Penn State's mentor group - CLOSED!

PennState/Fred,

Name:  GRB1 / Greg

I would be interested in joining your group, that is if you can have room for another Big Ten guy, Go State, MSU! 

BIO:  Last year was my first year doing Triathlons.  I have biked on and off over the years and did some entry level road racing about 15-20 years ago.  That fitness has long since departed.  My job requires me to maintain fitness and I have kept in good overall shape over the years, but I have dropped about 20 pounds since starting triathlons.  I was in a mentor group last year and it really paid dividends. The group helps me to stay focused and accountable to others.

Family:  I am married with 2 boys, 5 and 7 years old.   I am an Active Duty Navy Officer and I am doing what is known as Geo Baching.  Meaning I am working 4, 10 hour, days a week in Great Lakes IL and spend the other 3 days at home in the Madison WI area with my family.  My job also dictates that I travel all around the Midwest.  As you can imagine this has some positives and negatives when it comes to training.  I can train as much as I want during the week, after work, but family commitments kick in on the weekends.  I have a great wife who understands my training needs and is really supportive.  This is important as I am training for IM Wisconsin this year and will require significant weekend training.

Current Training:  Have been around 7 hours a week, but I am getting ready to start ramping up the volume significantly. 

Prior Races:  1 sprint, 1 olympic, 1 HIM, all last year.

Planned races:  1 sprint, IM Racine 70.3 and Ironman Wisconsin.

I like that you have dealt with many of the same challenges, family, busy work life and training.  Hopefully I can pick up some of your success.

  Greg

I would like to join the group!

Fred, we did IMLP 2008 together (except that I was probably on course for a while longer!) 

My name is Ken, I am 45 and 4 years off the couch.  I have lost +/- 90 pounds and since then I have enjoyed doing marathons, IM's, HIM's, and a lot of running races of all distances.  My goal for 2010 is to actually race the longer distances. 

My races for this year are:

June: Keuka Olympic
July: Musselman HIM
November: IMFL

Plus some charity bike rides, 5 and 10K road races just to keep training interesting!!!

I am married to a very supportive wife for the last 14 years, plus I have a 20 year old daughter and 22 year old son.  My family have been very supportive (and probably entertained by) my new found love of fitness. 

My goal this year is to learn to race the longer distances and be comfortable being uncomfortable.  Although I have led mentor groups the last 2 years, I have plenty to learn.  Fred, I have respected your opinions on many different subjects here on BT.  I think this group would be a great oportunity for me.

Fred,

I am attempting my first HIM this summer and would very much like to join your group.

Name: Kathleen/Kath2163

BIO: I am entering my third year of triathlon with my focus on completing my first HIM.  I started out in this sport intending to do one race but as happens to most of us, I got hooked.  I have trained with a group of women over the past two years but my interest in longer distance races has separated me from the pack and I do almost all of my training alone. I recently joined a tri club for some support and group rides but we haven't had any formalized trainings yet as the weather here in CO constantly changes in March and April. I also have a coach who writes a plan for me. While I like having the structure, I don't receive any feed back or "how did the race go"(he strictly writes the plan.. nothing more) which is something that is important to me.  I am signed up for the Boulder 70.3 race and am extremely nervous about it. To be honest I get nervous about any race, even when they are months away.  I have never raced in Boulder and the intimidation factor of being amongst elite and professional athletes add to the nerves.  I am not fast by any means and my true weakness is my running. I did complete my first half marathon in January and ran the whole thing. My training plan has been very run focused up to this point but will be more tri focused starting next month. Nutrition planning for a HIM is a big concern for me and I could really use some guidance in that area. I work as a case manager for people with disabilities so it is in my nature to help  and support others which I would enjoy doing here. I have started a blog and have enjoyed meeting other triathletes through that.  Finally  I have been playing with the idea of purchasing a tri bike and test rode one for the first time yesterday. Very fun!

FAMILY STATUS:  Well... we hold ourselves out as married but don't have the paper to prove it. Maybe someday.. kind of a joke since I am turning 47 in a couple of weeks. Yikes!

CURRENT TRAINING:  I train between seven and 10 hours a week if I am sticking to the plan.

PRIOR RACES: 
I did five sprints my first year and numerous sprints and two Olympic distance races last year.

 RACES 2010: Boulder tri series (5430 sprint,  Boulder Peak Triathlon and Boulder 70.3).  I am also signed up to do the Irongirl sprint with my friends.  I  have a half marathon coming up this weekend but I think I am in denial about it

WEIGHT LOSS GOALS: I don't have any weight loss goals at this time. However, I was a heavy throughout my childhood and teen years and have battled with weight issues all of my life. I can completely relate to those who are dealing with weight concerns. I have been there.

Thanks,

Kathleen