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Business Insider
a day ago
- Sport
- Business Insider
A former NFL champion shares his daily routine to stay fit at 37 — with open water swimming and 200 grams of protein a day
When James Develin retired from the NFL in 2020 after seven seasons (and three Super Bowl wins) with the New England Patriots, it wasn't long before he started looking for the next big challenge. To stay in elite athlete shape after retirement, Develin knew he needed some structure to replace the typical training cycle of the NFL and giving him something to work toward. That meant a marathon and, most recently, a Navy SEAL-style open water swim — grueling events to inspire his multiple workouts a day. "I didn't have a season to start preparing for, so it was a little bit harder to put myself through two-a-days and three-a-days," Develin told Business Insider. As a 37-year-old father of four, Develin is conscious about retaining his strength in a sustainable way. He shared his daily routine with Business Insider — a regimen of running, swimming, and lifting, along with a high-protein diet worthy of his NFL days. From NFL training to Navy SEAL swims Less than a year after retiring from pro football, Develin took on distance running, completing his first Boston Marathon in 2021. In 2023, Develin met an even more ambitious match for his athletic aspirations when his father-in-law signed up for the Navy SEAL Foundation NYC SEAL Swim. The annual fundraiser is held honor of veterans and lives lost in the September 11, 2001 attacks. "I can run, I can lift, I can do all that stuff, but swimming was not my forte and it still isn't. It's been fun to push my own personal limits," he said. The event combines strenuous open water swimming through the turbulent waters of the Hudson with multiple rounds of push-ups and pull-ups, scenic views of the Statue of Liberty, and a race to the finish at the World Trade Center. The SEAL Swim requires grit, endurance, and discipline to complete. Develin decided to join in, despite limited swimming experience and only a month to prepare. "It's such a great patriotic event, but it's also a great test of one's physical prowess, so it checks a lot of boxes for me," Develin said. There's no secret to training for the SEAL swim besides hours and hours of work in the water, according to Develin. "I just started swimming as much as I could every single day. Through the soreness, through the rain days, the day I don't want to do it," he said. Develin, who lives on the Jersey Shore with his wife and four kids, practices in a pool as well as the nearby bay to get experience managing the unpredictability of open water. Develin works out daily for around two or three hours a day, split between shorter sessions of cardio, swimming, and weightlifting to allow him to spend time with his family, too. "I need to sweat before I can really get on with the rest of my day," he said. "I don't really feel like a day was productive unless I get some sort of workout in." Here's a typical day in his routine. Wake up around 5:30 a.m. Hydrate first thing in the morning with a tall glass of water. Supplements: Develin said he goes through phases of trying supplements to find what works, and currently takes amino acids and NAD+ which help with energy and recovery. A morning smoothie provides some protein first thing in the morning. A cardio workout is first on the agenda, typically a long run. After his workout, Develin wakes up his kids and gets them ready for the day before sitting down to breakfast of high-protein staples such as eggs. For a midday workout Develin hits the gym to lift weights for 45 minutes, sometime between 11 am and 2 p.m. Lunch is often a casual, on-the-go option like sandwiches. Often Develin fits in an evening workout to practice swimming, if he can find the time For dinner, Develin gets to sit down and "live a little" since his wife is Italian and loves to cook. The evening meal is often pasta with homemade sauce and more protein (like chicken or beef). Develin is in bed by 10:30 p.m. most nights to get a solid s even hours of sleep. In total, he aims to eat more than 200 grams of protein daily, about a gram of protein per pound of body weight, to help maintain muscle and strength. In the NFL, Develin's job was to absorb and deliver tremendous amounts of force as a fullback. "You have to go out there and be ready for impact constantly," he said. He's kept the same mindset of pushing himself ever since, aiming to stave off aging with constant movement and new challenges, even when his body is a little slower to bounce back than it used to be. "I recover eventually. It just might take a little bit longer now than it did when I was 30, but I just keep grinding," Develin said. "It's good for your endurance, it's good for your mental fortitude, and that's what works for me."
