Welcome thread
Figured we might as well kick this group off with a welcome thread. A little who are you, racing history, etc...
So I will start off.
Tucker McKeever
I will be joined in Idaho by my wife Elizabeth and two beautiful daughters Meredith, 4 and Chelsea 18 months. They are very excited to see their Daddy do his first Ironman. In my civilian life I am a currency trader who works at night. So workout scheduling will be tricky as I watch my youngest before we I go to work. Looks like lots of pushing her in the stroller and day care at the gym while I swim are in her future.
Goals for the race will be to finish first, but hopefully sub-12 hours, and to have lots of fun. We'll see how the swim treats me.
Looking forward ot racing and training with you all.
Comments
Suddenly realized that this race is ~4 months away and freaked out a little!!! Crept up on me.
I'm a longtime slow-ish runner, doing tris off and on for a few years. Did my first IM at St. George last year, died on the run in a bad way, so I'm looking to redeem myself a bit.
I wasn't running a lot over the winter/OS because of an injury, just now ramping back up to "normal" so we will see...
I'm a surgery resident but on my research time so even though my schedule is super-crazy it's more flexible than it was.
Looking forward to getting to know you all in cyberspace!
As for me, I think I fall in the same boat as Shannon. Tried to work out real hard in the outseason and then a month into it, got set on a whirlwind of travel for work, followed by the holidays and family obligations and the new year just suddenly hit with little to no training completed. So when I saw I had twenty weeks to get ready I figured I better get back on the horse.
I come from a running background, although did tris the last three years or so, building from short to 70.3s last year (Kansas and Branson). This year I figured I would make my debut into the full IM space. At the end of last year I had pretty lofty goals for my first IM, but now I think my goal is to finish first.
Looking forward to talking and getting to know everyone better.
I work full time in Information Security (around governance, risk and com pliancy for protecting data and privacy data), which can send me off to review vendors or issues on short notice. Have a wife and two kids (daughter (6), and son (3)) who like to try to drive the wife crazy when I am working out.
A little about me; I live in Seattle, WA, and work as a structural engineer. My job definitely has times that are really busy, but I try my best to stay on track with my workouts.
I started doing tris in 2008 with a Sprint and Olympic race, then did a HIM in 2009, and just completely my first Ironman in November (IMFL). As of today, I have switched from the December OS to week 5 of the Ironman training plan. I decided make the switch a little early to get ready for Ironman 70.3 California, which is on April 2.
I'm looking forward to virtually training with all of you the next few months! By the way, has anybody else started the Ironman training plan yet?
I guess its that time of year! Thanks for setting this up Tucker. Im so looking forward to group mojo. Felt pretty lonely during the OS.
I started torturing myself back in 2007. It began first with medical residency. I then progressed to more severe forms of punishment such as marathon sessions of listening to Tubthmbing
and daily visits to the DMV. I reached the pinnacle in self masochistic behavior, triathlon, in 2008. After my first tri, I joined EN, and then went from spint to finishing Coeur d'Alene in 2009.
Thanks to a bun in the oven, I "held back" and stuck with Calgary 70.3 last year. Now that the aforementioned bun is 1 year old and is old enough to be making iPads partime, I have resumed the Ironman chase with both CDA and Arizona this year.
Outside of triathlon I'm an occupational medicine physician in beautiful Montana. I get a tax break being the only asian in the state. I would say I work full time, but there are these long periods at night when I sleep. Despite the rumors, I do not live deep in the mountains in a one room cabin, hunched over my computer, making "special" bags of Infinit. Thats only where I go on the weekends. I actually do live in the Mountains, but literally 1 mile from a Target, Costco, Best Buy, and Starbucks. And what else do you really need in life?
Hope that made you smile. I'll be here all season. Make sure to tip your waitress.
Training for 70.3 California right now so sounds like I will see a few of you out here. This will be #4 in a row for Cali. Definitely need to find a different race next year. Just starting to run again after dealing with ITB so we shall see how it goes. More worried about starting CDA training with an injury than the 70.3.
In real life I'm the director of accounting at a biopharma company. The month is split between between pretty busy and a predictable day. Need to get my workouts in the AM or all sorts of things happen which leads to not getting my workout in.
Looking forward to this thread and keeping each other accountable!
hello:
looking forward to IMCdA!
