JeepFleeb's mentor group - FULL

NAME: jdwright56 / John / JD / J-dub (to Trixie)

STORY: As a 21 year old Marine, I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.  18 years later, in November of 2003, due to much avoidance of the issue and not paying attention to my disease, I was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease.  I was immediately placed on the waiting list for a kidney and pancreas transplant and was told that there was no way that I would make it the three years that it would take for my name to come up.  In October of 2006, after being officially "dead" twice, I received my transplant.  In the summer of 2007, I had some friends that had decided to participate in the innaugural Hy-Vee Triathlon in my hometown.  We went to watch and I was amazed by the effort of the AG's and I was stunned by the efforts of the pro's, especially in the women's race where Laura Bennett came from behind to win and the women in second and third collapsed after the finish trying to hold her off.  One of my friends leaned over and said to me - This is the kind of stuff a guy like you was meant to do.  Too bad you didn't know about it until now when you can't do it anymore.  Well, that kind of stuck in my craw.  I have always been a fighter and I don't ever like to think that I can be beaten by anyone but myself. 
I was also, at the time, trying to figure out a way to give back for the gift that I have received that saved my life.  I decided shortly thereafter - in October of 2007 - that I would form Triathlons for Transplants - a charitable organization that raised awareness to the need for organ donation.  It has grown to more than I could ever imagine and with the attention that we now get - I have rededicated myself to new feats that I hadn;t considered before.
FAMILY STATUS: Married, with two step-children (14 & 15 Year old girls) 

CURRENT TRAINING: I use BT training programs and advice from BT coaches and gurus - as well as local coaches.

LAST YEAR'S RACES: I did four sprints and a duathlon in 2009.  I also did several 5ks and became a USAT official.

2009 RACES: 
- Drake Relays on the Roads 8K
- C.A.R.E. 10k for Organ Donation Awareness
- The Vanesa Thomas 5K for Organ Donation
- Dam to Dam 20k
- Pigman Sprint
- Quad Cities Tri (officiating)
- Hy-Vee Olympic Triathlon
- Cornman Sprint Tri
- Iowa Games Sprint Tri
- RAGBRAI
- Big Creek Olympic Tri
- World Transplant Games - 5k Cycling Time Trial, 20K Road Race
- Pergrine Charities Olympic Tri

WEIGHTLOSS: Not an issue.  I would like to get more developed, muscularly, as I went through a lot of muscle atrophy in the three years that I was on dialysis.

WHAT AM I LOOKING FOR IN A MENTOR: I am looking for someone that can help me advance to the next stage in triathlon.  I can do the distances, but I want to get faster.  As far as team development goes, we are now starting to get inquiries from sponsors, but I feel we have to be at least MOP to end of FOP to keep getting that attention.  I need to advance to that level. 

Hi Aaron.  I'm beginning my second season of tri's as well.

Name:  Timmeh!/Tim

Story:  I had a wakeup call two years ago.  I was overweight (245lbs) and had high cholesterol and high blood pressure.  I started walking, then running, and worked myself up to a half marathon that fall.  Once winter set in that year I started doing laps at the pool.  My wife talked me into trying her spin class with her as well.  I really liked training in all three disciplines as I didn't get burned out just doing the same thing all of the time.  Last summer was my first tri season.  I ended the summer at 179lbs and 8.5%BF.  Cholesterol was normal, but blood pressure still a tad high (bad genes the Dr's tell me).

Family status:  I'm 44, Married, and have two kids (9 & 6)

Current training:  Just started the BT 1/2IM 20 week training program.  Main goal for this season is a HIM in August.

Last Years Races:  3 sprint tri's, a half marathon, the bike leg of a HIM as part of a team, and various 5k and 8k's

2009 Races:  the three sprints I did last year, HIM in august, two oly's, and potentially a full marathon in October.

Weightloss:  I had a little trouble keeping the weight off over the winter this year.  I gained about 12 lbs and am currently working my way back to "fighting weight" 

Goals:  Looking to make the jump to Oly and HIM distances this year.  Also would like to get faster in the sprint races as well.  I would also like to tackle a marathon this fall if I'm not too burned out by then.  I also need to get more strict nutritionally, so as to not have any setbacks like this winter.

NAME: Newtons1st / Todd

STORY: I had always been an athletic person and played many sports. Baseaball was my biggest and play in various amatuer leagues until I was 28. I started to slowly add weight from eating bad and inactivity. I started 2008 at 235 and started to get back into shap. I had a friend that had done a tri and I got interested and being the competitive person I am decided I wanted to do one. Gave me something to trian for.

FAMILY STATUS: Married to the perfect woman Kristy with 14 yo Step Son, 12 yo Twin Boys and a 1 yo little girl

CURRENT TRAINING: I signed up to do a a DU and started trianing about 6 months ago. I am recovering from a 6 month lingering calf issue that had really put a hamper on my running. Swim 2x week and looking to add in some open water. Bike 3x week, most on trainer since weekends are really only time to get outside.

