cayrip's sufferers- FULL

NAME: Taylor

STORY: I am also a Wildlife biologist, or am educating myself to become one!  Currently working on my master's in biology (herpetology emphasis). 6'2 190 pounds I enjoy pushing my limits and my breaking point, which is what interests me about triathlons.  I am thrilled to find someone else who notices all the snakes that crawl across the road (even tho my specific research emphasis is amphibians I dabble with the other herps and mammals).  I have a fairly athletic background, lots of sports through highschool, currently play competitive ultimate frisbee for the university, and I am backpacking enthusiast (althought I wish I could get out and do this more).  I have also always been a strong swimmer and feel completely comfortable in the water. 

I have never entered into any distance race.

FAMILY STATUS: Currently I live alone with school, research, and teaching consuming most of my attention.  Unfortunately my research does come first above my training.  My girlfriend likes to think she comes second though

CURRENT TRAINIG: Currently I am running about 3 times a week (3-4 miles at the moment).  I had worked my way up to about 6 miles a run session in the fall, but developed tendonitis in my right achilles after an Ultimate frisbee tournament and had to stop all running for about 3 weeks.  I also swim about 3 times a week, usually close to a mile total in each session varying different drills.  I am visiting the parents for the holidays but normally I will swim with the master's swimmers and coach twice a week as well. Biking is where I am lacking currently, my POS 60 dollar walmart special mountain bike fell apart on me.  Over the holidays I plan to purchase an actual road bike so I can begin the cycling portion of my training.  My weaknesses are cycling obviously since I don't have a bike at the moment, swimming for speed/ although I am a confident swimmer and it is my favorite part of the training so far.  My running issues are mostly boredom and staying motivated, I feel my body can do more then I seem to allow it to.

2009:  I hope to compete in at least one maybe two sprints early in the season and then definitely an olympic in late spring/early summer.  I am not ruling out the possibility of a HIM in 2009 as well. I am a lanky fellow so weight loss is not really an issue, I do however enjoy weight training as well and constantly am trying to increase my over all fitness. 

NAME: Alexander

STORY: I just graduated from college (last week) with a BA in International Management and a BS in International Economics.  I'm 23 years old and have been racing motorcycles professionally since I was 18.  I have always trained for racing motorcycles but then I was exposed to the Ironman.  I enjoy pushing myself beyond what most people believe, the more blood, sweat and tears the better!  I just happened to be in Idaho for the IM in 2004 and was struck by the people finishing the race.  I said to myself, "I can do that" and last year made a pact with my best friend to complete the 2009 AZ Ironman.

 FAMILY STATUS:  I'm not married, but have a wonderful girlfriend who is nothing but motivation.  She is the one kicking my butt to get out of bed in the morning and go running.  My family is completely supportive in my goals and will be there for me on race day.

 CURRENT TRAINING:  I'm currently running about 10 miles every-other day, in the 175bpm range, and riding my bike on the off days around 40 miles of pretty hilly terrian.  Most weeks I take one day off of training, sometimes two.  My biggest concern with IMAZ is the swim, I played water polo but I haven't been in a pool in a while.  I really need to work on my swimming.

2009 RACES:  Carlsbad Marathon: Jan 25th.  February 21: USCD Tritonman.  Pasadena Triathlon: March 14th.  May 25th: LA Marathon

          Ironman Arizona: November 22nd

 WEIGHTLOSS: I have no weight loss goals.  I'm 6', 155 lbs, I think dropping anymore would be a bad thing.

 WHAT I HOPE TO GAIN FROM THIS:  I want to get all the inside tips on training, preparing and racing an Ironman.  I know the devil is in the details when it comes to racing.  

NAME: vibratingp00/ Dave

STORY: Im 26 years old.  I played baseball in college, but since graduating havent had a great source for my competitiveness.  I never did much endurance workouts, stayed more in the weight room.  When my girlfriend (she ran track in college) blew out her knee, I started swimming and riding the bike with her as shes working her way back to running last summer.  Since then, Ive found that I enjoy these workouts, so Im taking the leap into triathlons.  This coming year will be the first time that I will have been in any competitive races.

