"My goal was that some day I would complete a full Ironman event...

Last February my personal life and professional life were as stressful as I thought it could possibly get.  I had given up on a life goal and was heading down the road of depression.  I had chronic back pain and my neck hurt all the time.  I went to see my Chiropractor Gregory M. Berkoff, D.C. At that time he was at the only person I was confiding in about my personal issues.  I told Greg I wanted to do a ½ Ironman and he said he was thinking about it also.  Greg then told me about Felipe and gave me his number.  I called Felipe on January 28th 2006 to see if I could join in on the group bike ride in Anza Borrego. Felipe was more than happy to have me there and I felt welcomed right form start.  I have now completed several sprints, 2 Olympic and the Baja 70.3 series.  It seemed that things were turning around in my personal/ professional life and my training with Breakaway was consistently exhilarating, beneficial and enjoyable! So in July of 2006 I decided to register for the AZ Ironman (4/15/2007).  I wish I could say my personal life worked out but unfortunately that was not the case.  Life has thrown me some pretty big obstacles since February of 2006 my husband and partner of seven years decided to leave me and my two daughters which has caused a series of time consuming emotionally draining events to occur.  I have had to put my house on the market, go to gosh knows how many mediation meetings for the divorce, learn a new job, adjust to the new life of “single mom” and train for my race.  I have thought to myself on many occasions maybe I should just not do it and do one next year….

Triathletes DON’T quite!

Without the support of Coach Felipe and the entire TEAM I would not even be thinking of doing this.  I know in my heart that fate matched me up with Breakaway last February and without this TEAM I know for a fact I would be in a very dark place today. I get such a warm feeling thinking of the last year and all the amazing people I have the pleasure to train with.  When I registered for the race I set out to finish in 11:45-12:00 hours. I broke my foot during training so I ended up walking about 20 miles of the run portion but still completed my first Ironman in 14:21.

It has now been 5 months and my foot is all better.  I won my first overall Olympic distance race in Las Vegas on September 1st, 2007 and have set a new goal "Colleen is going to Kona".

I know I can do this with the guidance and training of Breakaway.

Thank you Coach Felipe for your continued support!"

-Colleen W.