Well Hello CTC

While I probably have met most of you and you might already know me, I thought I would take some time to tell you a little bit about me and what the Club means to me.

I have served on the Board since the first day. I have served on multiple committees, I am the current sponsorship chair, and I was the Vice-President and President for several years. I also have hosted an instructional group ride for over 8 years. 

I have loved watching the Club grow. It always brings a smile to my face when I’m around town and I spot a CTC sticker on one of your cars. In case you didn’t know the Club has grown to over 100 members.

I have been competing in triathlons for about 8 years now. I did my first race while accompanying my wife in Australia for the ITU Worlds. I got talked into doing the mini-sprint. I wish you could have seen me. I had to backstroke and dog paddle for the swim. I was almost the last person out of the water. My legs where killing me. I thought it would be a good idea to go for a 2 hour run the day before. Keep in mind I hadn’t run in over a year. While I was suffering my wife and her friends kept following me around the course yelling encouragement at me. I would never have made it, if it wasn’t for their support.

Shortly after returning home, my friends and I, got together and founded CTC. Since that time I have competed in every distance, including a full Ironman. I have to tell you, that if it was not for the amazing support of the Club I would never have made it, THANK YOU!!

In just one day Wally Marshall (our original swim guru) taught me to swim well enough to take a second place (in my age group) at the Donner Sprint Tri. This was only my second triathlon.

This has been a very short summation of what the Club has given me. If you allow me to, I would really like the opportunity to continue to give back to the Club.

Thank you,

Shawn Hughes, J.D.

As a charter member, I have been involved with the Chico Triathlon Club since the beginning. Back then I sat in awe of all of the athletes that were so talented, yet willing to share all of their knowledge with a guy who was just getting started in the sport. The support I got from the club led me to continue triathlon, eventually convincing my wife and two children to begin racing as well. I’ve met, raced with, and become friends with so many wonderful people from CTC.

I have been on the uniform committee since 2010 and helped to design the CTC logo. As I have gained experience in the sport, I have continued become more involved in the club. I was elected to the board in 2013, serving as a member-at-large, Vice-President, and as the current President.

Since that first meeting in 2009, Chico Triathlon Club has continued to expand in both membership and services offered. It now encompasses a great cross-section of athletes of all ages and abilities. I look forward to being a part of this continued growth as a member of the board.

I have had the privilege to serve on the board of directors for the Chico Tri Club for the past two years and I would like the honor to continue for another term.   I know that I’ve met many of you, but I would like the opportunity to introduce myself officially again. I have been involved in our wonderful sport of triathlon since 1997 when I participated in my first sprint distance triathlon back in Vancouver Canada and I got hooked! After I moved to Chico in 1999 I stayed active in running, swimming and cycling but it took several years to adjust to the summer heat for me to jump back in to competing in triathlons. However, since then I’ve been fortunate to have competed in triathlons all over the US and also internationally and at all different distances from sprint triathlons to full distance Ironman races.

I have been involved with the Chico Tri Club since its inception but have also been a member of two other triathlon clubs over the years, one here in Chico and another in Vancouver. I feel that I’ve seen what works really well and areas where clubs can improve.  I have gained so much from being involved in triathlon clubs and particularly in the Chico Tri Club where I’ve had the experience to train and race with elite level athletes and also have been able to encourage and offer advice to people wanting to give a triathlon a “try” for their first time. 

When I’m not training and racing in triathlons (which takes up most of my time J) I somehow find the time to work full time as a Registered Nurse for the California Department of Public Health where I manage a very busy office here in Chico and also spend time with my family, my supportive husband and energetic dogs.

The sport of triathlon has given me so much……inspiring training partners, lifelong friends, wonderful race locations and the satisfaction of tackling challenges that sometimes seem insurmountable. Since I have gained so much from triathlon I would really like the opportunity to give back by volunteering my time, efforts and energy to help the Chico Tri Club remain one of the premier triathlon clubs around.

I would be humbled to have the opportunity to continue to serve on the Board of Directors if you’d like to vote for me. In turn I will help support the Chico Tri Club and support each of you in whatever your triathlon goals may be.

Thank you for your interest and support of our great club.

Joanne Gilchrist