Experior and Slornow's Winter Mentor Group-CLOSED

And...I'm Randy's other half (not his better half -- he's got one of those).

WHEN CAN YOU START MENTORING CONSISTENTLY: Immediately

NAME: Experior / Michael

STORY: I am an adult-onset athlete.  Until age 40, setting aside a few failed attempts to start running, I was not particularly healthy.  I looked at myself in the mirror (on my 40th birthday no less, so all clichés apply) and didn't like what I saw, the model I was setting for my kids, and generally how I felt.  I went out and ran a mile and it nearly killed me.  For some reason, I did it again the next day, and after a while it stuck.  Not long after that, I got injured from too much running too soon, and so looked into biking and then swimming, and that's how I stumbled onto triathlon.  I made a lot of other pretty big changes in my life, and now -- excluding the truly important things like family and trying to be a good person -- training is my priority.  I have some other hobbies (cooking, classical guitar, and (recently revived) woodworking), but they all take a back seat to training.

FAMILY STATUS: I have been married for almost 18 years.  I have three children, about to turn 11, 9, and 7 (two boys and girl, in that order).  We live in Columbia, SC, where my wife grew up (and where I was an undergraduate).  We moved (back) here in 2004, from Indiana.

CURRENT TRAINING:  Right now, I have a stress fracture in my right forefoot, which probably started its life as a stress fracture waiting to happen at ITU worlds (in Las Vegas in early November), and became a bona fide stress fracture almost exactly a week ago at a half marathon race, verified by MRI this past Tuesday.   So at the moment, my training consists of pool running (yes, that is almost as exciting as it sounds) and, as of today, I've started swimming again.  I hope to start biking again next week.  I'm iffy for a marathon this March, but for the moment preparing for that race remains my focus.

THIS YEAR'S RACES: In 2011, my highlights were (in order of how good they make me feel...)

• I hit 100 miles per week running for a few weeks straight over the summer
• I PR'd at the half marathon distance twice (once this spring, once a week ago)
• I took first overall for the first (and probably only) time in my life in a triathlon
• I raced (well, maybe 'endured' is a better word) at ITU worlds

2012 RACES:  Right now, I have just two races on my calendar:  the inaugural Columbia (SC) marathon in March, and Ironman Wisconsin in September.  I will do some sprints and Olympic distance races as well, and probably a spring or early summer half ironman race.  But my big focus will, eventually, be Wisconsin.

WEIGHTLOSS: When I got into this business I was quite overweight.  I lost 40 pounds or so in several months, and now hover around 140, give or take 5 pounds.  I'm probably on the 'give' side right now, and would like to get back down to around 135 for the marathon.  (I'm 5'7", and pretty scrawny above the waist, apart from my belly...)

WHAT WILL MAKE ME A GOOD MENTOR:  I love endurance sport, and I spend an inordinate amount of time reading about it, discussing it with others, trying to learn from others (including taking graduate courses at my local university), and trying to help others learn about it.  I believe that we all have things to learn from one another.  I've run several active and successful mentor groups in the past.  I check the forums multiple times per day, and love answering questions, posing questions, and looking in on how the mentor group members are doing.  

Randy is a very encouraging, motivating, and knowledgeable member of BT.  Come join Randy and me and let's have fun learning and tri'ing together!

Randy/Mike,

I'd love to be a part of this group.  Will post a full bio a little later.

Thanks and looking forward to learning/contributing to this group.

Welcome Jason!  (I don't think we are officially open for business yet, but the back door is unlocked...)

Randy/Mike,

Like Jason, I know this is a little early, but I'd love to be a part of this group.  Can post my bio later on.

Neil

Welcome Neil!

lol.  At this rate we'll be full before we're live.  But I don't think we can say 'no'!  Welcome, Matthew.

When you guys get a chance, post a little bio as Randy and I did so we can get to know each other.  You can copy and past from one of ours to get the structure (changing the last item to "What will make me a good member of this group").  It would be especially great to get info about your history in endurance sport, and your goals for this coming year.

NAME: tri808/Jason

STORY: I'm 30 years old, and have always been somewhat active my entire life.  Mostly involved with lifting weights and playing basketball through college, which slowly turned more into playing softball (and drinking/eating more) after college.  Finally decided I needed something new to get back into shape so I signed up to do my first marathon in 2008.  Went about it all wrong, made all the rookie mistakes and ended up injured.  Put on more weight while I couldn't run and got up near 200 pouds (I'm 5'6"). 