2011 CdA will be my 7th IM distance out of 8 attempts. DNF'd Full Vineman after GI shutdown. Started EN (crucible fitness with Rich Strauss) after that DNF in 2007.
IMAZ 2005;
IMLanzarote 2006;
IM France 2007; full vineman 2007 (DNF);
IMAZ 2008-2010.
goals for CdA are to:
-finish (always my first goal, since the DNF);
-improve swim (i.e. have been stuck at 1hr 20min),
-execute bike portion as prescribed (i.e. have not been able to do this since joining EN; i lacked consistent bike training);
-run super strong
I live in Los Angeles, born and raised. Medical Doctor and will receive Ph.D this year. Clinical focus will be orthopaedic surgery and my research focuses on the gene regulatory networks governing skeletal muscle disease states.
i'll be starting race prep on april 4th.
Sincerely, GH
Another Seattle-area guy here. I have 3 boys ages 10, 8 & 7. My oldest likes doing tris as well and actually did the IronKid "National Championship" in Florida last year. He is one of those kids that is always running somewhere... loves it.
This will be my 2nd Ironman and 2nd go-round at IMCDA. Had an ok swim, but did the dumb newbie thing and did a "could" bike split instead of "should" and then walked the vast majority of the marathon... not this year! Was at 8 hours going into T2 and then finished in 14:11 (ugh). Given my fitness level going into last year's race, I probably should have done a 7 hour ride, not a 6:30 (and most definitely not a 3-hour first lap split - doh!). I'm excited to dial-in a great execution plan and do it to the letter (thus my signing up for EN last November)... that is my #1 goal... the time will be what it will be.
Having said that, and for pure entertainment value... my best guess on where my time MIGHT fall out if training continues to go well and it isn't hotter than last year is 12:30 with a chance at bird-dogging Tucker if everything goes really well (does it ever though?).
I'm an investment guy by trade and am currently in-between gigs so have a fair amount of time to train... one of the reasons that November OS has gone well for me. If I get a new gig during training, could be challenging, but I'll cross that bridge when and if I get to it.
And for a little Team Mojo - If you are a 1:40/100y swimmer or thereabouts, more than welcome to draft me.. at 6'4" and 198 (hopefully 190 race day) I plan on using my old water polo experience to "take no prisoners" in the beginning of the swim... I was too nice last year...
Great to have a team thread and thanks to Tucker (who I'm nominating for our team captain - I can do that since I know where he lives) for kicking this off.
Getting fired up for our race with a little bit of trepidation....which comes from what a few others have mentioned, a lack of training. Mine has been the result of a hamstring injury that I've been battling for many months, but I'm confident that I'll be at the start line (OK - I've already bought the plane ticket - so I'll be there one way or another) I've been getting some great help from Wicked Smart Member Leigh Boyle, who's had me doing a number of new workouts and at least I'm now running in the pool and have the swim working well. My goal of under 12 hours may have to wait for another IM, but somehow I'll get to that finish line. (Great to see we have a couple of Dr's in our ranks....sure how you don't come in handy...)
As for tri's, I've been doing them for the last 2 years and have 10 races under my belt, from short sprints to a few HIM's. Had a goal to do a full IM in 2011 and when a few friends decided IMCDA was the way to go, I pulled up the website and put the damage on plastic - of course saying "Wow - did I really do that??"
So along with Tucker and his family, there will be 5 of us racing and staying in a rental house just outside of town. 3 of us are in EN (Tucker, me and my brother Bruce) with a couple of other friends from NJ and their families....Should be an adventure and hoping I can maybe pay one of the kids to help Sherpa for me...(or in anyone else has a child who's looking to make a few bucks??)
On the personal side, I have two sons - aged 18 & 17....Of course neither one was all that interested in coming to Idaho - at least in the summer...(now if it was for snow skiing - that's different) I work in consulting, helping corporations with their benefit plans and work in Manhattan doing the commute in from NJ.
Look forward to getting to know everyone and then meeting you at our dinner in CDA.... All The Best... J.T.
@Art - sounds like I might want to take you up on that draft - Nothing like having someone 6'4" to move folks out of the way!!
Team EN IMCDA,
Here is the other half (older half) of the Thompson brothers racing CDA reporting in. I sure hope JT heals up and gets to the starting line with me because he talked me into do this crazy IM thing.
