Tom florio biography

June 27, 2008— -- By day, he is a high-powered overscheduled executive. But unlike other well-to-do middle-aged men, 52-year-old Vogue magazine publisher Tom Florio picks up an oar instead of a golf club to let off steam.

In May, Florio took part in the vaunted Vogalonga, a 22-mile epic race with some 1,800 boats through the canals of Venice, Italy.

"I just thought the idea of it sounded thrilling," Florio said.

"It's just this — people lining the street, you know, the canal and the bridge — it was just brilliant. It was spectacular. It was a real rush."

It's also 22 miles of ridiculously hard work. But not the kind of thing that is foreign to Florio, who a little more than 10 years ago decided he wanted to shape up.

"I started just wanting to get healthy — you know, went to a doctor to quit smoking, went to a nutritionist and joined a gym," he said.

Florio started competing in triath