Sharing information among athletes is a great way to learn more about out sport. The 'Athlete profile' is our way of helping our members get to know each other while hearing about their tips and race strategies!
Read the profiles below to get to know your friends and members of the club.
This next athlete profile introduces Teresa Seibel, our always cheery and tireless volunteer for the Kamloops Tri Club. Teresa is currently the President of the KTC, and has been instrumental in developing and leading many KTC programs, including the Race Ready Rookies. Teresa has a special talent for encouraging and motivating new and experienced triathletes in accomplishing their triathlon goals. Thanks Teresa for all that you do!
Name: Teresa Seibel
Age Group: 35-39 and hanging on 1 more year
How many years have you been involved in the KTC?
4 years
How have you seen the tri club evolve over the previous years?
I remember when John Grover emailed me to ask if I would be interested in helping with the club. I was very new to the sport and having someone ask for my help made me feel engaged. I went out to a few meetings and didn't say very much for the first year. Now, you can't shut me up at the meetings!! At that time, there were limited group workouts and the group workouts that occurred sometimes had 2-3 people. One of the first runs I helped organize, only Erin and I showed up - so Erin and I decided to skip the run and go for coffee!! The board at the time persisted. I had joined the club to meet people and take advantage of group workouts, so I knew there were other people out there like me. - so my vision began - Group workouts for athletes at all levels. Last year saw 5-15 people on the Wednesday night bike rides. Tuesday and Saturday open water swims saw 5-10 people on any given week. Lots of new faces and old ones combined!! What future visions can you share?
I have 3 visions. One vision is to host the premier beginner race in the province. It has taken me 3 years to work up the nerve to organize a race - lots of thinking during that time. Now, I have a great comittee - Erin Parr, Ron Lyster, Melinda Williamson, Jasper Willisko and Derm Strong. We are on track to host a great race and hopefully make some money for the club at the same time. I would love for the club to purchase our own underwater video taping device with the profits.Second, I want the group workouts to grow and get stronger and stronger. I have just started to tap into the beginner market and we haven't tapped into the TRU market at all yet.Third, I hope to see a Junior Triathlon club in the near future. The Kids of Steel race has been in the City for 6 years and keeps on getting better. Our club helped the City run a 4 week training program for kids leading up to the race and there was definitely enough interest to start a club.
What are your personal athletic goals for this year? Athletic goals??? I forgot what those are!!! I am having so much fun training beginners and organizing the race that my personal athletic goals have taken a back seat!! I will do a 1/2 Ironman but my training will be to complete the race in celebratory fashion not to break any personal bests.
My favorite distance is the 1/2 Ironman. I love long distances but the Ironman is so time consuming. With the 1/2 distance, I have the time to do the training and still live life with my family.
Do you have a racing experience that was personally meaningful that you could share?
I love my racing experiences.. and all the goes along with it. The nerves, the hard work, the sense of wonderment upon completion. The personal experience that most of my races have in common is how I get to share them with my family. I love it when my kids cheer me on - Sophia (6) loves to wave her hands and give me her magic powers. Solomon (9) often asks me what's taking me so long and do I think I will win the race!!! I think he finally gets it that I win all the races in my head!!! And Steve - he has been bringing the kids to the races since Sol was 6 months old. I love it that he gets as much enjoyment from watching all the racers as I get from doing the race. I have been meaning to share some of my Beijing pictures with the group since I got back. Here they are!! I would highly recommend you take in any Olympic event in Vancouver in 2010!! http://picasaweb.google.com/ironman.teresa/TriClub?authkey=qRqms3Fszy0&feat=directlink
Name: Dave Freeze, Age 49, proud member of the Clydesdale racing division.
Picture of Dave being a Dad on a field trip to Barkerville
The Day before Ironman 2005
1. How many years have you been involved with the KTC?
I probably did my first talk to club members 5 or 6 years ago and seem to average about one every other year. My Tri talks usually attract very low numbers which I am getting therapy for, but I have developed some great friendships with club members. I work one on one with a few club members on a season long basis.
2. Congratulations on being named Kamloops 2008 Sportsperson of the Year! You are a well rounded athlete, with many athletic accomplishments. From outdoor adventurism to dragon boat racing, it seems you have a passion for sport and the outdoors. At what point did you begin to focus on triathlon?
Thanks for the compliment. In 1986 I retired from the National Whitewater Slalom Team and was looking for an individual sport which was simple to train for and you could do anywhere. I got invited to join a “team” for the Vernon triathlon and like the idea and decided to do it alone. Even though there where not many bikes left on the rack when I got out of the water, it was great fun and I committed to do Penticton Ironman shortly after. I did Penticton 89, 91 and 93 but still longed for travel and racing at the world championship level which is what got me headed toward Dragonboating. I made the National team in 1992 and stayed committed to the training and racing schedule for 4 years until Deb and I got outnumber by our children.
3. What unique experiences do you feel triathlon brings?
I love a lot of things about Triathalon: the balance the three disciplines brings to training, the complexity of having to get good at many things, the limitless possibilities in terms of improvement, and most importantly I love that most of us are out there competing against ourselves and/or the clock. I went from trying to be the best in the world in 1985 to wondering if I could finish the race in 1988. The most unique thing I find about Ironman, and the thing that keeps me committed, is knowing at some point during the day I am going to have to dig incredibly deep to keep going. Not often am I forced to draw upon my mental resources is such a profound way to get the job done. That alone is worth the price of admission and the hours of training.
