Random AG Kate Coleman
Kate Coleman from Denver, Colorado is our random age grouper this week. The lawyer and mother of 5 has quite a story to tell in terms of what got her inspired to train harder and run longer.
Slowtwitch: Thank you for your time Kate.
Kate: Of course!
ST: With so many triathletes in Colorado, it is a bit surprising that you are our first random triathlete from that state.
Kate: I am actually surprised by that as well! Some of the top triathletes, such as Chrissie Wellington, live and train here. People are very active here so that really does surprise me!
ST: You are quite new to triathlon and word has it you are hooked.
Kate: I am completely hooked! I was doing half marathons and just was getting tired of only running. I was also getting injuries so I wanted to add some cross-training. I met Danny Heinsohn, who is now a very good friend of mine and does IMs, at a marathon and he convinced me to try a sprint tri. I ended up doing four of them in three months!
ST: Many folks are inspired to work out because of folks they look up to. That isn't quite the way you got started with more serious running.
Kate: No. My ex-husband left on Valentine’s Day almost four years ago. It was actually sort of a blessing because I finally had some time for me since we share custody of the kids, so I just began running. I had done shorter races before but after a ten-mile run one day, I figured another three miles would not be hard so I started doing half marathons.
ST: Was there any half marathons you especially enjoyed?
Kate: I loved Niagara Falls! I like to travel to new places to run and that area was somewhere I wanted to go one day but probably would never have planned a trip just to see it. It was in October so the weather was cool, beautiful leaves were falling, there was a slight downhill the entire way, and it was just a very well-run race! You even end the race at the Falls!
ST: Are there any other events or locations you would recommend?
Kate: ING Miami was a fun one, but partly because it was in January and was warm, unlike here in Colorado! I loved 5430 Tri in Boulder. Ironman does a great job putting on their triathlons! They fill in the potholes and have a street sweeper that cleans the entire bike course the night before the race.
ST: You swam in high school, but not much after that time, so does "once a swimmer, always a swimmer" apply to you?
Kate: I don’t think I would put it that way. I really did NOT want to get back in the water mostly because I hated 5:00am swim team practices in high school! It was the one thing holding me back from triathlons, but once I got in and started to swim, it all came back…in a good way! My running also had provided me with great cardio conditioning, which I wish I had known back when I was in high school! I think I would have been a better swimmer back then and liked it more!
ST: Would you say that you are glad that you are in the pool again?
Kate: I really do like it now! The more I swim the stronger I feel, too! It is almost therapeutic to me now.
ST: Even the early pool hours?
Kate: Uhhhhh, no. I don’t do the early hours anymore but I guess if I had to, I would again. For years I would get up at 4:00am to get to the gym and home before the kids were awake but the divorce has given me more time and freedom so I don’t need to do that anymore.
ST: We talked about swimming and running, but how is your cycling?
Kate: I love cycling! It was the last aspect I added when I decided to do tris, partly because of the expense. Once I started, I really loved discovering the Denver area. There are bike paths everywhere and I would find new places to take my kids as well! It is a great way to discover your area.
ST: Can you talk about your personal experience going to bike shops?
Kate: I was very nervous about going into a bike shop the first time. I figured the workers would all think I was an idiot because I really did not know about bikes at all! They were amazing at Bicycle Village! They even had a free class that showed me how to change a flat and oil my chain. I am still not the best at bike maintenance but I know I can go to them or Ryan at Kompetitive Edge and they will take care of me.
ST: Any difference when you go to a running store?
Kate: Running is a lot simpler in terms of equipment. You get a pair of running shoes and pretty much just run! You do need to get a good pair that can help prevent injuries but the concept is pretty simple. When it comes to bikes there are so many choices from the seat to the gears to the handlebars to how high the seat should be…it just goes on and on! I did get my bikes fitted by Scott at Kompetitive Edge and it gave me more power and, I think, helps me to avoid injuries. I would recommend getting a bike fitting for everyone and finding a shop where they are good at explaining different options and why you might want one over another.
ST: What is your day job?
Kate: I am in-house counsel for an oil and gas company. I work from home so that gives me a lot of freedom to make my own schedule so I can train and be around for my kids. I go to all of their activities.
ST: With 5 kids how do you manage all that?
Kate: Three of the five are older and don’t live at home anymore. I am very close to my four girls, the oldest two of whom are in school here in the Denver area. I went through undergrad and law school with kids in tow so actually, this seems easy compared to that! Basically, it is what I have always called, “organized chaos!”
ST: Are the older kids impressed with your athletic prowess?
Kate: They are! I tell them about my workouts and they think I am insane, but they are also very proud of me! I think the older girls are very happy when I finish races and don’t get injured since they are my emergency contacts for my races! My standard text to them after my races is, “Race is finished. You are off the hook since I didn’t crash!”
ST: Any of them likely to follow in your footsteps?
Kate: My youngest two girls are doing tris now. We train when they are with me and travel around the state for them. I bought an RV last summer so we can go to them. I think this summer we will be going out of Colorado for some. I just want them to have fun.
ST: Well, you won your age group at the Denver Triathlon, so that is something to be proud of. Were you surprised?
Kate: I was in total shock! I remember crossing the finish line and being upset at first because there were no medals?! I found out later I had finished before they had arrived. A while later I went to look at the results that had been posted so far and started at the bottom. I got near the top and started at the bottom again thinking I had missed my name. I thought my time had just not been listed yet but I kept going up and there I was! I still didn’t believe it for a while! I was scared to even stay for awards thinking it was a mistake but they mailed the award to me later so that was when it really sunk in!
ST: Busy schedule for 2012?
Kate: Yes, and I can’t wait! I have a half marathon and Olympic distance tri in February, Oceanside 70.3 the end of March (my first Half IM!), possibly Alcatraz in June if I get into the lottery, and Augusta 70.3 the end of September. I will add other races in there are well but most likely they will be local or where my kids are doing one.
ST: Will you be defending your title in Denver?
Kate: I have never repeated a race, whether a half marathon or a tri, but I am considering doing the Olympic distance this time since I loved the race and have several friends I have talked into doing at least the sprint. That’s not repeating, is it?
ST: Talk about what you eat and what you won't.
Kate: I admit I love fast food! Love it, but I will not eat it but a few times a year or I probably would never stop! My kids get to have it once a month or so when they are with me, but not more than that. We mostly eat at home.
I try to eat a lot of protein and fruits and veggies but no fried foods. Bob Seebohar has a great book called “Metabolic Efficiency Training” which I like because it does not limit you on calories but, depending on where you are in your season, it gives you guidelines of how much protein, whole grains, etc. you should eat. I do limit myself to dessert once a week and a night “off” from watching my diet, which is usually on Friday nights. I am in love with Haagen Dazs Lemon Five! My massage therapist, Sarah Swamley, got me hooked on it. I think I am mad at her for that because I am addicted to it now.
ST: Anything else we should know?
Kate: I guess I really want people to know whatever it is you want, whether it is going through school with kids, starting a company, or any other dream you have, you CAN do it! Time is going to pass regardless so might as well be happy and live your dream!
