Tri experience:
After spending 10 years in Medicine as a PA in Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch.. I did my first tri, the escape form ALcaltraz.. Crossing the finish line changed my life and I decided to extend this experience to as many as possible! So Together We Tri was founded in 2001. Since then, we have been training athletes of all levels.. From brand new beginners to seasoned athletes. We have acquired an amazing coaching staff that are passionate about helping others achieve their goals.. which is what TWT is about regardless of your level. And as many of our athletes have evolved so has TWT as well as I.. form first time triathlete to competing in over 40 events. Including Sprint, Olympic, half and Iron man level races.. As I always say.. If I can do it anyone can.. Now a mother of 3 amazing kids, my tri fixes are lesser then more.. But I still feel that great feeling of achievement every time I cross the finish line, feeling the joy and exhilaration of my accomplishment.
Coaching experience:
TWT coach off and on for 8 years, Founder of Together We Tri
Favorite Tri moment:
Watching participants become athletes, overcoming. Crossing the finish line and believing in themselves!! And personally... Crossing the finish line of my first Iron Man as my hubby watched over my son, answering the phone.. "Hello Iron man" Wow!! I do love this stuff!! And want to help you become a part of the excitement!
Triathlon Experience/ Sports Background:
Competed in triathlons since 1997
Member of 2006 Team USA
2006 USAT All-American
1st place in age group at 2006 Accenture Tri (Olympic)
1st in age group 2006 Harbor Lights Tri (Sprint)
Usually place top 3 of females in the swim and top 3% in swim overall
Full ride in swimming to the University of Illinois
Illinois High School State Champion in the 200 free, 2nd in 100 free
Have competed in swimming since age 4
Coaching Experience:
Taught swimming since 1992 (private lessons, group lessons, high school, and club teams)
Currently coach over 100 kids with the New Trier Swim Club
Volunteer Swim Coach with Mary Meyer Life Fitness since 2003 (primarily helping triathletes with their swim technique)
Head coach for TWT sprint/Olympic Glenview
Favorite Tri Moment:
Swimming at the World Championships in Lausanne Switzerland; the water was perfectly clear and every breath I had prime view of some magnificent mountains.
Triathlon Experience/ Sports Background:
Competitive swimmer for 15 years with Mission Viejo Nadadores, the top program in the nation in the 1980's. I did first triathlon in 2003 (with the help of TWT). Completed both sprint and Olympic distances.
Assistant coach for Danskin 2005, Head coach for Danskin 2008
Favorite Tri Moment:
Crossing the finish line at Big Foot, my first Olympic Triathlon.
Pat Kilroy
Pat started doing triathlons as offseason training for cross country ski racing, in 1983 with the Miller YMCA (Olympic distance) triathlon and the Menomonie Tinman (half iron) Triathlon. Pat is a Level 3 USA Cycling coach and a personal trainer certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine and the American Council on Exercise.
Pat believes that the secret to peak performance in triathlon is to treat it as five sports in this order of priority: 1) sleep, rest and nutrition; 2) stretching and strength training to prevent injury and improve performance; and 3) run, cycle and swim in an order that maintains your strengths and improves your weaknesses.
Pat trains athletes using state of the art “best practice” standards, incorporating scientific studies or principles rather than a former champion’s training plan, because you do not know if (s)he is a champion because of the plan or in spite of it.
Triathlon Experience/ Sports background:
12 years completing in triathlons and running races. Have won the Glenview Tri 6 years running, and placed 3rd in age group accentrue 2007
Coaching Experience:
I've coached a variety of sports at the high school level, I've been the head boys cross-country coach at Niles West High School for four years and the assistant for the four previous years. TWT running coach, inspirational speaker.
Favorite Tri Moment:
Finishing my first triathlon and being eager to compete in the sport.
Triathlon Experience/ Sports Background:
Active in sports throughout life especially tennis and paddle tennis Triathlete for 6 years. Have completed 14 Triathlons taking 1st place in age group in all four triathlons completed last year.
Coaching Experience:
Mentor for TWT for 3 years. Head Coach for Danskin training program
Favorite Tri moment:
Winning Chicago Accenture first time by taking 10 minutes off previous years time.
John Morrison
Certifications:
USAT Level 1 Certified Coach.
Triathlon Experience/ Sports Background:
1982-1990 Glastonbury, CT: Age Group and All State High School Swimmer
1990-1993 New London, CT: College Division III Swimmer
2003- Present Chicago, IL: US Masters Swimmer and US Triathlon Athlete. Competed in Triathlons from International to Iron Man distances.