I like the “gluten for punishment” comment.  That’s how I played baseball (would hit until my hands bled) and that’s part of the reason why I cant play anymore.  Even though this is my first season racing, I have high expectations for myself.  While I don’t plan on winning, I’m looking to put up some good times and this group seems like a good fit.

FAMILY STATUS:  I live on my own on Long Island, NY.  I work full time as a software engineer and am going to school for my MBA (will graduate this year).  I also have my previously mentioned girlfriend who is working back from her major knee surgery and a turtle named Booger.

CURRENT TRAINING:  Right now, Im working on my swimming the most because I don’t have great technique.  I get to the pool 3-4 times a week and swim around 2000 yrds per session.  Im getting help with my swimming from a friend who swam in college and comes out to the pool every couple of weeks.  Im most comfortable on the bike and ride a couple times a week, usually between 20-25 miles total.  I also run a couple times a week, not more than 15 miles total.  I plan on picking up the running starting in January.

2009 RACES:  My big race will be the NYC Triathlon (Olympic) on July 26th.  I will do some sprints before then.  Not sure what I will do after, probably find some more Olympic distance races.  I will also be running in multiple races this summer for a work team. 

WEIGHTLOSS:  Im not specifically looking to lose any weight.  Im 6’1’’, 180lbs.  I will probably drop some weight before racing though.

STORY:  I have been an athlete all my life, but nothing like this.  I watch the IM in Kona every year and hope to someday be there.  In order to someday get there, I need to start doing something, and now is the time.  I am going to be competing in a short sprint Tri in March (reverse - 5k run, 15k bike and 150 meter pool swim), signing up for the Mud Run at Camp Pendelton this summer, and then plan to do the sprint Tri at Camp Pendelton in August.

FAMILY STATUS:  I am married but have no children.  I am fortunate to have a wife who encourages my participation in Tri's and may even attempt to do them herself. 

CURRENT TRAINING:  Right now I am working out 5-6 days a week.  I have no real training program, but am looking for a good one.  I checked out the Couch Potato to Beginner Triathlon on this site and that looks like it might work (any suggestions would be appreciated).  I have not gotten into the pool yet, but plan to at the beginning of the year.

2009 races:  As I said before, March short sprint tri, Mud Run 10k this summer and the Camp Pendelton sprint tri in August.

WEIGHT LOSS:  I hope to lose anywhere from 10-15 pounds through my training, though weight loss is not my main goal.  I am currently 5'10" and weigh about 185.  I would not mind staying at the same weight and having the fat become muscle and become more lean.  Weight loss is secondary to the goal of challenging myself to do something I am a little scared of, a lot excited about and overall been wanting to do for a long time.

Thanks.

NAME:  Stephanie

 STORY:  I'll be 22 in January, 5'9'' 150lbs and I live in Chicago, currently working on an undergrad bachelor's in biology at DePaul University and bartend on the side for cash$$.  I'm shooting for an internship at the shedd aquarium this summer and hope to get into marine mammal training, which may very well be a souped up title for dolphin trainer.  Thus, after the chicago tri and one more semester at school, I plan to move to california and pursue my dream!!!  But back on topic,  I enjoy tri's and have been doing them the past three years, but have been training solo.  I've only done sprint tri's, about five?  And my times have been improving, however they are too short and I want more ; )  I finished top 5 in 06 and with a better time, top ten in 07, both in my age group.  I feel like with the interest I have at this age and what I have accoplished thus far, I could really do well with some help!  My mom got me into them and now I train on my own at the school gym and on the lakeshore bike path and in lake michigan in the summer.  I'd like to compete in an olympic this year and possibly a half iron-man next year.  I would love to race in a few, but unfortunately the broke college student status will probably only get me into 2 races tops and hopefully a pair of clipless pedals and shoes.  I currently race my mom's old school cannondale, from the 80's probably but it's quick!  I swam growning up so my swim is decent, my run is alright, my bike is probably my week link.  I would love to tap into your experience and techniques since you have accoplished so much thus far, kudos by the way.  And appreciate you taking time out to share your experiences and knowledge with others...

