Writebrained/JHouse4's 2009 - Newbies Unite Group FULL

John, you seem to be the mentor that stood out most to me or at least could relate to what I am trying to accomplish! I am new to the sport. I played college football was athletic but then got married and had children. It all went down hill from there. I was 250, lost some weight and then gained some and now holding fast at 238. I want to loose some weight and become healthier and complete a challenge that everyone says that I would never do. I would love to be apart of the group if it’s still open

From one Tank-to-another, Welcome aboard!   Hang on...this is gonna be fun!

John

Hey John ~ I would love to be part of your team!  Your profile stuck out the most to me and I know I've "seen" you around BT before which, for some reason, is important to me.

Anyway, about me...My name is Michelle and I am so new to triathlons that my hubby just bought me my first bike in I can't tell you how many years and he just about died after seeing the prices when I told him that a Walmart bike just wouldn't do.   I was in the Army for 10 years (where I was an MP and my hubby still is) but after being out for a few years now and having my first baby girl who is now 10 months old, I am trying to get back into shape.  I have always wanted to do Tri's and since I am very goal oriented, I figured why not start now?!  I am already signed up for an 8.15 mile run (The Aloha Run ~ yes, I'm in Hawaii) in Feb and the Honolulu Sprint Tri in May.  I have a running background ~ slow but it's totally my "happy place!"  I love cycling class and am now trying to figure out how to ride my bike without getting nervous everytime a car passes by; and swimming...well, let's just say I know how.  I am completely motivated by challenges and by motivating others and have been looking forward to this mentor program to start!!

Hi John - I would love to join your group... 

NAME: kromanowski (Katie)

BACKGROUND:  One Super Sprint, one 5K and one 8K, was a swimmer throughout my youth (swim team X 8 years)

FAMILY:  Married, No kids yet

CURRENT TRAINING:  Run three times a week (or more), Indoor Trainer - bike 2 times a week, will add the swimming back in starting in January.

2009 RACES:  Several local Sprints, would like to do an oly and a century ride next year too...maybe...

WEIGHT LOSS:  I lose 20 lbs 2 years ago and held steady until this last summer.  I have lost 30 lbs since August to arrive at my current weight (199).  I have another 30 lbs that I would like to lose.

Michelle: 

1st off - thanks for serving.  You have my utmost respect. 

2nd - congrats on the baby (what a doll).  Love working with kids!  Really have a heart for them (my unit is a SVU)

3rd - welcome to our group.  Karma!  I'm going to be in Hawaii staying with one of your Chaplins (Capt. Reed) in Oct. - I'm planning to be there during the Ironman event (volunteer or spectator).  Really stoked about this trip! 

Again, BIG welcome to you and TANK so far!

Katie:  (pay no attention to the man with the bag over his head^^^Gator22 )

Welcome to our lil'group!  THIS is gonna be fun.  I can tell. 

Sounds like you have some good tri experiences to fall back on - especially a swim background.  You will be a great fit here!

Again, BIG welcome!

TANK, HAPPYCHICK, and KROMANOWSKI!  - we're gonna rawk!

I'd like to join in the fun if I may.

 Name:  lghays (Lara), age 40

 Background:  I've been athletic off and on since high school. I've tried running (track sprints), swimming, rowing, cycling, weightlifting and probably some other stuff I can't remember.  I've plenty of years of doing nothing as well.  Life, career & family have gotten in the way.  But I finally decided that the time is right.  Running is my weakness, cycling & swimming are pretty even for me.

 Family: Married, one son age 4

 Current training: I've tried my best to stick with the winter maintenance plan. 

 2009 races: Issaquah sprint tri (May), Seattle RnR half marathon (June), Grand Columbian Olympic Tri (Sept, maybe).

 Weight loss:  Need to lose about 20 pounds but seem to be stuck.  Holiday yummies don't help.

Count me in as well. This group looks like fun.

Name: GoBlueDDS -  break it down and it's self explanatory  (Scott)

Background:  Was a swimmer in high school and college.  Got really burned out and didn't get back in the water for almost 15 years.  Started training again about 6 weeks ago on a dare.

Family:  Married with two kids (boys)

Current training:  Swimming several days a week, running everyday (100 day challenge- on day 18), indoor stationary bike or trainer in between everything else.

Races:  Planning on an indoor tri in March,  a sprint in June, and an Oly in September. 

Just competed in a 5k run (25:17!)  I'm hooked on the competition thing again...=)

No weight loss issues, just feeling really good to get back into decent physical condition.

