Experior and Slornow's Spring/Summer Mentor Group-CLOSED

We had so much fun in round one, so here we go again...  Anyone and everyone please feel free to join.

WHEN CAN YOU START MENTORING CONSISTENTLY: Immediately

NAME: Experior / Michael

STORY: I am an adult-onset athlete.  Until age 40, setting aside a few failed attempts to start running, I was not particularly healthy.  I looked at myself in the mirror (on my 40th birthday no less, so all clichés apply) and didn't like what I saw, the model I was setting for my kids, and generally how I felt.  I went out and ran a mile and it nearly killed me.  For some reason, I did it again the next day, and after a while it stuck.  Not long after that, I got injured from too much running too soon, and so looked into biking and then swimming, and that's how I stumbled onto triathlon.  I made a lot of other pretty big changes in my life, and now -- excluding the truly important things like family and trying to be a good person -- training is my priority.  I have some other hobbies (cooking, classical guitar, and (recently revived) woodworking), but they all take a back seat to training.

FAMILY STATUS: I have been married for 18 years.  I have three children, aged 11, 9, and 7 (two boys and girl, in that order), a dog, an itinerant cat, two hermit crabs, and three roaches (my wife's -- I'm not into roaches as pets...).  We live in Columbia, SC, where my wife grew up (and where I was an undergraduate).  We moved (back) here in 2004, from Indiana.

CURRENT TRAINING:  Right now, I am on the road back from a foot injury (knock on wood...) so just getting back into running.  I'm biking quite a lot, and have resolved to get serious about swimming.  

PAST YEAR'S RACES: In 2011, my highlights were (in order of how good they make me feel...)

• I hit 100 miles per week running for a few weeks straight over the summer
• I PR'd at the half marathon distance twice
• I took first overall for the first (and probably only) time in my life in a triathlon
• I raced (well, maybe 'endured' is a better word) at ITU worlds

2012 RACES:  My main race this year is Ironman Wisconsin.  I will do some shorter races throughout the year, as well as a HIM in May (I think -- I haven't committed to that race yet).

WEIGHTLOSS: When I got into this business I was quite overweight.  I lost 40 pounds or so in several months, and now hover around 140, give or take 5 pounds.  At the moment, I'm just over 140, and looking to get down to 135 in the next several weeks.

WHAT WILL MAKE ME A GOOD MENTOR:  I love endurance sport, and I spend an inordinate amount of time reading about it, discussing it with others, trying to learn from others, and trying to help others learn about it.  I believe that we all have things to learn from one another.  I've run several active and successful mentor groups in the past, most recently co-mentoring with Randy.  Except on days when work overwhelms me, I check the forums multiple times per day, and love answering questions, posing questions, and looking in on how the mentor group members are doing.  

Randy is a very encouraging, motivating, and knowledgeable member of BT.  Come join Randy and me and let's have fun learning and tri'ing together!

Randy and Michael,

Love to hang oround for another couple of months if you have room.  Let me know and I will post a bio.

Thanks!

Bennet

Name: Jim Barron

Story:  Began taking physical fitness seriouly in 1996 when deployed with the Marines in the Gulf.  Sitting in the desert we had lots of time for PT (aka exercise) and I caught the bug.  Started marathons in 1998 and moved to Tri's in 2002 and have found my true passion - long distance triathlons.  I have completed 8 IM's to date (IM Moo x2, IM LP x2, IM Lou x3, IM Texas x 1). 

Family Status:  Divorced after 19 years of marriage.  2 boys ages 18 and 16.  My 18 year old is going to UCSD next year to study computer engineering and I am considering moving back to the west coast.  Not sure why I ever left???  My 16 year old is a football/rugby player and avid athlete.  We often train together.

Current Training:  Im in 3rd portion of Fink 30 week plan training for IM Texas in May.  My work (Hospitalist physician) allows me to train hard when I'm off, but piecemeal when working especially if its a night shift.  I have been adhering to the training aschedule as bext I can achieving about 90% of the prescribed volume.

2012 Races:  Thus far IM Texas and IM Arizona.  May do shorter tri's but nothing in the books as of yet. 

Why good mentee:  I love training and competing.  I've been hooked on triathlons since 2003.  I hope to keep doing them until I physically cannot.  I still see lots of room for improvement and am always open to receive advice to improve my performance.  I enjoy the comraderie BT offers.

Hi Randy and Michael.

NAME: sschaar / Steve

STORY: I got off the couch about a year ago (4/26/2011 to be exact) at 44 years old and pushing 250 lbs.  Last year was spent slowing adding miles and trying to be consistent with my training. I swam competitively though high school, so I’m now MOP in the swim.  The Bike and Run are still very much a work in progress.

FAMILY STATUS: I have two children, ages 16 (girl) and 13 (boy), and a dog.  I currently live in Charlotte, NC.

CURRENT TRAINING:  My current level of training is geared towards Sprints.  I swim twice a week, 1600 yards each.  Run 3 times a week, with a long run of 4.5 miles. I’m most serious about the bike, commute by bike twice a week (30 miles round trip), a 33 miles long ride, and try to get a mountain bike ride in with my son when it works with his soccer schedule.  2012 training goals are mostly to add base miles. 

PAST YEAR'S RACES: Completed my first triathlon on 9/17/2011.