I'm 56, married for almost 20 years, and have a son 17 and a daughter 15. Been a runner for years and have completed 3 marathons, including Boston, in the past 16 months. Very new to tris as I've only done a few sprints and olys, so I feel like I'm jumping off a cliff by stepping up to the full distance and skipping a HIM. Been in the Dec OS and have really been working hard on the bike, and have seen some nice improvement. Been swimming 2x per week too since I'm slow in H2O. My running is as good now as its been in the last 2 decades,so I'm being careful not to get hurt by overdoing the OS run intervals. My goals for IMCDA are to get to the starting line injury free, execute the EN way, and finish the race. The time will be what it is.
I work as VP Marketing & Business Development for Stericycle, a healthcare services company. Spend most of my time working on acquisitions of other companies - we buy on average about one company per month - so that keeps me busy traveling to meet prospective sellers.
I'm looking forward to staying in touch with all of you and meeting you in Idaho. Tucker - thanks for setting up the group.
BT
I'm from the Denver area, and this will be my first IM distance race. Did my first HIM in Boulder last year and kinda died on the run, so hoping to finish with a little more "umph" in this race. I am also doing Oceanside on April 2nd...looking forward to meeting some of you there. My college roommate talked me into my entire race schedule next year (Oceanside 70.3, IMCDA and IMAZ). She has been a bad influence! She is amazing and will finish really strong with or without training, but I definitely need LOTS of training.
I am a pediatrician who works WAY too many hours a week and have two teenage sons (13 and 16) who talk me into taking them snowboarding most weekends. So, training during the winter has been a bit shaky. Just bought my first tri bike and it has pretty much been on the trainer through the winter. Need to get out on some dry open roads a few times before I take the bike to CA!
Here's to a great race prep!
Steph
My calendar says 16 weeks to go, so it is time to get this group up and running.
Personal: married x 32 years in Aug, 3 kids 30, 27, 21. Work half time as a physician (Ob), 1/2 time as a triathlete, and 1/2 time recovering from last fall's biking accident.
Triathlon history: Started in '99 (never ran at all before then, but was a college swimmer and long-distance, commuting, and mountain biker). I've entered 20 IMs (CDA x 8, AZ x 3, Hawaii x 3, Can x 2, Calif, FL, WI, LP), started 17, and finished 15. At CDA, I had a DNF the first year when it was 98 F, and finished ever since, all between 11:29 and 11:56, including 3 AG wins, the last two in course record time.
One of the reasons I joined and stayed with EN is the opportunity to interact with other triathletes, share from my experience and learn from others. So you'll see me shooting my mouth off frequently here.
Goals: don't believe what you see in my sig line; I'm just anxious about my ability to recover from my accident in Sept '10. But I don't start a race unless I'm trying to win. And in this case, stay ahead of Gilberto on the run.
Another Pacific NW guy (but I guess that makes sense since this race is in our neck of the woods). Did my first tri in 2008 and this will be my 2nd go around for CDA. Did the race in 2009 and finished exactly where I wanted to (about 12:30). I grew up in CDA and get over to the area quite frequently (let me know if anyone will be over that way in May and wants to ride the course). I'm looking forward to going into this years race with lots more knowledge and a race plan that will allow me to take a chunk of time off my previous time, but will always be happy to finish with a smile on my face. When I'm not training I'm a husband and busy daddy to a my 5 and 7 year old daughters. During the day I and provide legal (and triathlon) advice to the Tacoma Police Department.
I'll be looking forward to racing with all of you and if I'm still upright sharing a beer after the race.
Cheers!
Steve Anderson
30 yrs old...married x4 years, 3 year old daughter. We live in Memphis, TN - and I have given the tri bug to my wife who is competing in her first Oly distance race in May! LOL...guess that's what happens.
Background: played soccer (among other sports) growing up...always hated running (go figure). Got into triathlon in Jan 2009 and have done only 3 triathlons - 70.3 Rhode Island (5:25), 70.3 New Orleans (5:01), 70.3 Austin (4:45). I joined EN after my first and haven't looked back!
Goal: I got into triathlon just to complete an Ironman...but my vision has grown. I would like to complete CdA, but, I really am gunning for Kona now. I want to be able to say that I qualified for the world championships of something!
Steve Anderson
30 yrs old...married x4 years, 3 year old daughter. We live in Memphis, TN - and I have given the tri bug to my wife who is competing in her first Oly distance race in May! LOL...guess that's what happens.
