Athlete of the Month

The Team Sheeper Athlete of the Month award is handed out to a member of the team on a monthly basis, 7 or 8 times a year. The AOM is someone who made a notable contribution to the team or did something remarkable. Selection is made by nomination and voting by the membership.

You can nominate anyone and the nomination period is usually during the first week or two of the month. Look for notification that nominations are being sought.  When nomination close, the voting starts and once all the votes are tallied, the new AOM is crowned.

Besides bragging rights for a month, our AOM gets some goodies from our gracious sponsors, such as free shoes from TRH, a massage from SMI, gift certificates from GoRide.

The Runner's High is proud to sponsor this month's athlete who embodies the spirit of Team Sheeper. We are about more than just improving athletic skills and performances.

Joel and Sally Phillips

May 2006 Athlete of the Month

Current employment/career?

Sally: Law degree and MBA in England, first career in software product marketing in Europe and CA, now side-tracked into the family business managing a portfolio of mineral properties across the US.

Joel: Went to Stanford as an undergrad and grad for a few years, been in the computer industry since early 80s, which was about 6 years ago. Otherwise, I'd feel old. Currently work for Apple. By the way, we also make computers!!!

Career aspirations?

Sally: Yes, to find that elusive balance between work, kids, triathlon etc.

Joel: To find a job that pays more and gives me more time to train.

Spouse or children to tell us about?

Sally: Rumor has it that I have been married to Joel for 14 years, you may have met him& .. We are also the proud parents of 2 daughters, Samara 7yrs, Maxelle 5yrs

Joel: Although most of you have never met her, I'm married to a coach potato chick named Sally, and we have two wonderful young triathletes in the making: Sammy (who has already competed in the Silicon Valley Kids Triathlon), and Maxy (who has no intention of being left behind by her older sister!).

Other hobbies?

Sally: Having ridden horses competitively all my life (English of course), I still keep my hand in twice a week riding and training a thoroughbred ex-racehorse in the equine equivalent of triathlon (dressage, cross-country and show jumping).

Joel: Two young kids, a wife who also trains & competes, a 60 hour/week job (which should probably be 80), and we're building a house. "Other hobbies"?!? You've got to be kidding...

How did you become involved with Team Sheeper?

Sally: Having entered the London Triathlon in 2003 (my 2nd), I really needed help with my swimming. My horsey friend, Judith Schwartz (ex-Menlo Masters) recommended Team Sheeper. I made it to Worlds in Queenstown, NZ in December 2003 on the British W40-44 age group team (see what a difference Tim makes)! Then in Jan 2004, Tim launched the Multisport Mums Team, and the rest is history so to speak!

Joel: Through some chick I know.

What is your athletic background?

Sally: Always been into something athletic including a field hockey scholarship to the University of Rhode Island back in the 80s, and 7 yrs of semi-pro basketball in Europe.

Joel: Ran cross country and track and played basketball in high school, rowed in college, kept in moderate running shape until Sally and I decided to run a marathon in 2002 (Ave. of the Giants, very beautiful, I highly recommend it for a fun weekend away).

What is it you like most about triathlons?

Sally: I get to do them with Joel! Not many date nights out together, but countless hours training together over the past few years. I love to push myself, set goals and then enjoy the journey towards achieving them.

Joel: The endorphin rush after the finish. Oh yeah, the free t-shirts and hats are pretty cool, too.

What races are you planning for the remainder of this year, or the future, that you are gearing up for?

Sally: IM CDA was the big push for this year, but we are planning an olympic race (probably Sentinel), the TS Sierra bike tour and the Treasure Island Sprint in November. I'm looking forward to making plans for the 2007 triathlon training and racing season, relieved that I'm still motivated and un-injured after our first IM.

Joel: Sentinel Oly in Sept, Treasure Island Sprint in Nov (sounds more like gearing down than up!). Also, the Sierra bike tour.

What are your Triathlon, or personal goals / aspirations?

Sally - whether I'm training, racing, being a Mum, working, playing house-building project manager or any other facet of my life, my goal is to live by my mottos:
- Enjoy life, this is no rehearsal
- The journey is the reward
- No regrets!

Joel: Oly distance, break 2:30
Wildflower, break 6 hours
IM, break 14 hours
Be on the podium someday (even if it's only through age-related attrition)

What is your favorite Team Sheeper workout or memorable moment?

Sally: Going long all 3 days of the Wine country bike tour in 2005 was a big break through in fitness and confidence for me. However, crossing the finish line with Joel at IM CDA tops everything.

Joel: Most memorable moment, that's easy: crossing the finish line at CDA with Sally, having just spent the previous 14 hours and 41 minutes sweating our way through the course together.

Is there anything else we should know about you?

Sally: I tried out as a gymnast at school, but being way too tall and unable to bend in all the right places, I made the trampolining team instead and even competed a couple of times. Field hockey featured strongly for a while. I also had a license as an amateur steepelchase jockey for a few years in England. Triathlon is a huge adrenalin kick, but galloping at full speed over 4 foot fences in amongst a pack of fiery thoroughbreds is an unforgettable rush.

Joel: To all of you young fast guys out there, I'm coming after you...

P.S. We've both been stupid enough to try bungy jumping (in NZ and Zimbabwe) too!