Lynbrook Resident a Triple Threat in TOH Triathlon

As a wife and working mother of three young children, Lynbrook's Kathleen Hannan goes the distance in everything she does. On Sept. 12, Hannan completed the 26th annual Town of Hempstead Triathlon, her sixth time taking part in the event.

Located along the beachfront at Town Park at Point Lookout, Hannan started the triathlon with a three-quarter-mile ocean swim, rode her bike 10 miles through the streets of Point Lookout and Lido Beach, and completed the triathlon with a five-mile run to the finish line at Town Park. She finished with a time of 1:25:30, shaving two and a half minutes off her previous time of one hour and 28 minutes.

"I am happy with my time and performance," said Hannan, who finished second in her age group (40 to 45). "This race was a great way to close out the season for me."

Even with rough ocean waters, Hannan said she found the whole experience thrilling and fun, particularly the running portion.

"I like to swim and bike but I am more of a runner," she said. After the race, Hannan treated herself to a post triathlon indulgence – Dunkin Donuts coffee. "I like it extra large with extra milk."

As a part of Team Runners Edge, Hanna wore her red, white and black colors.

At 40 years old, Hannan is also an Iron Mom.  She recently completed the Ironman competition in Lake Placid. The Ironman is a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run. She also ran in the Boston and ING New York City Marathons — each 26.2 miles.

Hannan says she has always maintained a healthy way of living for most of her life and plans to continue to compete for years to come. In preparation for a marathon or a triathlon, Hannan adheres to a strict lifestyle. "Food must be high in protein, low fat and I always stay hydrated," she said. "I must lead a good lifestyle to do a marathon or triathlon. It's about discipline."

Hannan, a Lynbrook High School alumnus, is a ninth-grade English teacher at Queens Transition Center. She earned degrees from SUNY College at Oneonta, Adelphi University and Molloy College.

With great enthusiasm for marathons and triathlons, Hannan inspires her own children.

"My kids pretend to be in a triathlon all the time," said Hannan. "They like to swim, ride their bikes and run. They are watching me and it's rubbing off on them. It's great."