Page 51 - HCPVitalityChronicles

Fitness Proponent Jere/ Zipin, DO, Completes Iron Man Triathlon

It was probably the longest, most intense 13 .ents and to his colleagues. He un-
hours and 8 minutes of his life. But for Jere/ derstands mo.va.on can be the
Zipin, DO, sports medicine physician, HCP toughest part, especially for an event
Monrovia, it was also one of his proudest as big as Iron Man. But he also be-
moments – comple.ng the Iron Man lieves it is all about making choices.
Triathlon in Mexico in November 2012.
“One of the most important things
The Iron Man Triathlon consists of a 2.4-mile we can do in our lives is taking good
swim, a 112-mile bicycle ride and a marathon care of our health and being in
26.2-mile run, raced in that order and with- shape,” said Dr. Zipin, who encour-
out a break. “It was an amazing experience,” ages his pa.ents to be proac.ve
Dr. Zipin said, “definitely one of the toughest with their health. “How long do you
things I’ve ever done. Un.l you experience it, want to live for?” is a ques.on he
you can’t imagine how hard it is.” frequently asks.

The road there, hard as it was, was some- Dr. Zipin acknowledges that not every-
thing Dr. Zipin thrives on – a challenge ac- one is going to compete at the high in-
complished and the dedica.on it takes to tensity levels he has chosen. “When I
reach your goal. In July 2011, he completed talk to my pa.ents, I tell them to start
the Vineman, a half Iron Man, in Jerett Zipin, DO, at the completion of the slow, and set realis.c goals,” he said,
Iron Man Triathlon in Mexico in Novem-
Sonoma/Napa Valley. His success with this ber 2012. adding that going too hard or too fast
event made him think he could do a full Iron in the beginning is the way people
Man Triathlon. incur injuries. Be/er to take things one step at a .me.

It took him a full year of training leading up to Iron Man. He As an Extraordinary Achievement recipient, Dr. Zipin will
read about how to train and although he joined the free be awarded 700 Vitality points. His next big goal? An
California Triathlon Group, most of the .me he trained on Olympic distance Iron Man compe..on this March. “I have
his own. Leading up to the event, he took two half-days off to plan out the season, see how my body feels,” Dr. Zipin
from work per week in order to train. The regimen included said. Although he would love to do another full Iron Man,
doing each discipline—swimming, biking and running— at this point he’s not sure if he will because of the .me
three .mes a week. He added weight li ing to the rou.ne. dedica.on involved.

Not surprisingly, a love of athle.cs has shaped Dr. Zipin’s One of the most inspiring aspects of the Iron Man was having
en.re life. “I love athle.cs; I love taking care of athletes, as a good friend as well as his two brothers and his parents there
well as knowing how to take care of my own injuries,” he suppor.ng him. Since seeing him complete the Iron Man, his
explained. An avid tennis and soccer player, as he got brothers have both also taken up endurance athle.cs.
older and these sports caused him injuries, he found other
ac.vi.es to take their place. Perhaps he will be suppor.ng them at a race one day. “It’s
a great feeling when you finish.”
And being ac.ve is something he encourages both to his pa-
Do you know someone who has completed an extreme physical fitness ac.vity or healthy living event within the last
year? If you would like to nominate their Extraordinary Achievement,
please contact Catherine Crow, Janelle Howe or Janet Galli.