Scott and Kelly's Mentor Group- Closed
BY: uhcoog on 2013-12-20 9:01 AM

GROUP FOCUS: All levels of experience and abilities welcome.  Kelly and I do tend to race long course though.

NAME: UHCoog (Scott) 

STORY::  Hi.  I’m Scott a former meathead, lifelong athlete, and triathlon addict.  In 2010 I happened to shoot off my mouth about maybe entering a sprint triathlon in front of some friends and had my bluff called.  Never one to shy from an athletic challenge away I went.  At the time I had never run much more than a mile, didn’t own a bike, and hadn’t swam freestyle since the age of 8.  Luckily I found this site to help me navigate through my first sprint.  Since then I've had successful goes at several half iron events and did my first Ironman at IMTX last May.

I participate in triathlon first and foremost for the health benefits.  I was at a tipping point in power lifting where I was tempted to try illegal substances and triathlon has been a blessing.  I also love triathlon because it is an outlet for an overactive competitive drive.  That first triathlon in 2012 I felt a rush I hadn’t felt since the days of high school athletics.  Triathlon is a way to test me against me, and me against others.

FAMILY STATUS: Happily married with 3 daughters.  Yes this makes long course training a juggling act.  Reagan is 6, Abby is 4, and Quinn is 9 months old.

CURRENT TRAINING:  Currently I train by heart rate, and a power meter is in the offing as soon as I can afford that bugger.  3 daughters can sap the old tri budget.  I am coached by Kelly Gallagher at Sonic Endurance.  Right now I have patellar tendonitis so I've basically scrapped plans for the Houston Marathon and am focussing on being ready to go for NOLA 70.3 in April.

THIS YEAR'S RACES: This year I've done IMTX, Texas 70.3, Oilman 70.3, and several sprint and olympic events. 

2014 RACES:  NOLA 70.3, Kemah Triathlon (Olympic), Bridgeland Triathlon (sprint), 5150 US Championships, Austin 70.3, and I may add a few random events here or there.

WEIGHTLOSS: As my wife was pregnant at the time I was peaking into IMTX I picked up some bad eating habits and didn't pay the price at that time.  I'm paying it now.  Trying to get back down to 160-165 from 179.

WHAT WILL MAKE ME A GOOD MENTOR:  I have had the privilege of being in a wonderful mentor group the past couple years.  The core group there has become like a family to me.  I am on BT every day, whether for a few minutes or a few hours, and this group will get my full attention.  Triathlon junkie is also a pretty good way to describe me.  I am always willing to debate, learn, and research anything multisport related.  Recently I have become a USA Cycling certified coach and will be getting my USAT certification in January.  I am always open to sharing any and all knowledge I have with members in a constructive, if sometimes firm, manner.  Really I just want to see people succeed and exceed their goals.

Edited by uhcoog 2013-12-29 7:00 AM

-----
USA Triathlon Level 1 Coach
USA Cycling Level 3 Coach
Co-Owner/Coach Sonic Endurance

RE: Scott and Kelly's Mentor Group- Open
BY: kaburns1214 on 2013-12-26 11:17 AM

Name: Kelly (kaburns1214)

Story: I grew up swimming (distance freestyle and butterfly) and transitioned to water polo at Dartmouth College (class of 2002). I began running during my last year of law school at Emory (class of 2005). After ankle surgery in 2005, I bought a bike for cross training and participated in my first triathlon, the Niantic Bay Sprint in August of 2006. Since then I have raced in over 50 events including six 140.6 races. I’m a runner for Oiselle and a triathlete for Coeur Sports and I currently focus on long course racing and and half marathons and 140.6 races are my favorite events.

In addition to racing, I am a coach and race director for Sonic Endurance. I am a USAT Level 1 coach and a USMS level 2 coach. I direct the Greater Hartford 1/4 Marathon, Solstice Sprint 5K and Hogsback Half Marathon and have raised over $50,000 through these races for the Blazeman Foundation, Farmington Village and Library Association and Running for Rescues. I am also a writer for witsup.com, an awesome website out of Australia that focuses on women in triathlon.

By day I am an employment litigator at McCarter & English in Hartford, Connecticut. I represent employers in state and federal courts and before state and federal administrative agencies in cases relating to discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful discharge, unfair labor practices, breach of contract, FLSA and virtually all other aspects of employment law. I have a special interest in trade secrets and non-compete cases, particularly those involving misappropriation through social media.

