Meet the Coach: Cole Bryan

Team In Training (TNT) in North Texas is celebrating another first.  Cole Bryan has signed on as a coach for the triathlon team this summer season, making him the first Kona IRONMAN World Championship finisher to accept this role in North Texas.  Ever considered competing in a triathlon?  Why not learn from a man who's completed the "grand-daddy" of all triathlons?  We sat down with Cole and he answered a couple questions about his coaching style.

How long have you been coaching with TNT and what was your first event?
This is my first time coaching with TNT and I am very excited.  My first TNT event was the Honored Hero Run in Fort Worth, TX.

What is your style of coaching?
I will work as much with each person as they want.  I am high on encouraging people to go after their goals.

Some people are intimidated by the idea of training for a triathlon.  What advice would you give them?
You can do it!  If you put in the day to day work, anything is possible.

Is there an Honored Hero who has left a lasting impact on you?  Who and why?
Don Armstrong and Alex W.  Don had a serious battle with leukemia but won his battle and is living every day with a zest for life.  He shows me it is possible.  Alex W. is still going through lymphoma treatments, which have been going on for more than a year.  I look at him and wish we had better cures so others do not have to go through what he has to go through.

What is the best kept secret about TNT?
You can have fun and achieve greatness (both fundraising and athletically) at the same time.

What is the best training advice you have ever received?
Day to day consistency is the greatest secret to success.

Register today to join Cole at the Life Time Tri CapTex this May.

Road to Kona: Bad to the Bone

When Cole Bryan was selected to represent North Texas and Team In Training nationally at the Kona IRONMAN World Championships, he made a significant commitment.  He pledged to raise $30,000 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) while training.  Below he talks about a unique and interactive way that he and his wife, Dianna, raised a significant portion of his fundraising goal.

"Dianna Bryan is a fundraising guru!  The Fort Worth Team has benefitted greatly from her ideas.  From setting up the annual Painting With a Twist fundraiser to booking a table at the Rahr Brewery during their weekend tours, she’s come up with some of the best (and most fun) ideas.  But, this past year, she really outdid herself.

Bad To The Bone Virtual Race Series is the umbrella of several virtual races that Dianna sets up throughout the year.  What is a virtual race?  It’s just like a regular race (think marathon, ultra-marathon, triathlon, etc) but done on your own time and at your own pace. 

For example, in May, there was the Bad To The Bone 50k, which is an ultra-marathon.  We had over 100 people sign up from seven states and Guam.  Over the course of May, everyone that entered the “race” logged their running miles (via the Bad To The Bone Facebook group) until they reached a total of 50k (or 31 miles).  It could be done outside, indoors, or even on a treadmill.  At the end of the month, everyone that entered received a finisher’s tech shirt and a medal, just like a real race.  Dianna has had some awesome medal and shirt designs.

One of the perks of a virtual race is that you don’t have to do the entire race at one time or in one day.  You can break the distance up and complete it over several days.  Or, if you are motivated (or crazy), you can cover the entire distance in one day.  Another perk of the virtual race is that many people use it as a way to stay motivated in their training.  It’s easy to train hard for a week, and then totally slack off.  The virtual races really encourages day to day consistency.  Another perk is the Facebook group.  People posts their mileage, and others in the group usually offer plenty of support and encouragement.  There is a great sense of community.  To top it all off, your race “entry fee” is a donation to LLS, which we all know is an amazing organization.

For what it’s worth, the virtual race is a big idea.  The Bad To The Bone Series has already raised over $8,000 for LLS in just five months.  I believe the success of the race is due, in large part, to the awesome people that encourage and support each other through these races and Dianna’s awesome medal and shirt designs."

Thank you Cole for sharing the creative ways you and Dianna are working to raise money for LLS and TNT.  GO TEAM!

Road to Kona: Cole's Personal Honored Hero

Every Team In Training (TNT) participant runs in honor of their team Honored Hero.  Cole Bryan, who is representing North Texas at the Kona IRONMAN World Championship, has his own personal Honored Hero.  Read below as he talks about the boy that inspires his every race.

"Austin is a hero. He's my hero. People like him are the reason I do what I do. Austin and I met about 3 years ago through Team in Training. His mom, Kristen, was running a marathon to support LLS. My secret crush (now my wife) was doing the same event.

Austin was on the tail end of a 3 1/2 year battle with leukemia. During that time, he lost his hair multiple times. He was in and out of the hospital. But, no matter how many times he got knocked down, he got back up..... with a smile on his face. That guy is tough. He's 12 years old now and is over 18 months cancer free!

Here is a pic of Austin handing out age group awards at the Honored Hero Run in 2013. When I raise money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, it's not for a faceless organization in some far away land. It's for real people right here in Texas."

You don't have to compete in an Ironman to make a difference.  Register for Team In Training and race for your own Honored Hero.

Road to Kona: A "Relaxing" Long Weekend

A North Texas Team In Training (TNT) athlete is taking on what is considered the toughest one-day endurance event in the world, the Kona IRONMAN World Championship.  Cole Bryan was selected by TNT out of more than 250 applicants for this coveted spot.  An IRONMAN race is a 2.4 mile swim followed by a 112 mile bike ride and finishes with a 26.2 mile run (a full marathon).

Outside of the physical component of the training, Cole has pledged to raise $30,000 for LLS as part of his efforts.  His wife, Dianna, has been instrumental in helping him reach both his physical and fundraising goals for this event.

As one might imagine, the training for this elite event is nearly a full time job.  Below Cole walks us through what a "relaxing" Labor Day weekend looks like for somebody training for an IRONMAN.

THURSDAY

5:00am - Wake up, eat, get ready to run

5:30am- Run 18 miles with two training partners

8:00am- Shower and get to the office

9:00am- Hearing in Probate Court  (I'm a lawyer, so I frequently go to Court)

12:00pm- Lunch meeting with potential donor (He wrote me a $1,000 check)

1:30pm- Client meeting

3:00pm- Client meeting

5:00pm- Go home, meet up with Dianna

6:00pm- Go to fundraiser at Fuzzy's

9:00pm- Go to sleep

FRIDAY (a "lazy" day)

7:30am- Wake up, get ready for work

8:30am- Court Hearing

9:30am- Second Court Hearing

10:30am- Client meeting

12:30pm- Donor lunch (Receiving a $200 check)

4:00pm- Leave work

5:30pm- Pool workout (3,000 yard swim)

6:30pm- 30 mile bike workout

8:00pm- Dinner with Dianna

9:00pm- Go to sleep.  5:30am wakeup tomorrow for 100 mile bike ride.

SATURDAY

5:10am- Wake Up

5:30am- Get on the bike for 100 miles (yes, the first 30 miles were in the dark)

10:45am- Finish cycling, take the dogs for a walk

11:00am- Eat

12:00pm- Eat more

1:15pm- Hour Nap

2:30pm- TCU Tailgate and Football Game

6pm-9pm- Cheer the Frogs to victory!

10:00pm- Sleep.

SUNDAY

Recovery Day

MONDAY

4,000 yard swim (8x500 yards, all on Ironman race pace)

Finalize logo designs for sponsors on the Ironman jersey

Meeting with donor to confirm funds would be donated on Tuesday

Promote the Road to Kona virtual race via Facebook, email, etc.

Hang out at the pool with Dianna and friends

The North Texas Chapter is proud to have such a dedicated person representing us and TNT at the upcoming Kona IRONMAN World Championship.  We will keep you updated with Cole's journey and will be cheering him on every stroke, pedal and run of the way!  #GOTEAM