"TFO" refers to The French One. But TFO could also stand for The Fast One. He's profiled here for the spotlight feature, and pictured in action racing Ironman Coeur d'Alene 2003. 

What do you find hardest about Ironman training? 
In my opinion the most difficult part of IM training is time management especially when you have a job and a family. You need to be able to juggle a bit and not to forget what are your real priorities...

With a job, and a wife, and children, why do it?
I don't know why, I just love and need this I guess. I love the training and the racing. Motivation is not a problem for me, at least for the bike and the run. Long bike rides are the part I prefer; life is simple on a bike, you're in control... The swim is tough though, I don't really enjoy going to the pool.

Tell us a bit about your sporting life before triathlon
I have always been into sports: Tennis, rugby and soccer in my early years. Then rock and ice climbing, mountain biking before starting on triathlon.

What do you remember about your first tri?
My first one was a sprint race in France in '98, just because the transition area was literally 20 yards away from the house that I stayed in for vacation. I used an old windsurfing wetsuit, did something that looked like breaststroke and rode on a borrowed bike. I enjoyed the experience but I was much more into mountain biking and climbing at the time. Then I moved from France to NY in 1999 and heard about the Westchester Tri in 2000, did it, loved it and registered the day after for IM Florida 2001...

And what's on your tri-racing calendar these days?
This year, Ironman Coeur d'Alene was the main objective. I'll also race the Westchester Tri too. Next year it will be Ironman USA Lake Placid, maybe Eagleman and few short races.

How did you hear about the club?
A very common story. I had an ITB injury during my preparation for IM Florida. Like others, I ended up in Rich's office and of course he did a good job of promoting the club (and healing my injury too)... Nevertheless, being used to training alone all the time, it took me two years to finally join the group

And how has training with a group been different for you?
I trained more this year and for the first time I did my long rides with a group. It is definitely more fun; besides it's easier to get off the bed at 5am when you know other crazy people are doing the same but I think it was not so good intensity wise as I had the tendency to push too hard during these rides.  I guess I'm a little bit competitive when seated on a saddle.