Chuck and I are very passionate about what we do and those that we work with. I would like to introduce you to Aaron and Michelle. We have nick named Aaron ” Cool Hand Luke” this guy never panicks. Calm, cool and collect with all his workouts, time limitations and races. He amazes me each week. Michelle is like an “Aerobic Machine” last Saturday I was running her 800s on the track with her at her threshold pace. How many people can run threshold and have a conversation? Those of you who do some threshold work will know exactly what I mean! Lady can run! Run Lola Run! Apart from being great athletes they are both fantastic people that Chuck and I also call friends. Keep up the great work guys!
PFitness4you: Hi Aaron and Michelle, can you tell us a little about your back ground?
Aaron: I have been competing in triathlons for about 5 years and recently completed my 14th race which was St. Anthony’s Triathlon (Olympic distance) in St.Petersburg, FL in April, 2010. This was the 4th consecutive year I raced St. Anthony’s. I have also raced in several sprints, 1 Half Ironman and in 2008 I completed Ironman Lake Placid, NY.
In addition to racing, I work for Ernst & Young in the Advisory practice. The job is dynamic, requiring my schedule to change frequently with little notice.
Michelle: I have been active most of my life and enjoyed fitness and a healthy lifestyle since I was young. I played team sports as a child. In high school, I ran XC, outdoor track, and indoor track. My first degree was in Exercise Science. I had an interest in participating in a triathlon but never pursued it and had no idea how to begin training. I was a terrible swimmer ( I could barely swim a lap or two without stopping) and did not have much experience in biking. In order to enhance/broaden my knowledge in triathlons I went to a Philadelphia Triathlon meeting. I met Aaron at the meeting and he had just completed the Ironman. I had a strong running background and he had turned into a strong swimmer and biker. We started running, biking and swimming together. I ran and “overtrained” quite a bit on my own. Aaron shared how he was training with a couple that owned their own training company. He had described how their philosophies and training styles were based on science and very beneficial for the working professional and for the lifetime athlete hoping to maintain fitness long term. I was interested.. but still stubborn and hoping to continue to keep my speed. About a month and a half before my first triathlon, I was having problems with shin splints. I work on a ortho/surgical floor and described my symptoms to the podiatrist and orthopedic residents on my floor. Based on my description they said I may have developed tendonitis (caused by overtraining). This was a little bit of a reality check and I knew that if I were to progress in the distance of triathlons.. I would need a training plan that did not break down my body.
PFitness4you: Why triathlon? What do you love about the training and racing? What race are you doing next?
Aaron: Triathlons allow me to train in multiple disciplines. I was never really much of a runner, biker or swimmer, but through triathlons, I have gotten pretty good at each!
I really enjoy the way working out improves my general mood and well being. I’m very goal oriented and enjoy the challenge of the race itself. The excitement leading up to the race is really fun and adds to the experience, as well.
I will be racing in the Philadelphia Triathlon (Olympic distance) in June, 2010.
Michelle: I love triathlons because the training is diverse. I come from a background of running, which overtime can get a little boring. The training offers quite a bit of variety and I never get bored (or injured.. knock on wood). I love working with Bianca and Chuck because they work around my schedule. I am a nurse and work three twelve hour shifts a week. My schedule varies week to week and days to nights. Bianca and Chuck make my work day workouts easier. I appreciate this because it is enough to relieve the stress of working with the sick.. but not so much that I can’t do it. My next race is in June– an Olympic–The Philadelphia Triathlon.
PFitness4you: Aaron, back in 2008 you did an Ironman and on very little training. How did you juggle the training and everything with your busy lifestyle?
Aaron: Its hard to believe, but Ironman training was much easier than I expected going into it. I had a very busy schedule at the time, but Chuck & Bianca worked closely with me to schedule my training around my work, travel and social schedule. My training was normally about 12 hours per week. I would usually have shorter workouts in the morning before work, then on the weekends I would have a somewhat longer workout usually consisting of a longer ride in the 6-8 weeks leading up to the race. The interesting thing with Ironman training is that almost all of the training is pretty low intensity, so it was easier than I expected!
Michelle:The training for my first Olympic was fun. I found the training very managable. The winter was rough, but the training was a great way to keep myself busy. Aaron has a gym in his apartment building and he lives three blocks from me. We ran on the treadmill and put the bikes on trainers in his dining room and watched movies and listened to music while training. It was a fun way to train. I spoke with a lot of people that experienced cabin fever or the winter blues, however, I felt that the training helped keep me from experiencing that. It gave me something to look forward to since going outside was not much of an option! When April came I felt very prepared for the race. I was happy with my race.
PFitness4you: What is your favourite workout?
Aaron: I really like the track workouts, since they have helped to significantly improve my running. I never considered myself a very good runner, but the track workouts from last year and this year have changed that. I feel faster, stronger and more confident when I run. It was really great to be able to just show-up and race the Broad Street run a few weeks ago, without specifically training for it. While all of the racers around me were fading at the end of the race, the 10th mile was my fastest and I had a burst to help finish strong.
Michelle: My favorite workouts are brick workouts. I love biking and then running off the bike. I think it adds a lot of variety in the workout and it keeps me from getting bored. I also really enjoy Bianca’s swim workouts with an added female touch. The swim workout is over before I know it.
PFitness4you: Does it help having a coach and getting together for the Saturday morning track sessions?
Aaron: Coaching for the track workouts helps greatly. Chuck and Bianca focus on keeping me in the correct target zones and will make adjustments to the workout based on weather, wind or how I’m feeling. This helps me to get the most out of the workout and minimize wasted time and effort!
Michelle: Having a coach and group workouts on Saturdays are very benificial. I hate waking up early, but I enjoy working out early on Saturday mornings because afterwards I have the rest of the day ahead of me. I often have a lot of energy and feel great about completing a challenging workout. Training in a group makes it easier to wake up early and easier for me to complete the workout than if I were on my own. It is encouraging and motivating when other people are doing the workouts with you. Bianca and Chuck offer positive attitudes, encouragement, and advice.
How long have you been working out with Chuck and Bianca?
ersonally, there are so many advantages to working out with PF4YOU. I have an extremely busy schedule, so time is a precious commodity. My workout hour 3x a week is sacred! In the past, I would always make excuses as to why I couldn’t get to the gym. You are just a body going in and doing your own thing. No one is going to say, “Where were you today. We missed you. How are you doing?” At PF4YOU I get a high intensity workout maximizing my time and get that personal feel that I have come to value.
