Multisport Mastery is pleased to announce the featured athlete(s) for May 2011:
Lori Bravi, Erika Ostrander & Akemi Suzuki of Chicago
In 2010, Lori, Erika and Akemi were a part of the Well-Fit Ironman Wisconsin Training Program. After completing Ironman, they choose to continue with coaching in a unique format – as a group, sharing the same workouts and race schedule. With the start of their 2011 racing season, they have already set PRs and are setting their sights on qualifying for the USA Triathlon short course national championship in August.
Let’s find out more about them.
We’ll start with Erika, who shares how she got started in the sport:
After numerous knee injuries and over training for marathon and ultramarathons, my doctor suggested I cross train. Through my marathon training, I met some friends who were training for their first ironman. I never swam so I took a swim class, bought a bike and started learning about triathlon in 2008. unfortunately I broke my wrist at the end of that season so it was not until 2009 that I participated in my first triathlon. I have always love endurance events so I set high goals to complete an Ironman in 2009. That year I finished 3 triathlon (sprint, olympic and 70.3) and was automatically hooked on the sport. Unfortunately in 2009 I had another knee injury and I missed the bike cut off in Madison by 2 minutes. That’s when I signed up with the Well-Fit Ironman Training Program coached by Liz. 2010 was amazing year for my training, met wonderful people and set many PR's. I finished Ironman Wisconsin in 2010 despite a crash at mile 56 on the bike course.
Like Erika, Lori came to the sport from a running background:
I moved from having fun running marathons to triathlon 3 years ago. My body and mind needed a new challenge that was more balanced. As a runner, I trained on my own for several years after doing my first marathon with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in honor of my brother who is a survivor. I was a very middle of the road runner who was always happy to just finish in under 5 hours. I never swam laps nor did I own a bike when I made the switch. I did Chicago my first year just for fun and was hooked. My second year was to challenge the longer Half Ironman distance. My third year was for Ironman and to compete against my previous olympic distance times and this year is to really race within my AG for Nationals. It has been the most exciting time of my life!
Akemi shares her biggest breakthrough in the past year:
The last year was absolutely amazing. Through the whole process of preparing for Madison, I learned so much about the sport and training itself as well as how I can be capable of something when I properly train myself. I learned that every training has purpose. One of my favorite words you said last year is that "there is no point just doing a race" Ever since I heard it, I get very nervous before any races in a good way and makes me try to plan well.
Lori talks about her biggest breakthrough since working with a coach:
My biggest breakthrough this year was my race at Galena. Being my first year really racing triathlon, I went into this race as the season opener with a lot on my agenda. Just 8 months earlier, I confided in Liz that I wanted to bring my A game to the 2011 season. I didn't miss a single required workout. Something Liz said that final big build of training resonated with me: don't leave your race on the course. This meant, on race day, DO leave it all on the course. I was ready to put the last 8 months to the test. I followed my race plan to perfection and moved from 27th in my AG in 2010 to 5th this year. Even though I missed the podium by 90 seconds, it gives me a reason to get it next time. It was an incredible race for me.
Erika describes why she enjoys working with a coach:
I love the structure in my training and the quick and honest feedback I get from Liz. I very much appreciate Liz’s holistic coaching approach. Training is not just physical but there is a lot of mental training that needs to get done. I have been training hard and injured free which I attributed to my coached training and Liz's emphasis on the importance of REST DAY.
Lori shares some advice on how to get the most out of working with a coach:
My coach is 50% of my success. She contributes the necessary science, knowledge and listening and I contribute the follow through. I have total confidence in her daily and annual race plan for me. When you accept the decision to truly train and race triathlon while working an intense job (or 2) 60 hours/week, there no time to decide how you feel each day and how much of your workout you'll do. With a coach, you know to just do it. Don't move things around, don't skip things, just do it because your coach said so. It really is half the battle.
Finally, all three offer some advice to those just getting started in the sport or looking to take their performance to the next level:
Trust your training, trust your coach. Communicate honestly about your goals and performance. Even the top athletes are offered advice from others but it is your responsibility to trust in YOUR plan with your coach.
Surround yourself with athletes who share your goals. If you take triathlon seriously then chances are you're going to spend many hours a week training. It is best to be around people who "get it!"
Be patient. Don't add on or make workout more challenging to get stronger. We’ve learned it takes years to build your fitness in each discipline. If you do it the right way, you'll get there.
Race day should be no different than your best training on a race course.
Over the past year, I’ve watched Lori, Erika and Akemi not only improve fitness but develop confidence, deeper friendships and surprise themselves. That’s what this sport is all about – having fun, proving to yourself that no matter where you come from or what you think you can do that if you think you can – and you set out to prove it – yes, YOU CAN.
