Zach Komon
May 10, 2010
Name: Zach Komon
Years in Triathlon: Started late in the 2007 season, so 3-ish years?
Employment: Chemical Programs Manager at GRT, Inc., going on 6 years now.
Outside Interests: Outside triathlon? Running, trail running, hiking, recently started blazing my own trail. That and zombie movies (good or bad).
Family Life: Wonderful wife of almost 7 years now, Janice. Two chinchillas named Mister and The Dread Pirate Roberts.
Your Hero: Fictional – R.J. MacReady (if you don’t know who that is, Google it!). Real person: still my dad – if I turned out just like him that sure wouldn’t be a bad thing.
Athletic Background: 14 years of soccer and 4 years of high-school track (400 hurdles – I used to think the mile was long distance). After that, almost 10 years of being lazy started to add up and I got kind of fat, I used to be more than 30 pounds heavier. A few years of running for fitness/weight loss I started racing, which led to track workouts which led to triathlon.
Favorite Race and Why: This is a tough question and my answer is likely skewed by recent memory. I’m going to have to go with Oceanside 70.3 of this year. That was my first 1/2 IM. I started preparing for this race as soon as possible after having my tonsils taken out at Christmas. I really felt like I had been set back by the surgery and basically doing too much the previous year. At the February Tri-Club meeting, Sue Beatty and Gary Maxwell both said a number of things that changed my perspective (along with reading Brad Kearns “Breakthrough Triathlon Training” that Sue recommended). I began to train at the performance level I was at instead of where I thought I should be and started having a lot more fun with it again. When race day finally came I had some reasonable goals for the race, but most importantly, I wanted it to be fun. Maintaining a “have fun” attitude, I thoroughly enjoyed the race and finished about 15 minutes faster than I thought I could. Since then, I’ve really felt re-energized and I’m looking forward to many more fun races this season.
Worst Race and Why: Even my worst race can’t be that bad – I haven’t DNF’d yet or injured myself too bad. If I had to pick one, I’d say Strawberry Fields 2009. I had a terrible swim followed by a slightly better than mediocre ride. When it came to the run, I figured it just wasn’t worth killing myself over it and went fairly easy just to finish. Turns out everyone had a bad swim and I missed 3rd place in my AG by 17 seconds, which I could have easily made up on the run. I was disappointed because I gave up. This year I’m going back – not to place, but to finish it strong this time.
Goals this Year: Keep having fun, stay injury free.
In 5 Years I Hope to: Have completed a full IM. Still have fun with training and racing.
Something Most People Don’t Know About Me: I epilate my legs. If you’re gonna remove leg hair, be a man and yank it out by the roots! Right, ladies?
Beth Bailey
April 13, 2010
Name: Beth Bailey
Years in Triathlon: 13
Employment: Founder of The Kiddo Company (www.kiddofood.com). Working to launch at Whole Foods sometime soon. Out of undergrad I was an engineer and worked in a paper plant, then a management consultant traveling all over the place.
Outside Interests: I love to cook, eat good food and shop at the farmers market. I like reading the headlines and Personal Section of the WSJ. I try to limit my impact on the Earth – turn out lights, no to-go coffee cups, pick up junk from the beach, no water in bottles, no paper/plastic bags. The basics I suppose. It’s gotten to the point where I have become my grandmother and have to save bread bags to have a plastic bag just in case. I used to travel quite a bit and look forward to new adventures with the kids as they get a little older and can manage long car and plane trips. I really enjoy a nice glass of wine. I also enjoy sleep but never quite get enough.
Family Life: Husband Jeff (you know, the big tall guy!) and 2 girls, Mary Jane (6) and Vivian (4 1/2). They are fun!
Athletic Background: My main sport was springboard diving. I competed from age 7-17 and coached for 6 seasons. I then tore my ACL my senior year of high school and I didn’t recover quickly. In college I switched to 8-oz curls and intramural soccer (both very big sports at Ohio State!) After undergrad I got into running, I got back in shape and started doing triathlons….fun to end up a decent swimmer even though swimming ability has absolutely no correlation with diving – they just both happen to include water.
Favorite Race and Why: Mrs. T’s Chicago Triathlon 1997. My first “big” race. Very exciting with all the people around and the first time I actually felt like I was competing in a real triathlon.
