Slipped Away Through the Lens #39

Nelson Reyes, NY

Nelson Reyes,

Kate Williamson,

Florida

John Howard,

California

Escape to the Palisades

Half Marathon

TTT swim coach

Warren Rothman,

NY

John Davis, Paul

Milazzo, NY

Ron Hurtado,

Middle East

Our House

2017 Birthday Laps

2017 Christmas

2012 Christmas

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life” -- Confucius

In his final years, Steve shared with me how much he would like to focus his career on coaching and move away from producing endurance sport events. Steve was passionate about coaching and was truly in his element when he was coaching swimmers from the pool deck. Many types of athletes, from seasoned professionals, to elite age group athletes, to fitness swimmers, even to beginners and children who had a fear of the water all benefitted from Steve’s skill as a coach. He had the instinctive ability to tune into the learning style of the individual and adjust how he coached based on the needs of that person. Since I travelled a lot with Steve when he conducted his swim clinics around the country and in Europe I was fortunate to witness how Steve naturally adjusted his coaching style depending on who he was coaching. I will never forget when he was teaching a young boy how to swim at the Nassau County Aquatic center. Steve was so gentle and encouraging and was so in tune with what this young person needed to hear to overcome any fears he had putting his head in the water.

After Steve passed in 2015, the following quote was posted in an online tribute to Steve:

“… I took my first triathlon swim lesson with him 7 years ago. I still remember it like it was yesterday. Newcomers will never get a chance to experience his enthusiasm, passion, and support...”

Michael Lovato,

Colorado

Deb Savarese,

Florida

TTT swimmers, NY

In May of 2017, I sold the home Steve and I had lived in for over 27 years.

In 1988, Steve and I bought a small Cape Cod style house. Prior to purchasing it, (it was at the peak of Long Island real estate pricing), we put over 30 miles on the car looking for homes for sale in our chosen neighborhood. We finally found a house under $200K, (unheard of at the time) but it needed a lot of work; new kitchen, new windows, new doors, new hot water heater, etc. in addition to the normal cosmetic fix-ups. As with most major decisions in his life, Steve struggled with this house purchase. I remember our first night in our new home, laying on the floor in one of the empty rooms and arguing since Steve wanted to put the house back on the market ASAP and was suggesting we move into a rental. Our romantic vision of being "first time happy home owners"; eg; our first night in the home spent eating pizza by candlelight while we sat on boxes, never happened.

I was adamant we stay in the house and make it work. So we did, and spent the first few months cleaning and dealing with construction.

Some of the funnier memories about our house that come to my mind all revolve around bathrooms.   When we first moved in, the only room that did not require work was the one and only bathroom. I was not too fond of the green color scheme, however, it was functional and something we could live with.   During the first few weeks in our new home, we had the rugs cleaned. All of a sudden, I heard a crashing noise. The carpet cleaner was filling his pail with water from the bathtub. He had leaned against the tiled wall to balance himself and his arm went right through what turned out to be a rotted wall. Luckily, he didn't hurt himself. So, now we had a good reason to re-do the green bathroom.

One day, shortly after we moved in, I heard Steve calling me from the bathroom telling me to shut the door. When I got to the bathroom, he told me to close either the bathroom door or the front door. I looked straight from the bathroom to the front door and I see the postman walking up the front steps to deliver our mail. Needless to say, not a view one would want while seated in the bathroom.   We learned two valuable lessons; 1). Always close the bathroom door when in use. 2). When purchasing a house, always check the open front door view from the bathroom (just in case you forgot lesson one).

My last bathroom story relates to us putting in a second bathroom. Whenever we had guests stay at our house over the years, they would sleep on a futon in our living room and share our one bathroom. For years, I tried to convince Steve that we should half dormer the upstairs to put in a second bathroom and guest area.   Steve was generous to a fault, however, he was also very frugal. Me, on the other hand, although not a big spender, believed that sometimes one had to spend money on worthwhile home improvements.

A little over ten years after we bought our house, Steve finally conceded to a second bathroom. Some friends were staying in our living room. Around two or three in the morning, Steve got out of bed to use the bathroom. He heard one of the guests getting up at the same time to go use the bathroom. So, Steve came back to bed. A few minutes later, the guest left the bathroom and Steve got up again, only to return to bed as the other guest had gotten up to use the bathroom. Steve looked at me and said "It's time to get a second bathroom".   I called the contractor the next day before Steve changed his mind and not too long after that, we had our second bathroom.

More than once over the years, when things "broke" in the house, Steve and I always commented to each other; "We have no business owning a home" as the two of us were clueless most of the time when it came to repairs. The house we bought back in 1988 never became our "dream house", but we eventually made it our own and I will always cherish the many happy memories of time spent there with Steve

Steve was a true pioneer and visionary in the sport of triathlon, and not just on Long Island.

In 2011, Steve had heard that there was going to be an Ironman distance triathlon (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run) race in the NY/NJ metro area in August of 2012. Steve saw an opportunity to create a 1/2 marathon event starting in Palisades Park, NJ, which also included part of the new Ironman course. Aside from designing a beautiful run course, Steve saw great potential in the appeal an event like this would have for athletes planning to participate in the NY/NJ Ironman.

As a triathlete coach, Steve felt that one of the key training sessions while preparing for an Ironman is to do some long runs with a bike ride of 45-90 minutes prior to the run. This allows the athlete to feel what it is like to do a long run with legs that are somewhat fatigued

Steve created the 1/2 marathon event for early May of 2012 that effectively could make the race part of a ‘training day’ for those athletes who were going to do the NY/NJ Ironman. Athletes could bike to the 1/2 marathon site and/or along River Road before starting the race. With this new event, part of Steve’s plan was to make this ‘training day’ more enjoyable for the Ironman athletes since there would be water stops and the energy and motivation of the other runners as part of the 1/2 marathon and the athletes would also be provided a secure place to check their bike.

