Yanti & Lynn: Manatee Madness Mentor Group CLOSED (Page 2)

OMG, that would be the BOMB! I was all enamored of this one that looks tattoed, but it had a bra issue, so I don't know if I can buy it or not. HMMM, tie-dye, I like it. Off to the Amazons to search for one!

I looked for it and didn't see it. But after staring for a while, a sailboat popped out in 3D! (no not really, but it would have been cool).

SHE SAID POP TARTS AND THERE'S A DANCING PENGUIN IN HER AVATAR!

Okay, you're in. Okay okay okay ... not that it was ever in doubt, but I had to hold out for Pop Tarts ...

It's soooo good to see you, Jo!

Hi all,  if you are still open I'd love to join the group.

A little about myself:  My name is Ann-Marie and I am a middle-aged (that's hard to write!) happily single woman.  I have a big, goofy german shepherd named Gunnar.   I came to this sport after a few years of marathon only races.  I love this sport - this will be my 3d season.   The first year i did 5 sprints; last season I did 3 sprints, an international and a 70.3.  This season is yet to be planned, but I know it will include at least one 70.3.  This time I will either have clip on aerobars or I will get a tribike!  I'm sure there will be at least one marathon and a couple of HMs too.

Right now I'm having a bit of a motivation problem, but am sure this group will help me get it back!

Ann-Marie

kgore - 2011-12-23 10:21 PM Hi, I'm another Kate, but can I be a manatee too???? I'm getting ready for work now, but can do a proper intro later today--in a nutshell: 2012 is my 2nd year of tri'ing, I live in NorCal, and I like the motivation I get in a mentor group....More later...

The more Kates, the merrier! Welcome! Post a fuller bio whenever you get a chance.

I looove happily single women! I am one too. Sort of. I mean, sort of single. I'm pretty sure I'm a woman (mostly).

Welcome, Ann-Marie!

Let us know if you're going to go bike/bars or tri-bike ... either way, lots of options and info that are really helpful to have before you go into it.

Okay, I have a bit of time now so here goes:

My name is Kate, I'm 35, I work as the primary reptile/amphibian keeper at the Sacramento Zoo, and also am working on my final year at college, majoring in anthropology. I grew up riding a bike, but not really swimming, and only occasionally running. Last year, I decided to look into some sort of individual-based sport so that I could lose some of the insidious weight that I'd gained over the last few years...after finding a mountain bike race locally, I stumbled across a listing for a triathlon on the same website--the X-Terra real tri. Having never done a triathlon before, I decided to do another one first, but then do the X-Terra in 2012. After some research, and working with a local coach, I did compete in the Auburn Mini-Sprint in May--and had a blast. I then competed in three more sprints--half of which before finding out that I was having severe issues due to exercise induced asthma! So, I now have a nifty inhaler that helps, and I have improved. I also took part in a obstacle course/mud run in October (the most fun I EVER had!!!) I am looking forward to doing more sprints, an olympic, and more mud runs this year! 

Family status: Married--to a supportive, but non triathlete husband (he golfs...), and then also owned by a cat (soon to be two), a demanding Shiba Inu, a tegu lizard, 2 snakes, a tortoise, a box turtle, another turtle, a bearded dragon and two newts...mostly all are rescues/abandoned pets that were left at the zoo.

Current Training: I've been doing the occasional s/b/r workouts weekly, but I am starting to ramp it up. I have a coach who moved to SoCal last year, but she will be training me by way of the internet (and through "Training Peaks") through this season. I tend to train by doing the activities that are Tri oriented, however, I will throw in Wii Fit workout, as well as hiking, and martial arts (another passion of mine.). I have been tightening up my diet, and due to my gut not really being a fan of dairy and grains, I semi-follow the paleo/primal diet. So, while I will abstain from grains and dairy regularly, I will 'allow' myself to eat something if I am really wanting it.