Training: At the moment I'm at the tail end of my off season. I pretty much run and bike when I feel like it, which amounts to 20-25 miles of running / week and a few hours on the trainer. Structured training beings for me on January 6th.

2013 Races: I had foot surgery in August so my year was pretty much just Ironman Florida.

2014 Races: Ragnar Cape Cod (May), Challenge Atlantic City (June) and Ironman Florida (November)

Weightloss: I have a chronic inablity to lose weight due to hormone inbalances. I'm working on a solution but at the moment I deal with being over weight on a day-to-day basis.


-----
USAT Level One Coach
USMS Level Two
My Blog (updated 12/26/2013)
@kburnsgallagher / @sonicendurance

RE: Scott and Kelly's Mentor Group- Open
BY: Dunn Right on 2013-12-26 11:28 AM

Hi Scott and Kelly! This sounds like the group for me!

Now, what info do you need to me to get signed up?
-----
It's easy to make excuses, but excuses don't make champions.

RE: Scott and Kelly's Mentor Group- Open
BY: uhcoog on 2013-12-26 11:42 AM

 

Welcome.

 

I'd like to see:  Real name, Background, 2013 races, 2014 races, General overview of current training protocols, any other info that you think is interesting and/or relevant.  

-----
USA Triathlon Level 1 Coach
USA Cycling Level 3 Coach
Co-Owner/Coach Sonic Endurance

RE: Scott and Kelly's Mentor Group- Open
BY: Dunn Right on 2013-12-26 12:33 PM

Real name: AJ Dunn

Background: I'm 23 years old and a married college student. I was a competitive swimmer for 10 years, mostly breast and IM with a little sprint free in there (I'm usually an FOP swimmer, at least in the races I've done). I've coached some HS and summer teams for about two years also. I got into triathlons in 2011 and I've done a total of six (four sprint and two olympic). I'm looking to do my first HIM in 2014 (New Orleans, also) and I'm in week five of BT's Beginner HIM 20 Week Plan.

2013: Power Sprint Triathlon in May and Jamestown International in June

2014: My main race for 2014 is New Orleans 70.3. Like I said, I'm in the fifth week of the BT HIM Plan. I've got some other races on my radar but haven't pulled the trigger on anything yet.

Training: I have been sticking to the plan with few exceptions. I work at a pool so getting the swim in is usually not an issue; however, it usually comes with odd hours that, combined with school, have me getting my workouts in at strange times (usually very late at night). My wife just got me a Kinetic 2.0 Fluid trainer so I've been putting a lot of time in on that. I've been spending a lot of my run time on the treadmill because running outside at night in some neighborhoods near mine is not advisable. I am meticulous about logging my workouts because I like to see my progress over time.

Other Info: I sort of let myself slip over the summer and gained some lbs. BUT, I've lost 20 pounds in the past two months to get back to my goal weight of 165 thanks to a combination of proper nutrition and exercise and my obsession with MyFitnessPal. My wife is really good about nutrition and has managed to keep me away from junk food and get me back on the right path.

So, I guess my biggest barriers to normal training will be school (once it starts back up, giving me little free time) and the fact that I don't like training in the cold.
-----
It's easy to make excuses, but excuses don't make champions.

RE: Scott and Kelly's Mentor Group- Open
BY: scott14 on 2013-12-26 1:40 PM

Would like to join if possible, name is Scott, 43, married with 2 kids, this will be my first year in triathlon. Background is in team sports, began biking and running a few years ago for fitness and have just began swimming this month. I teach and coach high school sports so time is somewhat limited and causes me to train either very early or very late. Very competitive and looking forward to training with a purpose and racing. Race plans for 2014 are the Chatahoochee Challenge Sprint Triathlon and Augusta 70.3. I know that planning for a 70.3 as a first year racer may be overly ambitious but I'm committed to racing it this year and with 9 months to train shouldn't be a problem. Train outdoors whenever possible but have treadmill and bike trainer for whenever that's not possible. My biggest weakness is the swim, but help in all areas would be greatly appreciated. If you need any other information just let me know.

Edited by scott14 2013-12-26 1:42 PM

RE: Scott and Kelly's Mentor Group- Open
BY: DDVMM on 2013-12-26 1:57 PM

I'd love to join again! I love the daily contact! Bio later if ok!

