'Fitness Fanatic' Rides Across California

Dave Krosch, a workers compensation adjuster, has strength, endurance and commitment. Krosch has competed in 300 triathlons, including five Ironman races, and countless other fun runs including the Tough Mudder and Spartan Races.

The self-proclaimed fitness fanatic has spent up to 25 hours per week, largely by himself, training for big races. He got into competitive swimming, biking and running in the mid-1980s. But these days, he has a workout partner who proves that fitness is in his blood.

“It’s been fun for me to train with someone else—it’s been so much fun to train with my 11-year-old son, Sam,” said Krosch.

There is no doubt that Krosch has passed on his natural athleticism, love of fitness, sense of adventure, and competitive spirit to his son. Sam participates in wresting and football, and enjoys biking and running.

“He’s a long-time athlete, having run across finish lines with me when he was small at various races and having run a 10:29 mile at 3 years old,” said Krosch.

During the week, the two lace up their sneakers after work or school for quality time together on a run or bike ride. And on weekends, they’re off to 5K races or longer competitions.

One of the most memorable races was a “Ride Across California” this spring, said Krosch. The two rode 267 miles from the Arizona border to the coast in San Diego County with a group of Sam’s peers. The event for 5th grade riders from the Poway Unified School District is sponsored by the Rancho Family YMCA in Rancho Penasquitos.

Krosch explained that the group pedaled 20 to 54 miles each day for 7 days. And every night they stopped to camp underneath the Southern California stars. All of the riders were accompanied by an adult and most had a “chase driver” carrying gear and extra food and drinks. The father and son pair made it a family affair—Krosch’s wife Jeanne followed the route.

“The ride started by dipping our rear wheels in the Colorado River at the Arizona-California border and finished by dipping our front wheels in the Pacific Ocean at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas,” Krosch explained.

“It was a pretty emotional week watching my son do so well, and just generally spending 7 straight days, mostly all day with him,” he said.

The two are focused, driven and even a little obsessed with training. Krosch gets in an average of 11 workouts per week, several while at work.

“I use the gym here at COC five times a week to lift weights or as a launching point for runs around Kearny Mesa, so the gym is an awesome benefit,” Krosch said, who has also participated in several Employee Wellness campaigns such as Thrive Across America.

While at work, he also gets outside to run the stairs in the parking garage.  One of his favorite quick workouts is 2,500 stairs and 100 push-ups.

What is your secret to fitness success? Do you have a fitness buddy or take advantage of County gym space? Let us know in the comment section below.