2011 Races: Auburn Mini Sprint Tri, Tri For Fun #2 and #3, Luna women's Sprint Triathlon, Merrell Down N' Dirty Mud run/Obstacle 5k, Roseville Turkey Trot 5k, and the Jingle Bell Rock'n 10k.

2012 Races planned: 

• Kickstart Duathlon (Jan 21st)
• Super Bowl 10k (Feb 5)
• X-Terra Real Sprint Triathlon (Finally!) (April 1)
• Icebreaker Sprint Triathlon (April 15--My b-day!)
• X-Treme Run Obstacle race (April 29)
• Auburn Sprint Triathlon (May 20)
• Folsom Olympic Triathlon (August 20)
• Luna Women's Sprint Triathlon (Sept. 8)
• Merrell's Down n' Dirty Mud Run/Obstacle race (Oct. 28)
• --Hopefully Warrior Dash--I'll know when they release their 2012 schedule!

There will most likely be some more events, possibly in June or July--we'll see...

Weight loss: I've never been slim, but in the last 6 years, I went from an average of 150 or so (I'm 5'4") to a high of 195 lbs--After the race season last year, I was down to 183 lbs. with a noticeable visual change of my body. I would like to get down to at least 150 again, but simply not looking like I am encased in a sausage casing while wearing tri gear would be fine by me! 

This is news?

YAAAAAY Salty's back

Manatees, this girl knows what to do on the streets with the best of them on BT.

That came out incorrectly. (Well, perhaps not ... ) but what I meant was:

SHE QUALIFIED FOR BOSTON AT HER FIRST MARATHON!!!

OMG hahahahahaha! I always cheated in those books. I just can't get it to work. I was usually safe to just guess it was a sailboat, some porpoises or a bear with a top hat (or anything Lisa Frank...most people wont get this reference) and be pretty accurate.

Salty...hahaha the only people that ever thought to call me that are the brainy ones interested in etymology and whatnot. Keep your eye on Yanti, she's got those sexy,sexy brains! 

Adrienne (Asalzwed)

I was always active as a kid but it was always the “weird” sports. I played hockey, was a state pole-vaulter, a snowboarder (boarder X) and then continued playing hockey in college. College ended, life got REAL (who knew) and I found myself in an unhappy spot. I decided to make a change and began running a little. A friend talked me into singing up for a tri and the rest is history, I guess. Last year was my first year of real racing but holy crap, what a year! I did 17 events ranging from 5Ks to Sprint tris to my first full marathon.

Family status: I am totally TAKEN  I also have a Pug and two cats. We adopted the Pug when she was 5 and I LOVE HER LIKE A CHILD. One of the cats came from my parents. Let’s just say his mother is his aunt and his father is his uncle. Surprisingly he is smart as a whip (He can high five!) albeit a bit duck footed. The other cat and I are arch enemies. She does anything necessary to make my life hell.

Current training: I’m diving into the running.  I have a goal in mind but am not ready to say it outloud. I am going to break my running into two 24 month cycles with two weeks recovery between. Within each cycle is recovery, rebuilding, volume, strength and taper phase. I will be doing one or two sprint triathlons but nothing bigger this year.
This year's races (2011): See above
2012 Races planned:  
*Ragnar Miami

*Rock ‘n’ Roll ½ marathon,Portland

* Light at the end of the tunnel marathon

*Portland ½ Marathon

*Danskin Triathlon, Seattle

*ING NYC Marathon, NY *If I can get in by lottery or qualifying, not likely though

I’ll probably do a ton of 5 and 10Ks but those aren’t planned yet. 

This is because she IS a child. Your child. Your child that sneezes and snorts and sheds and mustsitinyourlaprightnow!

Ask me how I know.

Wait, here's a clue...

Greetings fellow Manatees.  

Claire (cggale)

I'm a 41 years old.  2012 will be the start of my third year in tris.  I got into the crazy world of tris because of my awesome twin sister.  She is an elite level triathlete who challenged me three years ago to learn how to swim and start this amazing journey.  I was originally a runner in high school, so it tends to be my favorite of the three disciplines.  I'm a very slow swimmer but I enjoy how it makes me feel.  I'm a MOP biker hoping to improve next season.  I've learned a lot from this group and am exited to learn and share our questions, knowledge, and experiences.  