Unfortunately, the NY/NJ Ironman only lasted for one year, however, the ½ marathon run event Steve designed is still in existence, a true tribute to Steve’s vision and creativity and part of his legacy.

Mike Stewart,

Pete Ventura, NY

Slipped Away

Through the Lens #39

TClaudine Gershowitz,

Richard Elliott,

Jones Beach

Lifeguards,

Mike Barone,

New Jersey

"miniature"

umbrella pine

tree

This year, Steve's 57th birthday was celebrated across the nation as well as from other countries. Some who dedicated their workouts to Steve for his birthday were friends and some dedications were from others that never met him.   It is the third birthday since Steve passed that people have celebrated his life by doing something Steve himself would do on his birthday; swim, bike, run, lift weights or yoga. I was so touched by the outpouring of support for my request to honor his memory.

Thank you all for keeping Steve's memory alive!

On 12/20, Tarp's Total Training (TTT) swim coaches (Shawn Tannenbaum, Warren Rothman , Pete Ventura) and long time TTT members ( Mike Stewart, Steve Schloss, Charlie Wittman, Josie Piccinic and some new members too!) gathered at Nassau Aquatic where Steve used to coach and they continued Steve's birthday lap tradition of swimming one lap for every year of his age plus one lap for good luck( 58 laps this year).   TTT member Wolfgang Dave Wiesemann, could not make the TTT 12/20 swim session so he did 57 laps on his own in memory of Steve.

Members of Airborne Tri Team also honored Steve's memory. Ron Hurtado did a gym workout somewhere in the Middle East (he is currently deployed). Nelson Reyes and his son Isaac dedicated their swim and 58 minute treadmill run to Steve. Richard Elliott dedicated his cycle trainer hill repeat workout to Steve. Paul Milazzo and John Davis joined TTT on 12/20 for birthday laps.

Current Jones Beach lifeguards (Coach Bob Kollar, Tom Donovan, Kevin Woods, Bob Adler, Dave Spence, Jim MacFarlane, Tom Hadley, Donnie Matthews, Dave Curry, Frank McShane, and James Rooney) dedicated their 12/22 swim workout to Steve. They swam 1,900 yards or 76 laps, coached by Bob Kollar.

Deb Savarese from Florida said the following in memory of Steve: " Happy birthday Steve! You're in my heart every time I swim!"

Peter Hursty did a cycle trainer workout in Hawaii: "1 min per decade! Hard 1 min times 5!! Steve brought me through"

This, from former Olympic cyclist John Howard in California: "Lost count of the laps around my neighborhood green belt but it was an area that Steve and I used to ride. I chose an older Serotta Ottrotto because it was a bike that I actually rode with Steve on this very ride. Many happy thoughts during the experience. Note the strong light beam in the photos. I did not notice it while riding. Gotta wonder!"

Claudine Gershowitz went on a quiet and peaceful mountain bike ride in Stillwell in memory of Steve

Jim Spinner from Connecticut: " I will dedicate my bike ride to Steve as a birthday tribute to him. Please know he is missed dearly"

Mike Barone is recovering from shoulder surgery and planned to walk a mile or two in the mall and/or do a one arm pull drill for 25 minutes. (that is so Mike LOL)

Kate WIlliamson rode her bike the length of Manasota Key, Florida (about 16 miles) before beach yoga, to honor the memory of Steve...    "It was a beautiful morning, and a perfect time to reflect on what a wonderful person and coach he was."

Steve's former business partner, Annette and her significant other Stefan, did birthday swim laps in memory of Steve while in Phuket, Thailand.Michael Lovato from Boulder, Colorado coached an outdoor swim in 20 degree weather with snow on the ground (something Steve would have LOVED) in Steve's memory.

1988, 1st Christmas

in new home

Coach Steve

Annette and Stephan,

Thailand

1993

Golden Circle

TTT swim coach

Shawn Tannenbaum,

Merry Christmas Steve, my third one without you since you have been gone.

This post is dedicated to all those lost to suicide (Arlene, Matt, Jill ,Jonathan ,Brian, Suzy, Kelly, Billy, Doug, Kyle, Jackie, Anita, Joseph, Arlene)that I have learned of while on my grief journey. Holidays are especially difficult for the loss survivors, as we gaze at the empty chair at the table. My hope is that you all can take some small solace in a cherished memory, keepsake or photo of your loved one during this holiday season. Peace and strength to you all.

This is one of my cherished Christmas memories....After Steve and I bought our first house in 1988, we liked to purchase root-ball Christmas trees so we could eventually plant them in our yard. That worked well for only one year as the trees usually died, but we kept the tradition going. One year we had purchased what the nursery said was a "miniature" umbrella pine. Since it was supposed to grow only a few feet, I found the perfect spot in our yard to plant it after Christmas. As you can see from the photo, it is not really a miniature LOL. It must have grown to over twelve feet! I really miss that tree.

Peter Hursty,

Hawaii

In the early 1990s, Steve and I had some relationship issues. This photo was taken at a 1993 IBM recognition event in Orlando. It was a great accomplishment for me and I wanted to share the experience with my soul mate. When I asked Steve to join me he said yes and it marked the beginning of our healing process. Our love for each other persevered and our bond became even stronger.

The slogan for the event was "In The Company Of The Best". I certainly was in the company of the best with the man I was standing next to in the photo.