 FAMILY STATUS:  I currently don't have a significant other (which does my training wonders I'm sure) and my family lives in a suburb half hour outside the city.  Two younger brothers and an older sister, none of which have found a swim-bike-run race as enjoyable as myself ; )

 CURRENT TRAINING:  I have migrated back to the suburbs for the holiday season and prior to this, had been in brazil for two weeks with a professor and group of students, thus my training has been at a hault.  Typically I swim 2-3 times a week, from 1-2 miles, run 2-3 times a week for 20 minutes to an hour, maybe 2 1/2 to 5 miles.  Bike, ehh, lacking?  Maybe once a week....I enjoy riding a real bike, not stationary bikes at the gym so i'm hoping to get a bike trainer so i can chug away in my apartment, BUT maybe for 45 minutes to an hour, maybe 15-20 miles.  Some ellip stuff and I weight train probably 2x a week, and free weight exercises once or twice a week.  I was thinking about picking up one of the free training sessions on this website??  a 20 week olympic distance schedule, with each leg worked 3x.   I also do bikram yoga, its hott stuff, like 105 degrees... but i've been slacking.

 2009:  Definately the chicago olympic, a local sprint and another olypic in IN.  We'll see if mom and dad wanna help the funding ; )

GAIN:  I am hoping to develop more knowledge in training, eating and scheduling, and see improvements in my time.  I hope to really start building up my endurance so I can compete in a HIM next year....and I think you can help me ; )

NAME: Josh

STORY: I am 29 years old, married, with a 2-year old daughter who consumes most of my time.  I work as a project manager for a construction company.  Grew up playing sports and love the outdoors.  I've always thought it would be fun to complete a triathlon and decided several months back that 2009 was the year that I'd finally do it.

CURRENT TRAINING: I enjoy lifting weights and playing basketball.  I play in a pretty competitive mens league league once a week.  Generally I take our 4 year old yellow lab for a 2 mile run 3 or 4 times a week.  Other than that I have no specific training plan although I would love to find one.  I have a mountain bike that I bought a year ago.  I've been riding it on the road mostly though.  My thought is that I'll try a few sprint triathlon's to see how I like them and then consider purchasing a road bike.

 THIS YEAR'S RACES: Nothing really other than a few local 5k's.

2009 RACES:  I plan to do two sprint triathlons that are held in the midlands of South Carolina.

WEIGHT LOSS:  My weight is in pretty good shape.  I'm 6'4" and weigh right around 205 lbs.  I do want to tighten up my midsection.  I think I could correct that pretty easily if I would eat a more healthy diet and quit drinking so much beer on the weekends.  Both are goals of mine to work on in 2009!!

GOALS:  Participate in and complete my first sprint triathlon.  Right now I'm totally lost.  Don't know exactly what to expect or where to start but look forward to the process of figuring it all out.   

Hi Cameron, My name is Steve,

Im 44 yo and new to the multisport life and lovin it. I always had a wt problem up and down on the wt all my life. Over the last 2 years I have lost 130 lbs and I am now looking to conquer something new in my life. I have 3 races planned for this year coming up, the first one is a mini sprint in April the 2nd is a sprint in july and the 3rd is an Oly in sept. I have been following the plans on this website for the 20 week sprint and I have been adding to the work outs alittle. My ultimate goal keeps changing the more I train, its now to do a HIM in 2010. I would be thankful for any help you could give me, and thank you for choosing to be a mentor. If you will be my mentor, I cant figure out were to find you agian on this website please help??? Thanks in advance.

NAME: Joel

STORY: Last year on kind of a random choice to change things up in my life I asked my fiancee for a bike for my birthday (June) so i could ride my bike to the train station instead of have to fight for a parking spot.  She got me one and after a month or two of riding I decided that I would give a Supersprint triathlon a try.  I was completely addicted and afterwards decided i wanted to be more hardcore and train more aggresively for sprint and olympic distance races in 2009.

