WHAT OUR MEMBERS HAVE TO SAY

Jeff  Tshikhudo 

The group has really been great…I have reached new levels that I 
previously thought were impossible for me…and now, I believe I can 
try a marathon (all because of the people from Dallas Athletes)…they 
have encouraged me and pushed me beyond the false limitations I 
thought I had. I will always be grateful for the group. Thank you for 
leading us sooo well.

Andrea Hulcy, pictured with her husband, Craig.
DA has really become a family affair for us. Even our 7 year old twins have completed two DA Kids Triathlons. There is something for everyone with morning, evening and weekend group workouts. What is most important to me is how DA goes beyond the fitness.

Tim Carlsson
I joined Dallas Athletes in July 2004 as an out-of-shape ex-swimmer way back in high school, with the goal of running a half-marathon by year end - even though I had previously only run a 10K (”run” is kind description, and even that was years ago). Because of the camaraderie, supportiveness, and inclusiveness of athletes of all sizes, shapes & speeds, I was soon training for a full marathon that fall instead of just the half. I’ve always enjoyed that our group has runners of varied talents and goals with our group; there’s someone to push you, or someone for you to help support.

Kevin Erickson, pictured with Candy Sheehan (left) and Cindy Geppert (right)
Dallas Athletes is a great platform to set and achieve new goals and along the way, meet a lot of new lifelong friends.

Wally Gruenes
DSU Ironman Tom’s Ironman training program produced great results. There were 10 of us that did Ironman following various different programs. Those that followed Tom’s program had the best finishing times - the proof is in the pudding. In addition to emailing the weekly workouts to his clients, Tom works out with us and provides feedback live and in person. He puts his heart and soul into his training programs.

Charlie Tingle
I was definitely apprehensive about signing up for the tri 101 group. I did not know anyone. I had never been in a pool with swim lanes and could hardly swim across the pool and back. I could only jog a few hundred yards without walking. I didn’t own a road bike and had never even ridden a road bike before. At 54, I was the oldest in my group but I felt a little better when I went to the first meeting and discovered that everyone was not an advanced athlete … The Tri 101 group training makes a huge difference. You learn from people in your group and the more experienced athletes. I discovered that just by showing up I could get help and at the same time offer help and encouragement to others … The Tri 101 was a great experience for me.

Conrad Vickroy and son, Cameron
Dallas Athletes has been the village where we have raised our family. We parents got involved around the age of 40, and the kids were 11 and 5. The list of accomplishments in the family is beyond what we would have believed in 2001. Conrad went from being unable to finish a 150 yard swim to a half-ironman. KaNan went from being unable to run a mile to finishing the San Francisco marathon. But, while we may be athletes of some sort, we are, first and foremost, parents. In most families, kids are always asking when they “get to do” things. Because of the Dallas Athletes circle, our GET TO DO’s are a little different …

Dallas Athletes have taught my entire family to swim. Dallas Athletes have treated various injuries and allowed me to overcome broken bones and continue training in many sports. A Dallas Athlete guided me through my mother’s cancer treatments. Dallas Athletes took care of my family after surgery. We have lived in Coppell now for more than 20 years. We made more good friends within the first two years of joining Dallas Athletes than in all the time we’ve lived in Coppell. We have lots of Dallas Athletes friends, and we don’t associate with anything BUT good people.

Erin Funk
Tri 101 is one of the best fitness programs I have ever been involved in. Prior to tri 101 the longest run I had ever completed was a mile. After the program, I was able to complete my first triathlon without any problems. It was an amazing team building experience. I loved be surrounded by other beginning athletes like me and watching them progress as I did. It was awesome to finish the triathlon with all the Dallas Athletes members and other tri 101 participates cheering me on. Everyone is always positive and upbeat and always willing to teach you something new. Since completing my tri 101 experience I have completed 4 additional triathlons as well as several cycling and running events. It was a fabulous experience!!

Sam Cohen
One of the best things about DA is everyone is welcome and supported regardless of how fast or slow you race. Members or ride leaders make a concerted effort not to “drop” anyone during a ride. A person thinking of joining has no reason to feel intimidated. There is an amazing amount of expertise available to all members in all three disciplines of triathlon. Safety is always stressed whether it is on the bike or in the water … I would urge anyone thinking of getting involved in the sport of triathlon to give DA a shot. It will save you from making many of the mistakes I made when trying to train on my own.

