This weeks Friday Feature is about Naples triathelete Joe Bonness. Joe, age 49, is a very sucessful paving contractor here in Naples. Yet in the world of triathalon Joe is known for 25 age group wins in iron distance races out of 36 trys! He is perhaps best known for the Bonness Triple: In 2003 Joe finished Kona in fourth place for AG 45-49 in 9:45:51. The following WEEK he WON (OVERALL WINNER) the Great Florida Iron-distance Race in Clermont, FL in a time of 9:42:06, and TWO WEEKS later won his AG 45-49 and finished fourth OVERALL in Ironman Florida with a PR of 9:09:18. Boys and girls, that's three Iron-distance races in (count them) four weeks!.During the week Joe can be seen riding with the NATS (Naples Area Triatheletes). He rides from his home to Clint's Bikeshop (my LBS) and takes part in a easy 45 miles bike down Gulf Shore Blvd to Gordon Drive and back at a 25 mph pace. Joe and the gang have breakfast at the coffee shop next to Clint's and then they do a second ride of 50 miles at 25 mph. Joe says its better to stop and eat so you don't bonk and your muscles don't feel as sore.
You can also find Joe swimming in the Gulf at Laudermilk Park or at his rock quarry with the gators. But the best thing about Joe, where ever you meet him he is really a nice guy! I met him at the LBS. I was there to pick up Roo after she was serviced. Joe was there to pick up a new helmet for Kona. I wanted to hear about his training ideas but he wanted to know about me and how I was feeling, my training, etc. He truely is a great guy. Joe is a dedicated family man, married to his high school sweetheart. Joe also races sailboats.
So boys and girls for our first Friday Feature I wanted to write about a local hero and nice guy.
9 comments:
Great story! You GO, Joe!!
Joe Bonness is a totaly stud. Second only to Frank Farrar. Have you done a write up on Frank yet? If not, can you?! He's my hero. :)
Wow, what a great guy and awesome athlete!
I want to marry him...ooops, i'm married and so is he...LOL..just kidding..he is so totally awesome, I have followed his racing career for years..it is so cool that you actually got to meet and talk with him...very cool!!! Maybe i'll get to see him at Kona!!
He is a legend everywhere. Go Joe!
"bonk" like "smurf" has so many uses.
Bonness looks like a hottie. Grrrrr. Bite me off a piece of that.
Joe is quite the tri-stud! But Oldman you continue to inspire me. I miss reading your updates on tri-newbies, and am glad to have stumbled across your blog.
Keep up the good work.
very cool profile, thanks for sharing it!
nytrigal
thanks for your comments on my blog. yes I use to post on tno but just as your current post says there are people there who piss all over you! so i kinda got told not to post my personal medical stuff on the board therefore i just stop posting all together. i do lurk there from time to time.
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