2010 Molly's Mentor Group - IS ALL FULL UP (CLOSED) (Page 5)

I would like to join this group as I know the mentor, and she is awesome!!!

NAME: John Allen

STORY: I am the least "typical" triathlete out there (I imagine!!!). 3 years ago I knew nothing of the sport, and still know very little. 3 years ago the thought of running was a mild annoyance, swimming was something I thought I was doing in the pool with the kids (I found out actual swimming was more difficult), and biking was something I enjoyed as a casual exercise. For me exercise never came easy, and was rarely enjoyable or addicting. 3 years ago I bought my first road bike with the thought that my wife and I could do some things together. I soon discovered that my wife was far more dedicated and experienced than I was (am). I stuck to the bike for 2 years and truly enjoyed riding and got much better at it. In the fall of 2008 my wife asked me to "try" a "sprint" triathlon in the spring of 2009. She introduced me to this site and gave me some of the foundations to the sport. By this time I had seen her compete many times, and experienced the true inspiration that any spectator feels at a triathlon event. This past May I compteted in the "Encinitas Super Sprint Triathlon" and it was truly a disaster. I couldn't swim, I had a decent bike and pretty much walked the entire 1 1/2 mile run course. I realized if I was going to do this I needed to put in much more effort. Towards the end of this summer after I had given zero effort into exercising or training my wife asked me to consider doing a 1/2 ironman event (The Nevada Silverman). I laughed, there was no way I would be able to do that!!! She promised to help me train, and it would start with swimming. We hit the pool together and I remember my first lap stopping and thinking "damn I am breathing hard". Over the next 2 months I swam and biked and finally convinced myself I could get on a treadmill. In October I competed in the Pumpkinman sprint tri and again experienced disaster. I couldn't swim, even after all the time I spent in the pool working up to longer distances (1 1/2 mile workouts were the norm). I did well on the bike course, but it is a tough course with about a 6 mile climb to the finish. By the time the run came around my legs were dead, and I struggled. With only 4 weeks to go until Silverman I dedicated my training to open water swimming (and overcoming race day nerves), and to longer distance running. I wanted to finish the Silverman 1/2 ironman in less than 8 hours (no big deal for most triathletes, but a huge task for a 270 pound couch potato). On race day everything seemed to come together, I had a great swim, a great bike (on a very tough course), and a decent run (on a tough course). Overall I finished just below 8 hours and met everyone of my goals. I was hooked!!! The most rewarding part of the whole day was not the achievement of completing this event or hitting all of my goals it was the inspiration one receives from family, friends and spectators along the way. Crossing the finish line with my children and hugging my wife at the end of an exhausting event is all the motivation I need to continue in this sport.

FAMILY STATUS: Married with two children 8 and 5.

CURRENT TRAINING: I have no current training. January 4th when my children are back in school I will begin my running and core training. I am considering a 1/2 marathon in February...because I want to compete with an i-pod!!! 

THIS YEAR'S RACES: In 2009, I competed in the Encinitas super sprint, Las Vegas Pumpkinman sprint, and the Nevada Silverman 1/2 iron.

2010 RACES: I would like to again compete in the Encinitas super sprint (to prove that I have improved!!!), I will most likely compete in various sprint distance tri's in Nevada or Southern California. I would again like to end my season with the Silverman 1/2.

OTHER NOTES: Having seen my wife compete in the Arizona Ironman full distance I would like to eventually work my way to that goal. I have no aspirations of competing in Kona or ever winning an event, I just like to have people who have known me my whole life say "you did WHAT???".

WEIGHT LOSS: For me I use triathlon training and competetion as a means to lose weight. In the summer of 2008 I weighed almost 320 pounds, I am now a "heavy" 270 pounds. During my Silverman training I went as low as 258 (a weight I had't seen since before high school). I know that once I hit my training again in January I will continue to lose weight. For me it is something that has happened realtively easy despite years and years of battling. I enjoy it now, and look forward to one day being able to compete in the same events as my wife or even children.

I don't think I can offer much in terms of experience, but I can offer support and the flip side to "expert" triathletes. For me it is inspirational, fun, and a great way to prove to oneself that you can push your mind and body well out of their comfort zones.

Happy holidays everyone!