From now until Superfrog/seal on Sunday, I'll be profiling local athletes who are competing in the race.
The last to be profiled is the husband-and-wife triathlon juggernaut of Dave McMahon and Raja Lahti.
Names:
David McMahon and Raja Lahti
Age groups:
Dave: 40-44
Raja: 30-34
Hometowns:
Dave: St Catherines, Ontario
Raja: Los Angeles
Current location:
San Diego
Occupations:
Dave: Retail and financial consultant
Raja: Pharmaceuticals
Bikes:
Dave: HED TT
Raja: Quintana Roo Caliente
SuperFrog or SuperSeal?
Dave: FROG
Raja: SEAL
1. Why did you sign up for Superfrog/seal?
Dave: As base training preparation for Ironman Cozumel.
Raja: As a prep for Wildflower and summer races.
2. How long have you been training for it?
Dave: No specific training plans for this race. I find that for me racing is the best way to build my strength.
Raja: I’m not sure that I’m really ready yet, but sometimes you never know! My ankle injury in January set me back a bit, so I’ve really only been training for about a month.
3. Have you have any setbacks or surprise improvements?
Dave: Just trying to stay consistent. I’ve been working hard on the bike, which has historically been my weakest link. I PR’d at Ironman California (Editor’s note: 4:53:13) a few weeks ago so things seem to be going as they should.
Raja: Training was going well until I injured my ankle mid-January. A month on crutches put a dent in training. In an effort to re-motivate and get focused again, I was invited to train with Sergio Borges. The group workouts keep me engaged, and each week feels better than the last. My ankle isn’t 100%, but with the help of Gino Cinco things are getting back to normal.
4. What’s your race goal and strategy?
Dave: Stay steady and push the bike.
Raja: Finish with two ankles. I won the age group last year but am certainly not expecting to win this year. (Editor’s note: Raja’s winning time was 2:27:43.) This race is a good check on how training is coming along.
5. Have you done Superfrog/seal or other triathlons before?
Dave: I’ve been racing triathlon since 1989. I took some time off, but came back to do Ironman Canada in 2004. I’ve come to enjoy the longer events and have actually improved since my younger years. (Editor’s note: Dave’s 2009 Superfrog time was 4:38:15 for third place in his age group. He demolished the Ironman Canada course in 11:03:06.)
Raja: I started triathlon in 2004. Dave is the one responsible for me diving head first into the sport. We met swimming at masters and became training partners. Last year was my first Superseal.
6. What’s your proudest athletic achievement?
Dave: Coming back to the sport after a seven-year absence. I’m just happy to be racing.
Raja: Last year I was fortunate enough to travel to Australia to represent Team USA at the Age Group World Championships.
Comments