Amy Thornquist Silverman 1st overall female winner!!!

 

Amy Bottenberg/Thornquist of Reno was the women's overall winner of the Silverman Ironman Triathlon held in Henderson on Sunday, November 8th.

The Silverman course, a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run is considered one of the toughest Ironman courses in the country.

Thornquist finished in 11:32:29. She was 11th overall and beat the runner-up woman by over an hour.

Amy at the Pacific Crest Triathlon

Amy finishing Ironman Coeur d' alene
2011

Amy Bottenberg MS, RD

My interest in triathlons began when I was 24 years old.  At that time, competitive running and the occasional gym routine became uninspiring.  I began triathlon training with friends, picking up any tips I could from the latest triathlon and swimming magazines.  However, my workouts were not designed specifically for my strengths and weaknesses. 
Until I met Ray in 2004, my training consisted of repetitive junk miles followed by chronic nagging injuries. Ray’s coaching style has taught me the importance of a quality and well-designed routine.  His intense, yet manageable, workouts challenge my athletic abilities in each of the disciplines and keep me injury free.  Working with a coach like Ray is truly a valuable tool and well worth the investment.

 

Todd Allington at his first Ironman, Ironman Coeur D'Elaine 2008.  He finished 64th overall and completed the course in 10:10. 

 

Todd at the 70.3 World Championships this year completing the race with a new personal best of 4:20.  

 

 

Awesome!  I'm already getting excited for next year!  This will truely be the first season where I am really focused on performance which is really exciting.  I think I have more potential in me that just needs the right approach to get access to. 

This last year for was all about being able to complete my first Ironman comfortably and safely.  Thanks to your direction I have to say that I can't imagine having a better experience for my first outing at that distance.  But the new focus has me equally motivated!

Whether or not I qualify for Clearwater or not, it's going to be a blast shooting for it!

 

Todd Allington 2008

 

Joe Hillbrick has returned to the sport this year.  He had to go on a hiatus due to a degenerative hip.  He's had surgery and is doing wonderful this year.  He did the Silverman half in a respectful time and most importantly he had fun!!

Below is Jack Read

 
Jack Read has also returned this year to racing.  He finished quite well at a sprint up in Portland Oregon. He finished the Hulaman Sprint placing 3rd overall. A good start to a return to the sport.  Jack is interested in qualifying for the 2010 70.3 World Championships again.  He qualified years ago and is plenty capable of doing it again.  Jack also did Weschester Olympic Triathlon finishing in 2:26. He placed 30th out of 1200.

These are the Divas.  They are a group of awesome ladies I coach from Auburn California.  They have individual goals, but have the desire to have fun.  Right now we are practicing the flamingo drill.  The flamingo drill will help you become a fast runner.

This is Mindy Watson finishing Ironman 70.3 Boise 2010.  She did a fantastic job, she even stopped to help a fellow participant who was injured on the course before continuing on to finish the race. 

Pararescue here we come!!

Pararescue graduation!!!

I Hope all is well and you're continuing to motivate and inspire people like you did with me. I wouldn't be where I'm at without you.

 

Caleb

Jenny Hartley

 

Over the years, as an athlete, I have had many ups and downs.  I am a mother of 5 children, a writer and an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and Coach.  My time has always been compressed and life itself has made staying competitive pretty challenging.  I met Ray 3 years ago when he moved to Aberdeen, WA and I was thrilled to have a USAT Level 1 Triathlon coach and competitive athlete of his caliber turn up in my community.  It didn’t take long before I hired Ray to coach me to a stronger 70.3 finish.  Ray was wonderful to work with.  His training plan was always individually geared to my training performance and goals.  The workouts were varied, challenging and followed a periodized protocol that was adjusted for my personal needs, strengths and areas for growth.  Ray was especially helpful in building my bike strength and I was able to effectively compete in an incredibly hilly 70.3 at the end of that season.  From there Ray carefully coached me towards my first Ironman.  Sadly, that training was interrupted by life challenges, a move, a job change and a back surgery.  When I return to training for Ironman I will look once more to Ray as my coach, even though we are not in the same community anymore.  A key component to Ray’s wonderful training style is his ability to really listen to his client, take into consideration more than just heart rate and performance gains but to evaluate and guide them through the challenges that crop up in life - whether they are personal or physical.  There are plenty of knowledgeable coaches to choose from but I truly believe that Ray’s incredible depth of knowledge, experience and enthusiasm is exceeded only by his wisdom and sensitivity for the total athlete. I highly recommend Ray as a coach for athletes of any level - he is patient and encouraging with the novice and wise and steady with the seasoned and competitive athlete, knowing when to hold them back for recovery and when to push them on to their potential!

             

Barrett Brandon Worlds Cancun 2002 Pro draft legal race

After Swimming for the past 12 years,I decided to enter the world of triathlon.  I quickly found that I loved the sport.  It was both exhilarating and refreshing to me as an athlete.  It was two years ago that I started in this sport and Ray has been instrumental not only getting me started and involved in triathlon, but he has also helped me consistently improve.

Triathlon has allowed me to travel all over the country and even abroad.  It has opened many doors for me and I have made many friendships.  This year marks my rookie season as a professional triathlete.  After two years of amateur status, it is time for me to move up to the next level and compete on the ITU Professional Triathlon Circuit.  Ray has been an integral part of my success thus far through his knowledge, Guidance, and friendship.

Thank you!!!!

Barrett Brandon

Professional Triathlete

 

 

Here is Barrett years later he's doing an ITU race in Brazil .  He's one of the big boys in the sport now and doing well.  To learn more about Barrett go to www.barrettbrandon.com he has some great stories about life in the fast lane.  Congrats Barrett!!!

Hi Ray

I don't know what to say except "WOW".  In June I could barely run 30 minutes and today I ran 13.1 miles.  My official time was something like 2:38 but I stopped at a portatoilet along the way.  My watch had me at 2:31:46. I recorded my split time so you could see my pace.  I kept it pretty easy for the first three miles.  Miles 4-6 were pretty good but after 7 miles I felt it in my legs.  Cardiovascularly, I felt great....physically my legs were beat.  And miles 10-11, it was all I could do to put one foot in front of the other.  That HR 194 at mile 13 was when I got up hell hill....but I didn't walk up it....I ran.  All these people that were passing me two miles back, I started passing.  And it finished downhill.  I have a little pain along the IT band around m left hip but I've iced it and I'm sure it will heal just fine.  I have a nice blue toenail that I only noticed when I was soaking in hot water when I got home....I didn't feel anything during the run.  And I have some chafing markswhere my Gu bag was and under my right arm where I guess I rubbed on my sports bra.  And, I'm really sore.  Tomorrow I'm getting a massage so hopefully so hopefully I won't be walking so stiff for long.

As far as my schedule in the near future....I'm planning on doing the Arlington Winter Run 10k on Dec. 7 and right now, thinking about the Las Vegas Half Marathon on Feb 2.  If you think I should do some other runs, please let me know.  When does duathlon season start, anyway?

You have been great....I really appreciate your encouragement and the time you put into doing this.  I absolutely couldn't have done it without you.  It can only get better from here....

Sarah

This program was run in 2001, I was the head coach for this program.  This program was run out of the Luke's Locker in Ft. Worth Texas.  Group programs are a lot of fun!!!

My first triathlon program 2000

This was my first triathlon group.  I was the assistant coach.  It was a great program, this picture was a gift from the group.  This program was sponsored by Luke's Locker in Dallas Texas. 

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