MANAYUNK

Crowning achievement Winning bronze at the 2012 ICF Dragon Boat World Championships with my son, Mike Jr., and daughters,Ashley, Brittany and Melina.
Hours spent training weekly About 10. Plus another 15 coaching.
What makes Manayunk the ideal training ground The river, of course. But the whole environment is conducive, from the concentration of top-shelf gyms, like SWEAT Fitness, to a supportive community that starts with the businesses and continues right on through the construction crews on Venice Island.
Where you head for a punishing workout Out on the Schuylkill, for back-to-back sprint intervals at 118 strokes per minute.
Next major goal The world championships in Poland in August

 

Crowning achievement Turning professional at 38 and then scoring a televised, first-round knockout at the Spectrum at 39 against an undefeated up-and-comer.
Hours spent training weekly I’m always moving. Aside from the nine classes and private sessions a day I instruct, I workout twice a day, early in the morning and in the afternoon, for three hours total every day. No days off!
What makes Manayunk the ideal training ground I always called Manayunk the “Polish Poconos,” with all the hills. Nothing better than a hard hill workout finished off with running the public stairways. There are a lot of flights around the neighborhood. I don’t listen to music when I run. I like to meditate, and the towpath’s good for that.
Where you head for a punishing workout The Philadelphia Museum of Art. I don’t lift weights. I do a lot of animal movements instead. So, I’ll run the three-and-a-half miles to the museum, do all my movements on the steps, then run back. Try gorilla-walking up the steps and bear-crawling down. Sick workout.
Next major goal To expand Joltin’ Jabs. I’m opening another in Center City soon, and one in Ardmore after that. I left a union job to open Joltin’ Jabs 15 years ago. Today, Charles Barkley trains with me, along with Stephen A. Smith, the Flyers and a bunch of local TV and radio personalities.

 

Crowning achievement Winning silver at the 1996 Olympics [in the track points race]. Before then, I never finished higher than fifth in the race. I also had knee surgery less than two months before. But I gained a new appreciation of cycling when I was injured, and that fed my drive to get through three workouts a day.
Hours spent training weekly During my racing career, 25 to 30-plus, which translated to 500 to 600-plus miles. Now, it’s probably six to eight, and it’s not really training; I’d call it riding—hard group rides and commuting to Manayunk.
What makes Manayunk the ideal training ground Since the eighties, it’s always been a center for cycling. There’s the legendary Wall, but it’s also the close proximity to trails. Recovering at any number of restaurants—my favorite’s Winnie’s LeBus—helps too.
Where you head for a punishing workout Walton Endurance Training Studio at Human Zoom, of course.
Next major goal After 17 years of racing, 12 as a professional, my personal goals are accomplished. It’s time now to share my experience and knowledge with my athletes and help them achieve theirs

Dana Walton

 

Crowning achievement Winning the 2K individual pursuit at the 2011 UCI Masters Track World Championships, my fifth title in five races. That was pretty emotional for me because, ironically, I kept thinking how imperfect my training was, shortening workouts and substituting them altogether, squeezing them in in lieu of sleep.
Hours spent training weekly Eight.

What makes Manayunk the ideal training ground Having so many rewards available after the workout: grabbing coffee or some great food, slipping into a salon, shopping.
Where you head for a punishing workout Walton Endurance Training Studio at Human Zoom.
Next major goal Capturing the world record in the 200-meter time trial. I was .16 of a second off last year. And I’d like to repeat my five-gold medal-performance at this year’s masters world track championships in October..