Business Wire
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
David D'Alessandro Joins IDC as Chairman of the Board
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--International Data Corporation (IDC), the trusted technology intelligence leader, today announced the appointment of David D'Alessandro as Chairman of its Board of Directors. A seasoned executive with a career spanning financial services, sports, and entertainment, D'Alessandro brings a legacy of leadership grounded in brand transformation, operational rigor, and ethical governance. IDC, the trusted technology intelligence leader, today announced the appointment of David D'Alessandro as Chairman of its Board of Directors. Share He succeeds Steve Singh, who will continue to serve as a director on the Board. Singh, the former Chairman and CEO of Concur and a former Member of the Executive Board of SAP, recently stepped into the role of interim CEO at Spotnana. 'David is a strategist, a brand visionary, and a respected leader who understands the power of data to drive meaningful outcomes,' said Genevieve Juillard, CEO of IDC. 'His experience leading through complex market transitions and advising organizations through transformation will be invaluable as IDC continues its path of innovation and growth." D'Alessandro spent two decades at John Hancock, where he rose from marketing executive to Chairman and CEO. He led the company through a high-profile IPO and its subsequent merger with Manulife Financial. Under his leadership, John Hancock became a globally recognized sponsor of events like the Boston Marathon, the New York City Marathon, and the Olympic Games. He later served as Chairman and CEO of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment and held a seat on Major League Baseball's Special Task Force on the 21st Century. D'Alessandro currently serves as Chairman of Encore Event Technologies. D'Alessandro is also the author of three best-selling books on leadership and ethics in business: Brand Warfare, Career Warfare, and Executive Warfare. He owns Toscano restaurants in Boston and Cambridge and remains a strong voice on corporate responsibility and performance. 'IDC is entering an exciting new chapter,' said D'Alessandro. 'The strategic divestment of Foundry — completed in March 2025 — frees up capital and focus for IDC's core strength: delivering sharp, data-driven technology intelligence. This transition positions us to double down on innovation and AI-powered insights that empower businesses to navigate complex market shifts with confidence.' D'Alessandro joins a board committed to supporting IDC's mission to deliver trusted tech intelligence that illuminates the path forward for technology buyers and suppliers worldwide. About IDC International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,100 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology, IT benchmarking and sourcing, and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC's analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is the world's leading tech media, data, and marketing services company. To learn more about IDC, please visit Follow IDC on Twitter at @IDC and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the IDC Blog for industry news and insights.
San Francisco Chronicle
3 days ago
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
After tragedy, a beloved Bay Area festival shut down. Now it's back — but it'll be different
Greg Bozzo stood amid the towering redwoods and lush green hills of Gilroy's Christmas Hill Park, blinking back tears as he wondered aloud: When it mattered most, did he do enough? Nearly six years ago, Bozzo — a tall, gray-haired man with relentless energy — was at this same park, getting ready to break down the 41st annual Gilroy Garlic Festival, when he heard a pop-pop-pop-pop-pop. He glanced up. Droves of people were fleeing what he later learned was a gunman, dressed like a soldier with an assault rifle, near the inflatable slide. What Bozzo witnessed over the next 45 seconds — pure chaos as he rushed toward the slide to help; festival-goers frantically tending to the wounded; people crying out for their loved ones — has stuck with him. 'I refuse to recognize that I'm an emotional person,' Bozzo said while discussing that shooting, which killed three people, including two children.'But this? This one gets me.' Last year, despite having no political experience, Bozzo ran for Gilroy mayor. At the crux of his campaign: a promise to help himself and others heal from the horrific events of July 28, 2019, by reviving the city's iconic festival. For the four decades before its abrupt and tragic closure, it had been an essential source of local pride. Now, about seven months after Bozzo was narrowly elected, he is among a small group of community leaders responsible for the festival's comeback. And the big question for most Gilroyans isn't whether resuscitating the event was worth it. Rather, it's whether a scaled-down version can provide the Silicon Valley suburb's roughly 60,000 residents the closure they need. What's clear is it will feel different. When the three-day festival arrives July 25 at Gilroy Gardens' South County Grove, it will be somewhere other than Christmas Hill Park for the first time since its founding in 1979. It will also be a fraction of the size. Long known for drawing crowds of more than 100,000 people, this iteration is limited to 9,000 guests. Tickets sold out within six hours. 'I think we're ready for this festival so we can show that we can turn the page and move on,' said City Council Member Tom Cline, who served as Gilroy Garlic Festival Association president from 2019 to 2021. 