Leslie Horne
Our lives have changed over the last few years in a myriad of ways, all for the better. We have made this part of our lifestyle not just because we enjoy the training and races, but because of the friendships we’ve developed through Dallas Athletes.”

Ken Smith
In May of 2004, I didn’t know a thing about triathlons and Ironman was a Black Sabbath song. My first Triathlon was in July 2004. I hooked up with Dallas Athletes in early 2005. Guess what, Ironman is also a race and I wanted to put one on my calendar. A cancer battle consumed a good part of 2006, but Dallas Athletes training helped me to accomplish my first Half Ironman that same year. 2007 was the Ironman year for me. Tom’s training program fit my difficult to balance lifestyle of having a wife and two daughters, and traveling with my job. Tom’s approach didn’t consume all of my free time. Don’t get me wrong, it did require a great deal of time, but I was still able to have time for other things in my life. Over the last couple of years, I had seen video clips of other athletes crossing that Ironman finish line. Each time I saw one of those clips, it stirred something inside of me. I want to do that, I can do that. DA gave the confidence and training to do it. The early morning pavement pounding in the dark and long weekend bike rides all over the place, allowed me to accomplish my goal of an Ironman. Being a part of the DA group is one of the things that I enjoyed most about my Ironman training. I’m ready to do it again. Ready, Set, Ironman!

Michael Wecker - ex. Couch potato at large!
If life change is what you are looking for, with a healthy, active lifestyle an unbelievable support with friends that blow you away - then Dallas Athletes is THE PLACE for you. That was my discovery when I joined this organization 4 years ago and it gets better every year. From severe couch potato to half-Ironman finisher, this group has gotten me to do things I never dreamed of (like swimming a 1.25 miles in the ocean!) and the only pain is keeping up with the laundry so I have fresh clothes for my workouts! Those days of not wanting to get out and do a workout are gone now, since the people care about your goals so much…they will not let you “skip out on yourself!” Once you reach one of your goals, they actually want to hear how wonderful the journey was - and then you are so excited to return the favor and help other people reach their goals. Be careful for what you wish for….at Dallas Athletes you actually will achieve it!

Phil Hatton
When I joined DSU and TRI 101 I could not run 1 mile, I was surprised how a little dedication from me changed that so quickly. I finished the program and completed two sprint triathlons in 2007. I have since competed in two 15k runs, and have plans for my first half ironman in 2008. Dallas Sports University and the tri 101 program showed me a path to get myself back in shape, which in turn has positively impacted all other areas of my life.

Shelly Cox
I joined Dallas Athletes as a runner in 2003. I’ve never considered myself a morning person, and I still don’t, but somehow my alarm keeps getting me out of bed by 5AM. Why? Because of the people in Dallas Athletes. DA has the most fun, positive-minded, uplifting, generous, and sometimes hilarious group of people I’ve ever met. I have made lifelong friendships, and have accomplished things I never would have on my own. There is comradery along side the competitiveness. Both are the reasons I show up at 5AM.

Robert Fino
For some of us, turning 40 can be a major milestone. So for many years, I had wanted to do a marathon before turning 40. Although I had been running for years for weight control, I still didn’t think running a marathon would be possible. So becoming a member of Dallas Athletes made the impossible become possible for me. Now, having completed 11 marathons, I know I would have never set out to this had it not been for Dallas Athletes. Along the way, I’ve run side-by-side many awesome athletes several of which have become great friends. Looking forward, I will continue to achieve my goals with the helping hand of the Dallas Athletes.

Teri Murray
I joined Dallas Athletes 3 years ago with one goal in mind, to become a triathlete. After 20 years of pure running, I could not swim and was awkward on the bike. First season, I somehow got through my 1st race and the rest is history. Second season, I progressed and signed up for Tri 202 and the Olympic Distance. Third season, I loved training for the 70.3 distance under Tom’s coaching and with my Tri Buddies. Fourth season, I am now training for my 1st Full Ironman. I am thankful and grateful for Dallas Athletes and my start in the sport of triathlon.