April Athlete Spotlight - Zach McCown
- Mark Saroni
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
Meet this month's Athlete Spotlight -- Zach McCown! Zach is an endurance aficionado. He has dabbled in the full range of endurance events from triathlon to ultramarathon. He recently got married to his best friend. Congrats Zach!
Age: 32
Who is your coach? Coach Amy
Occupation: Financial Advisor
How long have you been swimming, cycling, running, and/or doing triathlons?
I started seriously running and training in 2020. I played college baseball so I was never a long distance runner, biker, and definitely not a swimmer. I completed my first (and only, jk) Ironman in California 2022. Since then I’ve had the bug.
What aspects of training and/or racing do you enjoy most?
I love running more than anything. Realizing lately how important cross-training really is. Running is my happy place and so easy just to get out there, get in the zone, and forget about anything else going on.
What has been your favorite training or racing event and why?
Ironman 70.3® Wisconsin. It was my first race with a coach(Amy) and with her help, we crushed it. I had always tried to do this by myself before but this day everything felt like it came together with coaching, training, weather, etc.. My wife’s family is also from Wisconsin so the entire family showed up to support. I showed out, PR’d, and got to celebrate with cold beer and cheese curds after.
What is your favorite post-workout or race meal?
Gummy bears - a lot of them!
What is one recent accomplishment you are proud of?
I recently got married to my best friend and beautiful wife. She is the best Sherpa out there and has always supported me in this crazy lifestyle.
What do you want to be when you grow up? (We're all still kids at heart ❤️)
Major League Baseball player - Starting center fielder for the Boston Red Sox.
What is something no one knows about you?
I’m passionate about making the best and most delicious food. In a different life or maybe in a second career, I’d be a professional chef and run my own Michelin restaurant.
Why do you race/train?
Health and fitness is part of it, but the real reason… There are only a few people who will ever experience what it takes to do what we do as endurance athletes. I’m not chasing a podium(would be awesome)— I’m chasing that moment where it gets dark and where most people stop. I believe that’s where I find out who I really am.