The Frozen (not so) North Mentor Group - CLOSED

NAME: Warren Bayek (wbayek)

STORY: 48 yo male who was an overweight ex-athlete (not endurance sports) coach potato.  3 years ago I woke up 35 pounds overweight with striking heart disease risks factors.  Used south beach and P90x+ to lose most of the excess weight and build some lean muscle back, though I am doing neither right now.  Started playing hockey again and biking as a hobby.  Two summers ago, while rehabbing some tendinitis, my PT started talking about triathlons and Ironmam Lake Placid.  One afternoon late summer I sat on the dock at the lake and decided I would try a sprint.  I jumped in the lake and almost drowned after 25 yards, and decided not to do the sprint.  The next weekend I decided it was time to HTFU and learn to swim, and I completed a sprint that Sept.  Since then I've trained consistently and competed in a few sprints and a half ironman this year.  I’ve also run and bonked in a half marathon, so I have some failure stories/experience to share!

FAMILY STATUS: Married 15 years to a wonderful woman and we have three boys 14, 12, 8.  My 14 year old did a sprint with me this summer, which was one of my triathlon highlights.

CURRENT TRAINING:   I’m spending the winter biking hard intervals and running frequently with the BT mantra “run lots, mostly easy, sometime hard” as my guide.  I'm also figuring out how to incorporate kettlebells into my routine since as an older athlete I really need to keep my core strong and stable.  Like most on here, I'm seriously time stressed and over committed so my training needs to be minimal for my goals.

2009 RACES: I completed the Mainiac sprint tri in Sept.

2010 RACES: Great Bay half marathon, Timberman and Eastman sprints, various 5ks, and Pumpkinman Half Iron.

2011 Plan: This is going to be a short course year for me, so it’s sprints and olys only.  I don’t have any set races yet, but I expect to compete at Eastman and Timberman again, and hope to add at least 2 or 3 other triathlons.   I am still mainly building my endurance base with thought of a 2012 Ironman distance event. 

 WEIGHT LOSS: 215 two years ago, and down to 180-185 now.  This is about 5-10 pounds over my in season weight, but it’s probably a good weight for me, as it's easy to maintain.  I'd like to lose those last 10 to help on the hills!

WHAT WILL MAKE THIS A GOOD GROUP:

I will reiterate what Jennifer said in that we’re very active on the forum and will answer questions and follow your training logs frequently to motivate you.

We both train very consistently and believe consistency will breed success.

We're both very positive but will push you when required.

In another life I advise athletes on nutrition, so I can help in that area as well..

OUR EXPECTATIONS:

 Ask questions and have fun!

Hi, again –

Sorry for the abbreviated intro post last night.  Thanks for letting me join your group.  Here’s a the rest of my info -

NAME:  Ally

STORY:  

Way back when, there was a time when I was pretty darn fit and reasonably athletic.  My conditioning slid downhill in my later 30s and then at 40 I had multiples.  That was five years ago and I am still trying to get back into shape.  I am really hopeful that this can be my breakthrough year. 

In 2009 I trained for a tri from Jan-June and made decent progress in each sport - I even got to the point where I liked running instead of thinking "I hate running" with every step.  ...but then one day I ran with some women who were not only faster than I but we went about twice as far as I usually ran.  It felt great that day but the next day I could barely walk - a nasty overuse injury that took months to heal, even with PT.  Since I couldn't bike or run again yet, I only did the swim in the tri I had registered for (NorthEast (MD) Sprint).  An official DNF.

Last year, 2010, I trained again & did complete my first tri (Columbia IronGirl), but I didn't finish as strong as I had hoped for.   Part of that was due to (not keeping up with my) training, part due to crazy cramping during all three sports, and part due to being emotionally spent - I had buried my dad just the day before.  I ended up walking most of the run -  I only kept going to avoid a second DNF. 

This year I’d like to make consistent training part of my lifestyle, instead of something I “do” for 6-8 months before wearing out.  I’d love to do more long-distance rides on the bike (my best sport) and work up to longer runs.  For the swim, I’ll be content to work on getting stronger & more efficient so that I can really swim hard during a sprint tri rather than just finish. 

CURRENT TRAINING:   Sorely lacking.  I haven’t done much the last few months except an occasional swim workout.   I hit the gym for the first time in ages last week.  So, it will be like starting all over.  Again.   Initially, I’ll be working to get myself to the gym for 1-2 workouts in each sport, 1 weight training, and 1 core workout per week.  I’ve signed up for a swim clinic in mid-Jan and will start a group triathlon conditioning pgm at the end of Jan (we’ll work out together 1x/week in each sport). 

2010 RACES: 

5K (my first ever)  - Women’s Distance Festival, Columbia, MD

Sprint Tri – Columbia IronGirl

2011 PLAN:

May 1^st – 5K – Howard County LIFEfest, Columbia, MD

June 26^th - Sprint Tri – Celebration, Columbia, MD

July (TBD) – 5K – Women’s Distance Festival, Columbia, MD

Aug 14^th - Sprint Tri – North East Tri, MD

Aug 21^st - Sprint Relay (bike) – Columbia IronGirl, MD –this one just for fun with some friends

WEIGHT LOSS:

I lost about 20 lbs last year, but I really need to lose an additional 30-40 to reach a healthy weight.  For me, weight loss will be key to being able to finish stronger. 

Hey Gang, I would like to jump in your group. I know Warren from a prior group and enjoyed the group we were in. The advise and information I received helped me with my 2 Sprints last year. 


NAME:  Scott

STORY: 47 yo male who was at a dinner party last Christmas Eve 2009.  My good friend and I had been drinking (maybe alittle too much) and he challenged me to sign up for a Sprint Tri in June '10 (Columbia Sprint).  Being I did not want to back down from a challenge and we started talking about the race .64mi swim, 17mi bike and 5k run didn't seem like it would be that difficult.  I felt I had a strong background in biking and have run 5k's before, but was a little afraid of the swim, but thought a 1/2 swim wouldn't be that bad.  In January '10 I took a swim class and swam 25 yards and thought I was going to drown. I thought to myself...what have I done?.  I began swimming more, and biking on a trainer until the weather became warmer, then rode outdoors.  I did complete that race, not the best time but finished and signed up for a fall race. The Osprey Sprint Tri, Snow Hill, MD.  This was a much better race and finished better, however still wasn't a fan of the water.  This past November our gym had just enlisted the help of a swim coach, David Wendko who is fantastic.  I am now swimming 3000/4000 yards and he has made corrections to my form and stroke.  I am always looking to improve all aspects of my training and can give advise.  By the way my friend is 54 yrs old and he kicks my butt.  I am not looking to beat him (I wish I could) just want to improve my times and keep off the weight.

FAMILY STATUS: Married 15 years to a great and very supportive woman. We have two children: boy 12 and girl 9.  My 12 year old plays lacrosse and when I take him to practice is when I get in my running.

CURRENT TRAINING:   I’m currently riding indoors, and swim Tue/Thur/Sat.  I need more core training and will try to incorporate that on swim days.  I have limited time and my job puts a crap into my training.  Since November I really have only been swimming and a very little running.  January is here and it is time to get back into training.

2010 RACES:  Columbia Celebration Sprint, and Osprey Sprint

2011 Plan: Columbia Olympic; signed up, maybe Columbia Sprint again, or Lums Pond and Osprey Sprint.

Looking forward to being apart of the group and contributing where I can.  I will say this, being apart of group makes you feel very committed to your workouts.