Evondo's Group - CLOSED! (Page 24)

Thanks so much, Eric, for allowing me to join...I was looking forward to being a part of your new group! Great to see so many familiar faces.

NAME: roadrhino/Tif/Tiffany

STORY: I'm 32. Was an athlete all of my life until I made a career move in 2004 that completely drained me and wore me down until I became lazy and complacent. I finally made a decision and the committment to change that in October '08. What started as a quest to get "me" back has now become a quest to realize some lifelong goals of completing triathlons and a marathon. I have been a competitive swimmer (& a summer games state gold medalist when I was 9)...collegiate/professional bowler, played softball, basketball, volleyball, track, weightlifting.....anything active I did it.

On a whim in January of  this year, I stumbled on a message board that was discussing triathlons. A light went off in my head and I began strategically planning which training plan to follow and which race to make my first (I settled on the race with the shortest run distance).

I'm now looking forward to my 2nd season and the training and racing that go along with it.

FAMILY STATUS: I have a SO who is going through this journey with me...EXCELLENT support system! We have 2 adorable Boston Terriers who would do triathlons, too if they could.

CURRENT TRAINING: I'm returning from a 3 week break after training constantly since October 2008. Planning on gradually upping the volume over the next 4 weeks then beginning the BT Olympic-Half Ironman 12-Week Bridge program.

After completing the 70.3 in April, I plan on focusing on the sprint distance and improving my times and overall speed in all three disciplines.

2009 RACES: 05/10 - The Rookie Triathlon Sprint; 06/07- Tejas Tri Sprint; 06/28- Y Freedom Tri Sprint; 08/22- Clear Lake International Tri Olympic 

2010 RACES: 04/25 - Lonestar 70.3; 05/15- Beach to Bay Marathon Relay; Looking to fill the remaining schedule with several local sprints and destroy my times from 2009

WEIGHT LOSS:  I've gained and lost weight a few times in my life. Since October 2008 I have lost about 55 pounds. I feel like I could lose 5-10 more, but I'm not obsessing on the scale...just staying active and making spart food choices on a regular basis and enjoying indulgences less frequently. I have discovered that training for triathlons keeps me focused and motivated with several short-term goals so that it's not a battle over the scale, but of the bigger accomplishments along the way.

Thank you Eric for allowing me to be apart of the group this year!  I am looking forward to a great year and sharing it with awesome people.

NAME: hippotude/Nikki

STORY: I'm 32. Was an athlete up until my freshman year in college due to another knee injury.  I was a basketball player from the time I was able to hold a ball.  My senior year, I sustained a knee injury that required major reconstruction surgery.  I tried to come back from that by walking onto the basketball team in college but I hurt the knee again and did not want to go through surgery again.  At that point I slipped into a period of self destruction and lead a very unhealthy life.  It was not until after I graduated and meet an awesome individual that I started to change things for the better.

I have completed one season of triathlons and it was a great experience.  I never thought I would be able to do something like that.  I enjoy being active and competitive again. 

FAMILY STATUS: I have a SO who had the crazy idea a year ago to do tris.  It is great to be doing this together and knowing there is always someone there to cheer you on when you need it.  We have 2 Boston Terriers and the oldest (Torrey) has started to run with us on our shorter distances.  The youngest, Taylor, can not go on the runs because she has siezures when she gets over extended.

CURRENT TRAINING: I'm returning from a 3 week break after training constantly since October 2008.  I am getting back into the workouts and will begin a 12 week plan for the Lonestar 70.3 soon.

After April, I will focus on the shorter distance tris.  I am planning on competing in some of the same ones from last year...my goal is to improve my times in each and I would like to place in the top 3-5 in my age group this year.

2009 RACES: 05/10 - The Rookie Triathlon Sprint; 06/07- Tejas Tri Sprint; 06/28- Y Freedom Tri Sprint; 08/22- Clear Lake International Tri Olympic 

2010 RACES: 04/25 - Lonestar 70.3; 05/15- Beach to Bay Marathon Relay; Looking to fill the remaining schedule with several local sprints.

WEIGHT LOSS:  Since October 2008 I have lost about 40 pounds. I am now just trying to maintain.

Welcome Tiffany & Nikki!!

Fattyfatfat (et al)... I'll be doing the Frostbike 50 again.  Did it last year (all fifty miles) one week after 26.2 (& a PR)... so KK, suck it up Buttercup & lets ride!  They have a 20 & 40 mile course too.  I am certain Jen will be riding too.

Great run! Like the video documentation... maybe invest in a image stabilizer... lol!  Looked awfully chilly!

305 over 205 IMO!!! Hands down.  Unless of course you can spring for the 310...

Definitely think of the hand-me down concept... paying it forward!  Breeds good karma!

Todd - the pup is great!  Love the name!  You know my soft spot for pups!  Leave no pup behind is what I say!

Sounds like everyone got some great gear for Christmas.  I scored a LG Transition bag (total surprise - didn't ask for it & wifey picked it out all on her own!)  Also scored some new Oakleys (LiveSTRONG Flak Jackets) & Lance's latest book - Comeback 2.0

All in all it was a great holiday... wife is out sick, hoping I don't catch anything!  Still haven't found my way back to any kind of physical activity/exercise/tri training....   The fire just has re-lit quite yet.  I did drop the coin on my Buffalo Springs Lake 70.3 registration this AM... So I am in!  Now to work on the training plan for the year...

I am very busy today with work, and I will be away from the office Tue, Thu & Fri.  I will pop in as much as I can, but it will be intermitten until after the new year's weekend. 

Everyone have a safe & happy new year!  For all the sickly members... Get well! And please don't be passin' germs via BT! Don't laugh, Nicole has done it... digital osmosis or something!

Have a great week peeps!

My brain is full after catching up on all the reading.  I am very excited about this MG becasue the last one I was in was not very active and the leader quit posting after the first month or so.

As for what watch I wear in training, Tif and I have the Garmin 305.  I like it, but that might be because it is the only thing I have used...besides the Timex HR.  It also is the first gadget that we have had that gives use the cadance on the bike.

As for swimming, I just write the workout on a posted note in sharpie and then stick it to the side of the pool when I get there.  This seems to work for us. 

I have enjoyed the posts about swimming.  This is the weakest event for me...but I improved a lot throughout the season last year.  I hope all of that improvement did not go away...I have not been in the water for a couple of months now.  It is good to have Tif around to help with the swimming and she does give me a few pointers now and then.