Gary's Mentor Group - Re-OPENED for Training (Page 91)

Never heard, how was Austin?

As promised, my (short) Bio:

NAME: GaryRm - Gary
STORY: Short story was I had started the middle age bulg.  Both my father and brother died because of unhealthy lifestyles.  Started running, gearing up for HM when I was injured in ditch fall.  Knee surgery and Dr said try swimming and biking as cross training.  Several online friends were starting Tri's and encouraged me to start.  Was hooked after the first race.  Due to knee surgery, running a full marathon is probably not in the cards, at best a run walk.
FAMILY STATUS: Married for 20+ years with two wonderful, healthy children. Very active family with both kids just wrapping up cross country, one in soccer and both gearing up for Track and field. My wife is a runner and the family has done several 5K's together. We live in the Baton Rouge, LA area
CURRENT TRAINING:After doing several seasons with 1-2 HIM's per year, 2013 will be more about short course with Sprints and at least one or two Oly's

2012 RACES:  NOLA 70.3, River Roux HIM, Big Cajun Oly and three sprints

WEIGHTLOSS: I have lost over 21lbs in the last two years

Name: Ceilidh (Robin)

Story: I am a 52 year old, semi-triathlete. I started a few years ago when I got fed up with being over weight. I started running (ME..RUNNING!), then someone mentioned triathlon. I thought that was silly, but then, I mountain biked, I love to swim, why not. My friends figured I was crazy so I started the journey on my own. I discovered BT and found the support and info I needed. I finished my first sprint that year. Since then I have had several not-dramatic but consistent health issues that have put the kibosh on my plans. I have still managed to do several fun races and a HM or two since then. The weight has crept back but I am on the path to make that go down again.

Goals: I am training for my first marathon (March 3rd) and have my first Olympic tri this summer (NYC) then the Marine Corp Marathon this fall. There are a couple of local runs in there as well. I try to keep my schedule slim in the summer as my 85 year old mom comes and lives with me in the summer and we have a side business that picks up in the summer.

I am looking for a few good people to keep me on track for training and wt loss as well as to pick their brains on how to balance life and training.

NAME: jcurtin1- Jack

STORY: Ive been cycling since I was a kid and have completer 2 Boston to NY AIDS rides, back when they were called that. Then through a series of events I stopped working out. About 3 years ago I was very overweight at 275. I started back on the bike and back to the gym, but I felt I needed a goal. Then a friend introduced me to Triathlon. I started training right away! I lost 30 pounds and was getting ready for my first sprint. Unfortunately I had to scrap that race due to a work conflict with my new job. I still had a sprint and an olympic scheduled for the 2011 season. Then I fell down the stairs at work and tore my right minicus, again. that pretty much scrapped the season. Workman's Comp being what it is I had to wait until May 2012 for surgery. All the while just swimming. Finally had surgery and physical therapy and got the green light to go back to it. Tri season was just about over, so I decided to do the LA Half Marathon, and started training. I was feeling good! I added the NY 10K and the Hudson River 1 Mile swim to the plan. Looking back on 2012, it all went good! I finished all my races at my pace. The knee only acted up twice during training. November and December have been off due to a new work project. Now I want to get back to what I started,training for Triathlon.

FAMILY STATUS: Married just over a year to an amazingly supportive man who has been my rock and biggest cheerleader

CURRENT TRAINING: Nov & Dec were off, Starting back to spinning, short runs and swimming in January

THIS YEAR'S RACES: Pawling Sprint, Sleepy Hollow Sprint, NYC Olympic, Hudson Vally 1Mile Swim, NY 10K and LA Half Marathon

2012 RACES: Hudson Vally Swim for Life 1Mile, Rock n Roll NYC 10 K, Rock n Roll LA Half Marathon

WEIGHTLOSS: Down from 275 to 256, would like to see 230 this season. goal is 212

Robin and Jack - Welcome!!

Brett - Very cool!  Have you named her?

Actually, I didn't know that either!  I'm going to have to think about that one......

Nope, if she sees a post where you say "you had a long, hard ride on [insert wife's name here]" she may not understand.  Sleeping on the couch is never good for your training.

NAME: Stratigos – Tracy

STORY: I smoked for 20 years. Super active runner in the 90's (Army) despite smoking. I woke up 4 years ago looking at an out of shape workaholic that smoked 1 ½ packs a day, and was seriously under weight (6 1' @ 150). I wanted to be a better person and father than that which I saw in the mirror. I quit smoking, starting running, and changing my life. I started cycling to keep me busy, which then led to Tri's. My first year was 2011. I did awesome! I completed 2 sprints and one Oly. 2012 was filled with injury. I am a serious activist for the fact that a tri-life makes you a better leader, spouse, and person.

FAMILY STATUS: Married for 12 years. I have two elementary school age children, and my wife is pregnant with the 3^rd & 4^th (Kaylie & Caleb). My oldest is autistic, so training gives me an outlet that enables a higher level of patience than my normal personality would allow. My wife is a patient saint. She proudly does not share my interest with her self given nick name, “spud”.

