Iron Star Triathlon - All-Time Overall and Age Group Winners

Male - Overall
2003 - Sean Galegher, 28, 4:39:46
2004 - Samuel Luna, 23, 4:44:06
2005 - Roger Wacker, 46, 4:37:03
2006 - John Robertson, 32, 4:29:45
2007 - Lars Finanger, 27, 4:07:21
2008 - Brent Poulsen, 26, 4:14:55
2009 - William Ritter, 25, 4:23:55
2010 - Ryan Lindsay, 31, 4:32:16

Female - Overall
2003 - Mina Pizzini, 36, 4:55:01
2004 - Autumn Ray, 24, 4:52:46
2005 - Lynne Smith, 37, 5:01:43
2006 - Jeannie Samson, 37, 4:55:14
2007 - Emily Finanger, 28, 4:36:26
2008 - Michelle LeBlanc, 33, 4:32:43
2009 - Shannon Parker, 26, 5:04:35
2010 - Shannon Parker, 27, 5:06:47

Male - Masters
2003 - Bobo Anderson, 41, 4:42:29
2004 - Robert Hepler, Jr., 42, 4:49:14
2005 - Piers Pirow, 40, 4:43:51
2006 - David Hoffman, 49, 4:49:29
2007 - Kevin Kleinhenz, 40, 4:34:44
2008 - Andrew Strong, 42, 4:49:39
2009 - Kevin Kleinhenz, 42, 4:35:04
2010 - Kevin Kleinhenz, 43, 4:37:26

Female - Masters
2003 - Susan Boudreaux, 49, 5:24:14
2004 - Sheri Okeefe, 44, 5:28:46
2005 - Barbara Kuhlemeier, 47, 5:29:35
2006 - Diann Sweeney, 40, 4:57:55
2007 - Diann Sweeney, 41, 4:54:20
2008 - Kelly Gilliland, 40, 5:29:22
2009 - Karen Ponette-Maldonado, 40, 5:10:05
2010 - Stacy Koscinski, 41, 5:14:01 

Male - Pros
2007 - Brent Smith, 25, 4:18:24
2008 - Trent Stephens, 36, 4:30:28

Female - Pros
2007 - Jennifer Perez, 22, 5:57:06

Male - 19-Under
2003 - David Slingerland, 17, 5:20:59
2004 - Joshua Yeary, 19, 6:49:22
2005 - Jason De Pau, 19, 6:36:33
2006 - Josue Nunez, 18, 5:13:43
2007 - Rob Pazitney, 19, 5:12:15
2008 - Josh Geisinger, 19, 5:31:45
2009 - Brandon Heasley, 19, 6:07:01
2010 - Rodrigo Abascal,17, 5:39:40

Female - 19-Under
2003 - No competitors
2004 - No competitors
2005 - Samantha Dillon, 17, 6:30:58
2006 - No competitors
2007 - No competitors
2008 - No competitors
2009 - No competitors
2010 - No competitors

Male - 20-24
2003 - Brandon Guillory, 23, 5:14:18
2004 - Patrick Romano, 24, 5:06:20
2005 - Eric Gilmore, 23, 5:17:04
2006 - Jeff Cutrer, 23, 4:42:02
2007 - Liam O'Connell, 23, 4:30:19
2008 - William Ritter, 24, 4:49:08
2009 - Mark Primeaux, 20, 4:42:33
2010 - Steven Livingston, 24, 4:55:36

Female - 20-24
2003 - Cindi Choi, 24, 6:21:39
2004 - Sara Kunnemann, 21, 5:45:11
2005 - Allison Mahlstedt, 24, 5:13:40
2006 - Heidi Moore, 24, 6:06:02
2007 - Charity Bolling, 24, 5:37:09
2008 - Jenny Gilkerson, 23, 5:23:29
2009 - Amanda Mowbray, 23, 7:19:28
2010 - Elyse McMorries, 23, 5:45:17

Male 25-29
2003 - Austin Conner, 28, 4:41:57
2004 - Matt McCurdy, 27, 4:46:37
2005 - Matt McCurdy, 28, 4:38:24
2006 - Colin Wolfe, 26, 4:42:53
2007 - Geoffrey Whitfield, 29, 4:30:50
2008 - Andrew Person, 26, 4:53:45
2009 - William Geiger, 26, 4:51:24
2010 - Bradley Pigage, 26, 4:34:39

Female 25-29
2003 - Michelle Garel, 25, 5:30:05
2004 - Michelle LeBlanc, 29, 5:09:01
2005 - Michelle Garel, 27, 5:13:09
2006 - Katherine Gwyn, 26, 5:19:23
2007 - Autumn Ray, 27, 4:57:00
2008 - Lisa Pohlit, 28, 5:10:32
2009 - Christy Lan, 29, 5:22:14
2010 - Sara Cherry, 5:29:35

Male 30-34
2003 - Kerim Jacaman, 30, 4:46:26
2004 - Carlos Ruiz Rodriguez, 31, 4:48:11
2005 - Trent Stephens, 33, 4:41:03
2006 - Dan Seluk, 33, 4:50:33
2007 - Richard Klepacz, 34, 4:28:38
2008 - Sean Blasko, 30, 4:47:31
2009 - Dan Scott, 32, 4:41:42
2010 - Pete Rios, 31, 5:03:38