RE: Scott and Kelly's Mentor Group- Open
BY: uhcoog on 2013-12-26 2:44 PM

AJ and Scott it's nice to have you.  Michele nice to have you back.  

-----
USA Triathlon Level 1 Coach
USA Cycling Level 3 Coach
Co-Owner/Coach Sonic Endurance

RE: Scott and Kelly's Mentor Group- Open
BY: MechEChick on 2013-12-26 4:47 PM

Hello! I'd like to join in!

Name: Christina (MechEChick)

Story: I grew up swimming competitively through high school, and ran cross country in high school as well. During college I quit working out regularly and took quite the break. Following college I started taking a spinning class and was convinced to get a road bike and start doing triathlons by the instructor. I did my first sprint in 2009, and did my first 70.3 in 2010 along with a bunch of sprints and olys. On New Year's Eve 2010 I tore my MCL doing stupid things skiing in the backcountry and was out for training entirely for 4 months and started running again in May. So 2011 was only sprints for me. Then 2012 I did my first IM, Vineman in Cali. I took 2013 off from triathlons and very much missed the routine of training.

By day I am a mechanical design engineer. I moved to a new job in a new town (Seattle) in November and I am not entirely sure how that will affect training. My schedule is fairly consistent but I could potentially be traveling in the New Year.

Family Status: Single, 27.

Current training: I train by heart rate and will be using Don Fink's competitive training plan, jumping in next Monday!

2013 Races: Hmm... did some 5ks, and a trail half mary. Had a very unstructured year.

2014 Races: IM Couer d'Alene in June, have not firmed up the rest of the schedule. Probably a oly in April/May, a half in March and a couple running races.

Weightloss: Whew, this year was not as bad as it could have been. Following the holidays though, I need to lose 15 lbs to get back down to 135 for CDA. I really need to get back on track with my eating habits as my sweet tooth has gotten the better of me this December.
-----
“Swim coaches are always trying to break me of my lifelong addiction to oxygen.”

RE: Scott and Kelly's Mentor Group- Open
BY: poolgod on 2013-12-26 5:40 PM

Scott and Kelly,

I would love to join, if you'll have me. My name is Justin Kinne and I am completely new to triathlon.

I too have been a life long athlete. In high school and college I was heavily involved in wrestling. So I have always had one foot in the endurance world. In my adult life, I have trained for random events, ( tough mudders, spartan races, a couple of half marathons, a couple of full marathons) but never a triathlon. And that is kind of ironic, considering as a child, I was on a competitive cycling team. To this day I have more money tied up in bikes that I do my own car. I have been running as long as I can remember, and the kicker is that I manage the largest swimming pool management company in New Jersey. So really, my life revolves around these three sports.

I am a happily married 39 year old father of two. Cavan is 10 and Addison is 2. My wife Amy was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer in April of 2012, and we as a family have recommitted ourselves to eating healthy and living a generally healthier life for our children. As part of our healthy lifestyle, I have dedicated this year to getting back into shape. Really good shape!

My current training has been really just trying to build a base to work off of. However today I started a 12 week basic Olympic program. Basically the sprint training programs looked too easy and I am in for a challenge. This basic plan should give me what i need to get my base built and then its off to a longer HIM plan... Because...

This years schedule will revolve around The Princeton 70.3 HIM. . Feel free to leave whatever feedback you like, I have heard all of the stories about starting your triathlon career in a HIM. lol. So here is the scoop. I had the opportunity to be a part of the official charity race team for this inaugural event. The charity raises money for families who are going through cancer treatment. How could I resist? As part of the team we will have some professional coaching, on the course the month before the event. Oh, the event start line is exactly 1.2 miles from my front door, so again, how could I resist. More importantly, how could my wife tell me NO? Honestly, we both feel like the experience will be amazing, and we will be able to take part as a family, so i am signed up.

I will not make this my first race. I am thinking i should do a sprint in early May and the NJ state Olympic race in July. ( its at the same venue as the IM event in Sept. ) Depending on how my body holds up, I could see doing another sprint in between the Olympic and the HIM, just for some experience.

Right now I weigh in at 200 pounds, on a 5'9" frame. Kids, cancer treatment schedules and changing to a vegetarian diet, has taken its toll on the midsection. As I said before, I was a wrestler, so i am not concerned about the weight. The right training should take that off of me in the next two or three months. Ideally, I would want to be around 165 in September, but we will see. I will let the training and a good diet work its magic.