2012 RACES:  Completed my first race of the season yesterday and very happy with my results.  Also have another Sprint in June and move up to an OLY in Aug.  Then switching gears to train for the MS bike ride for Sept.  Then train for the Charlotte Half marathon in Nov.  Notice the incentive to work on the bike and run by the end of the year.

WEIGHTLOSS: Currently at 220 lbs and want to get under 200 by Aug.

-Steve

Bennet-glad to have you back.  Looking forward to another good group.  Give everyone your story when you get a minute.

Randy

Jim-great to have you along.  Looks like you have a big race coming up with IMTX.  8 IM's so far! Wow!  Do you do many shorter distance races during a typical season on just long course.  Bet uyour nutrition plan does not include potato chips or gummy bears?

Randy 

Bennet:  Welcome back!  Yes, please post your bio.

Jim:  Welcome!  Thanks for serving.  Great to have someone with so much IM experience!

Steve:  Welcome!  A BIG congratulations for getting off the couch.  Sounds like you've taken the plunge.  

Steve-welcome aboard! So, almost a year of training under your belt with about a 30 pound weightloss. Congrats! I'm a big believer in consistency in training.  I bet you will see some substantial time/speed gains as you move into your second year of training.  Good job on the race yesterday. 5K PR on the run?

Randy   

Have room for a 53 YO slow male from south Texas?

Just finished my first sprint, doing another on 4/15, then an olympic on labor day.

Dewayne

No idea why that posted twice...

Dewayne-absolutely.  Good to have another 50-54 age grouper in here.  Give us some background when you have a few minutes.

Randy

Dewayne

Hometown: Edinburg, TX

Story: Recently divorced. 3 grown kids, 3 grandkids with one more on the way in May. Started running in 1990. I had just quit smoking and was afraid to gain weight. I ran some short distance stuff off and on until about 3 years ago when I discovered cycling. 2009 through early 2011 I was primarily a cyclist until I got the bug to do a tri. I had wanted to do one since seeing Julie Moss on TV in the 80's but the was afraid of the swimming. Last year I started taking some swimming lessons. I'm not a fast swimmer but I've learned to enjoy it. MWF I wake up with a run. After work I go swimming. I bike with some friends on Tue and Thu evenings and also on Sat and Sun mornings. At this time I'm president of a rather large cycling club so my focus is on representing our club at club rides and events. We recently started a sub group of triathletes and are in the beginning phases of getting that organized. I did my first sprint on March 11th. I was lucky enough to get 3rd in my AG. Its good be old sometimes!!!! Doing the Republic of Texas sprint in Corpus Christi on April 14th, then the Tri Rock Austin Oly on Labor Day.

I look forward to the advice I get here at BT and hearing about the experiences of others.

Dewayne (in USAT years I'm 54)

Name: AV842/Bennet

Story: I have been an on again off again exerciser for a long time. Did my first triathlon (sprint) in 2005, and while I continued to have an interest in triathlon, I let work and other things get in the way. I recently changed jobs, and moved back to San Diego. Early in 2011, I started riding consistently with a group from work. This led to a bit of running, and then a bit of swimming, and now I have the bug again. I live in the perfect place to train, and can literally walk out of my door and run, ride and swim. I have no excuse not to make 2012 my year, and have decided to make a run at long course (In November I volunteered at and signed up for IMAZ). I have a good group of friends and coworkers I am training and racing with in 2012, and am really motivated to put in the time to make this a successful year. I hired a coach eight months ago, and really like using his services. Although, there are many ways to skin the cat, and I enjoy hearing from others who use BT plans, Fink, etc.

I was in Randy and Michael’s January mentor group, and definitely enjoyed the group. I feel those that stuck it out, and participated learned some things, and made a few friends. I know I did. Randy and Michael are a wealth of information, and very good about sharing it.

Current Training: I finished California 70.3 on Saturday. This was my first HIM. I definitely enjoy being on my bike, and running, but really need to train toward my weakness, THE SWIM, and increase run volume. 2012

Races: Need to find some events coming up in the next few months to supplement training, but later in the year I have the Camp Pendleton Sprint, Super Frog Half, Ironman Arizona, and various Triathlon Club of San Diego events.

Weight: I am 6’ 1”, and currently at 177. I would like to lose a bit more, and race the rest of 2012 between 165-170.

Why I'll be a good mentee: I have been a member of BT for several years now, and religiously log my workouts, and check the site. I am stoked to see some members of BT who regularly provide excellent advice on the forums as mentors of this group, and hope to see some from the January group back, as well as some new faces. I love to read about the sport and am eager to share information with others in the group, as well as learn from others experiences.

Dewayne -- 'slow' and '3rd in AG' don't sound like the same person!

Welcome!

Welcome back Bennet!

And what Bennet failed to mention is that he just completed his first HIM race, with a solid time to boot.  Congrats Bennet!

Hey Jamie-you are in! Looking forward to your bio information.

Randy

Only 6 in my age group. It was 55 and drizzling. It was an outdoor pool swim and I don't think there was any way the pool was heated. But I survived and had a blast.

I think Bennett is qualified enough to have his own Mentor group!!!

Blanda-thrilled to have you joining us again.  Everyone-Blanda is one of the most enthusiastic and supportive people I've met here on BT.  Plus she can do flip turns! Another great addition to our group.

Randy

Yes, My run split in yesterday's tri was 10 seconds faster than my last stand alone 5k.

-Steve