Female 30-34
2003 - Julie Mosier, 32, 5:07:30
2004 - Julie Mosier, 33, 5:04:42
2005 - Bridget Walsh, 33, 5:17:30
2006 - Dawn English, 34, 5:23:25
2007 - Allison Blythe, 32, 5:41:47
2008 - Marla Wilen, 34, 5:22:04
2009 - Abigail Artley, 33, 5:31:55
2010 - Kathy Sanford, 31, 5:32:11

Male 35-39
2003 - John Burkhardt, 6, 4:54:20
2004 - Mark Skelton, 39, 4:50:49
2005 - David Lacey, 35, 4:54:50
2006 - Chris Aarhus, 38, 4:39:19
2007 - Chris Sustala, 37, 4:31:53
2008 - Chris Sustala, 38, 4:47:35
2009 - Christopher Sustala, 39, 4:47:53
2010 - John Bullock, 39, 4:54:53

Female 35-39
2003 - Darlene Jones, 35, 5:22:58
2004 - Kelly Gilliland, 35, 5:10:39
2005 - Cyndy Hetrick, 39, 5:16:37
2006 - Anne Ekern, 38, 5:39:03
2007 - Matilde Bell, 35, 5:09:03
2008 - Dawn English, 36, 5:15:07
2009 - Lisa Norwood, 39, 5:35:28
2010 - Elaine Griffin, 36, 5:28:42

Male 40-44
2003 - Phillip Weatherill, 40, 4:47:17
2004 - Stuart Page, 41, 4:58:54
2005 - Stuart Page, 42, 4:49:55
2006 - Stuart Page, 44, 4:57:01
2007 - Tobias Reed, 42, 4:45:18
2008 - Kevin Kleinhenz, 41, 4:41:03
2009 - Jody Richardson, 44, 4:58:38
2010 - Christopher Sustala, 40, 4:46:21

Female 40-44
2003 - Heidy Lozano, 40, 5:28:09
2004 - Kelly Luttmer, 41, 5:34:19
2005 - Karen Nelson, 44, 5:35:45
2006 - Lisa Preeg, 42, 5:12:58
2007 - Jacqueline O'Brien-Nolen, 42, 5:46:14
2008 - Lisa Tilton-McCarthy, 42, 5:37:35
2009 - Pamela Todd, 43, 5:39:33
2010 - Carlye Graydon, 40, 5:30:20

Male 45-49
2003 - Bruce McConnell, 46, 5:13:09
2004 - Mark Edwards, 48, 5:15:42
2005 - Gerhard van Niekerk, 47, 5:05:36
2006 - Dana Lyons, 48, 4:51:03
2007 - Allan Richardson, 49, 4:39:05
2008 - Robert Hepler, Jr., 46, 4:48:00
2009 - Renaat Demyttenaere, 47, 5:00:21
2010 - Stuart Page, 48, 4:50:15

Female 45-49
2003 - Kerry Mullin, 46, 5:37:22
2004 - Jennifer Reinhart, 45, 5:39:52
2005 - Lisa Clines, 48, 5:30:13
2006 - Lisa Okeefe, 46, 5:23:58
2007 - Nancy Husby, 46, 6:11:05
2008 - Gwen Duhon, 45, 5:30:20
2009 - Sheri Okeefe, 49, 5:54:24
2010 - Gwen Duhon, 47, 5:46:27

Male 50-54
2003 - Tommy Elder, 52, 5:06:02
2004 - Tommy Elder, 53, 4:58:24
2005 - Tommy Elder, 54, 4:58:46
2006 - Jim Sizer, 50, 5:21:59
2007 - Mark Haas, 50, 5:17:06
2008 - Laurence Cohen, 52, 5:09:05
2009 - Val Lincecum, 54, 5:19:41
2010 - Allan Richardson, 52, 4:57:40

Female 50-54
2003 - Patricia Rosen, 50, 6:19:47
2004 - Patricia Totten, 54, 6:06:58
2005 - Patricia Rosen, 52, 6:07:17
2006 - Kathy Langlotz, 50, 6:47:35
2007 - Lisa Clines, 50, 5:37:00
2008 - Catherine Germany, 51, 5:56:20
2009 - Susan Rouse, 51, 6:05:58
2010 - Judy Lambert, 54, 5:36:53

Male 55-59
2003 - Mark Johnston, 55, 5:26:02
2004 - Bruce Cobb, 55, 5:31:04
2005 - Bruce Cobb, 56, 5:15:18
2006 - Tommy Elder, 55, 5:04:58
2007 - Tommy Elder, 56, 4:57:42
2008 - Kenneth Butler, 55, 5:59:51
2009 - Randy Fuentes, 55, 5:56:17
2010 - Bruce Guinon, 55, 5:50:27

Female 55-59
2003 - Patricia Maly, 55, 7:19:27
2004 - Susan Lorms, 57, 7:29:53
2005 - Janet Baker, 55, 7:03:12
2006 - Sandy Parker, 55, 7:13:59
2007 - Fran Terrell, 55, 6:53:34
2008 - Jill Devay, 57, 7:33:00
2009 - No competitors
2010 - Sandy Parker, 59, 6:54:56

