kenaxford's Group - Closed and kickin' tale !!!

Open for business !!!   let's get 10 in this group so our group will stay very active.  I will be on multiple times per week (at least 3 but most likely every day)

If you lke to have fun, be silly, but work hard and do your best...  This is the group for you.

Ken,

I would like to join also so please save a saddle for me!  I will write more later as I'm off to put my 3 1/2 year old to bed.  Yes, time management and prioritization is one of my biggest challenges!

Terry

Name: fire eagle/ darren

Story: Well, 2 yrs ago I went to the doc for a checkup & he told me I was overweight & I had high blood pressure.  So, I thought I needed to get serious.  I bought P90X and did that off & on & have lost 13 lbs.  But got really serious about 4 months ago when my wife challenged me to do a triathlon.  She runs 5 & 10ks.  The past 4 wks I have been doing the 20 wk beginner to 1/2 ironman plan.  I used to ride bikes in college (not in races just long rides) and was always in football in high school.  This seems like it would be fun & challenging. 

Family Status: I am married to my best friend and have an 8 yr old princess.

Current Training: Like I said, I'm doing the 20 wk course. I'm just now tapering off the P90X thing but want to keep the core & upperbody stuff thrown in now & then.

2008 Races: I have never done a triathlon and I'm 44.  Hopefully, not too old to start.

2009 Races:  I want to work my way to a 1/2 thats planned in Sept.  but am going to do some sprint & olympic too.  maybe build up? I really don't know... Well, I have one planned this Saturday, a sprint Xterra (1000m sw, 16m bike, 4m run).  I thought I better just jump in...I probably need some pointers.

Weightloss: My current bio is 5'9", 185 lbs.  I want to lose about 15-20 more.  By the way my blood pressure has come down from 2 yrs ago.

What will make me a good student: I am excited about it and I don't know anything.  I think I said that.  I'm willing to learn, ya know just getting in shape because you need to is good but it does get a little boring.

Thanks for your time, I'm pumped. 

Garth, Terry, Darren, and Yvette... Welcome to the group. It sounds like we all have the work / life balance issue. I guess that is the biggest challenge for any age grouper. I'm so excited that most of you are doing your first race soon. That should be exciting for all of us to look forward to and hear about the results.

Darren, are you doing the Ft; Yargo XTERRA this weekend? I have a couple buddies doing that race. Look out for the Fast-Tri Sports Jerseys. If you see a guy with a lot of tattoos, that's one of my best friends named Doss. (introduce yourself to him)

If you want a few pointers ahead of time, hit me up in this forum so everyone can see.  Good luck and do a race report afterwards so we can see how you did.

Ken, I would like to join your group if there is room for one more.

I am 25 and live in Charlotte, NC. I have competed in a couple of 5K races, but I am very new to triathlons. I have already signed up for a sprint race in June and an Olympic race at the end of September. I work a typical 9-5 job, and do most of my training after work and on weekends.


Thanks,
Mike

Name: trinity / Tim

Story: I've been an athlete most of my life until my kids became active in sports and then I focused on them.  Well they're grown up now for the most part and don't require or desire me to be as involved.  That left me with no place to vent my competitive nature.  I was a treadmill runner for several years and last year was challenged to run a 5k.  I started running outside (WAY different than a treadmill) and fell in love with it especially the racing.  I injured myself during a 1/2 marathon and was looking for ways to cross-train.  That was when I was introduced to triathlons.  I had no idea there was anything other than Kona, as that was all I had been exposed to, so when I found out there were actually shorter races I threw myself into it full steam ahead.   

Family Status: I have been married to the love of my life for 15 years and have 2 children; 1 away at college and the other starting high school next year.

Current Training: I currently spend around 6-10 hours a week training in all 3 disciplines.  I am in a build phase right now so I'm doing a lot of 2 a days.

2008 Races: Last year I competed in 2 5k's, 1 10k, 1 8 miler, 1 1/2 mary.

2009 Races:  This year I have competed in 1 10k and my very first triathlon.  It was a reverse sprint however, so I am looking forward to seeing what a 'normal' one will be like because it was definitely tough finishing with the swim.  I have several sprints planned for this year and an oly in September.

Weightloss: I am mostly happy with my weight right now but I did lose 30 pounds last year.  I would like to lose about 10 more but it's not a priority right now.

What will make me a good student: I am looking forward to participating with this group.  I am eager to learn more and definitely want to learn how to go faster.  I look forward to interacting with the group.

