Ernesto's group (5th season) - OPEN (Page 5)

Would love to join - please tlet me know what to do next.  Here is my story:

NAME: username: debaston/ first name: Deb

STORY: I have been an athlete my entire life, grew up on Miami Beach and have been swimming competitively for many years.  I am 47 now.  I have completed a couple of triathlons in the past - nothing major.  I have always wanted to do an Ironman.  While training for the Lawrence, Kansas half in 2010, I went skiing and shattered my right knee.  After reconstructive surgery and donor tissue being implated I was told I wouldn't be able to compete again, much less regain range of motion.  I am stubborn and I have more range of motion now than I did prior to the accident.  I began training again with no race planned and then in November of 2012 I was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson's Disease and instead of succumbing to it, I decided to push harder than ever.  In all honesty, I look and feel better now than ever before.  I need guidance to get through this on many levels.

  FAMILY STATUS: I am divorced and have 3 amazing "kids" who are 26, 24 and 20.  They are all extremely successful and 2 live in Utah, 1 is a chemical engineer.  My daughter just got married in March and my son will be getting married late next year.  My kids were there when I crossed my finish lines and they are my biggest fans. I have 3 dogs and 1 is my ofttimes running companion.  I live in St. Louis, Missouri.

CURRENT TRAINING: I have been following my own training schedule and logging on Training Peaks.  After the knee injury, I seem to have a mental block about running.  Swimming is my strongest leg and I participate in an open water practice on Saturday mornings in a wetsuit.  I have a great tri bike and am in the half-distance training stage.  My goal is to finish, of course, but I need to cut time from my run and remove the mental block and get into a good groove for the bike leg.  Lots of strength training (helps with the PD).

THIS YEAR'S RACES: Innsbrook sprint triathlon, Lake St. Louis Olympic triathlong, Big Shoulders 5k swim Chicago, Half-Ironman Miami October, 2013.  I am participating for Team Fox and raising PD awareness at the same time.

2012 RACES: Not much thanks to Mr. Parkinson - Litchfield sprint triathlon.

FUTURE RACES: Ironman full distance.

WEIGHTLOSS: I am fortunate that I am in great condition weight-wise.  I am 5'8", 138 pounds. 

WHY I'M A GOOD MENTEE: I listen and absorb advice without question.  I am 100% dedicated to training for my races and continuing on, even with adverse situations trying to get in my way.  I need someone and a group to guide me and get me over the humps of training so that I can do well in my race.  I would like to double my run mileage like I have seen people say and add speed to my bike ride.  I love multi-sport and hope to be doing it for the long haul.