GloucesterTimes.com, Gloucester, MA

Sports

Discussion

PLEASE NOTE CHANGES IN POLICY: Commenters are required to have a username with a valid and verified email address. Gloucestertimes.com reserves the right to ban the IP address of any commenter (person) found using multiple aliases under multiple e-mail addresses in a deceptive manner. Posts that do not meet site standards, which can be found here, will be removed.


If you are experiencing problems logging in or posting comments, please contact Disqus' help center by clicking here.
comments powered by Disqus
July 17, 2009

Two mothers run HillTop Training

Manchester-based business thriving under Lawler, Gorton Demaso

By Richard Slate

Don't ever complain to Nan Gorton Demaso or Marnie Lawler that your life is too busy for something.

The two mothers, who have six young children between them, started HillTop Training in 2007 out of the Manchester Athletic Club (MAC) and the company has been growing by leaps and bounds ever since.

According to their Web site hilltoptraining.com, designed by Nan's brother, "HillTop Training offers unparalleled coaching across a comprehensive range of disciplines, areas that are critical to the success of our clients. We aim to practice at the very top of the coaching profession and offer a unique blend of capabilities that enable two coaches to guide and inspire athletes of any ability toward any goal."

If that's not enough, they're both accomplished triathletes themselves who plan to compete in the upcoming Gloucester Triathlon on Aug. 9.

An Essex resident, Lawler has been doing triathlons and the occasional Boston Marathon for the last decade. Currently living in Melrose, Gorton Demaso has been entering triathlons for the past nine years.

"Nan and I were both college athletes," Lawler said.

Lawler swam at St. Lawrence University and Gorton Demaso played ice hockey at Brown University. Those divergent athletic skills helped them unite to make a formidable duo.

"My brother was a cyclist so I started biking with him," said Gorton Demaso. "The swimming is by default. I swim to get out of the water but that suits Marnie extremely."

"She's done a couple Ironmans and she's been doing it for a lot longer than I have," acknowledged Lawler. "I just got USAT certified (Level 1) this past year while she became Level 2 in January. We met at the MAC and we write fitness plans for people."

Being co-owners of a small business allows Lawler and Gorton Demaso to balance their jam-packed home lives with their work. Just because they're trying to expand their business and train at the same time, doesn't mean they want to miss seeing their children grow up. Lawler has a 6-year-old, 4-year-old and twin 2-year-olds. Gorton Demaso has a 4-year-old and a 2-year-old.

"I'm a mother first," said Lawler. "In our business, I try to not bite off more than I can chew. At this point, I try to do the coaching and teach some classes like a running class."

"That's how we want our company to be seen," echoed Gorton Demaso. "You can have fun and balance without giving up all of your Saturdays. That's what a lot of people do when they train, they go crazy and train all the time. We're trying to demystify the sport of triathlons, you can be healthy and active, you don't have to spend hours a day doing it."

Lawler began life after college as a teacher and Gorton Demaso was a lawyer, but they've both left those careers behind and found their true passion in coaching people of all ages and abilities. Some of the most appealing aspects about being on a sports team are still present in HillTop Training's services.

"We started the business as a jumping off point," Gorton Demaso said. "We had a cycling class and an open water swim clinic. We love having our own company. There's no pressure because we're working as a team."

Marathons and triathlons might seem like sporting events that focus solely on the individual but when you're training for months with a similar group of people, like in HillTop Training, it makes the experience that much more enjoyable.

"I used to work out differently," explained Lawler. "It's all about time and how do you use time wisely. You don't have to workout 20 hours a week to do what you want to do. As a coach, I can say what are junk miles and I try to maximize your time."

Indeed, the results of their training are already quite tangible for the two women and the countless people they've worked with.

"Personally our race times are getting faster," said Gorton Demaso. "It's quality over quantity. As HillTop Training continues to grow, not only will people become more successful but they're seeing strengths within themselves. It's changed a lot of people's lives."

Two upcoming events will really showcase HillTop Training to the surrounding community and region. First up is the inaugural Gloucester Triathlon which features many athletes from around Cape Ann and beyond that have been training under Lawler and Gorton Demaso. Then in the fall, the company with help from the Manchester Athletic Club has organized the first-ever Youth Triathlon which will take place in Essex.

The latter event is a way to combat childhood obesity, one of America's biggest health issues, and it also shows kids in a large context that doing outdoor activities can be fun.

Richard Slate may be contacted at rslate@gloucestertimes.com

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Two mothers run HillTop Training
by By Richard Slate , , Fri Jul 17, 2009, 12:04 AM EDT
Sports

Pictures of the Week
Your news, your way
Comments Tracker
AP Sports Video