Started looking up how to train properly, and successfully ran my first marathon (along with some other shorter races prior) in 2009.  Bought a road bike during that time, and took the plunge head first into triathlons in 2010.  Started off with sprints and a couple olympics that year, and progressed up to my first HIM in 2011.  I also found a passion for the bike...which is my strength, and I have gotten more into bike racing recently as well.

FAMILY STATUS: In a fairly new relationship with a fellow triathlete.  We do some of our training together, so she's pretty understanding of my training time, as I am with hers.

CURRENT TRAINING:  Just coming off marathon training, and just taking it easy till the new year.  I generally do some type of training everyday.  Right now I'm laying off the swimming a bit to rebuild my bike fitness that I have neglected during marathon training. 

THIS YEAR'S RACES: 2011 Races (all my races are in my logs, but here are a few major highlights)

• Hawaii 70.3 (Honu) - 5:32
• Cycle to the Sun (10k foot climb to the top of Haleakala) - 3:37
• Dick Evans Memorial Road Race (112 miles...finished 40th, but was in a pack of the top 15 with 2 miles to go before I flatted)
• Val Nolasco Half Marathon 1:41:07

2012 RACES: 

• Great Aloha Run, February
• Mokuleia Tme Trial, March
• Tantalus Time Trial, April
• Honolulu Olympic, May
• Hawaii 70.3, June
• State Team Time Trial, June
• State Individual Time Trial, June
• Cycle to the Sun, August
• Dick Evans Memorial Road Race, September

There are a few more races I may throw in just for fun.  After September, I may marathon train again, but I won't be looking for a PR...maybe just run with my GF to help her finish her first marathon.

WEIGHTLOSS: I balooned up to 200 pounds, and am not steady at around 160.  I do want to get down to about 150 or less for this upcoming season, but I'm not sure if that's going to really happen.

WHAT WILL MAKE ME A GOOD MENTEE: I've been both a mentor and mentee in a few of these groups already.  I feel I have a lot to learn, but I have also learned a lot from personal experience that I can also share with others.

NAME: GoFaster / Neil

STORY: Next year will make year number 5 - and I'm still trying to figure this all out.   I started out with no background in any of the 3 sports, and quickly discovered that swimming and I don't see eye to eye, the bike I'm okay, but the run is where I have some natural abilities.

Injured my ITB in 2009 at the Muskoka 70.3, and struggled throughout all of 2010 with the injury, until it got fixed after the season.  Funny enough (or not so friggin funny), it has just flared up for the first time over the weekend, and I'm hoping I can get it fixed asap.  Had my highest bike and run volume this year, but would like to increase it, especially the running in 2012 - I think I can make some further gains there.

FAMILY STATUS: Married, great wife, two crazy kids. 

CURRENT TRAINING: Training for me has really fallen off since Sept (I haven't updated my logs for the past 3 weeks).  I kind of lost some motivation and have been struggling to get that back.  I had started Jorge's winter cycling, but fell off the wagon and need to restart.  Swimming is down to once a week, and the only thing semi-consistent at the moment is running.  So I'm really looking forward to this group since these always help with the motivation.

2011 RACES: HM where I went 1:33, some Sprints and the Muskoka 70.3 (5:52) - second time doing this race, and second time the hills handed me my behind.   

2012 RACES:  Looking to see if I can get the training and volume right to go sub 1:30 at the same HM as last year, with a stretch goal of 1:28.  Considering 2 HIM's next year, including Muskoka where I would like some redemption and be able to ride/run the way I think I can.

WEIGHTLOSS: Non issue for me.  I'm 6' at 153lbs - enough said.

WHAT WILL MAKE ME A GOOD MENTEE:  I've been a member of a few groups in the past (Jason and Randy are both past members of some of those groups), and I feel like I can contribute - but mostly I'm here to learn as much as possible.  Even 5 years in, there are lots of different ways of doing things, and I like to soak as much in as possible.

Hi Gang!  Would love to be part of this group if you'll have me!

NAME: DiOnMaui / Dianna

STORY:  This will be my third year racing tris.  In 2009 I was in a bootcamp class and we were talking about "someday I'd like to" and I mentioned triathlon.  Well, the instructor jumped right on me and said - there's one at the end of October - get on a bike!  I couldn't really swim, didn't have my own bike (though she lent me hers and I rediscovered how much I liked to ride!).  Things didn't work out for the October race, so I bought an MTB and went into 2010 with the idea of working up to that race.  Then, an Oly came up in June.  I figured I could do it if I learned to swim, so I took lessons, joined Masters, found BT and here I am.

FAMILY STATUS:  Married to Bruce for 23 years, no children, but have a yellow Lab (Cody) both who are responsible for getting me off the couch a few years ago.

