About
Team Sasquatch
What is Team Sasquatch? We, the hairy heralds of haste, are an international group of runners (and once you make that first stride out your door you ARE a runner) training to achieve our individual goals. Regardless of whether it’s a 5k, ultra-marathon, or outrunning National Geographic photographers, our team of athletes has the knowledge and wherewithal to help you every freakishly large step of the way. Our goal is to create a “real” community, virtual, mythical or otherwise, where everyone can draw upon the experience, wisdom and support of this furry family.
First time in the woods? Team Sasquatch can guide you over the river and through the woods to wherever you want to go, grandmother’s house, the finish line, the finish line at grandma’s house, whatever! With the support of our trailblazers you’ll have a customized plan molded to your experience level, needs and goals, whether you’re training for your first race or your fiftieth, which will have you making tracks in no time.
Speedy Sasquatch
Speedy (aka Josh Maio), TS founder and head coach, can often be spotted deep within the recesses of Central Park, somewhere between Harlem and Cat Hill. According to the histories, he has nearly 20-years coaching experience, beginning as a youth basketball and soccer coach. As he lost his taste for sports with extraneous pieces of apparatus, he returned to a sport of true athletic prowess where, in high school and college, Speedy earned his moniker racing the 400m, 4 x 400m and 800m distances. In 2005, after a brief hiatus, Speedy found himself stealthily running amongst the galloping hoards of New York City culminating in his first marathon in 2006. Two years later, in addition to training for a 3:00 Boston marathon, he successfully coached the 35 member Race With Purpose team to triumphant finishes for the Chicago, Marine Corps, New York, and/or Philadelphia marathons, including numerous of Boston qualifiers. In December 2011, he finished 28th overall in the Las Vegas Marathon finishing in 2:50:29.
In 2009, Speedy began a web-based running group, which has grown into the furry anomaly that is known throughout the twitterverse and beyond as Team Sasquatch. Since the Team’s inception, Speedy has completed numerous marathons and relays across the United States, a number of which while pacing TS members. FURthermore, he has coached the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation NYC Half-Marathon and Marathon teams since 2010 and is training Team JDRF for the 2012 NJ Marathon, Half-Marathon and Relay. He has been a Brooks ID member since 2010, was ID Member of the Month for April 2011 as a Brooks ID PACE team member.
Eissa Shively
A runner since age 8, Eissa Shively spent her youth competing for her high school cross country and track teams and participating in road races whenever she could. After racing collegiately for some time, she tackled her first marathon in 2001. 11 years later, she has completed 23 marathons, crossed the finish line of almost three-dozen half marathons, has conquered two ultra-marathons and has participated in a large number of other races and relays.
Several years after taking up endurance running, Eissa fell head over heels for the sport of triathlon. After competing in only one Olympic distance race, she signed up for her first Ironman: a 2.4 mile swim followed by an 112 mile bike and then 26.2 miles of running. Since crossing the finish line of Ironman Florida in 2008, Eissa has also conquered Ironman Coeur d’Alene in 2010 as well as a multitude of 70.3’s, Olympic and sprint distance triathlons.
From 2007 to 2009, Eissa mentored and coached with the New York City chapter of Team In Training, helping hundreds of novice and intermediate runners complete and PR in half and full marathons. In 2011, along with Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) head running coach Josh Maio, she also helped prepare approximately 65 JDRF athletes to successfully complete the New York City marathon. Eissa is currently coaching the inaugural JDRF triathlon team to compete in the 2012 New York City Triathlon in July.
Eissa is an ITCA certified triathlon coach, running coach and soon-to-be certified American College of Sports Medicine personal trainer.
When not working at her 9-5 as a digital copywriter, Eissa is currently training for the Boston Marathon, the Big Sur Marathon, two 50k’s, the 2012 New York City marathon and the JFK 50 in November. Oh, and she’s also getting married in September.