CURRENT TRAINING: I just started training again. In an effort to change this long trend of injuries, I have shelled out the money for a 310xt with heart monitor & GSC 10. I've already discovered some major training flaws that were used last year. So – I am really excited about 2013.

2012 RACES:  I only wanted to finish one 70.3, but I pulled a tendon in my foot 40 days out from the race. I've spent the last 3 months seriously annoyed about it, but 2013 will be another story.

WEIGHTLOSS: I am a great example of the old saying, “you might not want what you wished for”. I spent my whole life being the skinny guy. Now, I am the Clydesdale. O' Well.

Brett,

Tri is your own personal adventure.  Your going to spend a lot of time alone in the saddle, so give it a good name that ties the adventure to your personality.

Mine is the "Green Meany" 

(grean meanie.jpg)

Brett - Tracy ... I'd like to introduce you to "Ruby" (and yes I know the seat angle is bad ) -

(SysSix4.jpg)

STORY: 3 years ago, at age 53, I started mtn biking and slowly worked into road biking as well.  3 years ago I saw people swimming, biking and running in and around Wrightsville Beach, NC area and asked my SIL what was going on as he's a local there.  He simply said "some kinda race".  Sooo, I Googled this when we got back to the condo and found out it was a triathlon.  It started me thinking because I'd seen the people that were participating in that race ... they were everyday people just like me.  Some were older, some were fatter, a lot were younger and a lot were vastly more athletic ... but when I made eye contact with some, their look on the face said "I'm here doing it and you're not"!  So it started me thinking I could do this.  So ... 7 races later between 2012 and 2013 - here I am.

FAMILY STATUS: Married for 36 years. I have three daughters and 3 grand daughters.  Wife is a great cook and supportive with the time spent training (and money spent too).  She does not share my interest with the sport, but proudly comes to some events, cheers me on and always listens to my 'war stories'.  This year and last, 2 of my daughters and 1 SIL participated with me in various races.  In March, all 3 daughters & 1 SIL are planning to race with me in the Azalea Sprint Race.

CURRENT TRAINING: I'm a member of a local gym which has bike and run club group activities.  I'm at the gym mostly 3 times a week with swim, spin and run training and work in club 'group' activities as time allows.  I mostly swim and bike ... running is my weakest sport and starting now, I'm going to do something about this. 

EQUIPMENT: I use a Garmin Forerunner with HM and GPS.  Works great to upload a biking-running session to the training log on the site here.  Also, will occasionally upload a ride to STRAVA.  Bike equipment is a Cannondale System Six road bike aka 'Ruby', which I bought the frame via e-Bay and slowly built over time.  Mtn bike is a Santa Cruz Tallboy.

RACES:  I completed 4 races in 2011 and just 3 in 2012.  For 2013 I plan to do a minimum 4 races ... one of these to be an Oly or International.

WEIGHT LOSS: I am a Clydesdale. Since I started cycling, I've dropped ~50 lbs and another 30 would really be nice to drop.

Hey there. I am off to do a polar plunge today. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Training to resume tomorrow, unless I develop pneumonia.

Wow, good luck!

Actually a very cool name.

NAME: David ... 2nd year in Gary's group.

STORY: In 2010, at age 50, I started walking, which lead to jogging a little, which led to running a little and then eventually to 2 5K races. I didn't have a real plan and didn't track my workouts. I had always wanted to Tri, but never found the motivation needed to train enough. Back in the day I was a 3-sport athlete and attended college for 2 years on a basketball scholarship (79&80). At 6'4", I always struggled (and still do) keeping my weight down and peaked at around 280 in 2009. I found BT in late 2010 and began tracking my workouts, did my first sprint tri in 2011 and 1 more again in 2012. I have ambitious plans for 2013, see list below and think I have built enough base to be a little more aggressive this year.

The Stats:

2011: Bike=164 miles; Run=163 miles; Swim=11,037 yds.

2012: Bike=319 miles; Run=284 miles; Swim=21,900 yds.

2013: Bike=700 miles; Run=500 miles; Swim=25,000 yds. (Goal)

FAMILY STATUS: Married for 32 years. I have three daughters, 2 sons, and 3 grand children.  This year my oldest daughter is going to participate in the South Beach Tri with me in April, her first ! Both my youngest and oldest daughters live in Miami along with my 3 grand children.

CURRENT TRAINING: I lack discipline but always feel better after working out. I swim in the mornings before work and run at lunch some days. Cycling is nights and weekends. Running is my most difficult event so I have targeted that to work on the most this year and am aiming for a 1/2 Mary in October. My Excuses: I officiate HS basketball and umpire HS baseball which interferes with training and also am taking graduate courses so training sometimes is 5 or 6 down on the priority after family and work. I also golf a little too much sometimes (Apr - Sep).

EQUIPMENT: For my first year and 1/2 I used an old Trek MTB for training and my first Tri. I picked up a road bike last summer 2 weeks before my 2nd Tri. Will have to think about a name and will post an update when it comes to me.

WEIGHT LOSS: I am a Clydesdale. Got down to 225 last year and have put 10 back on over the holidays, my goal is to hit 205 by June then maintain 205-210.