CURRENT TRAINING:  In week 12 of 16 week marathon training for my first 26.2 on January 22!  Just put my MTB up for sale this weekend to fund a new road/tri bike (haven't decided which just yet).

THIS YEAR'S RACES:  PR'd my June 2011 Oly by almost 40 minutes over last year.  My first 1/2 marathon in 10 years in September.  Xterra 10K trail run in October, which prompted my to re-think any off-road racing.  Self-preservation is in order when you are 44.

2012 RACES: 

• January:  Maui Oceanfront Marathon
• June:  Hawaii 70.3 and South Maui Triathlon (Oly)
• September: Maui Marathon

Weightloss:  I discovered Paleo nutrition in March of this year and haven't looked back.  I initially dropped 20 lbs in the first two months, and have hovered at 135 (+/- 1 or 2 lbs) for the last 8 months.  At 5'8" and 135, there isn't a lot of meat left on me.  I'm the leanest I've been in over 10 years and feel great.  My biggest effort right now is to eat enough to sustain me through marathon training.

Why I'd Be A Good Participant/Mentee:  I love to read, research, EAT, test, train, EAT, ride, swim, EAT, run!  I train alone and have a couple of friends I can occasionally train with depending on everyone's schedules, so I'd love to be part of a like-minded group.  I'm an avid BT member and am a good student!  I'm ramping up to 70.3 this year and want to talk about it with others who "get it."  Oh, BTW, I love to eat and cook, so happy to share cooking/nutrition stuff if anyone is interested.

Well, I've been on the road for work today. Checked BT before heading out for a short run and swim and it looks like things have been busy.  Welcome Jason, Neil, Matthew and Dianna.  Thanks for becoming a part of the group.  Should be fun!

Randy

We're live!!!  Looks like a good group so far.  Lots of familiar "faces".

Planning on a short 3 mile run after work and about an 45 minutes on the exercise bike at our office fitness center.  I would ride my trainer at home...but I don't plan to ride too hard...so the exercise bike does the job.  Maybe next week my bike workouts will get a little more focused, in which I'll get back on the trainer to make sure I can hit specific power intervals using my power tap.

Experior and Slornow,

Mine if I join the group ...I was in Michael's group in the past and would like come aboard again.  I'll post a bio tonight.

Brian

Name:  TRIGUYBRI/Brian

Story: This will be my 4^th year doing Triathlons. I have done mostly sprints and 1 Oly and 1 Half-Iron Distance. I am an active member of our Tri Club in Salem, OR …Willamette Valley Tri Club (www.wvtriathletes.org). I am the Web Coordinator for the club and lead some workouts for members and newbies.  I am 48 yrs. old and a work as a  Public School Administrator in the field of Special Education.

Family Status: Married for 24 years. My wife Kay and I have a 10 year old son and a White Westie (Scooter).

Current Training: Going Long this April in a bid at completion of my first Marathon (Eugene Marathon in Eugene, Oregon). I have a Half-Marathon coming up here in January; one I have done before. Not looking to race it, but use it as a fun day, long run and to test out my Marathon Pace.

This years Races: I did two races this past year. My first Half-Iron Distance (Pacific Crest in Sunriver, Oregon). Very hilly and at high altitude, but got it done. Last one was a sprint distance race and placed third in my age group (45-49).

2012 Races: Eugene Marathon, probably some Local Olympic Distances and Sprint Distance races. I plan to either go up to Ironman Coeur D’Alene in June to volunteer with the expectation of signing up for 2013; or sign up online for Vineman Full in California in July. The Vineman Full is the day before my 50^th Birthday. I believe I have one Ironman in me and it is to celebrate my 50^th.

Weight Loss: I am trying to shed 23 lbs. and it is coming along slow; very slow. Would like to be at 190-185 by end of April for the Marathon.

Why I’d be a good participant/mentee: I take advice and direction well. I am always on line reading and gathering information. I like to share and celebrate others successes as well.

Welcome again, Neil!  Sorry to hear about the ITBS.  The roller is deadly painful, but works for me.  More recently, massage therapy has helped with that and other issues.  Of course, finding the root cause is important too.  (In my case, I think that a pretty steep camber in the road was causing me trouble.  I found flatter places to run, and no more ITBS.  Possibly a coincidence, but I'll take it either way.)

Going from 1:33 to <1:30 is VERY doable with good training.

Absolutely!  Tell us about yourself.

Welcome Brian and Rene.  Always nice to add some familiar names to the group.  Here is what I have so far:

Experior=Michael

Slornow=Randy

Tri808=Jason

GoFaster=Neil

Matthew lt=Matthew

DiOnMaui=Dianna

Catwoman=Rene

TriGuyBri=Brian