Male 60-64
2003 - Jimmy Fleming, 5:44:54
2004 - Harris Hoelscher, 63, 6:37:38
2005 - Joseph Wakefield, 64, 6:33:26
2006 - No competitors
2007 - Neale Miller, 61, 5:59:21
2008 - Jerry Core, 61, 7:05:48
2009 - Bruce Heiberg, 60, 6:55:28
2010 - Bruce Cobb, 61, 5:37:44

Female 60-64
2003 - Ann Erickson, 61, 5:52:10
2004 - Ann Erickson, 62, 5:44:02
2005 - Ann Erickson, 63, 5:33:06
2006 - Carol Masters, 63, 8:23:53
2007 - No competitors
2008 - No competitors
2009 - No competitors
2010 - Mary Castellucci, 60, 7:15:52

Male 65-69
2004 - Jimmy Fleming, 65, 6:14:10
2005 - Jimmy Fleming, 66, 6:14:05
2006 - Jimmy Fleming, 67, 6:31:19
2007 - Jimmy Fleming, 68, 6:30:20
2008 - No competitors
2009 - No competitors
2010 - Marvin Diffurth, 67, 7:27:02

Female 65-69
2004 - Lis Heckmann, 65, 6:57:54
2005 - No competitors
2006 - No competitors
2007 - Ann Erickson, 65, 5:44:18
2008 - No competitors
2009 - No competitors
2010 - No competitors

Clydesdale
2003 - Paul Robinson, 36, 5:04:12
2004 - Hardy Pollard, 39, 5:56:31
2005 - Chris Dull, 32, 5:20:14
2006 - Michael Novak, 26, 5:28:12
2007 - Paul Robinson, 40, 5:26:00
2008 - John Minnett, 33, 5:42:18
2009 - Patrick McLendon, 34, 5:49:45
2010 - William Collier, 38, 5:43:57

Athena
2003 - Dana May, 35, 6:09:08
2004 - Richelle Lopez, 26, 6:21:00
2005 - Carol Langer, 48, 7:56:21
2006 - Alison Talarcek, 32, 6:17:37
2007 - Bonnie Lechnar, 38, 6:20:23
2008 - Jessica Johnson, 24, 6:38:40
2009 - Kimberly Harbour, 31, 6:35:12
2010 - Catherine Paulson, 43, 6:06:11

Male - Wetsuit
2004 - Kristofer LeRibeus, 26, 5:11:55

Female - Wetsuit
2004 - Lieu Jean, 35, 6:28:17

Male Relay
2004 - The Cajun Express, 4:19:56
2005 - Livestrong, 4:51:39
2006 - Briar Club 'Tri2Fly, 4:37:00
2007 - Sugar Cubed, 4:13:42
2008 - Team Life Time Trife, 4:48:07
2009 - Martinez, Rozyck, Rozycki, 4:28:19
2010 - Trifecta, 4:24:40

Female Relay
2004 - TEAM FAST, 5:25:33
2005 - Fabulous Rockettes, 5:04:53
2006 - Wild Armadillo Posse, 5:26:29
2007 - KTC Divas, 4:39:54
2008 - No competitors or not listed
2009 - Baron Gallardo, 5:59:41
2010 - Trimac Power Girls, 5:56:33

Coed Relay
2004 - Sleestaks, 4:48:55
2005 - Tri-Muskateers, 5:01:37
2006 - Austin Gold, 5:12:34
2007 - Bike Barn, 4:19:50
2008 - Dr. Speed, 4:45:36
2009 - Tbd Marvin, 4:43:28
2010 - Polytriad 2, 4:45:44

Aquabike - Male
2008 - Scott McLaurin, 3:05:50
2009 - Scott McLaurin, 3:09:24
2010 - David Zahn, 3:24:05

Aquabike - Female
2008 - Alison Steiner, 3:55:52
2010 - Leslie Lamacchia, 3:33:39

Area Runners Burn Up A Chilly HMSA Classical 25K Course in Houston

            The top drawer local effort of the day at this year’s HMSA Classical 25K in downtown Houston went to The Woodlands’ Vera Heg, who became the third The Woodlands resident to capture one of the prized local elite invited runner slots to this year’s Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Half Marathon.

            Heg, 50, posted a gun time of 1:51:11 to easily get under the 2:01:36 qualifying standard and finish as the third overall masters female at the second race in the Houston Marathon Warm-Up Series.

Vera Heg runs down a Chevron Houston Marathon local elite invited runner spot (Photo courtesy of Jon Walk)

            Seabrook’s Laura Bennett, 42, and Houston’s Jody Berry, 50, were the top two masters female finishers, but both had already secured their invited runner spots.

Berry did so at the United Space Alliance Space City 10-Miler on Sunday, October 10 to open the door for Heg to gain entry to this year’s marathon.

The Woodlands Running Club’s Pam Meaux, 50, who qualified three weeks ago at the Houston Half Marathon, easily won her age group in 1:51:56 – more than seven minutes ahead of the Houston Striders’ Cyndie Keene. 

