Marvelous Manatees - Stronger than Ever!

Originally posted by jmkizer

NAME: Your jmkizer / Janyne

OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA: Strava (https://www.strava.com/athletes/2586241), Twitter (@jmkizer).  I'm reluctantly on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/jmkizer) but trying to get off. 

STORY: I'm 55, married with one dog, Zoe. We live near Raleigh, NC. I’ve worked at NC State University for 25+ years doing computer support. Most of that time has been working for NC State Extension supporting the offices in our 100 counties.

FAMILY STATUS: Married with one dog.

CURRENT TRAINING: I currently in the build phase preparing for the Assault on the Carolinas ride on April Fools Day.

2023 RACES/EVENTS:

This is what I have penciled in on the calendar. I'm not sure what will actually happen. In fact, you may recognize this list of events from last year!

• Assault on the Carolinas ride in April
• Race to Valhalla (gravel) in May
• Loudoun gravel ride in June

GOALS: Have fun!

WHAT MAKES ME A GOOD MANATEE: I enjoy supporting my Manatee friends! I have learned a lot from past Manatee groups and I hope to learn from this group as well!

Originally posted by juniperjen

NAME: Jen 

OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA: Strava - i use juniperjen there - you should find me if you want! Garmin Connect - jkolstein (i've had that one since before I was married 12 years ago!), on Instagram and Facebook - though i use Instagram more - also @juniper_jen176

STORY: 42 year old busy mom life - but love running and triathlon which I started before I had kids. I've done pretty much all the run distances up to the marathon and same with triathlon up to Ironman. Trying to find the fun or love of it again as i move through the years and my training and life changes. I really need to get back to more social training which really fires me up. And this site really helps that!  My son is 5 and since he was born i've done 6 half marathons and a half Ironman ... i feel slower but i am still at it! :D 

FAMILY STATUS: In that busy family time of life - married, 2 kids ages 5 and 9 and a new pup named Bingo who is a very sweet black lab (just 8 months old)

CURRENT TRAINING: Mostly running and strength training at the moment

2023 RACES/EVENTS: signed up for the Chilly Half Marathon March 5 and planning to do some short tris (oly or less) this summer but need to figure out more about family life before I register. then maybe a fun Fall run race ... 

GOALS: Find the fun and do what I enjoy! 

WHAT MAKES ME A GOOD MANATEE: It's so great to be a part of this community to share what's on our minds, to hear about races, and tri news (thanks Janyne for keeping us up on that!) and I love cheering people on - if you add me to your Strava I give ALLLL the kudos! 

Originally posted by amd723

 

NAME: amd723/ Ann-Marie

OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA: Strava ( unlike Janyne I have no idea what my Strava address is or even how to find it), I’m on twitter ( @fionnmac723) but i don’t really post much and what I do trends liberal so be warned!, and FB but also don’t really post unless it’s on the wire haired pointing griffon site !

STORY: I'm an attorney for a law enforcement agency. Ive been there for 20 years . Before that I was a prosecutor. I am now thinking about when I can retire and cursing the stock market.

FAMILY STATUS: I’m single, no kids but I do have a dog (Teddy) who is at least as much work as a child.

CURRENT TRAINING: I am currently in a sort of base stage for Chattanooga 70.3 while also being on the DL. It’s a fun mix.

2023 RACES/EVENTS:

The only thing I’m currently signed up for is Chatty 70.3  I hope to do some 5-10ks but those are on the back burner until I can actually run again.

GOALS: Get healed and stay that way! Always have fun.

WHAT MAKES ME A GOOD MANATEE: I enjoy supporting my Manatee friends! I have learned a lot from past Manatee groups and I hope to learn from this group as well! I stole this from Janyne, bc I agree with the sentiment. 

 

Originally posted by canadarn2001 I'm so grateful you put this group together! Also grateful I found you all last year!

Originally posted by melbo55

Thank you, Janyne, for keeping us going!

NAME: Melanie

OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA: Strava: Melanie Payton, Twitter: @mpayton15 (I don't post much), Facebook: Melanie (Landis) Payton

STORY: Formerly very active in triathlon, looking to possibly get that back, or at least back to being active, period.  The COVID years haven't been good to me as I recently slipped even from my favorites of biking and swimming (then running, LOL).  Currently playing ice hockey (goalie), so at least something.  I enjoy most anything outdoors: hiking, kayaking, S/B/R, photography, etc.  This past year has been one of the least active in my adult life, I think.  Not proud of that fact.

FAMILY STATUS: Married and caring for my dear, aging Jack Russell: she'll be 17 in March!!

CURRENT TRAINING: See story

THIS YEAR'S RACES/EVENTS: None chosen or registered for yet.  I had a goal of getting some running races accomplished, like some bucket list HMs but I've not been consistent at my restarts of running. Might do swim events or tris, we'll see.

GOALS/OBJECTIVES/DESIRES: I want to get back to a better level of activity and drop some weight (again, thanks, COVID years)

WHAT MAKES YOU A GOOD MANATEE: The Manatees are such a supportive, good group of good people.  I can add my $.02 here and there on some topics and I try to encourage with inspires, even if not quite often enough.

