Jim Halley – I never set out to be a triathlete. When I was in the Marines, all I cared about was the gym and how much weight I could lift. 6 weeks before my 21st birthday I was in a skydiving 
accident and spent 21 months in recovery but ultimately came out the other side stronger than ever. Years later, my wife decided she was doing to do a (like just one) triathlon. Somehow I got roped into it and ten years and a hundred (give or take) tri’s later, here I am. Now I have an entire drawer filled with tight spandex outfits, a special razor for my legs, and too many wheels and helmets! I’ve just recently started getting involved with the tri community here in Tallahassee and can’t wait to get even more involved!
Name: Jim Halley
Age: 37 according to the calendar, 8 according to my actions.
Current occupation: Aviation System Manager for FDOT. Itโs like being the Gwen Jorgensen of airport planners, trust me.
Previous occupation: Iโve been an airport planner for ten years and prior to that I spent 8 years as a special operations Marine.
Dream occupation: The Marine thing was pretty awesome โ they paid me to jump out of planes, shoot cool guns, and blow things up!
If money were no object, what would you do: Spend every day running, skydiving, doing triathlons, and playing (after adopting) rescue dogs.
Favorite non-triathlon hobby: Skydiving and sleep.
Favorite indulgence: Cage-free quinoa and edamame wrapped in kale. Waitโฆ that sounds disgusting. Letโs go with cheesecake. Yeah, cheesecake sounds better than quinoa any day!
Favorite book, TV show or movie: All of the Bourne movies. Whenever we watch those, my wife always says, โYou were a Marine, if we ever get attacked I expect you to be like Jason Bourne.โ For her sake, I really hope I never have to fight off 8 foreign spies using nothing more than the spatula I won at Breakfast on the Track.
How long have you been doing triathlon: 10 years โ my first tri was in April of 2007. I really thought I would be โone and doneโ but itโs kind of like this hobby is addictive or somethingโฆ
Why do you participate in triathlon?: It was an accident. I used to be big into weightlifting as a Marine, then I had shoulder surgery and, at the same, time, my wife decided she was going to get into marathons and triathlons. Since I couldnโt lift weights, every time sheโd go for a run, I would. Next thing you know, Iโm waking up early to go swimming, buying elastic laces that donโt need to be tied, shaving every inch of my body, wearing spandexโฆ it escalated quickly!
Share something others donโt know about you: I hate vegetables. I mean, I despise them. I donโt go anywhere near them. No lettuce, no tomatoes, no onions, none of that. Theyโre all barfy! Meat and starches only!
What events/distances do you train for: Nothing in particular. I prefer mid-distance races โ international/Olympic triathlons. After 2 hours or so, I lose concentration. I have a short attention span. Iโm like a puppy: Lots of energy. No attention span. And I bark at the TV. And Iโm not too good in the car.
What are your current goals: To get back into triโs like I was a few years ago. Since moving to Tallahassee, I havenโt done as many as I used to but Iโm engaging with the club more now, getting out there and training more consistently, did a few last year and was pretty happy with my performances so I feel like Iโm on the right track. As LL Cool J said, โDonโt call it a comeback, Iโve been here for years.โ
What is your favorite race and why: My favorite race is anyone with a nasty, choppy open water swim. Iโm not a natural superstar swimmer in normal conditions but Iโm extremely confident so when the ocean gets nasty and everyone starts freaking out and getting all hesitant, I actually feel MORE confident on those conditions so it evens the playing field.
What hydration and nutrition products do you use: My favorite hydration product of all time is Motor Tabs. Other than that, the Gu tabs are pretty good. For nutrition, I just go with whatever free gel I got in my last race packet or, for longer distances, I like to freeze mini-snickers bites, throw them in my Fuel Belt top tube holder, then have one every 15 minutes or so.
What is some of your favorite gear (wetsuit, goggles, bike, hydration system, shoes, etc.): Xtenex laces! Seriously, if you have never tried them, GO BUY SOME NOW! Ten times better than Yankz or any other brand. They are life-changing!
What training resources do you recommend: Iโm a huge fan of The Triathleteโs Training Bible. Iโve never been very good at following a plan of any kind (yeah, I know Iโm a professional planner for work โ donโt pay any attention to that) but that book has been the only one that I felt I could actually use and follow. I use a lot of workout and periodization approaches from that book and it seems to be working!
What advice do you have for anyone beginning triathlons: Donโt worry about the nerves or the fear you have. Iโve done probably a hundred triโs in my life and before each one I have the exact same thought as I do when I skydive: what the ____ am I doing?! As I get closer to the starting gun (just as I do as I get closer to actually jumping out of a plane), that fear turns into positive energy and I use it to fuel me. The nerves are normal โ trust your training, trust your plan, and just go out there and have fun!