Background: played soccer (among other sports) growing up...always hated running (go figure). Got into triathlon in Jan 2009 and have done only 3 triathlons - 70.3 Rhode Island (5:25), 70.3 New Orleans (5:01), 70.3 Austin (4:45). I joined EN after my first and haven't looked back!
Goal: I got into triathlon just to complete an Ironman...but my vision has grown. I would like to complete CdA, but, I really am gunning for Kona now. I want to be able to say that I qualified for the world championships of something!
great to be reading about everyone.
@Al: will be great to follow your lead in this group and at the race
...and in life!!!
@Michael Smith: My brother, Carlos and I, are doing the first race rehearsal at CdA on weekend of May14-15, 2011. That is the scheduled weekend for the rehearsal on the 12week plan. He and I were planning on Sunday ride and pre-driving the course saturday, but we are flexible in case you wanted to join us for the rehearsal ride and run.
sincerely, gh
Great to see you guys trying to meet up for a race rehearsal. I'm guessing JT and I will probably do ours together, maybe even Pete Giesin as well.
And where are the lurkers? I know there are like 20-30 folks doing this race and I'm only seeing like 10 in this thread. Okay maybe 14, but lets get with it people!
@Tucker: I'll be happy to bring my pad but it all depends on what kind of insurance you have..
Looks like we may have a little pre-cda CDA party on our hands.
The IMCDA will be my first triathlon (might do a few local sprints in June to practice transitions). My public goal is to finish but the stretch goal will be to finish in daylight.
I have no running, biking, or swimming background but I played hockey for 17 years and finished at the Jr A level, which is essentially semi-pro. Then spent the last 20 years working in the IT field, spending my days sitting in conference rooms or in front of a computer. I wasn't overweight but just felt like a slug so in December I decided I need a big goal to motivate myself to get back in shape. The Ironman seemed like a big enough goal. I've been training in the JOS and have been making good progress.
I'll be 40 in a few weeks and celebrating my 18th anniversary in a few days. I currently live in Gig Harbor, WA, just a few miles from Al.
I'm game for riding the course in May as long as it's not on the 21-22 weekend (that's my wife's b-day weekend so I would lose too many SAUs).
@Allen, welcome! I must say, you have jumped into this triathlon game with both feet for sure!
Hi everyone. I am Rob Price, am 43 years old, live in Richmond, Virginia, and am a supervisory special agent with DEA. After a 12-year break from triathlons, my wife and I got back into doing triathlons in 2008, mainly Olympics and Sprints and some HIMs. This will be my first Ironman. I was registered to do IM Florida last year but an unexpected hernia operation in July derailed those plans. Started and finished the October OS, took one week off, and started the IM 20-week plan in Week 4.
Joining me in CdA will be my wife Georgia and two daughters Samantha (11) and Gabriella (7). My parents live in Silverton, Idaho (~1 hour west of CdA) and my sister and her family live in Sandpoint, Idaho (~45 minutes north of CdA) so we are looking forward to spending some family time together. This will be my first Ironman. I was planning on doing IM Florida last year but an unexpected hernia operation in July derailed those plans. Started and finished the October OS, took one week off, and started the IM 20-week plan in Week 4.
First goal for the race is to finish. First goal, part A is to finish in less than 12 hours. Other goals include being patient and not getting caught up in what “everybody” else does but stick with the EN plan, have some fun, and enjoy the race.
Look forward to meeting all of you and having the chance to represent EN.
Unfortunately, I am a little behind schedule. I am working through the first 14-weeks of the JOS and will then transition straight into the 12-week IM plan on April 1st. As many others, my limiting factor is going to be the swim. My only goal is to finish the race!
I will be traveling to CdA with my wife Michele. She is excited to be attending and support me and EN. She will have cowbells in hand, and one of the loudest people on the course. We are both looking forward to meeting everyone!
With the extreme focus on training (especially swimming) and my new escapade (returning to college after 20 years) I may be a bit slow on keeping up with the forums. So if you don't mind me asking, please poke me now and then to make sure I am still alive :-)
Good luck everyone!!
peter: nice job on returning to college...i never left!!!
train when you can and then show up to cdA, execute the EN plan and have fun.
GH
@ Peter and Allen - Love your attitude. Jumping right in and going for the max. I've done a few tris and lots of running races but CDA will be first IM too. Glad to hear that there are several of us going to the IM starting line for the first time. We'll have to a first timers picture at the finish line too.