About
Me @ Home
I am a lot of things. Partner, business owner, aunt, sister, mother to furry creatures, geek, techie, consultant, etc. But, I feel most comfortable and “right” as an athlete. I think the best way to get to know me (as athlete) is to take a peek at Jason Gootman’s questionnaire he sent me before we started working with each other. This is from an email exchange we had in September.
Oh, and I am Ann-Marie for those I haven’t met yet.
1. Please describe your experience as a triathlete.
I have competed in one triathlon (see below). I decided to race in late ’08 and started training for the Danskin race in Jan 09. Triathlons are about the journey – have a goal and focusing on that goal through completion. I am focused, determined and exhilarated by the training process. It is all about hitting a goal. I was a bit nervous on race day, but the experience of racing – for all 3 sports was fun. Although I was very focused and was competing at the highest capacity – I had a blast and enjoyed the whole process. Photos of me smiling the whole way: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=124013&id=699191078&l=c02231c999.
2. Please list your best times for the distances of triathlons you have raced. Please indicate at which race and when these PRs occurred.
I have raced in one triathlon – July 26, 2009 Danskin New England Sprint in Webster MA. So, all are PRs! I competed in the 45-49 group.
Final: 1:21:08
Overall Rank: 108 of 2702
Class Rank: 12 of 343
Swim: 0:14:12 Swim Rank: 1245
Trans1: 0:02:51
Bike: 0:40:40
Bike Rank: 97
MPH: 17.6
Trans2: 0:01:36
Run: 0:21:46
Run Rank: 64
Pace: 0:07:46
Final: 1:21:08
3. Please describe what you feel are your strengths and weaknesses as a triathlete.
Strengths: determined, driven, motivated, good overall physical shape, uber-competitive
Weaknesses: newbie swim skills, I have only experienced 3 endurance-type events (two MS 150s and one 10 day mountain bike trip with 8 – 10 hour days). Before that I never competed in any race or event over 1 hour (I was a basketball player, so many times I only played a total of 40 mins)
4. Please describe any injuries you currently have or have had in the past. Please describe how they affect your ability to workout. Please describe what treatments you have received for these injuries.
Ankle injuries – but over 25 years ago and no longer an issue. Arthritis/worn cartilage in right knee, but doesn’t stop me. It may be an issue for training for long runs. I do feel slight pain in the knee from time to time – but again, it is not stopping me. Doc says it is not going to create an injury if I work out. Just wear over the years.
Current issue for last 3 years: Lower back, right side muscle tightness (super tight and muscle soreness) in psoas, groin, adductor, lower right quadrant of back, hip flexor, hip. All right side. Treatment: bi-weekly massage, regular hot tub, weekly to bi-weekly rolfing, monthly chiro, foam roller.
5. Please describe your experience in swimming, cycling, running, other sports, or in fitness before you become a triathlete.
Before tri:
Swim: none. If you dropped me in the ocean I could tread water to save my life.
Bike: limited. didn’t have bike as child. trained for Domincan Republic bike tour in ’08 and loved it. Bought first road bike shortly thereafter.
Run: a bit more than limited, but not a lot. running on and off for high school and college basketball training (summers only and up to 3-4 miles). Past 25 years: fluctuates from not running for a year and then on again for a year or two on a weekly basis.
Basketball: hs, college, post college yearly seasonal (once week)
Volleyball: hs, college
Rugby: college
Softball: college
Fitness: nautilus/free weights on and off for 25 years.
Kettlebell/strength training for last five years (3-4 times week).
Yoga: weekly for last 3 years.
Pilates: weekly for past 8 months
6. Please list your age, height, weight, and body composition (percent bodyfat) if you know it.
45 years old
5’8″
138 lbs
body composition: don’t know, but I would guess it is lower than average for a 45 yo woman. I can get this % from my chiro if needed (I am curious!)
7. Do you have a heart-rate monitor?
yes
8. Do you have a power meter?
no, but want to buy one…need advice.
9. Do you have a pace monitor for running (i.e., a Garmin)?
no, but want to buy one…need advice.
10. Do you have an indoor trainer?
no, but want to buy one…need advice.
11. Please describe your experience with strength training?
I love strength training – favorite training method. For the past 4-5 years I have worked out at Punch Gym (learn more and checkout demo reel on homepage to see variety of workout – I am in the vid! http://punchgym.com/seekonk/).
I work out mostly with the 35lb and 44lb kettelbells (53-70lbs for deadlift/swings), ropes, 40 – 65lb barbells, hanging bandit loops, body weight, core, leg, push-ups. hundreds of different exercises.
I work out 3 times a week at Punch – two personal training and one group circuit.
12. Besides swimming, cycling, and running, are there other types of workouts that you enjoy?
See above.
Lately I have loved to run the stadium stairs at Brown Univ stadium (72 stairs) for about 20-30 minutes. Something about hills/stairs are appealing.
Pilates (one-on-one)
Yoga (one-on-one)
Spin class
13. Are there any local group workouts that you participate in or have access to participating in?
Just the strength training at Punch and spin class at Core. I tend to like to train alone or with a personal coach/trainer. I am trained by Jacki Hirsty for swim. I also have one-on-one training for Pilates, yoga and kettlebells. So four coaches right now!
14. What are your goals for this coming triathlon season?
Finish the Providence 70.3 in July.
Be in the best shape possible.
15. Why are these goals important to you?
It is so physically and emotionally rewarding to have a goal and hit it. It keeps me motivated and focused. I feel more alive, connected to my mind and body. It is good for my psyche and mental health. It is invigorating to be in top-shape. I believe humans are made to move and we are obligated to treat our bodies well. When my body is in top physical shape, I am better at everything else in my life. If I can do this, I can do anything.
16. Please describe what being an athlete means to you.
See above too. Being an athlete is the one thing I do best. and it is built into my identity and nature. Sports have always come easy to me (when I treat my body well!). I identify with being an athlete more than being a business owner or techie or anything else. I was meant to be an athlete from the day I was born. If I couldn’t be an athlete, I would lose so much of what makes me “me”. Being an athlete is fun, challenging and ever-changing. You can always get better! It teaches so many life lessons – how to win, lose, play fair, understand limits and how to push those limits.
17. Please list the races you’d like to race this coming triathlon season? If you are unsure, simply list your ideas and we’ll discuss them.
I would like to investigate some build races before the Prov 1/2 Iron, but not sure. I will need to discuss. Maybe a few running road races?
18. What do you do for work? What is a typical day like? When in a typical workday can you workout?
I own a growing and busy web development and internet consulting company (embolden.com). A typical day includes client meetings (off-site and on-site) that usually last 1-2 hours. Sitting in front of the computer writing proposals, consulting docs, strategy docs and emails. Meeting with staff either on the fly or in meetings. It seems I am always working, checking blackberry, emails from early in morning (7 am) until 10 pm. But, in the office from 9 am – 6/7pm.
I have flexibility in my day, as long as I plan 3-4 weeks out. I can work out early in the morning (6 or 7 am) as long as I am in by 9/9:30 am. Some days I can “sneak away” at 5 pm, as long as I am home by 7 pm. And there will be some evenings I can work out until 8 or 9 pm because my partner is in school or training herself (mountain biking).
19. What is your time available for working out like on weekends?
Mostly open/free.
20. Do you have other commitments that require your time and energy?
Yes. I own a busy web development company with 18 employees. I currently work 50-60+ hours a week, but have been making arrangements to work less in the coming year as I train for the tri (particularly as we get closer to the race). I have some travel commitments (once every other month or so).
21. Are you married? Single? Do you have children?
Not married, but a partner. No kids. Animal-children!