Four-time Ironman finisher Nora Wilson, 54, was fifth in the division in 2:14:34.

The Woodlands' Nancy Prejean continues to excel on the roads at the age of 65.  (Photo courtesy of Jon Walk)

Nancy Prejean, 65, of The Woodlands continues to be the ageless wonder as she hit the Chevron Houston Marathon local elite invited runner qualifying standard for the third straight race to win her age group in 2:03:56.

          TWRC’s Skip Moschell, 52, was fifth in a tough 50-54 age group with a time of 1:45:24.  First and second place finishers Richard Peoples and Rich Fredrich earned local elite invited runner slots already this year, while fourth place age group finisher Phillip Trumbly, who was 36 seconds ahead of Moschell, was an invited runner to the Chevron Houston Marathon last year.

TWRC's Wayne Rutledge puts the miles in towards another landmark Chevron Houston Marathon finish.  (Photo courtesy of Jon Walk)

            Ironman Austria finisher Don Cole, 50, and Wayne Rutledge, 53, finished in 1:56:27 (16th in age group) and 2:08:09 (37th), respectively.

            The Woodlands’ Brandon Sager, 28, and Ironman Louisville finisher Jarrett Hubert, 27, went fifth and eighth, respectively, in the 25-29 age group with times of 1:43:43 and 1:45:48.

            The Woodlands Running Club’s Randy Smith, 33, made a very respectable debut at the 25K distance with a 2:06:42 showing.         

Nicole Richardson collects her first place age group award.  (Photo courtesy of Jon Walk)

            Spring’s Nicole Richardson, 30, handily won her age group by more than five minutes in 1:48:03, while finishing eighth overall.

            Montgomery’s Vanessa Servantes, 39, ran all three loops steady to turn in a 2:19:51 performance, good for 11^th in the 35-39 division.

            The Woodlands Running Club’s Wayne Hudson, 46, was fifth in his age group in 1:47:27.  The club was also represented by its vice president Randy Bradley, 48, with a 2:11:49 showing, while former Woodlands Fit organizer Rich Cooper, 46, punched in a time of 2:29:32.

            The Woodlands' living running and triathlon legend Jim Braden, 75, was fourth in his age group in 2:19:06.

Updated Ironman Florida Bib Number List for Woodlands MultiSport Coverage Area

By Alphabetical
2543 - Gena Alvarez, F, 43, The Woodlands
1249 - Gregory Alvarez, M, 42, The Woodlands
1931 - Ramon Arroyo, M, 53, The Woodlands
573 - Kevin Barr, M, 33, The Woodlands
676 - Thomas Behe, M, 36, The Woodlands
1656 - Todd Cooper, M, 48, The Woodlands
2447 - Lori Culberson, F, 39, The Woodlands
652 - Matthew Dishman, M, 35, The Woodlands
2609 - Leslie Dupuy, F, 45, Conroe
2536 - Lynn Flora, F, 42, Spring
1345 - David Frank, M, 44, Spring
2212 - Vanessa Gnatzig, F, 28, Spring
379 - Daniel Grube, M, 30, Montgomery
1362 - Steve Hardy, M, 44, Spring
1655 - Clifton Henson, M, 48, Spring
576 - Matt Horak, M, 34, Spring
1917 - Dan Jordan, M, 53, Conroe
1467 - Shawn Kirk, M, 44, Magnolia
1101 - Paris Menefee, M, 41, Panorama Village
1763 - Kent Morris, M, 50, Conroe
798 - Patrick Osborn, M, 37, Conroe
709 - Scott Reaves, M, 36, Conroe
2738 - Susan Rouse, F, 52, Conroe
1382 - Stuart Simmons, M, 44, Willis
2505 - Leslie Watts, F, 41, Spring
2585 - Colleen West, F, 44, Willis
1476 - Dirk Wolbers, M, 45, The Woodlands
884 - James Wygand III, M, 38, Spring
2852 - Michael Young, M, The Woodlands

By Number
379 - Daniel Grube, M, 30, Montgomery
573 - Kevin Barr, M, 33, The Woodlands
576 - Matt Horak, M, 34, Spring
652 - Matthew Dishman, M, 35, The Woodlands
676 - Thomas Behe, M, 36, The Woodlands
709 - Scott Reaves, M, 36, Conroe
798 - Patrick Osborn, M, 37, Conroe
884 - James Wygand III, M, 38, Spring
1101 - Paris Menefee, M, 41, Panorama Village
1249 - Gregory Alvarez, M, 42, The Woodlands
1345 - David Frank, M, 44, Spring
1362 - Steve Hardy, M, 44, Spring
1382 - Stuart Simmons, M, 44, Willis
1467 - Shawn Kirk, M, 44, Magnolia
1476 - Dirk Wolbers, M, 45, The Woodlands
1655 - Clifton Henson, M, 48, Spring
1656 - Todd Cooper, M, 48, The Woodlands
1763 - Kent Morris, M, 50, Conroe
1917 - Dan Jordan, M, 53, Conroe
1931 - Ramon Arroyo, M, 53, The Woodlands
2212 - Vanessa Gnatzig, F, 28, Spring
2447 - Lori Culberson, F, 39, The Woodlands
2505 - Leslie Watts, F, 41, Spring
2536 - Lynn Flora, F, 42, Spring
2543 - Gena Alvarez, F, 43, The Woodlands
2585 - Colleen West, F, 44, Willis
2609 - Leslie Dupuy, F, 45, Conroe
2738 - Susan Rouse, F, 52, Conroe
2852 - Michael Young, M, The Woodlands

May Magic on Market Street #5: Stuart Simmons, Willis

Even though he would be considered the patriarch of the Conroe Triathletes, a small, yet growing, family-style, close-knit, but welcoming multisport club, Stuart Simmons just doesn't fit the image of Grandpa Walton.

