Tim Devereux April 2006 IM Arizona
11:40
Crossing the finish line at Ironman Arizona
was a very emotional moment for me and will always be one of the highlights of
my life. Not only because I finished but mostly because I did it and felt so
great at the end. And for that many thanks goes to Racheal Wood, my trainer. I
met Racheal in the summer of 2006 when I moved back to Florida. I was training
for a ½ Iron in Miami in November. At the time I was using a training program I
found on the internet and it was my first ½ Iron distance race. I joined her
coached group swim and run clinics and immediate liked Racheal. She was warm,
caring, knowledgeable and most of all an accomplished triathlete with her own
real life experiences to back her coaching methods. Many of the athletes at the
clinics were using her as their coach and were getting great results. A few
weeks before my ½ I talked to Racheal about doing Ironman Arizona and using her
as my coach and she was more than happy to help. We started by sitting down and
determining my goals and how they could be accomplished given my background and
my personal/work life. She reviewed my current trained training plan for the ½
Iron to know where my training level was at. Race day came in Miami and my performance
was anything but strong. I really suffered on the run and was dead by the time I
finished. Racheal pretty much saw it coming after reviewing the program I was
using. Needless to say I was a little bummed. I took a few weeks to recover and
then I started my 20 week program with Racheal. Within a few weeks I knew hiring Racheal was
a great choice. The workouts were great. I felt like each one was preparing me
for the next and my endurance was growing like crazy. I was able to load all my
workouts up on the web and she was able to make adjustments for the coming weeks
based on my progress. She was available whenever I needed her and she always
kept me motivated. She got me to a level beyond what I though was possible and
never to a point where I felt like it was too much. 20 weeks later, countless hours of training
and lots of sacrifices on both my part and my families I made it to the starting
line of Ironman Arizona and I felt great. The day went so smooth and I truly
enjoyed every minute of the race. I went through my low points on the run but my
trained prepared me mentally and physically to push through it. When I crossed
the finishing line beating my 12 hour goal I set for myself in 11:40 I felt
great. It made all the difference. I even saved a little energy for a few beers
that night to celebrate with my friends and family. Best of Racheal truly cared about how I felt
and how I performed. She was so excited for on race day and called my wife all
day for updates. It really meant a lot to me. By the end of the experience
Racheal had become a valued friend. I whole hearted recommend Racheal coaching
to anyone looking to take their racing to the next level. I know I couldn’t have
accomplished this without her. Many, many thanks, Tim Devereux Ironman | Maria Price November 2006 IM
Florida
11:48 I
have to say that after two (2) years of training for Triathlons that by the time
I finally entered the water at IM Florida I felt at ease with myself and my
abilities to finish the race. I can actually say that I had fun during the race
and was able to smile though out the day. As spectators were offering us beer,
I told them I am going as fast as I can so I could have that celebrated
Martini.
I must say none of this could be accomplished without a good and
caring coach, Racheal Wood, who has also turned out to be a good friend. After moving back to
Florida four (4) years ago, I decided that I was going to do my first marathon
which I trained for myself and did pretty well. As most of us can say that
something sparked our interest to compete in Triathlons which until three (3)
years ago, I never knew what one was. I decided after months of
procrastination, to join Team in Training (TNT) and train for my first
Triathlon. In the summer of 2004, I started with a TNT group training for
Disney in September 2004. Unfortunately, it was cancelled due a Hurricane and
the group was left to wait until the next season to train. Since most of the
training took place in Miami, our coach at the time told me about Racheal Wood
and her coaching abilities and even better she lived and trained in Broward
County. Despite not being able to compete at Disney, a few of us decided to do
our first Olympic Race at Key Biscayne. That is where I met Rob Kantor in the
transition area and after talking also told me about Racheal Wood and the club
Gold Coast Triathletes. I decided after the race and the Holiday’s were over, I
would reach out to Racheal. After meeting with her and talking about coaching
and the club, I decided to hire Racheal as my coach to improve for my next
Olympic Distance race that I would be training for with TNT.
As the training progressed,
I decided like most of us do, why waste our current fitness level, use it for
longer distance races. Of course one of the many good training advices Racheal
gave was that you need to train and race longer before doing your first IM. I
can say that it was the best advice, because by the time I reached IM Florida, I
had theconfidence needed to finish the race.
I never thought until the last
lap of the marathon that I would finish under 12 hours, but Racheal did.
Racheal has been my coach
since January 2005 and seen me though many races.