4. Was there a pivotal moment or inspirational individual that attracted you to the sport?
Absolutely. In 1988 Deb and I went and watched the race in Penticton and cheered others on. I loved the look on people’s faces coming down Main Street as they got close to the finish line. It was a very inspirational day and I remember how exhausted we were from just being spectators!! I think there is something very rewarding about deciding to do something that you are not sure you can accomplish. Ironman scared me in 1989; it was like I put my entire credibility on the line saying I was going to do it. It made that first run down Main Street very very sweet.
3. As a sport psychology consultant and speaker, do you feel that mental training techniques are adequately utilized in popular triathlon training programs?
There is a lack of mental training emphasis in most tri books and magazines but that is common across the board with all sports. I think many have come to see the importance of a sound mental training program in triathalon, but there is still a lack of resources out there for athletes and many coaches are not well versed in the techniques used in the development of a mental training program.
4. Do you feel training the mind is equally or more important as training the body?
It really depends upon your personal make up, your sport, and the level you compete at. Some athletes are easily affected by mental and emotional challenges, some sports are much more mentally demanding, and most athletes as they rise up through the completive ranks, have metal challenges effecting performance. I am working with three athletes in preparation for Beijing right now (equestrian and target sports), they spend and hour or more daily focusing on mental preparation, and we talk weekly. They have not given up any or their physical, tactical or technical training, we have just added another dimension.
4. Are you currently training for an event for 2008?
I am doing Osoyoos this summer but have not been training hard for it, and I will do my 6th Ironman next year as an official member of the 50-54 year old age class!! It will be 20 years since I did my first. I am looking forward to it as it may be my last full length event.
5. Last question! If you could accomplish any athletic endeavour anywhere in the world, what would it be?
At this point in my career the endeavour comes down to staying healthy and fit and being able to keep shuffling along. I feel very lucky to still be training and racing given how I abused my body for sport for so many years. I love to travel and travelling as an athlete is a great way to see the world. While I will always have some small personal athletic project in the works, my attention has shifted to assisting others who are chasing the big athletic dreams.
Thanks for agreeing to be featured as a KTC Athlete! Have a great summer
You are welcome, and I will once it eventually arrives!!
Our first volunteer :
Charlie Bruce
Age Group: Men 60-64
1. How long have you been a member of the KTC?
Prior to a sanctioned tri club, athletes were pretty much out on their own doing
whatever was needed to get in shape to compete. The club has definitely been
a catalyst in spreading the word about triathlon and the ease and fun that can be had
when undertaking a goal to try a tri.
Having been a tri club member since it’s inception, I find that the club offers
a variety of opportunities for triathletes at all levels to get out together and enjoy
training with others.
2. What golden piece of advice would you offer to a newbie triathlete?
Start small, set a goal for yourself, hook up with others, train smart and have fun!
3. If you could race anywhere in the world, what race and destination would you choose?
Many third world countries are getting into triathlon. It would be fun to take
part in an event say in Africa.
4. What was your most personally satisfying athletic accomplishment?
Having been involved with triathlon since 1985, there have been many events
that stand out in my mind. It’s hard not to forget Vancouver’s first triathlon in
1984 when Scott Tinley won and we all swam in English Bay sans wet suit…
a chilling experience to say the least!
Qualifying for the National Team in both Duathlon and Triathlon in the same
year also stands out.
The Worlds in Madera, Portugal was clearly an Olympic distance highlight
as well as a “humbling” experience when competing against the best in the world.
This year’s 25th Anniversary of Ironman Canada was truly an
inspiring event and experience. I can honestly say that being a part of such a
positive and powerful experience is something I’ll carry with me for years to
come. The opportunity to join over 30 other triathletes from Kamloops helped
to make it a memorable race.
5. What food could you not live without on the bike?
Accelerade and Nutri Bars…a staple for me and one that has served me well.
Now if I could only get ahold of some grits and black-eyed peas for a pre-
race meal, then there might be some real improvement in times!
6. What food do you wish you had never tried to eat on the bike?
The “original” Power Bars…gawd they were awful and would choke a horse.
I think I burned more energy eating one of those than I did racing, especially
early season when out on the bike.
7. Do you have any killer, secret weapon workouts you’d care to share?
No real secrets but I have to impress upon triathletes the importance of over-
distance in Zone 1 and intervals at Zone 3 and 4. Adequate rest also is an
important factor in racing strong.
8. Who do you look up to most in the sport?
All the newbies who have taken that big first to try this wonderful sport!
We’ve all been there and we can’t forget our roots.
9. What is your favorite race to take part in?
They are all unique with each one offering something special.
The energy and enthusiasm can’t be matched at Ironman Canada.
It’s a charge just to go down and volunteer!
10. What are your “A” races for this season?
The World Cup in Vancouver in June looks promising, as do the Nationals
in Kelowna in August.
Our second volunteer: Dion Silversides
