As a former member of the United States Bobsled Team, I knew I had the determination, drive and commitment to meet this challenge, but how I should begin training for an Ironman was a complete mystery to me. 

As a happily married man for 15 years, and with three kids, I truly did believe this would be my once in a lifetime opportunity to try to be an Ironman. I decided I would hire a coach to help me achieve this dream.  I wanted to find an expert in the field of Ironman distances, but more importantly, someone who had been to Kona and completed the race.  As fate would have it, my local bike shop put me in touch with Haluk Sarci from Tri Star Athletes.  Little did I know just how much of an accomplished athlete Haluk is.  He is a former Olympic runner for his native country of Turkey, a 6 time Ironman Kona Hawaii finisher, and a pro level cyclist.  Once I read his resume and interviewed him over dinner, I knew he could shape me into an Ironman.

We started in late April with a well thought out, deliberate and methodical training plan developed by Haluk but in conjunction with my abilities and my goals for Kona.  He worked around my torn calf muscle and got me on the bike and into the pool for my foundation work.  He spent time with me on the bike, and visited with me at the pool as well.  With weekly phone conversations, he adjusted my training accordingly and in no time I was literally up and running.  With Haluk’s help, I finished the Musselman half Ironman and solidified my spot for Kona.  This was the first time ever competing in and finishing this distance.  I also completed the NYC Nike ½ Marathon-what a great training run.  Over the course of the summer I was able to turn up my training a few notches and began very long runs and bike rides on the weekends.  Haluk helped me with maintaining proper nutrition, including what to eat and drink and how to use salt tablets effectively for the heat and humidity of Kona.  I tried all sorts of drinks and energy bars on my 7 hour rides and 3.5 hour runs.  It all added up to an extremely high level of confidence as September rolled around.  Haluk helped me thru the month of September as I battled an old ACL tear in my left knee.  As October 13th edged closer, and my anxiety level red lined, Haluk was always there for me with a phone call, email, and even a ride by my house to check up on me.  There was nothing left to do but fly to Kona!!

My whole family came with me including my mom and step dad.  I was very nervous and extremely anxiety ridden when we landed on Sunday.  My biggest fear-honestly I had many fears-was the swim start.  In all my sprint triathlons this is where I have always had trouble.  But the most amazing thing happened to me-when I entered the ocean at the swim start for my 1st day of practice, after two strokes in the water-a calm came over me and I knew right then that not only would the swim be fine, but that my dream of becoming an Ironman would be reached-I knew at that moment in the ocean I would cross the finish line!  What an amazing feeling of calm-but an even more amazing feeling of supreme confidence to achieve the task at hand all because of the endless hours of training and methodical coaching by Haluk.

Race day was truly amazing.  Not only had Haluk flown to Kona to support me, so had Cliff Scherb the President of Tri Star and an accomplished triathlete in his own right.  My level of confidence gave me almost no anxiety at the swim start.  Having never finished ANY of the 3 distances I was about to do, I had every confidence I would complete the race.  When the cannon went off, I started the swim with no anxiety at all-yes I got jostled around a bit, but I knew I would complete the swim no problem which I did.  I took my sweet time in T1 knowing I was in for a long day on the bike and prayed that my left knee had 112 more miles in it.  While the bike was very difficult, I did manage to finish it.  I would compare the bike to riding a bicycle on the sun, uphill, in a hurricane with the wind coming at you face first!  For me, it was that brutal.  Never was I more happy to comment to another cyclist, “I can’t wait for the marathon”-and I had never done one before!!  The marathon was great-Haluk ran with me for sometime encouraging me literally every step of the way.  Cliff even joined in on the fun and rode his bike alongside me as well keeping my head screwed on correctly!  The last two miles of the run was incredible-it is literally down hill as thousands of spectators are screaming encouragement.  As you inch closer to the finish line, millions of thoughts crossed my mind-all the long rides, long swim and long runs-all the support from my family and friends, and all the help of Haluk.  Without each component working together, my dream would have never been realized.  For the rest of my life I have a new family-one that only a small handful of people in the world belong to-the Ironman family.  My dream was fulfilled as Mike Reilly shouted into the microphone late Saturday night on October 13th…..Mark Levitt from Tenafly, NJ-you are an Ironman!!!

To Haluk Sarci-my friend and fellow Ironman-without you this dream would have never been fulfilled.  Thank you so much for your never ending support for these seven months.  Words cannot express my gratitude to you.  The fact that you stayed with my entire family on race day shows just how much you care for your athletes.  And a special thank you goes to Cliff Scherb as well.  Whenever Haluk was not available-which was rare-you picked up the slack and answered all of my questions.  Thank you both for making my Ironman dream come true.

Be well,
Mark Levitt

While having a mid-life crisis one night, I signed myself up for the Silverman Iron distance triathlon. I didn't read the small print about the 9000 feet of climb on the bike, or the 3000 feet on the run, and somehow I missed the "toughest triathlon in the world" part. I know..i know..it was late ..And I had a few beers... Anyway, with very little triathon experience and 15 weeks to go, I hired Cliff on the recommendation of a friend. Cliff was 100% involved in my life for those 15 weeks. From 5am text messages telling me to get my ass out of bed to rearranging my workouts every other day to accommodate my unorganized lifestyle, he was patient, easygoing, pleasant and always supportive. Because this was my first Ironman distance, I was constantly in doubt of my training and ability. It wasn't until mile 90 on race day that I knew I was very well prepared and well trained. I felt strong and eager to run. I finished!! And have since changed my view on childbirth....childbirth is no longer the most excruciating pain ever..(just kidding!) I can't wait to do another one. Go Cliff, just shut up and do what he says!!!!

- Rhona Chambersn.y.c. Paramedic
Mom of Ethan and Ava

Never having learned to ride a bike, I started training with Cliff in May. His patience and calm disposition created an environment where I felt safe and trusting enough to get past my anxiety. Within two weeks, he was able to get me riding in my aero bars and in three months, had me ready for my first Half Ironman. Last year, he saw me through all of my first milestones. I look forward to accomplishing many more with him this year.

- Stacey Jargowski

I had the opportunity of meeting Coach Scherb at a local triathlon store in NYC almost two years ago.  Fortunately we hit it off and it has been a tremendous partnership ever since.  At the time of our introduction ,  I  had participated in nine marathons some short distant tri’s , two ½ ironman and  IM Wisconsin.  When I  registered for Coeur d’ Alene(CDA) in 2006  I knew it was time to try to get myself to the next level.

Coach Scherb is  practical, realistic, compassionate, and most of all a great  listener.  Its great knowing that your coach has been there and done that.   He is truly inspirational.  His knowledge of nutrition, physiology and endurance sports medicine makes him a resource second to none.
Needing to improve my cycling and swimming I spent many hours with him working on technique and fueling strategies. He really taught me the art of recovery whereby allowing the body to rest properly prior to the next hard workout.  This made lots of sense and had significant impact on my hard workout sessions.

Upon crossing the finish line in CDA I felt great and shaved an hour off my previous  IMW time. With Cliffs guidance and enthusiasm I’m  registered for Eagleman and IMF this year.   We have already mapped out the goals and training strategies to once again improve and stay healthy.
Without reservation , I would recommend Coach Scherb to any athlete interested in taking that  next step in setting a new pr or braving your first marathon or triathlon.

- Bruce Huberman 46 Age Grouper