Worst Race and Why: I really am not sure if I could call out any specific race that was a total disaster. Mostly, they are all mediocre from a “race” standpoint because I’ve never trained enough by the time the race day gets to me. But I have a blast doing them, they keep me honest, and I like being able to eat all of the food I prepare.
This Year’s Goals:
- To keep the plantar fasciitis away that plagued me all last year.
- To do track workouts for the first time. So far they are pretty fun! Only thing I need to do is get some other running in, because at this point the track workout is also currently my long run – pretty sure that’s not how it’s supposed to be.
- To continue to encourage my kids to love swimming, biking and running – via Nite Moves, SB Swim Club, bringing them to tri club events and hopefully having Mary Jane do the kids tri this summer.
In 5 Years I hope to: Still be doing races! I love the sport and the people who love the sport. Although I always dream of training just a BIT more each season…
Something Most People do Not Know about ME: I cut my own hair. I just don’t have the time to go sit in a salon! I have all the stuff for my wedding album and baby books in a box and not sure why it never makes the A list.
David Parker
April 11, 2010
Name: David Parker
Years in Triathlon: Did SB sprint in 1991, first full IM 1999, Hawaii 2005
Employment: Engineering Manager
Outside Interests: Family; Music (Support The Mustangs Buy our CD @ CDBABY.com or a free Sample listen at: http://www.independent.com/bands/#mustangs); Motorcycles (built custom “Phatty” in my garage)
Family Life: Wife Susan, Daughter Nicole
Your Hero: Peter Parker (Spiderman) the comic book, not the movie
Athletic Background: Wrestler, power lifting, not usual for tri, then injuries sent me to find something different
Favorite Race and Why: Hawaii 2005, My Cheering section was there. It is an unbelievable atmosphere.
Worst Race and Why: Auburn 2008, Hot, They said parts were over 120 Degrees, I melted. Close second Lake Paris half they ran out of water on bike and run.
Goals this Year: IM Wisconsin for a Hawaii spot
In 5 Years I Hope to: Know what I want to do when I grow up. Plus, Get to IM New Zealand and back to Hawaii.
Something Most People Don’t Know About Me: Have a masters degree, but never went to a graduation. High school, had a motorcycle accident that put me in and out of a hospital for three months+, Undergrad, Graduated in August so my friends were in June, and by December I was working on masters figured I’d hit that. Masters, I started in Michigan and finished Independent study in California and wasn’t worth flight back at the time.
David Groom
April 2, 2010
Name: David Groom
Years in Triathlon: My first triathlon was a few months after my 50th birthday in 1999. The Santa Barbara Triathlon Long Course
Employment: David Groom Insurance Agency. I’ve been self employed for 30 years operating my primarily Farmers Insurance Agency. I am a general personal lines agent handling Auto, Home, Health and Life Insurance.
Outside Interests: How much space do we have? I’m a Gemini so have the attention span of a 4 year old. If it’s something new I will probably try it. After triathlons my number one outside interest is covered by the next category. Beyond that I love music, dancing and going to concerts. I’m a good cook and enjoy sharing that with friends through entertaining. I also give the occasional cooking lesson. I am a Burner! That means I have been to Burning Man and am going again. It’s probably not like the pre-conceived idea most people have, but instead is an alternative world giving me the freedom to explore an artistic side of me that I never knew existed, free of the judgment and constraints that are self imposed by our regular default society. I’ve also been known to take some pretty good pictures, including shooting some weddings and portrait pieces. Oh! I’ve also been a DJ since I was 16 and still occasionally spin some vinyl for weddings or parties. Enjoy camping, moonlight walks on the beach and travel to anywhere I can afford.
Family Life: I’m married to Liz Groom, and have just celebrated out 4th wedding anniversary. We have part time custody of Emily her 12 year old daughter. I also have two children from my marriage to Judy. Amy is 31 and is a teacher in Portland, Christopher is 29 and just moved to Portland so is in-between jobs. I have two brothers who live in England and my 84 year old mother, again living in England.
Your Hero: In triathlons I would say it’s any guy my age or older that beats me in a race…when I’m healthy. Duncan Thomas still continues to be ‘that guy!’ Outside of triathlons I have a few people who’s names are unimportant, but what they have in common is that they are true to themselves and who they are despite what other people may think.
Athletic Background: I was on the chess team in High School. I played some soccer, rugby and cricket but wasn’t very good at any of them. I started running in 1995 when I was on the coaching staff at San Marcos High School as an assistant Girls Varsity Soccer Coach. I was helping train the girls for the season and decided I should be doing the same running as they were. I lost some weight, felt better about myself and for the most part didn’t look back.