My background is in swimming and I could use a lot of improvement in my bike endurance/speed and my running strength.  I like to ride my bike to commute still (Weather permitting) and since the holidays have hit i've totally fallen off my workout routine.   I'd like to get back into it as strong as i was before I moved in my new apartment in November.  I haven't seen the pool since and have ran just a little bit more than i've swam.

FAMILY STATUS: I am engaged and have a cat and a dog.  They are the closest things i have to kids/outside commitments.  My parents are very strong in their support for me.

CURRENT TRAINING: I am currently off training right now aside from maybe once a week half hour on the trainer.  My goal is to train for the olympic distance so here is what i WAS doing... 6 days a week, m: swim 45min tue: bike 60min wed: run 3.2mi thu: bike 60min/swim45min fri: off sat: 20~mi bike ride sun: misc weight training (strength / plyo).  I'm pretty much equating my time on the bike from distance to minutes on the trainer - at least the treadmill gives me a distance.

2009 RACES: So far i'm registered for the Chicago Triathlon, and I plan on doing the Naperville Sprint, Batavia Sprint, and Lake Geneva Half Iron as a swim portion of a relay.  Also planning on doing the beginning half of RAGBRAI in Iowa.  And hopefully a century near the end of the season.

WEIGHTLOSS: I would like to lose about 5 more pounds of body weight but would like to lose fat and up muscle mass.  I lost 15lbs last year and my bike speed increased dramatically.  I'd like to walk around at 175lbs w/ 10% body fat.  That is my ideal.  I fear anything less than 10% will affect how I swim.

Big for me to learn is nutrition.  It sounds like you're a pretty busy professional as am I and trying to fit my training into a tight schedule is very important.  Luckily my pool has a late night swim which is VERY convienent.  Also big for me is how to improve my bike trainer riding to maximize my workout.  I still have a few upgrades to my road bike to make it more tri ready (aero bars/shoes for clipins).  Once i start training full time again (hopefully next week or this weekend) i will start logging my workouts.

NAME: Hughe

STORY: I got hooked last year when a buddy I use to work with told me about triathlons, we signed up for one and then he bailed at the last minute.  I trained hard for it and wasn't about to bail.  Glad I didn't.  It was amazing!!  I love sports! Swam competatively for years, scuba diver, rock climber, soccer player, you name the sport.  Love em all!!  When I started training for my first triathlon I was choked I hadn't discovered the sport years before.                                                                                                                                                                           I am 31, and two years ago after being a Chef for 9 years I decided that I needed a job that was more family focused and a better life style.  I left cooking and worked to get onto the fire department.  I have been on since October.                                                                                                                                                                                                                       FAMILY STATUS: I have been married for 5 years and my wife Karyn and I have just had a baby girl (Stella).   We have a Chesapeake Bay Retriever who loves to run with me!!                                                                                                                                                               CURRENT TRAINING: I train right now about 6 hours a week.  Either weights in the gym, swimming or running.  In the better weather I bike to work.                                                                                                                                                                                                   Races: This year I want to do three olympic triathlons.   

NAME: dbw27

STORY: I recently lost 186 pounds over the past 19 months through eating healthy (WW mostly) and exercise.  I exercise 6-7 days/week and found that I LOVE IT.  I struggled with depression for a long time, which is how I ballooned up so much and frankly, didn't care that I was obese.  Now that my depression is being managed, I find myself a lot happier and trying new things.  I love health, fitness, and exercise, and am now self studying to become a personal trainer.  People often say I inspire them (whether or not I do.)  Hmm.. :-)

 This past summer, due to my committment to diet and exercise, I called a sports nutritionist to see if I could get some advice (I was training ~15 hours/week on my own just because I loved it and wanted to continue to lose weight/body fat).  The nutritionist on the phone said, "Why do you need to see a sports nutritionist? Are you training for a triathlon or something?"  I said, "No."  She said, "Well, then you don't really need a sports nutritionist."  After that I thought, "Why AREN'T I training for a triathlon?  I love swimming and biking - I just have to learn the running."  I investigated tris, talked to some people and signed up for the NYC 2009 triathlon. 

