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.

Cindy Welton

May 2007 Athlete of the Month

"Cindy had a breakthrough season last year, topped by her finish at IM CDA. But clearly she is not done improving yet, and continues to go fast and go long with the best of the team. She has some very solid performances under her belt this year and is headed for USAT Nationals in Oregon at the end of the month. She is extremely focused, methodical and motivated in her training and racing, and always the first on hand to help out a fellow team mate in any way she can - the ultimate team player!" - Fellow Teammate.

Are you currently employed and/or describe your employment/career?

I’m a career housewife and have been for the past 19 1/2 years.  In addition to nurturing our 3 kids, managing our household, and volunteering at their schools I work part time as a business consultant for Stanford Hospital & Clinics and recently started coaching the 6-9 year olds for Team Sheeper Kids Triathlon Team.  I've had the consulting gig for the last 3 1/2 years during which I guided SHC in transforming the business model of the Gift Shop in the Main Hospital and opening the new Boutique in the Comprehensive Cancer Center.  I really enjoy helping SHC create environments where patients, visitors and employees in the medical center can find a pleasant distraction and directly support patient services with their purchases.

Do you have any specific career aspirations?

I have a few creative projects planned to develop product lines for SHC's shops using artwork from their Art Therapy and PAWS programs.  In the bigger picture I have five more years until my youngest child goes off to college and to prepare for my next full-time deal.  I'm not really sure what that’s going to be yet.  I feel like I still need to figure out what I want to be when I grow up.  It will definitely be something involving creativity.

Do you have a spouse or children to tell us about?

My wonderful husband and cycling/surfing buddy Mark and I will be married 20 years in January.  You may meet him on an occasional Saturday ride, but as the very busy Chief of Colorectal Surgery at Stanford he's usually working or facilitating our kids' activities while I train. Amazing how fast time goes when you’re raising a family.  Now our active, entertaining, swimming and waterpolo playing kids are all teenagers:  Jessica 18, Lindsay 16 and Emery 13.  There’s never a dull moment.

What other hobbies do you have?

Well, my family really doesn't think I can fit much more in around them, my triathlon training and Pilates, but I love traveling, surfing, mountain biking, hiking, fly fishing, cooking, sewing, beading and pretty much anything creative, outdoors or adventurous.

How did you become involved with Team Sheeper?

Ginny Hull invited me to do a morning ride with the Multisport Moms three years ago and encouraged me to try other workouts.  I was so inspired by everyone's fitness and collective participation in Masters Swim, marathons, triathlons, and Ironmans that I felt like a bit of a slacker.  I figured that if I could keep up with them in the workouts maybe I could work up to doing some events.

What is your athletic background?

Fairly limited.  One year of ballet in first grade, softball in fourth grade, soccer in high school and my first year at Univ of Michigan, some racquet sports, aerobics and strength training in my twenties and thirties.  It wasn’t until high school that I realized I liked to work out and play sports.  In college I realized I needed to workout to dissipate my "wiggy" energy. After having kids I realized how much I really love to work out and I’m a better person to be around and a better parent if I work out regularly.  While training for triathlons I realized it's ok for me to work out a lot and regularly but not so much that it makes me "grumpy" tired. 

What is it you like most about triathlons?

I really enjoy developing and improving my swimming, biking and running.  I love the team aspect, destination training, building my confidence, and conquering my fears.  I loved doing Treasure Island Sprint with my son last fall.  He was beaming for days after finishing.  Now my oldest brother wants to get in shape and do a triathlon with me.  It's great that people of any age can find inspiration from triathlon, develop common goals, and share bonding experiences.

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

I just finished Age Group Nationals June 30 and need to put some events on my calendar.  Aside from the Sierra Tour, TS Fearsome Triathlon, and Treasure Island I may do Pac Grove or Big Kahuna.  I’d like to convince my oldest daughter to be my partner for Muddy Buddy in LA since she's starting LMU this fall.  I’ll work on it.

What are your Triathlon, or personal goals / aspirations?

Soon I'd like to try an Exterra and an adventure race.  I'm working up to a swim meet.  First I want to learn how to competently dive off the blocks…then I’ll sign up.  I’d like to develop mad mountain bike skill.  I think I’m going to have to lobby the fam for a week at cycling camp toward that goal.

What is your favorite Team Sheeper workout or memorable moment?

I had a blast last year on the Wine Country Tour riding with Sally and Joel Phillips.  We pretty much laughed the entire way and with Sally's encouragement I went all three days long.  Needless to say I finished that weekend with an extremely high stoke factor and have never questioned whether I could do a long ride since.

Is there anything else we should know about you?

I grew up as the youngest of four in a career Army family.  We lived in 8 different places before I finished high school.  I majored in Biology and German at U of M and have an MBA in Entrepreneurial Studies and Management Consulting from USC.  I love being out in nature, learning and exploring new things and understanding the how's and why's.