She truly cares about her
athletes. To show how much she cares, Racheal traveled with me to IM Florida,
spending five (5) days away from her own family to support her athletes. It
really meant a lot to me and my husband. I could not have accomplished this
goal without Racheal, her coaching abilities and as friend. Many Thanks, Maria Price | | Sharon OpkinsNovember 2006
5:14:56 Having had several injuries on my left foot
for ~10 months, I knew it would be a long shot to qualify for next year’s long
course world championships at the MiamiMan ½ IronMan by placing in the top 3 in
my age group, But Racheal started training me in July. She took special care to
reintegrate my running slowly so I wouldn’t get any more injuries, while at the
same time increasing speed and endurance on the bike and swim. It was an uphill
battle with little things (kids, old age, life, etc) creeping into the training
mix. Racheal just kept arranging and rearranging my training plan to
accommodate those “little things” and we did the best we could. Not only was
Racheal there for the training (and numerous questions), but she went down to
Miami to cheer all her athletes on. (not to mention a bunch of my gear that I
had forgotten to pack when I went down the day before…DOH!) I have never in my life set a goal pertaining
to “placing” in a race because it obviously depends not only on how I do, but
how someone else does, so this was new ground for me. I thought I stood maybe a
10% chance of qualifying.
I thought I’d need a 5:20 to get a roll down slot for
worlds. I honestly thought that at best, I could only do a 5:30. I surpassed
my wildest dreams when I crossed the line in under 5:15! I couldn’t believe
it! | | Ben Fretti Florida Half IM in Disney May
2006 Dear Racheal: I wanted to take a moment to formally thank
you for your training and support leading up to the event. As you know, my
experience at the Escape From Miami Olympic distance event in September 2005 was
very unpleasant. My plan to prepare myself for that event was a big mistake. The
results were well below my expectations. Not being able to leave the Miami race as my
“Triathlon Legacy” I decided to enter the Florida Ironman 70.3. This time I
sought professional advice – that would be you. The coaching program you put
together for me allowed me to complete the event feeling good while achieving
the personal goals I set for myself. Your program incorporated my previous
strengths and helped me greatly improve my weaker areas. The whole training
program fit within my existing family and business commitments. Not an easy
thing. I’m back to my normal running routines
and looking forward to fall marathons. You would be pleased to know that I’m
still swimming and cycling at least once per week. Yes, there may be other
Triathlons in my future. In the meantime, I’m incorporating what you taught me
to make the most of all my training activities. Happy Trails, Ben Fretti | | Dean Budney - Training Group Member November
2006 Thanks for all of your support this past
season. Because of you, and your efforts - our whole group enjoys training and
racing experience that is always well organized, well planned and most of all
FUN. And FUN is truly the key element. I
did my first triathlon in 1991 and have raced pretty consistently each year
since (except the years when my two kids were born). I always enjoyed it, but
being part of a group and being able to train together, race together and
socialize as well, has really enhanced the entire triathlon experience for me.
It is great to show up on race morning and have a group of people to share the
day with - seeing everyone else give it their best, inspires to me to do the
same. Thanks for all of the time, effort and end energy you put into the club
and training group. I know at times it is a thankless and difficult task - but
please know you are truly making a positive difference in the lives and
experiences of many people. | Danny Reich- 1st year triathlete Finishing
time was 6:21:05I felt very well prepared, trained properly
both physically and mentally. The group could not have been better organized.
The worst part of the day after MiamiMan was logging into my account and nothing
was on the schedule!!!
All the workouts and events were meaningful
and executed with an eye on the goal which kept everyone focused and cohesive.
The support I got from the group combined with your expertise kept my motivation
throughout the training. On the 56 mile bike, seeing the friendly familiar cast
of characters pass me was truly uplifting. Most important, I had the confidence
going in and a plan that was simple to execute. The execution is the true
testimonial to the quality of information passed along from years of experience
to a guy who 10 months ago couldn't spell triathlon. Thank you so much for the time and effort
that you and your family put in on my behalf. I can't wait to start
again. |
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Tim after an open water swim group
session. 
Tim finishing strong after Florida Great
Escape 2006! 
Tim working on his transitions at a Brick
Session at Birch State Park. 
aiting out the cold swim start at IM Florida
2006! 
Maria at NY City Marathon 
Sharon
with her blistering finish at Miami Man 1/2 IM 

Ben
volunteering at the Miami Man Swim Finish Water Station 2006 

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