Meet Melissa Peretz, who's going to get you into the best shape of your life!

You know that amazing feeling you get when you've achieved something beyond your wildest dreams? The confidence, the self-esteem, the deep sense of accomplishment you get, having pushed yourself, and pushed yourself some more, and made it to the other side? Melissa Peretz, the Triathlon Training Instructor at Waterside Plaza's Swim and Health Club knows the feeling well... and today she's not only an avid triathlete, she can help you, too, get into better physical shape that you ever thought possible. 

Beginning this month, on Monday, April 12, at 5:45 in the evening, Melissa will begin her proven-effective Triathlon Fitness program at the Waterside Health Club, an intensive, eight-week, eight-session regimen that includes 30 minutes on the stationary bike, 30 minutes on the treadmill, and 30 minutes in the pool. Much more than just a great workout, Melissa's Triathlon Fitness program will teach you the latest techniques for streamlining your swimming, cycling, and running strokes, making your training AND competing more efficient and effective than ever before. It's a great opportunity to go beyond what you only THOUGHT were your body's limitations, and it only costs $125 for all eight weeks. 

Anyway, it's all very exciting. We had a chance to chat with Melissa the other day about her own Triathlon experience, and what she hopes to accomplish with her new class here at Waterside Plaza. Here's what she had to say....   

1. What first inspired you to become a triathlete, Melissa?

Actually, I had signed up for the NY marathon and didn't get a place in the lottery, so as I had been training already for a few months and I couldn't find another marathon that would fit my schedule, I decided to adjust my training and go for triathlon instead. It is something I have been interested in for some time and as I was already cycling I just needed to get swimming again.  

I have completed a few non-sanctioned events and a few sanctioned events (that means it is regulated by the USAT). Each event has been a slightly different distance, so I don't have a specific personal best. Each time I just want to do the best I can on that day.  

3. Is there a section of each race (or training session) that you particularly dread, or especially enjoy? Like, you can't wait to get out of the water and onto the bike?

Without a doubt my favorite part of a tri is the bike. That is my strongest event and most enjoyable. The swim is the most challenging to me, especially when it is an open-water swim, as all my training is done in a pool.

4. Any good, bad, or ugly triathlon stories you like to share with us, that either happened to you or one of your students?

The worst moment I have had during a triathlon was during my very first one. I had just started the swim; it took a while to get used to all the other legs and arms kicking and flapping around me, everyone fighting for their space. So I was half way out to the buoy when I looked up and totally lost my nerve. I had a flash of "I can't do this" and lost control of my breath. I realized I had as far to go back to the shore as I did to get to the buoy and decided in that moment that I was totally unwilling to give up. I summoned a deep breath and kept going. That was an enlightening moment, to feel a complete lack of control and then mentally pull it together. I think any sports event that really challenges your own perspectives of what you are capable of are so empowering, it keeps people coming back for more. It's certainly true for me. So in fact, the worst moment really wasn't at all!

5. That's great that you have a two-and-half-year old daughter! Our daughters are teenagers now, but even though they're pretty independent these days, we'd still be concerned about finding time to train for such an arduous-sounding event. Doesn't being a triathlete require a huge time commitment? How do you manage it with all of your duties as a mom?

The events I have participated in so far have been sprint distances, so although there is still a lot of training necessary it is more manageable. I have always made time for cycling and running, so it is really about trying to squeeze in more swimming, and then in the few weeks before an event, I increase the workload as much as I feasibly can. It helps having a great husband who knows what it takes to train for an event (he does road races) and is incredibly supportive and encouraging. When I run, I have a jogging stroller, so my daughter comes with me and during the season, one ride on the weekend is with my Burley carriage attached to my bike, again so she comes with me. The distance I can ride with the Burley is much more limited and it is much more challenging, but we get to all be together and I still get to train. 

Thanks Melissa. 

And now you can sign up today for Melissa's Triathlon Training Program, beginning on Monday, April 12, by calling 212-340-4225 or stopping by the Waterside Health Club.

Posted at 10:22PM Apr 01, 2010 by Scott in Events  |