Slornow and Wannabefaster's Summer Group-CLOSED (Page 3)

My Philosophy -- Hardware is Hardware --- even in a small race -- CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

Blanda-great picture. Sounds like a tough race......don't they have any nice, flat short races in Guam?

Everyone-if you havn't posted a bio, even those returning members, please try to do so when you can.

Here is my story.  I'm Arend (pronounced like you are running an errand) - 39 years old.  Married to my wife Tabatha for almost 14 years, no kids, 3 dogs.

I grew up as a swimmer, swimming competitively from around age 11 until I was 21ish.  I was never anything special but I did alright.  I was a breastroker and a sprinter though, none of this distance freestyle stuff that we do in this sport!    Once I stopped swimming I stopped cold turkey, probably didn't get in a pool for at least 10 years.  Pretty much did no athletic activity at all.  In 2007 I saw the results of a local triathlon and noticed that two of my old swim buddies had done it and I immediately thought, "I should do that!".  I set a goal of doing the same race the following year.  That didn't happen - I spent the next 1-2 years trying to figure out why I couldn't run without trashing my knees.  I finally saw a PT and she straightened me out (literally - I was running with my feet pointed out 45 degrees).  My first tri was in 2009 and I haven't looked back.  My typical races were (and still are to some degree), get out of the water at or near the front, get passed by bunch of people on the bike, get passed by even more on the run.  Lately it's get out of the water at or near the front, hold my own on the bike and get passed by people on the run.  I did IMMT in 2012 and got out of the water 14th OA - my claim to fame  and then spent the next 10.5 hours getting passed by 700 people.  

Training: I've been working with my coach (Shane -  gsmacleod here on BT) since late 2012.  After IMMT, I realized I needed to learn how to run faster without getting hurt.  I've made great improvements working with him in all aspects.  Current focus has been on the Ottawa HM next weekend.  I tweaked my calf a few weeks ago right in the middle of a big run block and that set things back a bit but we're still looking for a good result.  I'm hoping to go under 1:30 (PB is a 1:33 in February on a hillier course)

2014 Races:  Ottawa HM next weekend.  The day after getting home from Ottawa, I fly to France for 3 weeks for work which will limit me to run training.  Then after getting home, Challenge Saint Andrews July 6th as a relay with my wife - I swim and run, she rides.  Relays start 3 mins after the pro women, I told her I'd try to get her out on the bike course with Rinny.   (not likely).  After that I will likely do some local sprints/Olys in July and August and then I'm thinking of doing the Niagara Falls HIM in September.

2013 Races:  My two A races of the year were Mont Tremblant 70.3 in June (first one I did - 4:57) and Miami 70.3 in October (4:49).  I also did a bunch of local sprints/Olys/DUs.  

Weightloss:  I could lose 5 lbs but weight has never been a major concern.  

and in the category of "it's a small world", Jason and I met (sort of, we didn't know it at the time) when he did Kona in 2011.  My wife and I were volunteering as body markers and he happened to be in our line.  I posted a Kona volunteering/spectating report and he remembered us.  I specifically remember him - most of the racers were all business and serious, Jason was the happiest and most cheerful guy we saw that morning!    We also met up in Mont Tremblant for the 70.3 last year where he destroyed me on the run after giving me a bit of a head start after the swim.  

Around here, a 200 person race is a HUGE field!  Congrats on the result!  

Mike-well done. Should be a confidence builder heading to Boise!

Arend-always nice to have a "real" swimmer on board. Have to admit I lurk occasionally in the SBR group and see your posts there. Know several of the regulars in that group from various mentor groups over the years and the discussions are always good. Glad to have you with us.  Calf problems? Seems every Winter mine pop up!  

Hey group! Hope everyone is having a good day. Quiet here in the group.

I headed out on my road bike this morning and had a good ride. No specific workout so just rode and did whatever I felt like. Beautiful morning here and a great day to ride. Now I'm whipped....got home from riding and starting trimming branches. Lots of work on a ladder, overhead, with a pole saw. What I thought might take an hour ended up taking almost 3.  Exhausting.

Wish we had another day or two of weekend left...just not ready to head back to work yet.

I had a 70 min run this morning - took forever for my legs to wake up.  Had a fairly busy day after that including mowing the lawn for the first time this year.

Fortunately for me, I DO have another day of weekend left as it's a holiday here tomorrow.  

Texted with Jason earlier and he was finished and heading home. Looking forward to hearing the details.

Great day as a tri Sherpa yesterday at IMTX. My friend placed 3rd in her AG and ended up getting her Kona spot on roll down

My training is a bit lighter than I would prefer right now. Still getting in some nice work but not the longer workouts which are my favorites. I'm looking forward to August when this short course focus is over and it will be time to buckle down for IMAZ.

Jamie-wouldn't be the same without you. How was Knoxville?