Family status

Married with two wonderful daughters age 11 and 6.  Family and work have made it a challenge to get in the training, but once the holidays are over and everything get's slowly back to normal ( is that possible?)  I will be able to train more consistently.  Right now, I fit in workouts when there are windows of opportunity.

This years races

Mini Marathon 1/2, Carmel sprint triathlon, Freedom run 4.5 miles, Racine 70.3, and Monumental Marathon.

2012 races

Let's see, I probably do Carmel sprint triathlon, mini marathon 1/2, Freedom run 4.5 miles.  Deciding on Rev 3 Wisconsin Dells 70.3 or Syracuse 70.3 (leaning towards the Dells).  Maybe a marathon but not sure.  Might fit in a sprint or Oly in the mix.

Is this girls only or are guys allowed?  I'd like to join if possible.

Keye (wushunut)

I was pretty active in my youth played soccer, ran track & field (sprints only), some cycling here and there, and martial arts.  Went off the college and discovered weights and started packing on the mass.  Went from a beanpolish 175lb at 6ft to 190lbs in the matter of 3 weeks.  Apparently I put on mass pretty quickly.  Dabbled in a few 5ks during college where I knew nothing of distance running and promptly injured my knee.  I attributed that to the abuse I put on my body from track and martial arts and assumed I'd never run again.  Graduated and stopped working out.  My mass turned to fat pretty quickly and peaked at 240lbs.  Got off my duff this past February and started running and biking again.  Learned to swim too and competed in my first triathlon.  Looking to build upon what I've gained so far and also try to figure out what to do next!

Family status:37 years old and happily married to my wife of 5 years with two kiddos, 3 and 3months.  My wife and my kids are my inspiration and motivation to get/stay in shape and do Tris.  My wife deployed to Iraq in 2010 for 6 months with a goal of training for a Triathlon while she was gone.  Came back and did an Oly as her 1st.  It motivated me to get on board.  Also, now that I'm a dad I want to be fit enough and have enough energy to play with them for a long, long time.

Current training: I don't have anything formal right now.  Just continuing the same routine that I started in February.  I have been focusing a bit more on running as this is my weakness.

This year's races (2011): 3 sprint Tris.  I managed to podium in my first ever tri in the "rookie" 35-39 AG.  Also podiumed in my last sprint in the Clyde category. 

2012 Races planned:  

Eglin AFB "My First Tri" June - this was my first and my goal is to beat last years time

TriWaco Olympic July- My wife's tri and I plan to do it with her this time.

Destin Tri August - Sprint

I plan to do a smattering of 5ks and 10ks in the early season and maybe some other tri's. 

My Goal for Year: Go faster and longer.

Weight loss: In February of 2011 I weighted 235lbs.  I'm down 4 belt notches and maintain a steady 209lbs now.  Would like to officially disqualify myself from the clyde category this year as a goal.

HAHAHA! So early in the season and we've already gotten PUGGED!

I will add my own puggings shortly. But first, back to the manatees.

Welcome back, dear Claire. So very very happy you're back. Of course ... you were never gone, but still.

WELCOME, Keye! (What a cool name).

We take men, women, and those who may be confused as well. Very glad to have you. Happy to see our 3rd martial artist in this edition of the Manatees so far ... really after my own heart. I take it you did wushu?

Yay! I'm in!

Wushu was what I did most recently.  Prior to that I had been involved in Shaolin Style Kung-fu and Cuong Nhu, which is a Vietnamese style with heavy influences of TKD, Akido, and TaiChi.

Yay for us!

Very cool. Wushu--so beautiful, and always such formidable opponents in forms. I am familiar with cuong nhu! Have not studied or done it myself, but have practiced some of the component arts.

Once I ease up a bit on the endurance sports (which will possibly be never) I want to take up a formal study of the Indonesian martial art called pencak silat.