As well loved as John Boy, though?  Absolutely.

Stuart Simmons looks perfectly comfortable in the water just prior to the start of the USAT Age Group Nationals in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Even the name on his Ironman Texas entry reflects his first name, John.  But, of course, everybody knows him as Stu or Stuart.

Stuart has two Ironman finishes to his credit -- Ironman Florida in 2008 in 12 hours, 20 minutes and three seconds followed by the inaugural Ironman Cozumel last November in 12:34:57.

And he'll look to punch his Ironman card twice more - once next weekend as he returns to Panama City Beach and then again in May at Ironman Texas.

He speaks below about his first triathlon being in 2002.  While we couldn't find the results, it was interesting to note when we pulled up his results at athlinks.com (not necessarily complete) that he has done just three running events since 2003 - and two of those were trail run 5K's -- and almost 60 triathlons.

He says he got suckered, but we'd call it hooked!

In the meantime, though, we think that you'll be hard-pressed to find a better personality and ambassador to the sport.

2010 USAT age? -- I am 44 this year and will age up next year although the times do not seem to get any slower in the 45-49.

Birthplace? -- Fredricksburg, Texas.

You've been identified as registering for Ironman Texas. What motivated you to sign up? -- I am trying to do one Ironman a year until I reach the age I have to get a Kona slot because I am the only one left in my age group.  There was an athlete at Ironman Florida last year that was 74 and had been at Kona less than a month before.  That is my plan, if I can not out race them I will outlast them.  The other factor was it was close to home, Ironmans are not spectator-friendly events but this close to home my family can see me several times on the bike and run.

Will this be your first attempt at an Ironman? -- This will be my 4th (I hope) Ironman by race day.

If not, how many IMs have you completed? -- My first race was Ironman Florida in 2008, last year I did the inaugural 2009 Cozumel race with my friend Paris Menefee, and I am going to Florida again with a large group from Conroe Triathletes for 2010 Florida.

Will you/did you get an MDot tattoo after your first Ironman? -- I did get an MDot after my first race, it was such a huge personal accomplishment that I felt it was tattoo worthy.  I also told people I would get one if I finished months before the race.  It helped having that out there because every time I wanted to bag on a run or a ride my friend Paris would start in with “The only tattoo you are going to get will be a DNF tattoo it”.  It worked, I finished.

What triathlon/running/cycling clubs do you belong to? -- I am part of Conroe Triathletes, which is one of the most inspirational groups of people I have every met.

Do you train with anyone (i.e. training group)? -- The Conroe Tri Club has some standing rides, runs, and swims geared toward the sprint and Oly distances.  Those of us that are training for the full or half Ironman distance will start to meet outside those times three to four months out and train together for the longer distances.

Are you coached by anyone? If not, do you follow a formal training plan? -- I am not personally coached; however, we do have several athletes in the club with coaches and we are all close in ability so I tend to follow the workout of whomever I am training with at that time.  I have a target for distances and/or time based on how far out from the race I am and as long as that my training partners workout falls close to that mark, I follow them.  I do get a track workout in once a week, if possible, and that is out of a marathon training book.
  
How many hours a week do you spend training (overall and at each discipline)? -- I hope to spend three hours a week swimming.  At the high point of the training cycle I want to spend 10 to 12 hours a week on the bike/trainer, and I try to get four to five hours running.  I have two kids (11 & 14) plus a job in Pasadena so I can end up really short on training time if work or the kids have a lot going on.

When was your first triathlon? -- My first race was Cinco Ranch in 2002.

How did you do? -- My swim and bike were competitive and I did finish; however, I was passed on the run by a woman on the other side of the street power walking with a yippee dog.

Why did you get into the sport? -- I got suckered!  I started swimming Masters in Conroe and after a few weeks, the tri geeks in the group invited me out to ride bikes.  So I bought a bike for $1,000, which my wife thought was outrageously expensive (little did she know) and started riding.  Then came the hook, “If you can walk three miles you ought to come to a race with us”.  After my first race, I was sold and it fit with the reason I started swimming in the first place, both sides of my family having horrible cardiovascular histories.  My father lived to be 74, but had five strokes and two heart attacks before he passed.  Most of the men on my mother’s side of the never made it out of their 50's.  Triathlon is a good hobby to have if you want to live to be a problem to your children.

What have you learned about yourself while pursuing triathlon/Ironman? -- Mainly that I am a much more social person than I thought I was.  Outside of my family, the time I spend with other members of my Tri Club are what I look the most forward to during the week.