Favorite Race and Why: Probably Vineman in 2006. It was just one of those days when I nailed it. I was in good shape, had a decent swim and absolutely loved the bike course. I ran a good half marathon on a hot difficult course. I knew I had done well with a time time of 5.02, but didn’t know it was good enough to give me a Hawaii qualifying slot until I looked at the results. First in my age group and an opportunity most triathlestes never have..a trip to the ‘ Big Dance!’
Worst Race and Why: Ironman Arizona 2009. Go look at my race report for the down and dirty details. I DNF’d for the first time ever, but out of adversity came an epiphany. No more Ironman’s for this boy. It’s just not my distance.
Goals this Year: I’m 60..give me a break!! Get to the start line. Once that happens I am pretty confident I will have a good race and enjoy one of life’s little pleasures. Passing a 30 year old with a disc wheel, race helmet, a $10,000 bike like he’s a telephone pole, and knowing he can see my age on the back of my leg. Go Grandpa!!
In 5 Years I Hope to: Still be doing some races. Taking killer pictures of my lovely wife and my friends beating themselves up at whatever race we are attending. Dancing until the sun comes up. Be living life every day to the fullest. Remember this is not a dress rehearsal!
Something Most People Don’t Know About Me: My costume closet is as big as my regular closet. I have performed 8 wedding ceremonies including one dressed partially as Elvis and I’m the English equivalent of an Eagle Scout.
Walker Bell
March 28, 2010
Name: Walker Bell
Years in Triathlon: I did my first one when I was 10, so I guess 3 years.
Employment: 7th grade @ Laguna Blanca School & Santa Barbara Swim Club
Outside Interests: Skateboarding, Surfing, BB guns, learning the guitar, iPhone…does that count?!
Family Life: I live with my Mom & Dad, Bob & Susan Bell
Your Hero: Streetbike Tommy from Nitro Circus….just kidding! I don’t have one yet.
Athletic Background: I started swimming when I was 5 months old! I joined the Santa Barbara Swim club at age 5. I think my parents knew that swimming was going to be my sport when at age 7 I swam 5,000 yards (200 laps) at our club’s Swim-A-Thon…without stopping!…that took some explaining to my sponsors who pledged $2 per lap!
Favorite Race and Why: My first triathlon…. S.B. Kid’s Triathlon in 2007…I finished first in the Junior Division and my closest competitor was over 2 minutes behind. I had a lot of fun at my first “adult” Sprint race in Carpinteria…especially the biking part of it.
Worst Race and Why: I guess I don’t have one yet, I’ve only competed in 5 so far.
Goals this Year: I’d like to do well at the Santa Barbara Triathlon, this will be my first time, I haven’t done this race yet. I want to win the swim at Nite Moves…maybe that should be in the next category!
In 5 Years I Hope to: Keep racing, stay healthy and always have fun! Oh, and become a professional Unicycler!
Something Most People Don’t Know About Me: I’m not that mysterious!
Craig Adams
March 25, 2010
Name: Craig Adams
Employment: Principal Mechanical Design Engineer at Raytheon Vision Systems in Goleta. I basically perform the mechanical engineering for packaging sensors into a variety of product lines and spend a heck of a lot time driving high powered computers to accomplish the task of design and analysis.
Family Life: Married to Diane for 7 years, and live in Buellton, along with our dog, Shelby. Nathan (my 24 year old stepson) is currently wrapping up his teaching credentials from Cal-Poly SLO.
My Hero: In general life, my father. In triathlon, I’ve always admired Scott Tinley with his ability to enjoy the sport at a pro level and maintain a relatively normal life.
Outside Interests: Long list – Before all else – Surfing, then there’s general road biking, mountain biking, scuba diving, kayaking, snow-boarding, sail-boarding, sailing, downhill skiing, XC skiing, snow shoeing, hiking, rock climbing, water skiing, fly fishing, archery, skeet, working on the house, working on the cars, photography, sitting on my dead butt watching movies or playing suduko, cooking, entertaining, and if I could afford it – flying.