LAST YEAR'S RACES: None

2009 RACES: 
- Texas Motor Speedway Du 02-22-09
- Play Tri Sprint 7-05-09
- Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon Olympic 11-10-09


WEIGHTLOSS: 205 now. Want to be less than 190 by July and low 180s by Nov.

If there's room, I'd like to join...

NAME: Happychick/Michelle

STORY: I was NEVER active as a kid/teenager but after joining and being in the Army for 10 years I learned to love exercise ~ especially running.  I always say running is my "happy place."  After having my baby girl 14 months ago I was determined to get back in shape but wanted to take it slow as I was breastfeeding and wanted to make sure the weight stayed off.  In October I kind of hit a wall and decided to make the committment to something I've been wanting to do for a long time ~ a triathlon.  I joined BT and signed up for the Hono Sprint Tri so that there was no backing out.
I've kind of hit a slump in the last month as I was travelling back and forth to Cleveland (I currently live in Hawaii) to be with family as my Mom was really ill then passed away.  I'm desperately trying to get back into the groove of things but I'm trying to find that same drive that I had a month ago and am hoping a mentor group will help.

FAMILY STATUS: Married for 13 years (in May) with a 14 month old baby girl 

CURRENT TRAINING: Following BTs Basic 12 week Sprint program

2009 RACES: 
*Finished 8.12 mile Aloha Run with a 9:20 pace
*Finished Ft Derussy Biathlon without drowning (first OWS)
*Honolulu Sprint Tri (or duathlon if the jellys are in)
*North Shore Triathlon (which will most likely be my first if the Hono Tri is in fact changed to a du)
*That's just what I have planned until June and my goal is to do some type of race every month

WEIGHTLOSS: After having my kiddo I was 198lbs and am now down to 144.  My goal is to get to 135 then I'll have to see where to go from there!

You seem like you might be getting booked up but I'll give it a shot that you still have room.

Name: elheffe99 / Jeff

Story: When my daughter started swimming about 4 years ago I realized how out of shape and unhappy I had become. I played water polo one year in highschool and loved being in the pool. There was a pool at the gym that I never went to and decided I would use it at lunch. After a few weeks I decided I would do a triathlon. I found this website in 2006 and went from there. I did a number of sprints, an Oly and then did the SOMA HIM in October 2007. Two weeks later I was in a car accident and it played havoc with my back and neck for nearly 7 months afterward. Of course during this time the economy and my industry were going into a tail spin. I was laid off and then found another job. My wife started teaching last fall and it's the first time since we've had kids that we've both worked at the same time. Basically I'm trying to get back into a groove to hopefully be able to attempt an IM. I know that it won't happen this year but I'm just trying to juggle the family/work/training schedule. Last year I did one sprint and Oly and definitely didn't feel like I had in the previous years. I'm looking to find my mojo!

Family Status: Married with two kids (daughter 9 and son 6). My wife currently swim for excercise, my daughter is competitve age group swimmer and my son plays baseball and thinks he's an age group swimmer.

Current Training: I'm muddling through a bike focused sprint program....

2009 Races (all are registered as of today):

Enicinitas Sprint Trithathlon - May

Camp Pendleton Sprint Triathlon - August

Orange County International Triathlon - September

Weightloss: I could probably lose 20 pounds.

Aaron, I live in So CA and did a couple of rides with Omega before he moved to OR. I also bought some Speedplays off of you last year.

Let me know if you have room.

Jeff

Aaron I'd like to join your mentor group---training for first HIM in August.  But I will have to add more later as I'm obligated this evening.

Is it boys only?  Only saw manly mens joing as yet. 

Happychick - 2009-04-15 7:32 PM

AdaBug - 2009-04-15 4:02 PM

Aaron I'd like to join your mentor group---training for first HIM in August.  But I will have to add more later as I'm obligated this evening.

Is it boys only?  Only saw manly mens joing as yet. 

With a name like Happychick, I'm thinking I'm a girl!

Whoops!

I'm Ada. I've a Sprint (Dec 07) and an Oly (May 08) under mah belt. 

Currently on a 20 week Plan for HIM mid August, also racing the other 2 in the 5430 Series, Sprint in June & Oly in July.  If any runnnnning races coincide with my training plan I'll pick'em up, but otherwise that's it.  Just looking forward to fun & improvement.  Currently attempting to get diet back under control, as I'm realizing that it absolutely makes a difference with my training.

In real life, I'm a mommy to Little Girl, three (in two weeks) year old, and wife to The Man.

JeepFleeb - 2009-04-15 7:05 PM

AdaBug - 2009-04-15 8:02 PM
Aaron I'd like to join your mentor group---training for first HIM in August.  But I will have to add more later as I'm obligated this evening.

Is it boys only?  Only saw manly mens joing as yet. 

Only cute girls allowed!

You'll be the third so far.

make an azz of myself right off the bat<--- CHECK

aside, to the Texans---> displaced Texans in Colorado here! :D

to, HappyChick ---> we moved from Maui in '07, you da kine? :D