Which of the three disciplines is your strongest? -- I am a strong swimmer and comfortable in the water, if they would do sprints with a 300 meter run, a 15 mile bike, and the 5K swim ... I would be much more competitive.

What's your favorite triathlon distance? -- I enjoying racing the sprints more than anything else but I really enjoy the training and preparation required for Ironman.  If you have Ironman on your calendar, then for 6 months of the year you have a focus for your training and diet.

Favorite race? -- The Sports Spectrum River Cities race in Shreveport has always been my favorite.  The swim and bike are long compared to the run, it is one of the nicest courses I have raced, and the club goes up to the race as a big group.

What's your bucket list race? -- Kona like everyone else, but I would like to do the Ironmans in Brazil and New Zealand.

One piece of gear or gadget that you can't do without? -- Now that I have a Garmin that reads out run pace, I do not know how I trained without it.

What's your favorite training routine? -- Open water swims in the lake when the water temp is cold enough to wear a wetsuit are what I look forward to the most.

What are some of your favorite routes (biking or running)? -- We ride out towards Richards, Anderson and north toward Bedias on long rides.  We usually end up at Starbucks in Huntsville at some point in those rides which in August is sometimes the only thing that keeps you from just pulling over and calling home for a SAG wagon.

What foods are most critical in your training? -- I have standardized on vanilla powergels and vanilla powerbars for Ironmans.  I know that they get along with me but they are so BORING.  By the time I get through training and a race, I am so sick of them I will not touch anything vanilla for months.

Who or what gets you out of bed to train on bad days/freezing rain/100 degree heat? -- Whoever I have training set up for that day or myself if it is close to a race.  I know that my training partners are also making themselves get up so they do not leave me hanging so I make sure I do not bail on them.  The me best part of Ironman is the camaraderie during training and I rarely miss those opportunities.

What has had the greatest impact on your progress as an athlete? -- Paris Menefee; Paris is one of the truly inspirational people in our club and was the person who really got me started into Ironman.  If it was not for Paris and my other training partner, Leslie Dupuy, I would never have pushed myself hard enough to be ready for my first Ironman.  My best triathlon experience was Ironman Cozumel with Paris, first he found me in the swim and we swam side by side for most of the course and then I found him on the bike at mile 70, we rode in together into T2, and started the run together.  After months of training side by side getting to do large sections of the race together was awesome.

How has triathlon changed your life? -- It has changed how I define my personal success away from my job and more towards my family and myself.  It has also provided a close group of friends that I can look to for help, advice, or inspiration.

Favorite website(s)? -- I look at Slowtwich, RBR, and Velonews but in general my web viewing is Facebook or politics.

If you were the God of triathlons for one day, what change would you make? -- From a sport standpoint, I would change USAT back to being more focused on organizing races and supporting clubs.  I do not want to see so much focus on selling me “The Multisport Lifestyle”.  From an athlete standpoint I would instill every triathlete with an unbearable sense of guilt for drafting when they do it on purpose.  Sometimes you just get bunched up but when you are in a pace line you know it, everyone in the pace line knows it, and you all know you are cheating.

Favorite triathlete? -- Heather Gollnick.  She was at Ironman Florida last year and after she finished she was out walking around in the crowd talking to people and watching the age groupers finish.  That is someone who still loves the sport even though it is her job.

Favorite athlete to watch in another sport? -- Kurt Rambis was always my favorite pro athlete.  He was never the most athletic guy on the court and his job on the team was not to be a star but he did everything right every time and never stopped hustling.

Favorite city to visit? -- College Station, Texas.

Bucket list (1 to 5 things) -- I hope I am so far from the bucket that I have not really thought about it yet.

May Magic on Market Street #4: Charles Ash, Spring

One thing is common in every profile:  Everyone started somewhere.  Certainly an understatement, but significant because they are so many places to jump off from.

As Spring's Charles Ash shares with us below, he ran marathons to begin with and was in Carol Steele's Team In Training group - a program that brings many into the adult-onset athletic world for the first time - that included fellow Team Strive member Scott Farrand.

Proudly wearing his Steelhead 70.3 shirt from this summer, Charles Ash pushes it in at October's Ten For Texas

The other thing that is turning up is the number of individuals that did their first triathlon at The Woodlands' own CB&I sprint triathlon. 

As we work through all of the individuals from Montgomery County and Spring, it will be interesting to see just how many people got their introduction to the sport like Charles did at that single race.

Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas will be Charles' debut Ironman, but he has four half Ironmans under his race belt and will add a fifth iron distance race soon at Iron Star on Sunday, November 7.

His four have come at two different races, two different times and both times, he walked away making improvements on both courses. 

At Ironman 70.3 Austin, Charles took his time from 6:45:55 in 2007 down to 5:52:29 in 2008.  And then he followed it with a time reduction the following two summers at Steelhead 70.3 in Benton Harbor, Michigan.  He completed the course in 6:02:10 a year ago before belting out a career best 5:37:15 this July 31.

2010 USAT age? -- 48.

Birthplace? -- Ridgewood, New Jersey.

You've been identified as registering for Ironman Texas. What motivated you to sign up? -- It has been a goal of mine for about three years when I started doing triathlons.  I was looking at Arizona or Florida until this opportunity came up to race in my back yard!

