HILDEKQ'S Magnificently Motivational Mentor Group - CLOSED!! (Page 3)

Glad to see the page has lost it's width!  I'm still up for a trip to Indianapolis as long as the date works for me.

NAME:  Shawn

STORY:

I am a 34 year old ex-college athlete who is heading into his second real season on triathlons.  Last year I did several sprints and pulled out of two Olympic distance races (one for lack of preparation, one for personal reasons).  Not this year!

Hrm - I just realized that I am headed into a new age group, 35-39 this year.  The times from this group always seemed much faster than the 30-34 for some reason.  At least triathlon allows me to compare my own times to the previous year’s.

Back to my story - I blew out my shoulder playing baseball in college and took 9 years to have it fixed.  I grew up playing hockey and even a little football.  I also dabbled in tennis for a couple of years before getting my shoulder fixed (ever seen a nearly sidearmed serve?). 

How did I get into triathlon?  I was looking for something after my shoulder surgery because tennis partially reinjured it.  As I look back at things, it makes no sense because running was always a form of punishment, biking was something you did on a stationary bike when you had an injury and swimming was what you did during summer camp or when you were goofing around with your friends.

Anyway, swimming to strengthen the shoulder led me to spend time on the bike at the gym.  I figured I was 2/3^rd the way there and I needed to do something that was completely unlike me so I said I’d do the best I could on the run.

My biggest obstacle in my first year was coming to grips with the fact that, since I wasn’t going to podium, it was just me racing against myself.  There was no scoreboard or other person else to measure myself against for wins and losses.  It probably sounds rather basic to most people but it was a complete mindset change for me after playing team sports for so long.

Last year was more of learning to work consistently and the how’s and why’s of training.  I got off to a late start in the spring, but took a class with a local triathlon team in New York City and learned a great deal.  I also realized how much I enjoy training with others.   My training was derailed due to some work issues and then falling into bad habits but the time away made me realize how much I missed it.

FAMILY STATUS: 

I married my wife just a little over a year ago, though we were together for nearly 10 years before then.  We have two foster care cats and have just begun seriously thinking about starting a people family.

CURRENT TRAINING:

I’m finalizing a plan but I am of the mindset to run through a spring plan for the next  12 weeks and then transition to an Olympic plan for the next 12.  I’m going to really focus on my core since I tend to be rather weak there.

THIS YEAR’S RACES:

The only race I have officially signed up for is the New York City Triathlon in August.  I am leaning towards an Olympic in June so that New York is not my first.  Otherwise, I’ll probably mix in some sprints, though the loss of my favorite local sprint race this year has me scrambling for a race at the end of May to kick my season off.

WEIGHT LOSS:

I’ve lost and gained weight with the best of them.  I’m currently at 270, the highest I’ve been in four years.  Last year I got down close to 240 and am hoping to be back down there by June 1st.  After a lot of trial and error, I think I’ve finally figured out to not lose the gains of my training while also whittling away at this gut that drags me in the water, prevent a nice aero form and is a pain to lug around on the run (though if you saw me run, you might swear that it lugs me around&hellip.

I am really looking forward to this group.  I know we’ll learn lots and hopefully inspire each other to bigger and better things!

Once more.... new and improved MMM member list:  (if you don't want to cut and paste the whole thing, just cut and paste Wesley and add him to your list or add him as a friend.)

Denise - dajotkjo
Jen - gnome
Janet - jcarmody
Joe - joes
Jordan - jordiebrigs
Michele - nina44shell
Marsha - PTWykes
Tammy - tstl
Tammy - TTucker
Alex - wrkinprogress
Wilson - wsilverthorneMargaret - Bunsy
Jon - jwheat
Shawn - Sulcus
Gina - lizzilvr
Wesley - Wesmaster123
Hilde - hildekq

Name: Wesley Deschaine (BT Name: wesmaster123; a.k.a Peggy's oldest son)

Story: This is my first year/season every doing triathlons. My first tri race is scheduled for May 1 (Sprint) in Hixson, TN. My mom and sister started racing and training for triathlons last year and I got hooked the first time I went to watch them. I did my first 5k on Thanksgiving and my first 10k a few weeks later.

Family Status: Married with two boys (4 & 3). Currently living in Atlanta, GA but will be moving to Chattanooga, TN in March.

2011 Races: I have a list of races that I would like to compete in for the year, but we will see how the year progresses with family vacations and other things. I plan on competing in some Sprints & Olympic Triathlons this year and maybe the intermediate distance in the Great Floridian Triathlon in Oct.

Weight loss: I am currently trying to lose about 30 pounds