What is your proudest triathlon or competitive moment: For the first 4 miles of the 2016 GWTC 5/10 mile challenge, I stayed ahead of Charlie Johnson. It doesnโt matter that I was doing the 5 miler and he was doing the 10 and, throughout mile 5, he put probably 2 minutes on meโฆ for 4 glorious miles, I was ahead! Thatโs as close to a win as Iโll ever get against him and itโs going to have to be good enough!
What, in triathlon, do you wish you could improve the most: Swimming. I donโt really swim. Actually, I more or less just donโt drown while slowly moving forward. So, if I could get better at that, I wouldnโt complain.
What is your idea of a perfect day: A running race or tri in the morning, a nap, some skydiving, time on the beach, and then doing it all over again the next day!
Name: Kristin Halley
Age: 35
Current occupation: Sea Turtle Conservation Biologist, FL Fish & Wildlife
Previous occupation: Bike/Tri Shop
Dream occupation: No occupation – just racing and traveling.
If money were no object, what would you do: See previous answer!
Favorite non-triathlon hobby: Runningโฆ thatโs a non-triathlon hobby, right?! Camping, mountain biking, playing with my pups!
Favorite indulgence: Amber beers, red wine, dark chocolate
Favorite book, TV show or movie: The Bourne Trilogy, Transformers, Serendipity โ yeah, I know that seems odd.
How long have you been doing triathlon: 10 years this May
Why do you participate in triathlon: I enjoy pushing my physical abilities to see what Iโm really capable of and I really do enjoy the sport. I may not say that while waiting for the swim start, but once Iโm in the water, I feel at home and in my element.
Share something others donโt know about you: Iโm an open book, however, most people are not aware of my awesome dance moves!
What events/distances do you train for: I canโt say I necessarily train specifically for the distances, but perhaps thatโs part of my problem. I enjoy sprint and Olympic distance races the most though because Iโm able to push my pace during the race and donโt have to give up my life during training.
What are your current goals: Get back into tri racing the way I used to, competing in many more races this season, and doing my first Xterra! Perhaps Iโll do another 70.3, weโll have to see about that though.
What is your favorite race and why: Fort DeSoto Tri is probably my favorite, but really most races in the St. Pete and Sarasota area great! I canโt say exactly what I like about them, sure the water tends to be calm, but thatโs not really why. Maybe itโs the view and the atmosphere I like best about that area in general.
What hydration and nutrition products do you use: The only real nutrition product I use consistently is Nuun. Iโm a big fan of oatmeal or an English muffin with peanut butter and banana before a race, but otherwise, Nuun and water are my only go-to nutrition supplies. If the race is long enough for nutrition on the course, Iโll use a gel or chews of some sort.
What is some of your favorite gear (wetsuit, goggles, bike, hydration system, shoes, etc.): Again, I am pretty non-specific with this stuff. I love my Saucony A6 racing flats for the run and my favorite tri suit is my old storeโs kit (Tri Bike Run in Juno Beach). I love my bike, although it is nothing impressive โ Trek Equinox (aka. The Bullet), it was a nice upgrade from my old road bike and supposed to just hold me over til I got my Speed Concept, but that never happened… Maybe one day.
What training resources do you recommend: Other athletes. You can read all you want and study training plans, but the best resource is talking to those who have been there and done that before. Learn from their experiences, both the successes and the failures. Sure, whatโs right for you might be a little different, but at least talking to others gives you a starting point. Ride with them, run with them, swim with them, and talk to them, ask your questions, and listen to the answers. Triathlon is such a great sport with amazing athletes who are always willing to share their experiences and help guide you along.
What advice do you have for anyone beginning triathlons: Same as above, talk to other athletes and train with them. Go watch a race. I used to coach beginners and that was always a part of our training, watching a race to see how it all gets put together, suddenly things start to click and helps you figure out what to do in your own race.
What is your proudest triathlon or competitive moment: I really have to say my first ever triathlon. I was so nervous before the race and even had to side stroke out to the first buoy to calm my nerves, but I started to settle down and find my groove. I crossed the finish line with a huge smile and was even more surprised to find out I got 3rd place in my division! I was so proud to finally call myself a triathlete and I never looked back.
What, in triathlon, do you wish you could improve the most: My biking. I am terrible! Funny enough, Iโve gotten better since I started mountain biking, but I just am not just good on the roadโฆperhaps if I spent more time out there it would help, but running and mountain biking is just so much more fun (sorry, cyclists)!
What is your idea of a perfect day: Going to the beach, relaxing in the sun, and playing with my pups. We used to live 5 minutes from the beach and I do miss it, but I do have to say, the trails in Tallahassee are a close second.