Originally posted by canadarn2001 Let's plan a meet up in Chattanooga. We can take a pic to prove it!

Originally posted by amd723

Sounds like a plan!  Now, what is ringette?!

Originally posted by canadarn2001 Ringette! It's the best sport in the history of sports. It's like hockey but you use a stick WITHOUT a blade. You use a blue rubber ring (instead of a puck) which you pass up and down the ice using your stick. It's 5 on 5 with a goalie like hockey but the rules are different such as you have to pass over the blue lines. It's played only by GIRLS. It was really popular when I was growing up then as the years went on my entire team switched to hockey. Not sure if it's still popular. I think it's a Canadian thing. I bet Jenn played!

Originally posted by abake Happy New Year Manatees! I've been remiss in checking the forum but hope to do better in 2023. Will post up my bio a bit later but for now, I just want to say thank you to Janyne for getting the thread going! Anne

Originally posted by jmkizer

Oh, I may have to add this to my race schedule. 

2023 Save the Manatee 5K
October 7, 2023

https://everalracemgt.enmotive.com/events/register/2023-save-the-manatee-5k

I'd do the virtual.

Originally posted by ceilidh I do this race virtually just about every year.

Originally posted by melbo55

Thank you, Janyne, for keeping us going!

NAME: Melanie

OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA: Strava: Melanie Payton, Twitter: @mpayton15 (I don't post much), Facebook: Melanie (Landis) Payton

STORY: Formerly very active in triathlon, looking to possibly get that back, or at least back to being active, period.  The COVID years haven't been good to me as I recently slipped even from my favorites of biking and swimming (then running, LOL).  Currently playing ice hockey (goalie), so at least something.  I enjoy most anything outdoors: hiking, kayaking, S/B/R, photography, etc.  This past year has been one of the least active in my adult life, I think.  Not proud of that fact.

FAMILY STATUS: Married and caring for my dear, aging Jack Russell: she'll be 17 in March!!

CURRENT TRAINING: See story

THIS YEAR'S RACES/EVENTS: None chosen or registered for yet.  I had a goal of getting some running races accomplished, like some bucket list HMs but I've not been consistent at my restarts of running. Might do swim events or tris, we'll see.

GOALS/OBJECTIVES/DESIRES: I want to get back to a better level of activity and drop some weight (again, thanks, COVID years)

WHAT MAKES YOU A GOOD MANATEE: The Manatees are such a supportive, good group of good people.  I can add my $.02 here and there on some topics and I try to encourage with inspires, even if not quite often enough.

Originally posted by Hot Runner

NAME: Karen

OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA: FB only. It is (or should be) visible to friends only. You can friend-request me if you like lots of pictures of cats, nature, sweaty me doing various workouts and events, and the occasional poem.

STORY: I'm an elementary teacher (currently 4th and 5th grades) and spent most of my career overseas. Returned to the US long-term after my dad passed away in 2018 to "take care of" my 84 year old Mom. (Actually, she's in very good shape. Most days it's not that clear who's taking care of who.) I have been involved in endurance sports (running and swimming) since at least age 10, informally before that. Oddly, I did not do my first tri until I was 41 My first swim coach was one of the early Ironmen. I saw how hard he trained, plus the video of Julie Moss crawling over thje finish line at Kona was imprinted on my young mind. I was terrified of all things tri and thought all tris were full IM until I was talked into doing a sprint at age 41. Have always been a solid distance swimmer but nothing outstanding. Once upon a time, I was a decent runner---2:43 marathon and one of the youngest US women to run in the Olympic Trials Marathon (at 17). I still love running but am a lot slower. Aging sucks! Obviously, I do this because I love it. From a young age I've enjoyed doing "crazy" things that people think aren't possible, especially if they are outdoors and physical.

FAMILY STATUS: Single, live with Mom. We are Mom/Grandma to three cats: Smudgee, Tomoko, and Shelby.

CURRENT TRAINING: In a base-building phase, focusing on HIM, which tends to be my best/favorite distance, I guess. I am working with my coach again after a very undisciplined year last year. (I didn't choose any events till March, or start focused raining for them until..... May? June?)

THIS YEAR'S RACES/EVENTS: Registered for Oregon 70.3 (because I didn't want to make any more travel arrangements on top of the next race!) and 70.3 Worlds in Lahti, Finland (somehow managed to qualify by winning my AG at Calgary last summer). Maybe a few shorter local events if timing works out. I would really like to do an open water swim event (3-5K maybe) or two but still looking into it.

GOALS/OBJECTIVES/DESIRES: Get/stay healthy (rarely have serious injuries but constant niggles--a lifelong issue, it seems), pay more attention to strength training, recovery, and resilience, be better prepared for my events and perform up to my ability, have fun.

WHAT MAKES YOU A GOOD MANATEE: I don't have any in-person friends or close acquaintances who are triathletes, so it's fun to have a group of people to share experiences and laughs with. I have been involved in endurance sports for a long time so can serve as a warning of what not to do in many cases.