I would love to be a part of the group.

-----
Obsessed is just a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated!
Racing for those who can't!
DFL>DNF>DNS

RE: Scott and Kelly's Mentor Group- Open
BY: uhcoog on 2013-12-26 6:00 PM

Welcome Christina and Justin! 

-----
USA Triathlon Level 1 Coach
USA Cycling Level 3 Coach
Co-Owner/Coach Sonic Endurance

RE: Scott and Kelly's Mentor Group- Open
BY: dace on 2013-12-26 6:44 PM

Real name: Dace
Background: female, age 46, married 24 1/2 yrs, 4 kids ages 11-22. I spent 21 yrs as a family focused stay at home mom. Never put much effort or energy into exercise, until last year. I started walking and that turned to running, which I have found I LOVE! I swam in high school and have done inconsistent stints at masters for the last few years. Trying to get better about that.
My husband is a runner and got into tris a few years ago.

2013 races Ameliaman sprint in Florida this past Oct. followed one week later by San Diego's Esprit de She sprint. Both were a blast and I can't wait to do another.
2014 races: At this point the only thing truly scheduled is a Santa Barbara tri in August, between an oly and 70.3. I have a lot of work ahead of me! Right now I am focused on a running block because I am pretty weak there. I think I will start to incorporate cycling in my training in Feb/March...not sure.

Right now I am running 5 days per week building a stronger base. I would like to do a half sometime this spring but I also want to focus on biking. not really sure how to put it all together.

I am a food nut, my husband and daughters are gluten intolerant (extremely) and I like to eat a whole foods based clean diet. When I did my first two tris I was on a 30 day challenge...no sugar, no grains, no dairy, no legumes and no alcohol. Had a blast and breezed right thru. I am toying with doing a nutritional therapy program and I love to help people with their diets. I am slender although I did have a few years with a little extra fluff around my midsection, I have found training keeps me quite trim and allows me to eat a lot!

RE: Scott and Kelly's Mentor Group- Open
BY: DDVMM on 2013-12-26 7:54 PM

NAME / username: Michele/DDVMM

STORY: I am a busy mom and a veterinary internist. this will be my fourth season of Tri. I completed my first HIM last year and my first marathon.

FAMILY STATUS: I am married to a very supportive husband with 4 very busy kids: 14yo girl, 12yo girl, 10yo boy and 5 yo girl.

CURRENT TRAINING: I work under a coach and I do what she tells me to do . Just finished up an easy off season block.

2013 RACES
My two A races were Eagleman HIM and the Marine Corps Marathon. I did a couple other sprints and half marathons.

2014 RACES:
So far:
Cape May sprint June
Challenge Family AC 140.6 - first long distance tri

Weight loss: I am always trying to lose 5-10 pounds. I eat primarily clean whole foods with very minimal processed foods and very minimal natural sugars.

RE: Scott and Kelly's Mentor Group- Open
BY: kathleenkp on 2013-12-26 9:57 PM

Hi Scott -

I joined here based on your post on MFP.

Real name is Kathleen. I live north of Seattle. I crashed my bike in my first tri this September, had surgery with a plate and screws, and have been recovering from that.

I've been a swimmer nearly all my life. Biking is new to me, but I love going fast. Getting back on the road bike might prove a mental challenge for me. I'm horrible at running and most triathletes could probably walk beside me while I attempt to run. My goal is 70.3, but I don't know if I will get to that this summer or not (I'm hoping so).

I'm 43, married almost 20 years. We have 3 boys (16, 13, almost 10). I've lost a bit over 80 pounds in the past two years. Triathlons have been a goal of mine since I was 17, when I competed as part of a team doing the swimming leg. I felt cheated at the end, that I should have done the whole thing. I wanted to do triathlons, not for the events, but for the journey. About 3 years ago, at my heaviest weight, it dawned on me that my lifelong dream probably wouldn't be happening. But I wasn't ready to give up. I got sick and had some surgeries. Getting sick kick-started my weight loss, and I kept going. Now I'm currently healthier than I've been since I was 13. I began running Jan 2, 2013 after I had lost the first 55 pounds. I'd like to lose another 20 pounds because the mirror/camera looks like I could do at least that much. I think it will help me with speed, too. I've had my BF checked over time in the Bod Pod, though, and results there show I need to lose about 12-15 to get to 20%. I can't seem to lose any weight since I upped the tri training. I have not been willing to give up the training in order to lose more weight. I love working out and pushing myself.