I figured that I needed help as, although i weight train and do a lot of cardio on my own (kickboxing, treadmill running, spin, swimming, etc.), I did not know how to do a tri specifically.  Therefore, I looked into and signed up with Team in Training since they teach you all of the form and technique and facilitate your training for Free! And you get to do all of this for a really great cause at the same time.  Seemed perfect so I signed up.  That means I'm also now doing a Spring Triathlon in addition to the summer NYC Tri.  I plan to do the Avia Wildflower in California.  I am told it is killer hard, however, my family is in California and if I do that one, they would all come see me to cheer me on - which could mean a lot for the first tri.

FAMILY STATUS: I am a single female.  I wish I had a family, but, do not.  I think this is due to the previous morbid obesity.  Now that I look great (size 4/size 6) and am working on washboard abs, maybe this will change. 

CURRENT TRAINING: I train 12-15 hours/week on average (barring snow and ice - thinking of getting a Wii Fit for snow/ice emergencies).  I do kickboxing, weight training 4x/week, spinning, jogging, swim 3 miles/week (this is my strongest), walk ~100 blocks+/week, and do aerobics.  If I do not train, I feel like crapp and this does not help when one is managing depression.  I need the endorphins.

2009 RACES: Potentially Avia Wildflower and signed up for NYC Triathlon

WEIGHTLOSS: I need to lose 5 pounds in order to get my body fat down to 19-20%.  Currently it is at 22.5% (or it was before I embarked on the Christmas vacation that I am currently on with family.)  Hard to maintain strict eating and sport when on vacation but am still managing to go to a guest gym.

I would like advice and assistance with training.  Particularly timing, nutrition, and encouragement.  TNTs hard training is supposed to pick up in January.  May God help me.  I am doing their training on top of my regular training (or incorporating it).  I tried to do just their training schedule (which is weak for someone like me) and I gained three pounds!  :-)

 Thanks for your help.  Oh and by the way, I have a degree in molecular and cellular biology, so although I don't work in it right now, I hope to join your biology club. :-)

dbw27

Hi:

I just bought a $1,000.00 bike - enough said.

 I bought it at a bike shop store liquidation going out of business sale for 1k+tax.

 http://www.fujibikes.com/Womens/CarbonRoad/Silhouette.aspx

I think it was a good deal.  It is my first tri - but I am signed up for two this upcoming year.  I hope I didn't make a mistake! :-)

dbw27

Thanks!  I am pretty excited.  I bought it at my local Performance Bike that was going out of business (this one only - not the whole chain).

I am very excited about it but currently it is under lock and key.  I hope to learn to take pics to post!  :-)

Thanks for your encouragement and bike enthusiasm. :-D

dbw27 

No cool gifts for me.  But I'm brand new to this so it will probably take me a while to figure out what is cool and what isn't. 

 I need someone to please tell me that swimming gets easier and better in time.  I'm just starting swimming and I didn't quite expect it to be so difficult.  I've always felt as though I was in pretty decent shape.  I run often, play basketball, and have ridden my bike when I can.  So I guess I was a little shocked on my first lap down the pool when I could hardly breathe by the time I swam 25 meters.  I only swam a total of 300 meters my first time and there's no telling how long it took me.  Yesterday was my second time in the pool.  I pushed myself to 750 meters but I did it all in 50 meter increments.  I had to rest after every 50 meters.  Again I didn't time myself but I'm sure it took forever.  Tonight was my third time in the pool and I was able to "crank out" 100 meters on my first 4 laps without resting.  After that I did the final 400 meters in 50 meter increments again.  I finally timed myself tonight and it took me 18:31 to swim only 500 meters.  Please tell me it will get better!!