Rich Avoletta will be on the east coast July 30 competing in triathlon.
Rich Avoletta is more than halfway to achieving a lifetime goal, thanks in part to lessons learned from a teacher more than 50 years ago. Rich’s 7th grade physical education teacher was an ex-Marine drill sergeant who put his students through obstacle courses.
“It was like boot camp every day,” the 63-year-old said. “At the beginning, I hated the guy. But by the end of the school year, I was really fit.”
Rich retained his passion for fitness and, as a result, has competed in triathlons in 33 states – well on his way to his goal of competing and crossing triathlon finish lines in all 50 states.
“I really enjoy it. It’s a fun and very healthy hobby.”
His junior high school physical education experience sparked a competitive fire within Rich. He was a soccer and track and field athlete in college and is trained in martial arts.
Rich was also a long-distance runner. He completed two half-marathons and many other 5 and 10K races until being injured in the line of duty as an Illinois State Trooper. Because of his injury, Rich could no longer run long distances. His doctor told him he would benefit from swimming and biking. Rich combined his ability to still run shorter distances, with swimming and biking, and transformed himself into a triathlete.
Since 2008, Rich competes in Sprint-distance triathlons. He swims a quarter-mile, followed by biking 13 miles and then running 3.1 miles as quickly as he can.
Rich finishes typically in the top 25% of competitors he faces in each state. Recently in Arkansas, he finished 8th place overall and first in his age group.
A map on the wall of his home tracks the locations of each event in which Rich has competed. Nearby, accenting the map, are the finisher medals he has received; 33 medals as of June 2023.
Rich’s training regimen
Rich’s training schedule is extraordinary. Early each Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning he is on a stationary bike in his basement logging – on average – 40 miles. He then mounts his treadmill to run 15.3 miles. On Tuesday and Thursday mornings, Rich dives into the YMCA pool, swimming over a quarter-mile, followed by a two-hour strength training workout at the Blessing Wellness Center.
“In the morning I get up at 5, eat my oatmeal, read my scripture, say my prayers and pack up and away I go,” he said.
On Friday afternoons Rich partakes in another of his favorite activities, helping Blessing Hospital fulfill its mission by staffing the MEN of Blessing volunteer desk.
On Saturdays, it’s back to training. Rich hits the street for long bike rides and running.
The payoff
Rich says his lifestyle provides him the energy to do what he wants to do – including taking care of his wife and family.
“Very low medical bills also motivate me to stay fit,” Rich said. “I don’t have to go to the doctor much.”
Rich competes in four triathlons a year. His wife of 40 years, Karen, travels with him to each event. The retired teacher and Blessing volunteer has a personal goal on which she is working, too.
“Karen is trying to read a book in every one of the 50 states,” Rich jokes. “But seriously, she’s my coach and my cheerleader.”
The next stops for the Avolettas are New Jersey on July 30 and Alabama in September.
That means soon it will be 35 states down and 15 to go. Good luck, Rich and Karen, from all your friends at Blessing Health.
