Stef's Peer-Support Group - FULL

NAME: Silver_wlf - Stef

STORY: I am currently an elementary teacher. I haven't raced triathlon since 2002 when I started my new career. I got into triathlon because I was originally a swimmer, and honestly I was getting frustrated that my times weren't improving in my racing. Some of the guys on the swim team were triathletes (and I thought they were crazy) but I decided that running is good for me, and I like to bike so "Why not?". I bought a bike and away I went. My bike training was riding to work, and I ran a little (3-4k) so I did 7 sprint tris over the course of 3 years. I flew by the seat of my pants and relied on luck to carry me through.I moved back home to start a new career and my training stalled. I still ran, but with no swim team to train with triathlon all sort of fell apart. My bike sat in my shed, and my swimming stuff in the basement.

Last year I started biking to work again. Partly because of gas prices, partly because I was worried about the Polar Bears. I'm into my second winter of "Saving the polar bears" and my brother is my partner for some long rides.I struggled with clinical depression this past summer and the only thing I could manage to do was swim. So I bought myself a membership to the local fitness club and swam every day. As I slowly pulled myself out I noticed how much my general fitness improved. I ran the 10k in Niagara Falls in October and placed 5th in my age group.

FAMILY STATUS: I've been separated for almost two years. I live with my lab-x and my Doberman Pinscher.

CURRENT TRAINING: I am currently using the Tri-newbies 1/2 Ironman Training Plan (because Fridays are the off day - which works well with how I feel by the end of the week...). If I have a plan I am consistent and will stick with it - I'm internally motivated once I've set a goal. However, I'm also whiny and will complain about cold, fatigue, boredom, etc. *laughing*

THIS YEAR'S RACES: I am back to racing triathlon this year. Last year I ran the Niagara Falls 10k and placed 5th in my age group. I haven't raced triathlon since 2002 - when I started my career. I have completed 7 sprint-distance triathlons and 3 1/2 marathons. (Plus a number of 5k/10k runs.)

2009 RACES: My key race this year is Steelhead 70.3 in Benton Harbor Michigan. I will also be racing the Leamington Tomatoman as well as possibly Windsor or Guelph later in the summer. I am also participating in the Lung Association Double-Century ride at the end of May.

WEIGHTLOSS: I noticed some initial weight loss when I started training, but have recently stabilized at a weight similar to my initial start weight - but with VERY different distribution.

WHAT WILL MAKE ME A GOOD MENTOR: I am a positive person and enjoy encouraging others. I think that my experiences can be of assistance to new-triathletes, but I think also that they will bring insight and experience that I can learn from. I enjoy talking to people and discussing just about anything. It will be a positive collaboration that will enable us to work together towards our individual goals.

Edited by Silver_wlf 2009-04-22 12:46 PM