Athletic Background: Nada, nil, none. I was the high school punching bag and it kept me clear of the jock groups. The most physical activity you’d see me doing was carrying a hunting rifle and hiking around the mountains of Northern Nevada looking for deer that seem to be extinct from that state. In college, I decided to start changing my ways and started some workout routines with a new found ambition to enter military service as an aviation officer. I eventually realized this ambition wasn’t realistic (after a huge recruitment success of “Top Gun”), but thoroughly enjoyed the fitness that I benefited from it.
Years in Triathlon: 22. Yep, when I got started, the big names were Scott Molina, Dave Scott, Mike Pigg, Paula Newby-Frasier an up-and-comer named Mark Allen, and some young kid named Lance Armstrong – I heard he’s gone places.
My best friend, Bob, said he was entering a triathlon (the Roadrunner at our college at UNLV) and I thought that may be a fun thing to try out. I was evidently hooked on the sport ever since, and found the training provided the additional benefit of being in shape to enjoy an entire host of the other activities I enjoy. Eventually moved to San Diego in order to pursue these activities and get involved with other people that enjoyed them as well.
1st Race – Las Vegas Roadrunner Triathlon – 1987
After getting stoked on the sport and a good three year jaunt in which I did every darned race in San Diego I could, I went through a burn out period and took a few years off. I ended moving to Tucson to basically follow work, and took some time to explore other desert activities, but eventually found myself back into competition and to my surprise found myself doing better. It turns out Tucson is really a great training ground. After a few of years of my second endeavor into the sport, I suffered my first injury from it – plantar fasciitis – little did I know how much that would be coming back. Needless to say, it’s been an on-off activity ever sense.
San Diego International Triathlon – 1990
Favorite Race and Why: Having lived in Las Vegas, San Diego, Tucson, and certainly here in Santa Barbara, I can provide a list of great races. And having just finished IM Wisconsin, there is still a bias towards that race. However, I must say that the 2005 Vineman Full was probably my favorite considering the terrain, the conditions, the low key venue, and the fact that I was on my best game at the time.
Also of worth a mention is one of the funnest race events at Rocky Point in Mexico where you can see the greatest bunch of party dog triathletes you’ll ever encounter.
This Year’s Goals: Recover from the rotator cuff surgery and keep rubber side down and enjoy recovery period for the later part of the year. Hopefully I can get over the Plantar Fasciitis and improve the running shape.
In 5 Years I Hope to: Have conquered a tough desert long course (St George and/or Silverman) and have qualified for Hawaii (this already seems to have taken half my life).
Latest Race – IM Wisconsin 2009
Worst Race and Why: Oh, there’s been a few disaster races, mainly in dry Arizona when the monsoons seem to strike precisely on race day and you find yourself working all three events at the same time ( running while pushing your bike through flood water) while trying to evade lightning. Or there’s the occasional open ocean race that has a huge swell hit that particular day – of course being a surfer, I actually like those, but they tend to get terminated before they’re over.
However the worst race of all, as most of our members know, was the SB-Tri 2008 when I came upon Barbara Warren on the downside of Gobenator. No further explanation needed.
Something Most People Don’t Know About Me: I REALLY enjoy drag racing and bass fishing.
Jerrett McFarland
March 23, 2010
Name: Jerrett McFarland
Years in Triathlon: 3
Employment: Bardex Corp. – Mechanical Engineering
Schools: Texas Tech (MIS), CSUN (MSA), SBCC
Outside Interests: Hiking, camping, boating, fishing, diving, surfing, mountain biking, triathlon training, Western U.S. coast, Channel Islands
Family Life: 8 year old son – Jordan, he lives in Oregon and has a great life. We have so such much fun together on our visits. Also, I have a 20 year old son – Ty, he now lives in Ventura and is doing good.
My Heroes: Those that have found peace and happiness and share it with others.
Favorite Motto: Do a good deed and don’t get caught.
Athletic Background: Always wanted to have one of those.
Favorite Race and Why: Santa Barbara Triathlon Long Course – 2007. It was my first and I did everything wrong!!! I didn’t know that I had to sign up early, so I showed up the morning of the race with my application and money. Joe Coito and others felt so sorry for me that they let me take the place of a last minute cancellation. On the swim, I was welcomed by everyone climbing over me around the first buoy. I also enjoyed the transitions so much that I spent over 10 minutes in T1 & T2. During the last mile of the ride, I realized I hadn’t laid out my running shoes because I left them in the car. So, I ran back to my car in my bike shoes (click, clack all the way), about ¼ of a mile, got my shoes on and ran back to the run start. Anyway, I FINISHED with a kickass time of 4:47:13. Since my only goal was to finish, I succeeded in my first-ever triathlon.