Current State of IL record holder in the 200 Meter Butterfly in the 30-34 age group. Posted the 8th fastest time in the 1650 Freestyle in the state of IL in the 30-34 age group.
Coaching Experience:
1997-2001 Lockport, LA: Assistant Swim Coach, later Head Coach for the Lockport Lightning Recreation Swim Team. 180 Kids on the team ranging from 3-18 years old.
2000 Lockport, LA: Assistant Coach for Central LaFourche High School Swim Team.
2006- Present Chicago, IL: Coach for the Together We Tri- Off season Swim Coach and Head Coach for the Spirit of Racine ½ Distance Triathlon.
2007- Present Chicago, IL: Assistant Coach for Lakeshore Athletic Club in Chicago, IL.
Favorite Tri Moment:
In 2007 Spirit of Racine Race, seeing everyone in the TWT group not only finish well, but also satisfied with their own personal accomplishment. Two weeks before, we had a hard ride in hot weather. Everyone felt the heat from the road and started to doubt finishing the race in two weeks. Together, we were able to turn around the negativity and have a great race. It was really a great moment at the finish line.
Triathlon Experience/ Sports Background:
Triathlete for Five years
Sprint, Olympic and ½ Iron Man
Avid mountain biker and Skier. Ultimate Frisbee player
Coaching Experience:
Assistant coach for Danskin TWT 2006, Head coach for Danskin 2008
Favorite Tri Moment:
Accenture 2004 one of TWT mentors waited for me at the end of the swim, so that we could run to transition together. That is the support that TWT continues to deliver year after year.
Deb Ognar
Certifications:
Board Certified Specialist Sports Dietitian
National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Personal Trainer
Registered, Licensed Registered Dietitian
Triathlon Experience/ Sports Background:
Competed as Division I Cross Country/ Track Athlete
Sprint & Olympic distance Triathlete
Coaching Experience:
Coach for TWT (Olympic Sprint level distances)
Sports Nutritionist for TWT (8 yrs)
Favorite Tri Moment:
Pure euphoria of challenging myself and completing a triathlon! Swimming has always been a struggle for me, but through TWT & Libby's coaching I learned how to swim. Best of all is the camaraderie (unlike any other sport) that is part of the triathlon experience.
Kara Smith
Certifications:
Preparing for USAT Level I Coach and Spinning® Certified
Triathlon Experience/ Sports Background:
Cycling instructor, Century Plus cyclist, Triathlon 5 years.
Coaching Experience:
Together We Tri coach since 2006, Accenture Chicago Sprint/Olympic distance head coach 2007/2008. Off Season Training Head coach and cycling coach. Swimming instructor and endurance cycling coach.
Favorite Tri Moment:
There are too many to count!
I find true joy in watching TWT athletes finish the swim with big smiles on their faces. As a coach I get to see the pride in the face of each athlete when they hug family and friends at the finish line. Watching each triathlete find themselves during training is my true passion - seeing someone go from a "I don't swim" mentality to finishing a ¼ mile open water swim without stopping, or being there to give pointers on how to keep from falling off your bike in new clip shoes. My favorite thing about coaching is being there to cheer everyone on and celebrate victories - no matter how small!
Personally, my favorite part of a triathlon is passing the boys on the bike. And the most rewarding race I've ever had was watching my Dad finish his first triathlon in 2006.
Drew Surinsky
Certifications: USAT level II (expert) Triathlon Coach, ASCA Level II Swim Coach, ACE Personal Trainer.
MS, Exercise Science
Triathlon Experience/ Sports Background: 20+ years in triathlon. Competitive swimmer since 1972. Competed in skateboarding 1976-1979.
Coaching Experience: Certified triathlon coach since 2000. TWT swim head coach since 2002. Besides Together We Tri, I have coached at, Glenview Park District, Five Seasons Sports Club, Lake Forest Health and Fitness, North Suburban YMCA, AARP Triumph Triathlon, and Tri-Masters Youth Triathlon Camp. I create individually tailored programs toward optimizing performance while staying healthy and having fun. My life has been a love affair with the water; I've been swimming my entire life. I began competing in 1972 and teaching in 1980. I help people of all levels improve their swimming - from overcoming swim anxiety, to tuning technique to increasing effectiveness and comfort in open water.
Favorite Tri Moment: When I did my first triathlon, I was so excited I bit off the tip off of all my water bottles.
Elizabeth
Hurley – Founder and President
Mary Bradbury
Jen Gordon
Vachee Laughran
Justin Lebb
Hope Martin
John Morrison
Eileen Neville
Deb Ognar
Kara Smith
Drew Surinsky