A few months ago, I was hanging out with a few friends, and I heard two guys talking about Davide. The conversation goes like this:
– Hey, I heard that Davide is a pro triathlete now.
– Yes! And he is getting fast!
– But when he lived in Hawaii, he used to surf a lot, right?
– Yes! Surf, windsurf, kite surf…But now he is living in Boulder, and he is super serious about triathlon. He is already beating a lot of fast guys.
– Oh!
– He’s from Italy, right?
– Yes, he’s from Italy, he’s good looking, and he’s a badass athlete!
– Man! He’s got it all, huh?!!
I met Davide in 2011 during a sustainability expo at Hawaii Pacific University. At that time, I was finishing my Masters in Global Leadership and Sustainable Development, and Davide was working for Hagadone Printing Company as a Sustainability Coordinator. We started chatting, and somehow we started to talk about triathlon. He told me he just raced the Lanikai Triathlon, and he loved it! From that day, we became good friends not just because of the similar passions we have for sustainability and triathlon, but also because Davide is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. Last month, during our trip to Boulder, Tim and I spent some time with Davide promoting BioAstin, swimming, running, and hanging out at coffee shops with him (just the lifestyle we love it!). Here a little bit more about Davide…
From: Lado di Garda, Italy
Day Job: I split my days swimming, biking, running (and eating), and working for BioAstin.
Dream job: For now, I would love to be able to be an established pro triathlete. In the long-term future, we will see…something that allows me flexibility and ease of mind.
I do miss playing in the ocean sometimes though.
When we met in 2011, you were surfing, kite surfing, wind surfing, everything surfing, and you were just getting excited about triathlon. So, why triathlon instead of all the surfing activities?
Davide: I just needed to get rid of some energy when I was working full time in Hawaii. So, every morning before work, I swam at Kaimana Beach. And the traffic was so bad in Honolulu that I didn’t want to drive my car to work, so I would ride my bike there. Then after work, I still wanted to do something, so I ran around Diamond Head. One day, on my way to work I stopped at Boca Hawaii triathlon shop because I saw a flyer in the window about a triathlon race, so I walked in, and Eduardo told me that I should do it, and that was it!
Do you think triathlon is more fun than all the surfing things?
Davide: In triathlon, you don’t need the right conditions of wind and waves. If your swim session is scheduled for noon, you know that rain or shine you’re gonna get your swim in at noon! It might not be as fun per se, but . I do miss playing in the ocean sometimes though.
I like the routine and the structure that this sport provides as well as working towards a goal
When did you decide to become a pro triathlete?
Davide: I have always been active, and I was trying to make it in windsurfing, then in kitesurfing and standup paddling. Those sports are scored by judges, and I am not a fan of this type of system. On the other hand, in triathlon you compete against time, and time doesn’t lie. Also, I grew up swimming everyday competitively, so I guess unconsciously I have always had that competitiveness ingrained in me.
Combine that with a fast course and perfect weather conditions, and I rode 1:59 in the end.
For such a short period of time, you are having an amazing pro career so far. Last month, you almost broke the world record for the bike portion in half ironman distance (Ironman Texas 70.3). So, how do you go so fast?….And share your secrets!
Davide: Growing up as an alpine skier I have a lot of strength in my legs, and my aerobic system has been developed from swimming my whole life, so when you combine both, I guess I can swim and bike fast! That day (at Ironman Texas 70.3) I felt really comfortable. My breathing was controlled, and my heart rate was down. I was feeling good coming into the race, and my training numbers were the best I’ve ever had. Combine that with a fast course and perfect weather conditions, and I rode 1:59 in the end.
Italy is romantic. There are nice places to visit… and what I miss the most in Italy is my family.
What do you love about the US?
Davide: I like how everyone is able to create their own path versus in Europe, I think there is too much bureaucracy, and people get stuck in the footprint of life. Like, you have to go to university, and then you have to do a 9 to 5 job, and you have to be a lawyer or doctor, or any other profession that is stable, then you have to get married and have kids. However, in the US, at least the people that I have been lucky to meet are not chasing the 9 to 5 job. They are different from the people that I grew with up in Italy. So, that’s what I like about this country: the freedom to be whatever you want.
What do you miss about Italy?
Davide: Italy is romantic. There are nice places to visit… and what I miss the most in Italy is my family.
I know you are also passionate about sustainability, so if there was one thing you could change in the world forever, what would it be?
Davide: Probably build more cities like the Netherlands and Boulder, CO.: cities with bike lanes and great community transportation infrastructure. Especially, in places with nice weather where we can ride bikes all year round. I’m amazed when I go to races in different parts of the US at how some places are just not built even for pedestrians, and that to go to the grocery store a few blocks down, you have no option but to drive.
So, that’s what I like about this country: the freedom to be whatever you want.
Favorite place to swim?
Davide: My absolute favorite swim route is probably your favorite too – from Kaimana Beach, around Old Man’s Reef, to Waikiki Church, and back. It’s about 3k, I think. When living in Honolulu, I would swim that route every single day! I feel like I know every rock and nook of the reef, and not once did I ever feel scared on that route, even alone, and even after a big shark was spotted there. Call me crazy, but I feel so at peace in those waters!
Favorite place to bike?
Davide: I do love riding in the mountains of Colorado – with my favorite being Peak to Peak. This winter, I was also lucky to ride on the Big Island, and I love the routes there. I have not ridden much at all in Europe, but there’s some great riding in my hometown on Lake Garda in Northern Italy. Some stages of the Giro d’Italia often come by.
Favorite place to run?
Davide: Without question, the high altitude runs in Colorado, such as Magnolia and Rollinsville. These runs go up to 9,000 ft, there’s no air, and the terrain is tough.
What do you love about swimming, biking and running?
Davide: I love working towards a goal, and triathlon allows me to pursue that very selfish goal of becoming a machine! All jokes aside, what I mean by that is that every day training is a little step towards, who knows, maybe turning this into something bigger. I also like the feeling of accomplishment and the rewards (pizza, wine, gelato, in that order) of a hard day’s training.
My mom and dad who are the hardest working men alive, but still have dedicated themselves selflessly to my brothers and I.
Who are your heroes?
Davide: My mom and dad who are the hardest working men alive, but still have dedicated themselves selflessly to my brothers and I.
Thank you for sharing Davide!
more about Davide:
web: davidegiardini.com
twitter: @DavideITA878
some dreams are worth sharing…
Mariane