Worst Race and Why: Santa Barbara Triathlon Long Course – 2008. On the bike (approx. mile 11), my rear derailleur came loose (fell off) and broke my chain, some spokes, etc. I sat on the side of the road for 20 minutes repairing the drive train so I could finish the bike segment (luckily, I had all the tools I needed) . This is the race where Barbara Warren got tangled up with another rider and went down on Gobenador Canyon. This was a most unfortunate accident and loss of a great triathlete. After fixing my bike, I passed the accident scene where they stopped us for a bit. It looked pretty bad from 10 feet away and I was quite unsettled to say the least for the rest of the bike ride. On top of all that, I was afraid my chain was going to break going up Gobernador or Toro. I never knew riding could be so stressful and I just wanted off that bike in the worst way. I made it. On the run (first .5 mile), I got horrible hamstring cramps and couldn’t even walk. I was forced to stop, drink water, take some salt tablets, and relax a bit before I could start up again slowly. With all that, I still finished 10 minutes faster than 2007!
Goals this Year: Complete either Wildflower 70.3 & Vineman 70.3. I would also like to finish with better times in the UCSB, Carpinteria, and Santa Barbara Triathlons than previous years. Currently, I swim, ride, and run faster than ever before.
Over the next few years I hope to: Run like Ricky Ho, do a full Ironman, and still enjoy life to the fullest extent possible.
Ten Things Most People Don’t Know About Me:
1) Unknowingly, I lived most of my young life with the heart condition Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) Syndrome. I couldn’t sustain any exercise lasting more than 30 minutes or my heart rate would jump over 200 and I would feel like passing out. I just always assumed I was out of shape. In 1997, and thanks to modern science, my WPW was easily fixed at the USC Medical Center (outpatient). No signs of WPW since! Freakin’ amazing what they can do!!!!
2) I operated and maintained the Flood Warning System for the County of Santa Barbara from 1997-2007.
3) My birthday is on 9-11.
4) I can do a handstand on a skateboard… still.
5) I used to surf big waves. Just not that interested in killing myself these days.
6) Went up & down Mt. Whitney in 17 hours during Sept., 2009.
7) Read the Power of Now and adopted some of it into my own life.
I maintain my own vehicle. Currently, my Acura has 290,000 miles on it and still gets 32 mpg. I also built my own tri-bike (thanks to Peter Park for the frameset).
9) I do not knowingly harm any of God’s creatures (insects included) except mosquitoes & flies when necessary.
10) I believe that continual self-inventory and being of service to others is key to true inner-happiness and peace.
Barbarah Igreja
March 21, 2010
Name: Barbarah Igreja 
Years in Triathlon: 6 years
Employment: Currently desperately looking for a job
Outside Interests: Enjoy surfing , only done it 5 times.
Family Life: I have been living alone for 4 years now supporting myself and all, so family life kinda comes down to me, myself and some roomates.
Your Hero: The girl I considered my hero got caught in the doping test…very disappointed and looking for someone elso to look up to.
Athletic Background: I have a swimming background back in Brazil, swimming the nationals and than got into mountain biking and finally around 2004 I did my first triathlon and just fell in love…
Favorite Race and Why: LEPPING HALF IRON MAN(short course) Feb-2009 New Zealand. It was my farewell race. I never felt so relaxed and strong in a race, my head was full in the event and I had the best splits on all 3 and won the overall race. Funny, I woke up that morning thinging: Im just going to go out there, do my best, no pressure, im leaving anyway (catching the plane on the same day of the race) and I got an amazing result, and ever since than when I go into a race with that mentality I have very good surprises with the results.
Worst Race and Why: Last year in Brasil, There were so many things going on my personal life that I just couldn’t focus and deal with the pressure during the race, I was in 2 place going 3 and the crowd and shouting and supporting me but, it just wasn’t my day…I walked out I stopped. I was so embarrassed but I learned my lesson. NEVER STOP FINISH THE RACE.
Goals this Year: Race in USA and get to know my competidors and let them now me!Get my fitness back and go as hard as I can in any race I enter.
In 5 Years I Hope to: Be in the Olympic games of Rio. Have a sponsor and live the dream…
Something Most People Don’t Know About Me: well…A lot…Im a Virgo. Lol sorry don’t know what to say.