TeamEN is ramped and ready to make it happen in Panama Beach with 25 rock stars ready to roll! The weather looks spectacular for racing and if execution is the name, TeamEN has the game.
This is a lively bunch with HUGE mojo and lots of laughing and chatter! Go TeamEN!
Meet a few of them below.
2011 Florida Race Captain
I am Jonathan McKenzie a person who once thought people who did anything over a 5k were nuts. Triathlons thats just for those fitness nerds. Well, today I sit 7 days out from my first ironman after a 3+ year journey. I started at about 217lbs and I will be racing Florida at 177lbs. I have completed about a dozen sprints (2) olympics and (2) 70.3® races. My wife has supported me through the whole process and for that I am very grateful. We have had a son in the middle of this triathlon journey and he is completely amazing. My life is now mush more healthy and happy physically and mentally as a result of triathlon. I joined Team EN last November and have really enjoyed the coaching philosophy. I hope to just finish this first ironman and enjoy the whole day, no real time goals are set for this race other than achieving my potential on that day. I hope all of the competitors at Florida are safe and wish the very best executed race for all Team EN athletes.
My name is Robert Craig and I am a 46 y.o. age group triathlete competing in Florida for the 3rd time (2005,2008, present). I am a proud father of 3 beautiful kids (Kyle 20, Meghan 9, and Robbie Jr., 7). My wife’s name is Margherita and she is my best friend and an awesome triathlon support crew chief. I am originally from Wildwood Crest, NJ. I am a 1989 graduate from The University of Alabama and then I served 5 years active duty in the U.S. Army. I separated after making Captain and then attended Wake Forest University Bowman Gray School of Medicine’s Physician Assistant Program. I currently work as an Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant in Punta Gorda, Florida. In April 2006 I was struck by a car while training on my bike and suffered multiple trauma. It was a hit and run accident in which I was struck from behind. I required specialized hip socket (acetabular) surgery and had to learn how to walk again after 3 months of non-weight bearing. I was told by the local orthopedic surgeon that I’d be lucky if I walked without a limp and certainly would not be able to run again. Fortunately for me, I was transferred to a major trauma center and had one of the world’s best orthopedic trauma surgeon’s operate on me. He told me I would do Ironman® again and I believed him. I was determined and began my return journey to Ironman® training in November 2006. I competed in Florida in 2008 but came down with a stomach virus the day before. This led to a disappointing 13:41 finish. This is my year for redemption so I joined Team EN last October and started with the October Outseason program. I transitioned to the 20 week intermediate IM program and feel the best that I have ever felt leading up to an Ironman. I think Team EN is going to have an awesome day on November 5, 2011.
37yo
married with a 2.5yo and one on the way.
Been in the Army for 18 years.
Florida is my first full and I never thought I would be doing this. I am in the Army and have been training in one form or another by nature of the job, but gravitated towards the gym and beach muscles. Then had a back injury in 2005 that led to an artificial disc in March 2009. After surgery I realized quickly that the gym days were over so had to find something to do or my wife was going to kill me for moping around the house. My friend, and fellow teammate, Jamison Gaddy was telling me all about his adventures in triathlons. So on Fathers day 2009 I did my first sprint and it was all over after that. I traded in my Harley for a Cervelo P2. I progressed to HIMs, but did it all wrong for a year or so. Then found EN and started setting PRs and crushing my training partners. The team is fantastic. Everyone truly enjoys helping you achieve you goals, whatever you fitness level. I couldn’t do this without the support of my wife and son. They are the best.
I joined EN in September 2010 to prepare for my 2nd year of endurance sports with Florida being my “A” race. Training for Florida has been a ton of fun and made extremely interesting by the arrival of our son Davis on 9/18/11. I can’t wait to race down the chute at Florida and see my super supportive wife Tonya and my soon to be 3 year old daughter Maddie. I love that I am helping set a healthy lifestyle example for my family! One day I’ll race with them!
This year I’m competing in my 5th Florida along with my daughter Lisa…her 2nd. We kept up a blog this past year about the ‘journey’ atwww.irondaughterirondad.com
I’m a 57 year old, middle of the pack triathlete, with a PR 3 years ago of 12:57, and looking for a new PR this year. I joined Endurance Nation a year ago for the January OS, and have enjoyed adding a lot more intensity into my training than I have in the past.
My 3 ‘kids’ are grown, married to Carolyn, and live in Davidson NC, just north of Charlotte. I’m originally from Toronto Canada, and have been in the States for 30 years now, so about the only Canadian thing left over is the odd ‘eh’ and a weakness for beer.
I own my own software company that specializes in online sales presentations and online training programs, targeted to the automotive business.
By the numbers, I’m a ‘challenged’ swimmer…never swam until 6 years ago when I got into triathlon…probably end up around 1:30-1:40’ish…280 FTP on the bike, 41 vDOT running, so once the swim is over, the joy begins
Casey Seabright is a native of Minnesota who now lives in the Atlanta area and works for Delta Air Lines.
This is my first year racing triathlons and my first year with EN. I was strictly a duathlete (non-swimmer) and IM sherpa for my Ironman® wife Kim. I took swim lessons last year, signed up for IM FL and took the plunge. This year I completed a sprint, an Olympic, and 2 HIM tri’s. My goal for this year has been to make the swim cut-off at IM FL and to finish upright. My wife and I will be joining about 20 friends from the Atlanta area at the start line as well as the E’ Nation! Good Luck everyone!
Orland Park, IL
This will be my first Ironman® race. I’ve been with EN for about a year now and have learned so much. I volunteered at Florida last year to support the team, meet the coaches, see the race firsthand and guarantee my spot for 2011. My out season started great until I hurt my hamstring. PT is helping, but it may be an issue on the run race day. My goal is to get to the start line as healthy as possible and try to enjoy the day. If all goes well, great…if not, it’ll be a huge learning experience. No matter what happens, I will finish and then start getting ready for Florida 2012. My parents, wife and kids will all be at the race. I’m really looking forward to seeing them as much as possible during the race. Seeing them at the finish line will be my biggest motivation all day.
Tallahassee, FL
40
Florida will be my second Ironman, and second Ironman® Florida! My goal is to execute at least as well as I did last year, spend less time napping in transition, avoid the draft packs, nail a low VI, negative split the run, thank as many volunteers as I can, and have fun on my favorite racing day of the year!
Originally from Australia I have lived in the US for the last 7 years. I met my Wife, Jennifer, in Orlando after a 15k road race 6 years ago. In my teens and early 20’s I played professional rugby until a broken back put a premature end to my career. Training for an IM has reignited a flame in me for competition, perseverance and discipline that I have missed since giving up competitive weekly sport. A year ago I decided to step up and embark on this journey and I am elated that I did. I have drunk the EN cool aid since January this year and I am 100% convinced that without the support none of this would be possible. My goal is to enjoy the day, and execute. I am ok going slower in order to execute the race properly. My inspiration for doing this was the 30 for 30 on ESPN about Terry Fox, on my fridge I have a sign that simply reads: “what would Terry Fox do”, it keeps me going daily.lkjhkll
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Want To Learn More About Team EN?
Take one of our five FREE Triathlon Email Seminars: Short Course, Beginner, Half Iron, Ironman, OutSeason. Click here to find your seminar. You can also become a Fan of Endurance Nation on Facebook.
Ready To Train?
Become a Team Member to check out everything Endurance Nation has to offer. From 20+ training plans to over 500 pages of resources, from 100+ daily forum posts to our weekly coach chat sessions, there’s something for every triathlete!
Leave a Reply