Lara:

A rowing background.  Cool.

You've got some great events picked out for the spring.  It'll be here 'fore you know it! 

Great to have you on-board.  Hang on!

...and BIG Welcome!

PS. you blog is set to private...that fine - sooo.... we'll have to communicate with you, 100% here, on this thread.  FYI

Scott!  You are it!  We are, now, full!  

100 day challenge!  Wow - Awesome goal!!!!!!  We'll be cheer'n ya on! 

Great run time!  Must of been cold....  You are setting a great example for your boys, no doubt!    

BIG welcome to you!

Here's the A-list:  TANK, HAPPYCHICK, KROMANOWSKI, LGHAYS and GOBLUEDDS!!!

Let's Get the Party Started!!!!!

I think I just fixed that.  Thanks for letting me know.

 L.

For ABAKE!  Anything....

and now there are 6!   Party on!

Here's the A-list:  TANK, HAPPYCHICK, KROMANOWSKI, LGHAYS, ABAKE and GOBLUEDDS!!!

Thanks!  How cool that you'll be here...what Island will you be on?  My first assumption is that Cpt Reed lives here on Oahu and you'll be travelling to the Big Island for IM??  Wow, SVU is a hard place to work.  While I was a lot more removed from it than what you do, I used to help out our SVU when I worked at the DA's office back in CO (before moving here in April).

Also, thanks for The Long Run.  I especially like when he talked about hitting a wall, deciding to go thru the door, and things are kind of reset once you make that decision!  That's so true in so many things in life!!

Oh wow John, I didn't see the post about the group being full, thanks so much for letting me slide under the radar!!! This looks like a really fun group and I could sure use some motivation to gear up for 2009.

NAME: Abake (Anne)

BACKGROUND:  Come from a running background, even though I am slow as molassses.   In 2008, I took some swimming lessons and completed one mini-sprint (hey, I beat some little kids) and the Stoneman Sprint, as well as my first marathon and a handful of local races. 

FAMILY:  Flying solo, one college age daughter, plus an ancient dog and two lazy spoiled cats

CURRENT TRAINING:  Run 3-4 x a week (or more), biking indoors 2-3x.  Also do pilates 3x a week and some weight work, nothing too serious.  Next week will start back into swimming (evening class is over so I have some time now)

2009 RACES:  Bunch of races, maybe too many.  First race is the Siberian Express 7 mile Trail Run in Danville, IL on January 3. 

WEIGHT LOSS:  Ouch, I have about 8 lbs to lose.

OTHER:  On the board of Springfield Road Runners Club, also an avid mountain biker

Siberian Express is a hoot!  My all-time favorite race.  

Can I “unofficially” join?

Okay....

Here is the game plan (subject to change):

*be sure to log your workouts on your blog (good habit to get in to, many of you are already doing this)

*also list your workouts on this thread - HR, PE, etc would be nice

                              (HR=Heart Rate or PE or PER = Perceived Exertion Rate 1-10)

*feel free to comment on each other's workouts here AND on their blogs, USE the "inspire" function (consider adding those in this thread to your "friends list" - I've already add you)

*also, include your questions/concerns/highs-and-lows/ups-and-downs you encounter with each post.  I have a lot of mental tricks that I use to work thru the "mental side of training" - I'm sure we can help each other here.  I will not have ALL the answers to your training questions but other group members may and I probably know someone on BT who will have an answer, if all else fails.

*have fun.  set realistic goals.  share your goals.  share your victories. 

Train hard, Rest harder!

Ummm....it's a challenge.  They fire a cannon at the start!  Cool.  Some moderate hills, great trails, well organized, etc.  The Kennekuk Road Runners are the best. 

I'd do some hill work - if you get the chance.  Otherwise; have fun with the event....you'll be shaking your head and laughing inside by the end of the run...but its all good, worth it.  The after-party is off-the-hook.  Bring a driver if you plan to get the FULL experience.  Lots of adult beverages. 

I think I'm skiing that weekend or I'd run it....who knows?  I may end up there.  I'll send you a note if I decide to run.  Can't wait for your race report. 

Please join!  WE could all benefit from your participation, Ironman!  

(A-list members:  this guy is the real deal (Joe House).  He'll make this thread one of the best!  No doubt.) 

Thank you Gov! 

Ummmm...that explains the change in distance from 7.6 miles to 7.1 miles.  Kennekuk has used the Lake Mingo trail in the past.  I've never ran it though..... 

So that said, I'd still do some hill work but otherwise; can't help.  Sorry.