Newbz' Spring Fling Mentor Group is FULL! (Page 2)

Hi There -- I did my first HIM at Timberman in 2010 and went down in FLAMES.  Registered again for 2011 and I'll be searching all over the run course for my dignity.  I need all the guidance I can get.  May I join your group?

NAME: RBesecke/Rick

STORY: My story is a little convoluted, so I will spare you the details. I've lived all over the U.S. (including Bucks County, PA, where I was born. I've lived there 3 different times). Currently I live in the "Bootheel" region of New Mexico; not the End of the World, but we can see it from here.

I participated in the 2009 Memorial Bataan Death March and lived. That sparked my desire to become...if not competitive, perhaps at least much more active.

2011 will be my first tri year. I initially wanted to do a duathlon and two or three sprint triathlons, but my work schedule is interfering, so I may only get the two tri's done. 

FAMILY STATUS:  Single, never married. I am currently dating a former pro-cyclist, but there are some challenges with having her coach me so I avoid those situations.

CURRENT TRAINING:  I've been a runner for a few years, but I've never raced. Last April I started cycling and I've been trying to swim every chance I get but there are very few pools in the area. I've not yet used the training log on this site, so I guess I'll get to that ASAP. Before coming down with the flu recently, I was cycling about 100 miles a week (averaging about 18mph), broken up different ways depending on my schedule. I've been doing 6-mile runs two or three times a week and doing some speed work when I get off my butt and remember to. I've averaged 8:45 mile for the 6 miles.

THIS YEAR'S RACES(2010): Nothing.

2011 RACES:  I'd like to participate in a duathlon in mid April, but I don't know if my work schedule is going to allow it. I have a first tri picked-out for June with a follow-up possible in July.

WEIGHT LOSS:  I wouldn't mind losing 5 lbs, but it's not a priority. I'm 5' 8" @ 155lbs, so weight loss isn't near the top of my list of things to accomplish.

WHAT WILL MAKE ME A GOOD MENTEE:  I love the idea of triathlon. Swimming is a real challenge for me, so I have something to work towards. I enjoy cycling and running, and since I'm not a good swimmer, triathlon gives me a combination of things I enjoy and one that I'm not good at but want desperately to improve (ie: a goal to work towards).

I take direction well and am normally very self-motivating. I like long walks in the desert, ferrets, dogs, and....sorry, wrong profile.

NAME:  Jackie

STORY:  I enjoy training and have participated recreationally in sprints for three years.  Last year, I decided to ramp up my training and see what the old girl can do.  I ended up with some overuse injuries that landed me in physical therapy.  I did my first half-iron distance race injured and under-trained, and the scene was not pretty.  I still don't have clearance to run, so I registered for a June aquavelo.  My PT is inclined to allow me to resume running after the New Year, and I will be starting from square-one.  I hope to train smarter, better and more consistently to build a strong body and have great race results in 2011.

FAMILY STATUS:  Married w/2 Kids

CURRENT TRAINING:  Physical Therapy

2010 RACES:  3 Sprints; 1 Olymic; 2 Half Marathons; 2 OWS 1.2 mi; 5Ks, 10Ks & bike Tours; First Half Iron (Timberman)

2011 RACES:  Eagleman Aquavelo (June); Timberman (August) and any other races that my recovery (and budget) permits

WIEGHT LOSS:  Yes please

WHAT WILL MAKE ME A GOOD MENTEE:  I am very open to the criticism and positive guidance from the mentor as well as any group member.  I really benefitted from the training chat group started by Tri Sam for Timberman last year, and I believe this format will help me train for my early summer aquavelo.

NAME: itziaol / itzia
A real beginner

HISTORY:  I’m 44 years old, so I find it amusing when people in their 30’s describe themselves as veterans.  I guess that’s what they are in these sports, so I wonder what that makes me!! LOL.   In the past 5 years I’ve concentrated on working and studding, but after looking at my holiday pictures in Huatulco this Summer, I decided I had to do something about my figure and started dieting and exercising.  I have knee problems, so I was afraid they were going to hurt if I ran, but a friend gave me a programme to follow and I was alright.   I ran my first 10K race in November.  Then I started to think of participating in a sprint triathlon as a goal to accomplish when I’m 45.

I practically grew up swimming.  I trained with a diving team and a swimming team as a teenager, but my passion was always classical ballet and that took up most of my free time.  I have no experience in riding a road bike, although I used to ride to school while I lived in Dublin, Ireland and I ride a mountain bike from time to time.   I’ve been a good girl, so Santa is bringing me a road bike; a used one to start with.  Therefore, I would appreciate any advice you can give me in order to help him chose it.

ME NOW: I live in Cuernavaca (Mexico), known as “the city of eternal spring”, which means that I can train all year around because the weather is always mild.  The drawback is insecurity, so I run in the secured area where I live, and I’ll have to ride my bike with a team. 

FAMILY STATUS:  I’m married and have two kids, a 10 year old girl and a 14 year old boy.  My family is used to supporting me in my personal projects, whether they are building a house, going back to work, aiming for a promotion, doing a Masters, etc.

CURRENT TRAINING: I’ve been training 4 times a week so far, but I’m willing to do 6 in order to get ready.  For the moment I’m recovering from a sprained ankle.  The paradox is that I did not injure myself training, but while calmly walking down some steps at work.  :-S  I guess I’ll have to start from scratch now.

GOALS: I’ve been dreaming of doing a sprint triathlon in Ixtapa (May), but since I was injured, I guess it would be more realistic to aim for Veracruz in August and perhaps Huatulco in October.  http://www.triatlon.com.mx/fmt-evtListaEventos.asp

WEIGHTLOSS:  I’ve lost 5kg, which is not a lot, nevertheless my body composition has changed and the difference in size is noticeable.  Since I can’t afford a fancy bike, I guess I better lose at least another 8kg to make up for it.  LOL  Just joking, that would get me to my ideal weight.

WHAT WILL MAKE ME A GOOD MENTEE:  I am very structured and disciplined.  Once I set my mind to obtaining something I don’t stop until I get it.  I’ve always been a good student and a hard worker.  I’m also a good researcher and I tend to spend an awful lot of time in front of the computer.  So even though I might not know much about this subject, I can find things out and share them with the group.  I know that setting my self goals and obtaining them will build up the confidence I need to make some overdue personal decisions.  So… I need to do this.  I hope you accept me as your mentee, even though I’m such an old beginner.