Woodside woman runs triathlons

Robyn O'Kane loves to exercise.
For the majority of us, the idea of spending our spare time running, biking and swimming everyday - even in the rain or the heat - is hardly appealing, but for triathletes like O'Kane it is par for the course.
O'Kane, 32, a Woodside resident, says the exercise makes her feel &#8220strong, alive, and fulfilled.”
Therefore, on Sunday, July 16, O'Kane will compete in the sixth annual New York City Nautica Triathlon - a 1,500-meter swim in the Hudson River, a 40-kilometer bike ride along the Henry Hudson Parkway and a 10-kilometer run in Central Park.
Moreover, it is not one triathlon she competes in but several triathlons. In the triathlon season, which takes place from May to October, O'Kane will compete in from seven to 10 competitions, traveling all over the United States.
O'Kane recently placed fifth in her age group and 18th among women in San Francisco's Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon. She will also be competing in the national championships the weekend of Sunday, July 9.
Triathlons, comprised of running, biking and swimming, can fall into four main categories (Sprint, Olympic, half-Ironman, and Ironman) based on their distance. O'Kane prefers the Olympic distance which is one mile of swimming, 25 miles of biking, and 6.2 miles of running.
O'Kane's passion for triathlons was born at Pennsylvania State University during her undergraduate years. Initially on the cycling team, O'Kane was getting bored. It was in her senior year she joined the triathlon team and fell in love.
&#8220The amateur level for triathletes is very competitive,” O'Kane said. Nevertheless, it is still not enough for her - she hopes to go pro at the end of this year's season. To do so she will have to place in the top eight of women in three triathlons with more than 400 or more competitors.
In her spare time - since O'Kane said there is &#8220no money in triathlons” - she teaches physiology and anatomy at LaGuardia Community College. Her Ph.D. from the Chicago Medical School in physiology qualifies her to be her own coach.
&#8220I can put together my own training,” she said. &#8220When I plateau then I'll get a coach.”
Because of her training, O'Kane said she is in best shape of her life, and she hopes that her fitness level will result in victories in her two upcoming races.