Lori Bravi, Erika Ostrander & Akemi Suzuki of Chicago
In 2010, Lori, Erika and Akemi were a part of the Well-Fit Ironman Wisconsin Training Program. After completing Ironman, they choose to continue with coaching in a unique format – as a group, sharing the same workouts and race schedule. With the start of their 2011 racing season, they have already set PRs and are setting their sights on qualifying for the USA Triathlon short course national championship in August.
Let’s find out more about them.
We’ll start with Erika, who shares how she got started in the sport:
After numerous knee injuries and over training for marathon and ultramarathons, my doctor suggested I cross train. Through my marathon training, I met some friends who were training for their first ironman. I never swam so I took a swim class, bought a bike and started learning about triathlon in 2008. unfortunately I broke my wrist at the end of that season so it was not until 2009 that I participated in my first triathlon. I have always love endurance events so I set high goals to complete an Ironman in 2009. That year I finished 3 triathlon (sprint, olympic and 70.3) and was automatically hooked on the sport. Unfortunately in 2009 I had another knee injury and I missed the bike cut off in Madison by 2 minutes. That’s when I signed up with the Well-Fit Ironman Training Program coached by Liz. 2010 was amazing year for my training, met wonderful people and set many PR's. I finished Ironman Wisconsin in 2010 despite a crash at mile 56 on the bike course.
Like Erika, Lori came to the sport from a running background:
I moved from having fun running marathons to triathlon 3 years ago. My body and mind needed a new challenge that was more balanced. As a runner, I trained on my own for several years after doing my first marathon with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in honor of my brother who is a survivor. I was a very middle of the road runner who was always happy to just finish in under 5 hours. I never swam laps nor did I own a bike when I made the switch. I did Chicago my first year just for fun and was hooked. My second year was to challenge the longer Half Ironman distance. My third year was for Ironman and to compete against my previous olympic distance times and this year is to really race within my AG for Nationals. It has been the most exciting time of my life!
Akemi shares her biggest breakthrough in the past year:
The last year was absolutely amazing. Through the whole process of preparing for Madison, I learned so much about the sport and training itself as well as how I can be capable of something when I properly train myself. I learned that every training has purpose. One of my favorite words you said last year is that "there is no point just doing a race" Ever since I heard it, I get very nervous before any races in a good way and makes me try to plan well.
Lori talks about her biggest breakthrough since working with a coach:
My biggest breakthrough this year was my race at Galena. Being my first year really racing triathlon, I went into this race as the season opener with a lot on my agenda. Just 8 months earlier, I confided in Liz that I wanted to bring my A game to the 2011 season. I didn't miss a single required workout. Something Liz said that final big build of training resonated with me: don't leave your race on the course. This meant, on race day, DO leave it all on the course. I was ready to put the last 8 months to the test. I followed my race plan to perfection and moved from 27th in my AG in 2010 to 5th this year. Even though I missed the podium by 90 seconds, it gives me a reason to get it next time. It was an incredible race for me.
Erika describes why she enjoys working with a coach:
I love the structure in my training and the quick and honest feedback I get from Liz. I very much appreciate Liz’s holistic coaching approach. Training is not just physical but there is a lot of mental training that needs to get done. I have been training hard and injured free which I attributed to my coached training and Liz's emphasis on the importance of REST DAY.
Lori shares some advice on how to get the most out of working with a coach:
My coach is 50% of my success. She contributes the necessary science, knowledge and listening and I contribute the follow through. I have total confidence in her daily and annual race plan for me. When you accept the decision to truly train and race triathlon while working an intense job (or 2) 60 hours/week, there no time to decide how you feel each day and how much of your workout you'll do. With a coach, you know to just do it. Don't move things around, don't skip things, just do it because your coach said so. It really is half the battle.
Finally, all three offer some advice to those just getting started in the sport or looking to take their performance to the next level:
Trust your training, trust your coach. Communicate honestly about your goals and performance. Even the top athletes are offered advice from others but it is your responsibility to trust in YOUR plan with your coach.
Surround yourself with athletes who share your goals. If you take triathlon seriously then chances are you're going to spend many hours a week training. It is best to be around people who "get it!"
Be patient. Don't add on or make workout more challenging to get stronger. We’ve learned it takes years to build your fitness in each discipline. If you do it the right way, you'll get there.
Race day should be no different than your best training on a race course.
Over the past year, I’ve watched Lori, Erika and Akemi not only improve fitness but develop confidence, deeper friendships and surprise themselves. That’s what this sport is all about – having fun, proving to yourself that no matter where you come from or what you think you can do that if you think you can – and you set out to prove it – yes, YOU CAN.
0 comments:
Post a Comment