You could call Don Sandford, a "shark" since he is a former collegiate swimmer, and presently an attorney. He's profiled here for the spotlight.

Don Sandford

Having worked out with you, you seem to have a high pain threshold. Did your pre-triathlon sports background have anything to do with that?
I began swimming competitvely in either 1969 or 1970. I played youth soccer and jv soccer in high school (goaltender). I was a varsity wrestler in high school. In college I swam, played intramural soccer and threw shot put for the track team. Somewhere between swimming all those laps, playing goalie for so long, and three years of wrestling I lost my ability to discern pain. Triathlon was a natural after that.

What was your first triathlon, and how did you get drawn into it?
In 1987 one of my friends at work said to me "you were a swimmer in college, how'd you like to do a triathlon?" I agreed and did my first race in Central Park, with the swim indoors at the New York Athletic Club. I was hooked immediately.

And how did you get involved with the Westchester Triathlon Club crew?
I'm pretty sure it was on a barstool at the Sports Page with Tommy Bookless . . . He and I started training together in 1989 along with MaryAnn Stevens and Lincoln Taylor. Tommy was fast then, too!

You've been laying low a bit in 2002. At this point, What are your plans at this point?
The Philadelphia marathon will be my return to distance racing after a hiatus of 17 months. After that, I think I'll rest some more...

How's the training for that coming along?"
I'm not training. In fact, I'm giving serious thought to splintering away from the Westchester Tri Club and forming the Westchester Spare Tire club. It's much less strenuous and the t-shirts are a lot bigger!

Part of those thoughts must come from being a new dad to Tommy. How's that changed your training?
I'm adding a baby jogger to my running program. This way trainng time and family time can be combined.

And what about motivation?
The friendship and camraderie of other club members is key. However, there is a great deal of personal satisfaction in setting a goal, working towards that goal and then achieving or exceeding it. Each member of our club does that and they help each other to do it, too.

How do you balance your professional and athletic life?
I'm a litigating attorney for Travelers Insurance. Succcess in any area is based upon time management. The busier your life is, the easier it is to manage your time because there's very little margin for error. I usually train early in the morning and on the weekends. Along with my work and training, I serve as President of the Pace Law School Alumni Board and Chairman of the New Lawyers Section of the Westchester County Bar Association. I also have my baby boy, and having a supportive spouse makes life easier in general.