Will this be your first attempt at an Ironman? -- Yes.  First Ironman!

If not, how many IMs have you completed? -- I have completed four 70.3 races.

Will you/did you get an MDot tattoo after your first Ironman? -- Undecided.

What triathlon/running/cycling clubs do you belong to? -- Lonestar Multisport and Kim Hager's Strive Group.

Do you train with anyone (i.e. training group)? -- Usually ride with friends and run with my Chocolate Lab, Buddy! (We might both get tatoos!)

Are you coached by anyone? -- Kim Hager will be coaching me.

How many hours a week do you spend training (overall and at each discipline)? -- 13 to 18 overall.  Each discipline varies.

When was your first triathlon? -- 4 years ago -- CB&I in the Woodlands.

How did you do? -- I survived the swim is all I remember!  (Editor's note:  Charles went 1:29:15 for his debut and brought it down to 1:28:09 and 1:21:42 in 2008 and 2009.)

Why did you get into the sport? -- I had been doing marathons for several years and wanted some variety.

What have you learned about yourself while pursuing triathlon/Ironman? -- Anything is possible!  Limitations are self perceived.

Which of the three disciplines is your strongest? -- Cycling.

What's your favorite triathlon distance? -- 70.3.

Favorite race? -- Steelhead 70.3 - Loved the swim in Lake Michigan!

What's your bucket list race? -- Kona.  Without a doubt!

One piece of gear or gadget that you can't do without? -- Glide!

What's your favorite training routine? -- Swim/Cycle brick.

What are some of your favorite routes (biking or running)? -- Cycling - Montgomery route; Running - Trails in Spring near my house and the White Pine Trail in Michigan (especially in the summer!)

What foods are most critical in your training? -- Oatmeal, Peanut Butter and Infinit.

Who or what gets you out of bed to train on bad days/freezing rain/100 degree heat? -- My dog Buddy.  He lives to run and deosn't care about the weather!  He is ready to go at 5 a.m. or anytime for that matter.

What has had the greatest impact on your progress as an athlete? -- My friends and family.  Since getting involved in endurance sports, both running and triathlon, I have met the most amazing people and consider myself extremely fortunate.  My family is incredibly supportive.

How has triathlon changed your life? -- I have learned to be a better planner and to make the most of every day!

Favorite website(s)? -- Favorite triathlon sites are probably Slowtwitch and Ironman.com.

If you were the God of triathlons for one day, what change would you make? -- All swims would be held in crystal clear 68 degree water with a white sand bottom!  (Seems like Charles has been collaborating with Jim Harrington.)  All cars would be prohibited from riding on bike routes from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.  (Bike routes are everywhere!)

Favorite triathlete? -- Chrissie Wellington.

Favorite athlete to watch in another sport? -- Lance, Tiger, MJ .... and my son!

Favorite city to visit? -- San Francisco.

Bucket list (1 to 5 things) -- 1.)  Kona.  2.)  Boston Marathon.  3.)  Western States.  4.)  African Safari.  5.)  Tour de France.

Favorite quote or motto? -- "Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever." -- Lance Armstrong

May Magic on Market Street #3: Jim Harrington, The Woodlands

Editing these profiles is already a real joy.

By the time the inaugural Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas gets here, we all will have learned many things about our fellow athletes and hopefully it will generate better bonds within our local multisports, running and cycling communities.

There are those people in our sports that when you mention their name, the first thing that comes to other's minds is: "They're really a good guy or woman."

Finish Strong Racing's Jim Harrington is one of those people that meets and exceeds that definition. Didn't the Astros have a campaign recently about "The Good Guys"?

Drayton McLane could have promoted Jim the same way.

When I started running in 2003, Jim was one of the regulars at the twice monthly Run The Woodlands 5K.

Then after awhile, Run The Woodlands' loss was triathlon's gain.

Jim definitely got hooked on triathlons and Ironman Texas, as he explains below, will be his sixth career Ironman. -- By Jon Walk


Jim during Labor Day's Avia Triathlon in Austin.  (Photo courtesy of Jon Walk)

2010 USAT age? -- 46.

Birthplace? -- Cleveland, Ohio, but grew up in Huron, South Dakota.

You've been identified as registering for Ironman Texas. What motivated you to sign up? -- We have home field advantage.  You will never find more incentive and support than when you get to race in your backyard.

Will this be your first attempt at an Ironman? -- This will be my 6th full Ironman.

If not, how many IMs have you completed? -- 5 completed:  Florida twice, Wisconsin, Arizona and Idaho.

11:26:50 - HARRINGTON, JIM, M40-44, The Woodlands, FLA, 2006
10:57:15 - HARRINGTON, JIM, M40-44, The Woodlands, FL, 2007
11:40:46 - HARRINGTON, JIM, M40-44, The Woodlands, WIS, 2008
10:59:47 - HARRINGTON, JIM, M45-49, The Woodlands, AZ, 2009
11:44:09 - HARRINGTON, JIM, M45-49, The Woodlands, CDA, 2010

Will you/did you get an MDot tattoo after your first Ironman? -- Got the approval to get one, but I do not have a tat.