'Boston got to have the Boston Marathon the year after the bombing, and we just weren't able to do that.' Just as that marathon is more than a race, the Gilroy Garlic Festival became more than a place to eat and listen to music. People planned their summer schedules around it. By transforming Gilroy's garlicky stench from a punchline to a point of honor, and raising millions of dollars for charities, the event came to embody the principles residents say they value most: hard work, hospitality, community. With those festivities now shrouded by tragedy, organizers hope to usher in a new era while reminding visitors of their decades-long heyday. Among the many familiar attractions set to return are free samples of garlic ice cream, garlic-themed arts and crafts, and 'Gourmet Alley,' where pyro chefs fire up gigantic skillets loaded with such garlic-infused dishes as shrimp scampi and pepper-steak sandwiches. The ultimate goal: grow this reimagined event in coming years to the point where Gilroy feels like itself again. 'Gilroy is the garlic festival,' said Gilroy native Patrick Carr, who teaches at a middle school in nearby Watsonville. 'And, it wasn't just what put us on the map. It was supposed to be our safe space.' During his recent visit to Christmas Hill Park, Bozzo leaned against his white pickup in the parking lot as he gazed at the patch of grass where the inflatable slide used to sit. In the more than 2,000 days since he found himself about 100 yards from an active shooter, Bozzo, 58, has confided in people he trusted about the complex emotions triggered by the incident. Those conversations helped him acknowledge his nagging what-ifs for what they are: signs that he hasn't fully moved forward from the tragedy. 'Rationally, I know there was nothing I could do,' Bozzo said. 'But when you go through something traumatic like this, you can't help but question yourself.' As the 2019 festival was winding down on a warm Sunday evening, 19-year-old Santino Legan crept along Uvas Creek, then used bolt cutters to sneak through a fence. After raising an AK-47-style rifle he'd recently purchased in Nevada, he began shooting at festival-goers gathered near the inflatable slide. On top of the three people he killed, Legan wounded 17. Many others, like Bozzo, were left with less visible injuries. Though Legan is believed to have had possible links to the white supremacist movement, authorities couldn't identify a specific motive for the shooting. Perhaps the closest they'll come to knowing what compelled Legan was his four-word response to someone who'd asked him amid the mayhem why he was doing this: 'Because I'm really angry.' The rampage ended less than a minute after it started when, while under fire from police, Legan took his own life. Witnesses recall feeling like the violence had lasted forever. Christian Swain, lead vocalist of the local cover band TinMan, was midway through Grand Funk Railroad's 'We're an American Band' when the shooting began close-by. He tossed his microphone, raced off a 5-foot stage with his bandmates, dropped to his hands and knees, closed his eyes and asked himself: How could this be happening? Gene Sakahara, a retired educator who'd attended the festival since its inception, remembered having a similar thought. After he grabbed two of his young grandsons, Sakahara guided them behind a large barbecue grill and, while clutching a chef's knife, watched for the shooter. Nearby, at the slide, Bozzo heard a woman screaming for her daughter, in Spanish. Almost immediately, he realized that her daughter, 13-year-old Keyla Salazar, had been killed. Before the woman could see her child, Bozzo directed her toward other family members. Salazar, a San Jose resident, had been an aspiring animator. Legan's two other victims were Stephen Romero, a 6-year-old San Jose boy who loved Batman and Legos, and 25-year-old recent college grad Trevor Irby. The Chronicle's attempts to contact the families of Salazar, Romero and Irby were unsuccessful. Within a week of the Gilroy massacre, mass shootings at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, and a busy entertainment district in Dayton, Ohio, seized national attention. Since then, nearly 4,000 shootings involving multiple homicides have occurred nationwide. Whenever a mass shooting hits the news cycle, many Gilroy survivors feel thrust back in time. 'The events of that day have never fully left me,' Swain said. 'Just when I think I've moved past it, I hear about a shooting at a mall, a church or even another festival, and I'm reliving it all over again.' To some, the way to cope seemed obvious: try to replace the memories with more positive ones. Yet, even as two copycat garlic festivals sprouted in the Central Valley, Gilroy's failed to relaunch. In the wake of the shooting, the event's insurance liability spiked from $1 million to $10 million — a prohibitive sum for its grassroots operators. A lawsuit filed by five of the wounded alleged that poor planning by the city, the festival association and the festival's security firm had made the shooting possible. Then the pandemic arrived. By April 2022, festival organizers were announcing that the event could be canceled for the 'foreseeable future.' Through it all, the festival association tried to keep the spirit of the event alive — and maintain the brand. There have been farm-to-table dinners, golf tournaments, concerts, even a drive-through popup at a Presbyterian church meant to mimic 'Gourmet Alley.' 'The thought of giving up was just too tough for us to stomach,' said Cindy Fellows, the festival association's president last year. In November 2023, a judge dismissed the shooting victims' lawsuit. Soon, the city dropped the festival's insurance liability to $4 million. The following April, Bozzo, a landscape contractor well-known for his community involvement, announced his campaign for mayor. Like many of his neighbors, he felt the city hadn't done enough to resurrect the festival. And, as a former festival association president who'd worked the event his entire adult life, Bozzo figured he was as equipped as anyone to troubleshoot any challenges. Within days of his swearing-in, Bozzo appointed himself to a seat on the Gilroy Gardens Board of Directors, which allowed him to act as a sort of mediator between festival organizers and the city-owned venue. 