I work part time as a hospital pharmacist.

RE: Scott and Kelly's Mentor Group- Open
BY: Dangerjim71 on 2013-12-26 10:21 PM

I'd be very interested in joining your group and it might be just what I need.

Real name: Jim

Background: the short version is that at age 41 and 270 lbs I decided to quit smoking and out of fear of reaching 300 lbs started exercising. 15 months after quitting smoking I finished my first triathlon Racine Ironman 70.3.

2013 races: one half IM in 6:02, a sprint, numerous 5k and 10k running events and my first cycling century.

2014 races: My A race is Racine 70.3 with a goal of taking a full hour off last years time, several sprint and Oly events and the Chicago Big Shoulders 5k swim and finally volunteering for Ironman WI with the plan to registering to compete in 2015.

General overview of current training protocols: right now I am working on a solid base in swim and bike so when the serious training starts in March I am ready to go at it hard. Also working on speeding up my training runs at shorter distances up to 10 miles over the winter. Training right now is 9-10 hours per week with 3 sessions of each discipline. I'm thinking I will start adding more swim yards soon and more bike as well.

I've enjoyed competing in some races and the base I built training for Racine 70.3 last year helped my place in some 5k and 10k events. My goal for Racine next year would put me in about the top 10% and may help me place in my AG in one of the smaller local tris which is also a goal.

I'm a MOP swimmer at best, love the bike and can't wait to pile on the miles when the snow melts and have improved my running a lot in the last year.

Finally, where I really need some help is with weight. I started at near 270 and was down to 185 at one point which is the lowest I've been since I was 14. Right now I'm around 195 and slowly working toward 180. I just find it to be a massive struggle to lose the weight anymore. Using myfitnesspal helps but the workouts make me ravenous. I'm 6'1" and guess I have a fairly athletic build. I know if I can get leaner it will help me get a lot faster. I'm not afraid to put in the work in training but I guess I've always liked food and lots of it.

RE: Scott and Kelly's Mentor Group- Open
BY: TrooperBurke on 2013-12-27 12:41 AM

I'm interested in joining your group. My name is James. I'm 41, and 260 lbs. Been in the Army for just over 20 years. Married with 4 kiddies. Brand new to triathlons. Bit out of shape, as I've just had two minor surgeries. I'm pretty decent at running 2-5 miles, an adequate swimmer, and I bike quite a bit on a fixie. Currently in Alaska, so road work will be a bit difficult, but relocating to Colorado soon.

RE: Scott and Kelly's Mentor Group- Open
BY: kaburns1214 on 2013-12-27 5:21 AM

Good morning everyone!

Great, diverse group here. First question for everyone as we are approaching the new year is what are your resolutions / goals for 2014?

My goal is to get to the start line of Challenge AC and IMFL healthy, well trained and mentally prepared to give it my all but underneath there’s also the number goal that I’ve been chasing after for a while — I want to go sub 11 hours. It is not unattainable (maybe I should state that in the positive, I can go sub sub-11). In 2011 I went 11:26 at Florida and if you add together my three best splits –my 2013 swim (1:12), 2012 bike (5:48 with a 4 minute penalty) and 2011 run (4:06) — you get 11:06, which is getting close. I know it won’t be easy and I know it requires going an hour faster than I did in 2013 but I truly believe its doable and I have two chances to make it happen on flat, fast courses.

What are your goals?
-----
USAT Level One Coach
USMS Level Two
My Blog (updated 12/26/2013)
@kburnsgallagher / @sonicendurance

RE: Scott and Kelly's Mentor Group- Open
BY: Dunn Right on 2013-12-27 5:59 AM


My main goal is to complete my first HIM. I know that comes with a big commitment to training and nutrition, something I've been doing a good job with the past two months. The hard part will be sticking to that for the next 15 weeks before the big race!

-----
It's easy to make excuses, but excuses don't make champions.

RE: Scott and Kelly's Mentor Group- Open
BY: TomsTri-ing on 2013-12-27 7:22 AM

Hi Scott & Kelly,

I would like to join your group. I will post a bio later, but for now. My name is Tom and I will be starting my 3rd year of tri's. This year I am signed up for the NYC Tri in August.

Thanks,
Tom
-----
I'll always be faster than the one who never started!
I am a leaf on the wind, Watch how I soar!