Eleven Already.  YEAH !!!!!  I can tell we are going to have a good group.  It looks like a lot of excited athletes and some good goals to reach.  I have listed everyone below.  let's all add each other to our friend list so we can check in, help motivate, send "inspires", etc.

Garth - “gpdtx”: 

                1^st season of triathlon with 1 completed already.  Way to go!!! 

goal race:  Malibu Olympic

Terry - “tw04429”

                3^rd season of triathlon.

Darren - “fire eagle”

                1^st season – planning on sprints, Olympics, and a half Iron

                Goal race: September ½ Ironman

Yvette - “yvettem”

                1^st season of tri

                Goal race:  July Sprint

Susan - “skyle”

                Busy as the rest of us.  Bio to come shortly

Mike – “mouseman”

                Living in Austraila. 

                Goal race: July / August Ironman

Mike – “sebeniecherm”

From Charlotte:  right down the road from my alma mater of Appalachian State.  Go Mountaineers !!!

                Goal race: June sprint and September Olympic

Mattie - “mattie rocks”

                First season of tri.

                Goal race: late May sprint

Paul - “weber02”

                Retired ARMY master sergeant working as financial analyst.  Thank you for 

                your service!!!

                First season or tri.

                Goal race not chosen yet…

Tim - “trinity”

                First season of tri.  One down the hatch already.  Good work !!!

                Goal race: September Olympic

Kevin - “mariner22”

                Lifelong athlete looking for a new challenge.

                Goal race: several sprints this season

13 total !!!   holy cow !!!   Kurt and Bill... welcome to the cool kid club.  (just kidding)  You two jumped in while I was writing the other message.

this will be a big group so we should be very active.  Let's keep things positive, fun, helpful and motivating.

congrats on the commitment.  1st tip...  enjoy the race and look around once in a while.  Your first race only happens once.

swim:  note: it can get busy, but remember that no one is intentionally trying to hurt someone else.  If you are not there to win, you can wait about 2 -5 seconds and get behind all the crazies.  things typically space out pretty quickly and you will have more elbow room.  the best tip is to try and get in your rhythm and forget everyone else is around you.  Also, practice sighting every few strokes so you keep swimming straight.

bike:  The rock section is up to you and your comfort level.  Typically, you would be able to cary momentum over the rocks and stay upright.  however, if they ar real big, you won't lose much time by dismounting, carrying your bike, and jumping back on again.  Weigh the pro's and cons.  (good for you for doing your course recon')

By looking at your logs and without knowing your full history, I think you might be going too hard too soon.  The volume (ie: length of time) you are running would seem to be manageable.  Try slowing down a bit and see if that helps.  (ie: less intensity)  Also, make sure you are well hydrated and nurished.  Also make sure you warm up gradually for the first few minutes.  walk, to a slow jog, to a jog, etc.  Don't just take off running.

It might also be that you need some rest.  Most coaches will now use a method called periodiation that periodically gives you a chance to recover and gain on the work you've done.  Try backing off your intensity first and let me know if that helps. 

NAME: Terry (Axford) Whitmore  Yep... Ken has spread the tri-bug throughout the family!

STORY: I have been involved in sports off and on throughout my life.  I come from a family of athletes.  Gymnastics, softball, tennis, running, and now swimming and biking.  This is my third season of triathlons.  I did three sprints in 2007 and learned a TON.  I did one sprint last year.  My 2008 season was derailed severely as my family moved last summer (a good thing though).  I tend to be very inconsistent in my training and diet.  I work full time in customer support for a software company, so life/time management is always a challenge.

FAMILY STATUS: I'm happily married (10+ years) and have a 3 1/2 year old little boy that I adore!

CURRENT TRAINING: I'm late in starting my training this year and am just beginning to train.  I have only remnants of a base, so I feel like I'm starting all over again.

2008 races: Peachtree City Sprint.  I cheered hard as Ken did the SC Half.  Does that count????  (Just kidding)

2009 races: 10K in July, two sprints in August, maybe another in June just for pracice, and several 5K's.  Possibly an Oly in Sept.

WEIGHTLOSS: My weight has been a constant battle for me.  I'm about 20 lbs below my all time high and have about 20 more to go.  I'm focusing on that this year and know that triathlon training will help me drop the pounds.  I'm 5' 1" so 20 lbs is quite a bit for my frame.

WHAT WILL MAKE ME A GOOD STUDENT: I love this sport!!  I am very emotional about it (so proud of anyone who participates at any level), but need my own motivation and focus to become more consistent in training.  I have A LOT to learn and have lots of room for improvement in all areas.