'As soon as Greg became mayor, I noticed that the overall attitude shifted throughout town about the festival,' said Paul Nadeau, the festival association's current president. 'Before, there were a lot of preconceived notions that the city didn't want it, so it just wasn't going to happen. Greg campaigning on bringing the festival back was really big in making people believe, 'Hey, maybe this really canhappen.'' Bozzo's campaign theme also forced residents to face an uncomfortable question: What is Gilroy without the garlic festival? Nestled at the intersection of two concrete paths, on what locals call Christmas Hill Park's 'ranch side,' three boulders symbolizing those killed flank a huge palm tree. Surrounding this small garden, a wooden fence has 17 markers — one for each person injured. Though Bozzo helped the city construct that memorial, he seldom visits it. Occasionally, while talking about what many Gilroyans still consider the worst day in town history, he remembers just how raw those feelings remain. 'We can't let some crazy guy determine our community's fate,' Bozzo said. 'It's time to have our festival back. It's time for us all to heal.' Community leaders founded the Gilroy Garlic Festival in 1979, after the president of a local college became incensed about a tiny French town proclaiming itself the real 'Garlic Capital of the World.' Within a few years, that celebration of all things garlic was packing the 51-acre Christmas Hill Park the last weekend of each July, receiving write-ups in national magazines and changing people's perceptions about its eponymous allium. Despite being a widely used cooking ingredient, garlic had long been stigmatized as stinky, working-class and old-world. Notorious for the pungent odor that wafted from the garlic processing plants on the east side of town, Gilroy had a similarly unsavory reputation. But the more the garlic festival ballooned in popularity, the more people appreciated the plant for its versatility and flavor. Some culinary experts touted the eclectic dishes from 'Gourmet Alley' as the ultimate showcase of garlic's unifying power. And it wasn't just cuisines that garlic was bringing together. By the time Gilroy-based Christopher Ranch solidified itself in the 1990s as the nation's premier grower of garlic, the festival was going global. Gilroyans love recounting stories about encountering someone in a far-away land who, upon meeting them, shot back some variation of the same response: Gilroy? The garlic capital! For a place some consider Santa Clara County's last bastion of agriculture, the garlic festival represented far more than a quirky niche. It was a reason for residents to puff their chests. Gilroy's official logo features a lowercase 'g' with a garlic bulb depicted as the curly tail. On the side of a prominent building downtown, a giant mural asserts the community's 'garlic capital' status. 'Back when I was a kid growing up in Gilroy, coming from a town that smelled like garlic was embarrassing,' said Sakahara, a lifelong Gilroyan who teams up with Greg Bozzo's father, Sam Bozzo, at every garlic festival to form 'SakaBozzo,' the crowd-favorite cooking demonstration duo. 'Now, thanks to the garlic festival, it's chic to reek.' The festival also brought much-needed tourism to a community often on the brink of a fiscal crisis. For at least three days every year, city leaders could bank on full hotels, gas-station lines and swarmed diners. Though Gilroy is creating a new executive-level position tasked with attracting new businesses and boosting sales-tax revenue, it has no easy way to replicate the cash infusion the festival once offered. Then there's all the money nonprofits and schools have lost without the festival. Throughout its 41-year run at Christmas Hill Park, the garlic festival was Gilroy's biggest fundraiser, generating a total of more than $12 million for local charities. In the process, it pioneered a creative business model. At the end of each festival, event leaders divided festival proceeds among the organizations that supplied several thousand volunteers, doling out checks that covered hourly wages for every worker. For some groups, those four- or five-figure payouts were an indispensable part of their annual operating budgets. 'It has been an ongoing, significant challenge for us to replace the money we got every year from the festival,' said Kelly Ramirez, president of the Gilroy Rotary Club. 'For the first time this summer, we sold fireworks. Of course, that's not as profitable as the garlic festival was.' All these years later, Ramirez can feel her heart drumming in her chest when she discusses the shooting. She had been in a nearby retail booth when Legan opened fire. Another volunteer in her booth was wounded. Like Ramirez, Swain thinks a lot these days about how lucky he is to be alive. Had the shooter just turned a bit to his right, Swain said, he would have seen the stage where the members of TinMan were 'sitting ducks.' Now Swain is preparing to finish what he started. He had only gotten to the second chorus of 'We're an American Band' before TinMan fled offstage. Though the crowd will be smaller, and the venue will be different, Swain and his band are set to perform July 26, at the end of the new-look event's second day. Since its last garlic festival, TinMan has ended dozens of shows with 'We're an American Band.' The next performance figures to be the most memorable. 'I don't care that fewer people will be there this time,' Swain said. 'When my band finally gets to finish that song, all the memories will flood back. It'll feel cathartic. It'll feel right.'
