Penn State's mentor group - CLOSED! (Page 2)

In the same group again! Awesome!

Fred - if you've room for 1 more I'd love to join - happy to post a bio later if I can. I've been doing Tri's since 2007 & I'm training for Timberman HIM this August. If you're maxed out, no worries I understand.

Best,
Simon

Fred, my experience as a mentor is it depends on the make up of the group.  An active (asks a lot of questions, lots of posts) large group can be easier than a quiet small group.  My first group I kept quite small on purpose, but it was a great group of folks (including Sara) that made the job easy, could have easily doubled of like minded people.  My second (current) group I initially started with 13, but some signed up for the program and never logged on again.  We even opened back up again to get back over 10.  This was a mixed group of absolute beginners as well as some experienced athletes in triathlon or other sports.  At times the current group is more work because I try to keep the conversation going and keep them engaged.  Other times, it just goes on with or without me.

The group you have put together here I am guessing will all stay involved because there aren't any "newbies".  I am guessing it will be frequent posts and in depth discussions which could keep you busy.  On the other hand, there is some experience with the group so you may not have to be the only resource. 

Either way, you are starting to push the limits.

Name: Dylan

BIO:  I started doing triathlons at the end of 2008. After the first sprint I was hooked…and knew I wanted to get to Ironman distance races. 2009 was a prep year for me…growing to 70.3 distance…with my eyes set on ironman in 2010. I am an Environmental Scientist so my job often requires me to be outside…which helps keep me active.

Family: I am an east coaster (NY) that moved out to California in December 2009 for a really great job. Im living in Monterey, Ca and the area is great for tri training. Being single I tend to have a lot more free time (and $) for training/racing. My roommate, who has become like a father to me, is a fantastic cyclist and former triathlete…so its nice to get some great help from someone so close to me.

Current Training: I am closely following the BT Beginner IM plan…so it is ramping up pretty quickly.

Prior Races: 2008-All sprints

2009: 70.3 New Orleans and 70.3 Providence, Fredrick Maryland ½ Mary.

Planed Races: 1 HIM (Wildflower), 1 IM (Lake Placid). Thinking about another HIM (Big Kahuna) and maybe a marathon at the end of the year (depending on how Lake Placid goes).

I have never been in a mentor group before, but am excited to be in this one! I don’t think I have a problem with motivation or finding the time to train, I tend to ? myself a lot…and not know when to rest and recover vs. pushing through pain/soreness/tiredness. I also tend to overdo it…try too much too quickly…so I think having a support group and following a plan closely will help me greatly. I also think it will be nice to have a group that I can help motivate and maybe offer some advice for people doing their first HIM….bc that was me last year.