What triathlon/running/cycling clubs do you belong to? -- Lonestar Multisport, Conroe Triathletes, and Team Inspiration.

Do you train with anyone (i.e. training group)? -- I have groups for each of the three capacities that I train with along with a significant amount of time that you have to go it alone.

Are you coached by anyone? -- Yes.  Dana Lyons has been my coach since I signed up for my first Ironman five years ago.  Simply put:  the accountability helps get you there.

How many hours a week do you spend training (overall and at each discipline)? -- I average 12-15 hours a week in total and reach 18-20 on peak weeks.  The training time breaks down into 3-4 hours of swimming, 4-8 hours of biking, 4-5 hours of running and 1-3 hours of core/strength.

When was your first triathlon? -- The Cinco Ranch Sprint Triathlon in August of 2000.

How did you do? -- Seriously thought I was going to drown in a duck pond but survived and finished with a respectable time but left plenty of room for improvement.

Why did you get into the sport? -- I joke that I have sick friends that lured me into it but friendships, healthier lifestyle and the sense of accomplishment are what really get you hooked.

What have you learned about yourself while pursuing triathlon/Ironman? -- Every race teaches you something new but overall and without question you learn that you are capable of FAR more than you can ever imagine both mentally and physically.

Which of the three disciplines is your strongest? -- The bike is where I am most comfortable, but the swim has improved a lot in the last year.  Problem is it all comes down to the run and we are all going to suffer through it.

What's your favorite triathlon distance? -- I like the Olympic distance because it’s fast and doesn’t take all day.

Favorite race? -- CB&I is by far the best sprint race in the area and Coeur D’Alene Ironman for the long stuff.

What's your bucket list race? -- Well Kona is out there but I think the Leadville 100 mountain bike race is just as big of an accomplishment and I don’t even mountain bike…yet.

One piece of gear or gadget that you can't do without? -- Definitely the heart rate monitor.  Proves that I actually have one.

What's your favorite training routine? -- Eating whatever I want for breakfast after a morning workout.

What are some of your favorite routes (biking or running)? -- Biking through the Sam Houston National Forest or out in the Chappell Hill area top my favorite bike routes for training and the Nature Trail is my favorite area for running in The Woodlands.

What foods are most critical in your training? -- Depend on oatmeal, grits, bagels, chicken and pasta a great deal.

Who or what gets you out of bed to train on bad days/freezing rain/100 degree heat? -- Have a bad race and you have a ton of reasons for training on less favorable days.  You don’t control the weather but you can control if you are ready for it.

What has had the greatest impact on your progress as an athlete? -- Other athletes that have a great attitude and set a good example.

How has triathlon changed your life? -- The obvious part is I’m healthier.  I don’t take any type of medication and for the most part stay injury free but it has also allowed me to be a good example for my kids and created unbelievable opportunities to help others in ways I would not have imagined.

Favorite website(s)? -- Trisports.com, Hammernutrition.com and Athlinks.com.

If you were the God of triathlons for one day, what change would you make? -- Well you don’t mess with creation but crystal clear water would sure be nice to swim in.

Favorite triathlete? -- Chris Lieto because he is from The Woodlands and I occasionally run into his dad and can get fantastic race reports.

Favorite athlete to watch in another sport? -- Albert Pujols is a baseball machine.

Favorite city to visit? -- Boston, Massachusetts. Tons of history and great food!

Bucket list (1 to 5 things):
1.)  Leave a positive legacy – help my kids realize their full potential in life.
2.)  Give back to the sport - help Trace Sherer finish the CB&I Triathlon.
3.)  Appreciate health – always be able to go and see and do. If I can swim like Bruce does in his 80’s then I’ve done something.
4.)  Be a better person. Sure I want to be faster, place more, go to Kona, watch the Tour live but life gets sweeter when we get better no matter where we go.

Favorite quote or motto? -- "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." -Emerson

Hager's Ironman Wisconsin Time? 5th Best All-Time in Age Group

          None of Ironman's age group records for any of its domestic races have been updated so far; however, Woodlands MultiSport decided to do a little updating once our suspicion was confirmed.
          Kim Hager's second-place age group, Kona qualifying time of 10 hours, 45 minutes and 11 seconds moved her into fifth place on the all-time best women's 35-39 Ironman Wisconsin chart.

1. Lisa James, South Bend, IN, 10:31:12 - 2004
2. Sarah Mercer, Golden Valley, MN, 10:35:59 - 2007
3. Ann Terlaak, Madison, WI, 10:37:18 - 2007
4. Maggie Fournier, Onalaksa, WI, 10:38:02 - 2010
5. Kimberly Hager, The Woodlands, TX, 10:45:11 - 2010
6. Tamela Gabrielse Elkhart Lake, WI, 10:46:25 - 2009
7. Kara Hughes, Evanston, IL, 10:48:42 - 2002
8. Jennifer Eberman, Toronto, ON, 10:51:35 - 2009
9. Natalie Schaefer, Chicago, IL, 11:04:56 - 2008
10. Christina Kichula, Mountain View, CA, 11:05:17 - 2008

          Unfortunately, the battle won't repeat itself in Kona as Fournier, 35 this year, will remain in the 35-39 age group while Hager moves into the 40-44 division.