Time of India
6 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
41st anniversary of The Times of India, Bengaluru: Running with the tide
By: Reeth Devaiah Over the past decade, marathons have surged in popularity, transforming from niche athletic events into mainstream phenomena embraced by millions around the globe. Cities are now known not only for their skyscrapers and heavy traffic but also for their marathon race routes. Alongside this boom, local running clubs have experienced unprecedented growth, becoming vital hubs for fitness, friendship, and mental wellness. Together, these trends have reshaped how city dwellers engage with their health and environment. Reeth Devaiah You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru In the early 2010s, marathons were largely reserved for elite athletes and highly dedicated runners. While prestigious events like Boston Marathon and New York City Marathon already existed, participation was limited, and public interest moderate. Fast-forward to the mid-2020s, and marathons now attract participants from all walks of life — from first-time runners and senior citizens to corporate teams and charity-driven participants. One significant reason for this rise in popularity is accessibility. With better training apps, personalized coaching, and widespread health awareness, completing a marathon has become an achievable bucket-list item for many. The introduction of shorter races—such as 5Ks, 10Ks, and half-marathons—within marathon events has also helped ease newcomers into the sport. The emphasis has shifted from 'winning the race' to 'finishing the race,' making marathons more inclusive. Social media has played a crucial role as well. Completing a marathon is now seen as a badge of honour, proudly displayed on Instagram and Facebook. The visibility of these accomplishments inspires others to begin their running journeys, creating a ripple effect throughout communities. According to industry reports, the number of organized road races globally has grown by over 20% in the last decade. In some metropolitan areas, marathon weekends attract tens of thousands of participants and spectators, boosting local economies and reinforcing the cultural significance of these events. Running clubs Complementing the marathon boom is the exponential rise of running clubs, particularly in urban centres. What began as small, informal gatherings of joggers in city parks has evolved into structured organizations with hundreds of members. These clubs serve as both training grounds and social networks, providing support, guidance, and motivation. In cities around the world, running clubs are not only promoting fitness but also combating urban isolation. In an age where digital connection often replaces in-person interaction, running clubs bring people together physically and emotionally. Weekly runs, community events, fitness challenges, and post-run social gatherings create a sense of belonging and accountability that solo workouts cannot match. Many clubs adopt specifi c missions. Some focus on beginners, offering couch-to5K programmes, while others cater to more competitive runners. There are niche groups, such as women-only clubs, LGBTQ+ inclusive runners, and eco-conscious running groups that practice 'plogging', which involves picking up trash while jogging. Newer formations are the Gen Z running clubs, which prefer earlymorning runs followed by coffee shop meet-ups instead of late-night outings at clubs and bars. In Bengaluru, there are visually impaired runners supported by guide runners, as well as children affected by HIV who are embraced into the mainstream. Recently, corporate run clubs have emerged, allowing colleagues to train together on campus and support one another in physical and mental performance. The growth of these clubs has become a grassroots movement, democratizing fitness and transforming public spaces into playgrounds for community health. Marathons as cultural and civic events Marathons have evolved beyond mere sporting contests to become cultural celebrations. These events often include music, food trucks, art installations, and cheer zones. They are scheduled to coincide with city festivals, national holidays, or global awareness days, creating synergy between physical wellness and civic pride. Marathons often serve as fundraisers for causes ranging from cancer research and child welfare to climate change. It's common for runners to participate as charity representatives, raising thousands of rupees in pledges. These events also stimulate the local economy. Hotel bookings, restaurant visits, transportation services, and retail sales spike around marathon weekends. The influx of out-of-town participants turns local marathons into tourist attractions, while media coverage shines a light on the cities involved. Technology has played a crucial role in making