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Rye Brook’s Izzo Tests First New York City Ironman

RYE BROOK, N.Y. – Rye Brook chiropractor Dr. Richard Izzo can’t wait to test himself again Saturday when he joins hundreds of top triathletes for the first-ever New York City Ironman triathlon.

“Endurance training and competing in triathlons have become a driving force in my life, and my work as chiropractor fits so well because I have personal experience with what it takes to develop the body and heal it,” Izzo said on the eve of his next challenge. “New York City will be another great experience for me, because I love the physical social aspects of each new challenge.”

Izzo, who grew up on Long Island playing soccer and other sports, turned to half-marathons, marathons and endurance training as an adult because he wanted to retain a youthful participation in sports instead of becoming a spectator. He is active with the Westchester Triathlon Club, which includes several athletes competing in the New York City Ironman.

“Training and competing in the Northeast can be difficult, because we have such a small window of great weather, and I think it makes us tougher,” Izzo said. “New York poses logistical challenges, getting to the venues in New Jersey for the bike portion, to the barges in the Hudson River for the swim and, well, it’s New York City.”

The Ironman swim is a 2.4-mile, point-to-point swim in the Hudson River. The 112-mile bike course spans the cliffs of Palisades Parkway, followed by a 26.2-mile run course through Palisades Park, over the George Washington Bridge and into Riverside Park. The finish is in Riverside Park at 83rd Street in the heart of the city.

A challenge to the New York City Ironman event occurred Wednesday when a sewer-line break discharged raw sewage into the Hudson River near Tarrytown, threatening to cancel the swim portion of the event.

Organizers said Thursday that they are monitoring the water quality and direction of the current in the river. A decision on whether the race is shortened to the bike and run portions would be made by Friday at the latest, race organizer John Korff said.

The 47-year-old Izzo said he prefers the cycling and running portions of the triathlon test because the swimming test secludes him from his co-competitors. His Rye Brook Chiropractic practice specializes in sports injuries, naturally.

“I love the social aspect of the training and the events, and the fact that my work relates to my love of training,” Izzo said. “You find yourself running and talking, cycling and talking, and bonding with the other athletes. We are like warriors in the same army after the events are over. It’s a beautiful experience and has made me healthier at 47 than I was 20 years ago.”

For more on the New York City Ironman, visit http://ironmanuschampionship.com.

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