jdrake
Details
| C O A C H B I O |
Name | jdrake |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane, WV | ||
| Morgantown, WV | ||
| B.S. in Exercise Physiology from West Virginia University M.S. in Exercise Physiology from West Virginia University | ||
| USA Cycling Level 3, USAT Level 1, CPR & First Aid | ||
| Expert | ||
| Triathlon, Mountain Biking, and Road Cycling | ||
| Premium, Select | ||
Profile:
Date of Birth:
September 1, 1983
Family members:
Wife, Carri
Places I’ve called home and why I like where I am now:
Hurricane, WV; Colorado Springs, CO; Morgantown, WV: Plenty of places to play outside and the college town atmosphere. Let's Go Mountaineers!
Favorite Quote:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
—Marianne Williamson
Education
High School:
Hurricane High School
College/University:
West Virginia University
Favorite subjects/courses:
Exercise Physiology, Kinesiology, and Strength & Conditioning
Coaching Background
I decided to pursue training and education as a coach because:
I have learned so much in my years in college and pursuing my own training. I wanted to learn how to best apply that knowledge in a hands-on environment. I also learned enough to realize that I have a lot yet to learn and I always heard it said that you learn more when you’re the teacher instead of the student.
I decided to join CTS because:
If your going to learn then learn from the best.
What I liked best about the CTS coaching residency program:
Your surrounded by so many accomplished coaches and athletes that it keeps you humble.
The best thing about being a coach is:
Seeing my athletes accomplish what they set out to do.
My coaching philosophy is:
Nothing can replace hard work but being smart about your hard work is even better.
The best coach I ever had was:
High school freshman basketball coach. He ran us to death, but we were in better shape than the varsity team because of it.
The best advice I ever got from him/her was:
Everybody on the line!
Athletic Career Highlights
When I started mountain biking and what got me started:
During my senior year in high school, a friend of mine talked me into going mountain biking with him one afternoon. So I hoped on my dad’s rigid steel Huffy that weighed as much as I did and tried it out. I was hooked and it has snowballed ever since.
Athletic accomplishments:
Won my age group in the first triathlon I entered.
What cycling means to me:
To disappear on a back country road or the woods and ride for a couple of hours filters life down to its barest. The things that break you down each day, no longer matter. Life makes more sense then.
What I like best about cycling/triathlon:
You are limited only to the number of roads, trails, and bodies of water there are in the world.
What I would have done differently in my competitive days if I knew what I know now:
Started riding much younger than I did.
What I would not change:
Learning from the people that have been gracious and patient enough to teach me.
My near and far-term athletic goals:
Racing in the WVMBA Mountain bike series this year and maybe even get a collegiate race or two in this fall. Long term would be an Ironman before I’m 30.
Activities I do for fun and exercise:
Swim, mostly ride my bike, run, hike, backpacking/camping, fly-fishing
My favorite race/competition and why:
Any race at Big Bear Lake, WV. The area is beautiful and the terrain varies from smooth pine forests to huge rock gardens.
My best athletic experience:
Winning my age group in my first triathlon. Even though I didn’t know I won until 3 days later when they posted the results online because I left right after the race.
My worst athletic experience:
Losing both of my water bottles at a University of Virginia race and doing my second lap in 90 degree heat and 100% humidity.
My most embarrassing athletic experience:
Not being able to wait till the inning was over to go to the bathroom while playing center field in T-ball. Thankfully the uniforms were dark and it was a night game.
Pet peeves:
Fake people
I get pumped up for competition by:
Visualizing what I’m going to do during the race and realizing what I just got myself into.
Miscellaneous
When I’m not coaching or training I like to:
Read, wander around the woods, and see how many trout I can catch
The neatest thing I ever found on a run/ride was:
Bungie cords--you can never have enough
Something non-sports related that no one would guess about me:
I’m a self proclaimed sandwich artist
If I wasn’t a coach, I would be:
The voice of a Disney movie character or a cowboy on a ranch in Wyoming
My favorite meal/dessert is:
BBQ ribs… but I just love food in general
My favorite music is:
acoustic, rock, jazz, and bluegrass
My favorite book is:
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
My favorite place in the world is:
Sherwood Lake, WV & Ryazan, Russia
When traveling, I never leave without:
my headlamp
In my car you’ll find:
A flashlight, a GPS, and my Nalgene bottle
In 2020, I plan to be:
A Little League baseball coach.
The best small bit of advice I can give is:
Never settle.
Where I would most like to go and what I would most like to do on a dream vacation:
Backpack through Europe with Carri
Pure relaxation is:
Sitting around a campfire
I’m a real slacker when it comes to:
The thesis I’m “writing”
You would never mistake me for:
Arnold Schwarzenegger