Hey!!! Looks like we have a really great group shaping up here -- some familiar BTers and some new ones to the Manatee Pod. Welcome, welcome. This weekend is a bit hectic but I wanted to get at least one post on here before we fill up.

So welcome back Claire and Carla, Adrienne, Jo and hey to Auntie Q -- drop by any ol'time and Keye, so far our token guy. Yea!! And, the lovely Kate is in da house!!

Gotta go take my varmint dogs to the p-a-r-k before it gets d-a-r-k.

Lynn

In keeping with the format that seems to be developing here.  Here is a little about me. 

Joanne (jogo)

 I am a runner, not an athlete.  I know that sounds weird but I started running when I was 30 years old.  I didn't know events existed for grown ups until someone suggested that I run a marathon.  My answer was "how far is a marathon".  26.2, okay, do I have to train special or can I just run it?   That was the Detroit Free Press marathon in 2006.   I met some people there who convinced me 2 years later to join a tri team, oh and that meant a minimum of 5 tri's in a year.  So I did 6 plus a du, because I was an overachiever.  I really sort of fell out of love with events.  I didn't want to get faster, I just wanted to have fun.  The team wanted me to get faster so I stopped doing tri's.   I found a running group that I love called Your Pace or Mine.  Its actually more of a drinking club with a running problem.  I decided that I wanted to become a Marathon Maniac so that I could wear their bright yellow singlet at runs and be part of the "insane asylum"  I made it in this year with 3 marathons in 65 days!!  2011 goal accomplished. 

Family status:I am a 47 year old mother of many (3 of mine, 2 of his, 2 in-laws (one daughter and one son), 2 step-grandchildren and 1 more grandbaby due January 6, 2 dogs, 1 cat, 3 grandpuppies, 2 grandkitties, and countless neighbor children who love to drop in).  My youngest child in the house is 19 and pretty independent so I am almost and empty nester. 

Current training: After a really good run last year, I came home and registered for Big Sur Marathon.  Really good runs empower you and when my blood sugar is low, I should not be allowed to use my credit card.  I've had a slight calf injury but it seems to be on the mend.  I have only been doing aerobic/base training stuff for the past 6 weeks, basically playing with new things. 

This year's hopeful goals: My goals are not usually races.  I am trying to change that this year.  My primary goal is Trust!!  Trust the plan.  Trust my coach.  Trust my body.  Trust that other people mean well.  I know its weird but welcome to world of jogo.  My running goal, as determined by my coach (who is a 1st time coach who just got USAT certified as a Level 1 and I am a 1st time coached so we make a good guinea pig pair) will be Big Sur Marathon on April 29, then a sprint tri on June 5.  BTW-He is a pretty hot, fast piglet (that statement was for Yanti).

2012 Races planned:
3/4/12 New Orleans Half Marathon (meet Zeefraugtries from BT)

4/29/12 Big Sur Marathon

8/25/12 North Country Marathon (training run)

9/15/12 USAF Marathon

Probably some sprint tri's and bike tours for fun and cross training.  

I wanna be a manatee too!!   looks to be a fun and energetic group!

Ann (stampinann)
Been doing Tris since 2006...addicted! Love them. Stampinann represents my prior hobby of rubber stamping...have done 7 HIM, 2 IM.  Like the longer distances cause I like slower better than fast as that seems to hurt too much.   Not doing an IM this year as I want to figure out why I break down on the run..mentally.

Family status: married to a wonderful supportive (non-tri) guy for the last 21 years.

Current training:  training for Phoenix Rock/Roll Marathon - with a big time goal for me! I am trying to go 'fast'

This year's hopeful goals: Finish STRONG at races and push myself a bit harder.  Better in all 3 sports..and work on my CORE.

2012 Races planned:

• Phoenix Marathon 1/15/2012
• Oliver 1/2 Iron - June
• Desert 1/2 Iron - July

Weight Loss - I train so I can EAT - food of choice - cupcakes.  all my road trips include them!!

Ann