marathons and running clubs more accessible and engaging. GPS watches, smartphone apps, virtual coaching, and social tracking tools have transformed training from a solitary grind into a shared experience. Apps allow runners to set goals, join virtual challenges, compare statistics, and even run races remotely — a concept that gained popularity during the Covid-19 pandemic and has persisted due to its convenience and accessibility. Health benefits and mental wellness The marathon and running club phenomenon has significantly improved public health. Regular running is linked to numerous physical benefits, such as weight management, improved cardiovascular health, stronger bones, and enhanced immunity. However, the benefits to mental health are just as important. Running reduces stress, boosts mood, and helps combat anxiety and depression. The consistent training routine, the endorphin release from exercising, and the community support from running clubs contribute to better mental wellness. In a world increasingly aware of burnout and mental fatigue, running offers a simple yet powerful solution. Running clubs provide safe spaces where members can connect, share their struggles, and celebrate achievements without fear of judgment. Despite these positives, the marathon and running club ecosystem faces challenges. Issues such as overcrowded races, rising entry fees, and environmental concerns have drawn criticism. Cities need to adapt their infrastructure to support this growing activity. Safe sidewalks, dedicated running trails, and green spaces are crucial for maintaining momentum. Partnerships between government bodies and organizers of marathons and running clubs can help integrate fitness into urban planning. Looking ahead, the emphasis is likely to broaden from just running races to fostering a more comprehensive culture of movement. Hybrid events that combine cycling, swimming, yoga, and meditation are already gaining popularity. Nonetheless, the fundamental appeal of running — its simplicity, accessibility, and transformative power — will endure. The past decade has seen a remarkable transformation in how people perceive running. What was once viewed as an individual endurance challenge has evolved into a shared cultural movement. Marathons now unite cities, while running clubs weave together the fabric of urban communities. As individuals seek meaning, connection, and health in the fast-paced modern world, the running boom provides all three — one stride at a time. (Writer is an international athlete and Arjuna awardee, who promotes fitness and active lifestyles)
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
At 47, Zdeno Chára just crushed one of Europe's hardest triathlons and fans are stunned
Most athletes retire and finally take a breather. But Zdeno Chára? He's out here climbing mountains, literally. At 47, Zdeno Chára isn't chasing stats or rings anymore. He's chasing elevation, endurance, and excellence and crushing it. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now For fans who watched him dominate on the ice for two decades, it's amazing to see him still thriving in a new arena. Retired NHL star Zdeno Chára takes on extreme triathlon challenge in Slovakia at age 47 Over the weekend, the 6-foot-9 former NHL defenseman completed the Oravaman Triathlon in his home country of Slovakia, and it's not your average swim-bike-run. We're talking elite-level pain: 2 km swim 86 km cycling course 19.5 km run through mountainous terrain And a jaw-dropping 3,100 meters of elevation gain Let that sink in. The guy retired from the NHL two years ago, but he's still tackling races tougher than most players would attempt in their prime. Big Z isn't just staying fit, he's rewriting the retirement playbook After 24 grueling seasons in the NHL most famously captaining the Boston Bruins to a Stanley Cup in 2011, you'd think Chára earned a little rest. But instead of slowing down, he's doing marathons, ultramarathons, and now triathlons in extreme terrain. And not for show. He's doing it for real. At 47. This weekend's Oravaman Triathlon is considered one of the toughest in Central Europe, held high in the Slovak mountains, where even professional triathletes struggle with the altitude and incline. But Chára, towering over the competition in a tri-suit, powered through and finished strong, smiling, no less. Zdeno Chára proves he's still a machine with savage triathlon finish in Slovakia Zdeno Chára was already a hockey icon, the tallest player in league history, a Norris Trophy winner, and one of the most respected leaders in the game. But post-retirement, he's building a new identity: as an elite endurance athlete. Whether it's pounding pavement in the Boston Marathon or climbing mountain trails in Slovakia, Chára continues to inspire by proving that greatness doesn't end when the jersey comes off. Also read -
