athlete profiles
Bryan Palas – Tampa, FL
I’ve seen gains faster than I’ve expected! Jon was able to quickly identify where I can make my biggest gains in the shortest period of time. Working with Tri Tampa Bay, it took just a little over a month for me to break my standalone 5k PR in a triathlon! He’s taken my worst leg of the race and made it my strongest! Jon creates structured plans built around my goals and my personal life. His one on one training sessions are exceptional and challenging. During these sessions Jon gives me the attention needed, constructive feedback, and drives me to push through my threshold. Jon knows the science behind the sport, cares that I excel to my goals, and more importantly makes training fun. Tri Tampa Bay has gone above and beyond my expectations!
Amy Keener – St. Petersburg, FL 
Growing up I was always the tomboy preferring to climb trees than play with dolls. I started swimming at 2yrs old and fell in love with the water. After seeing the Hawaii Ironman on TV I knew that’s what I wanted to do. I began doing triathlons in 2004. I have completed everything from sprints to IM’s. This year will be my 4th IM and hopefully the fastest. My favorite race of all time is Escape From Alcatraz. Swimming with sharks, biking uphill along the Pacific Ocean, and running up the infamous sand steps. It’s a blast! I have been working with Jon since Dec 10, I have already seen great improvements in my weakest discipline- the run. I love the structure & specificity of his workouts. He really dials into your HR, LT & VO zones so you know exactly how hard to push it. I am so excited to see what this season will bring. Hopefully PR’s & hardware!
Caroline Cope – St. Petersburg, FL
I began racing in 2005 as a way to get off the couch and fell in love with the sport. I am a middle-of-the-pack age grouper looking for that big break. My life’s goal is the race until I am 80 and hope at least a few iron distance races are in my future. If I could make it to Hawaii that would be the greatest thing ever. I have a wonderful husband, Dan, that puts up with all my training and a son, Tray who is a US Marine stationed in Japan.
Dominic Prado – Odessa, FL
I have always been involved in the wide world of sports, from ten years of baseball to high school basketball and football, but it was not until June of ’10 that I picked up the love for triathlons. I never was a man who would just go out and run – I did it when I had to, mainly just to stay in shape; however, after watching my father run a few triathlons I decided to partake in this extreme endurance sport. Now, seven months later, I love to run and look forward to every workout that Coach Jon gleefully devises for me. I have recently placed in the top three of my last five out of seven triathlons, including one in which I placed first. I look forward to the upcoming St. Anthony’s race and Florida Half-Ironman in May, and I hope to one day qualify for the 70.3 Championship in Las Vegas
Tony Prado – Odessa, FL
I have been happily married to my wife, Lynne, for 20 years. I have three great teenagers, Dominic, Alexandra, and Jordan who make us very proud and keep us busy all year round. I have never been an endurance athlete. I almost drowned in my first triathlon at Top Gun in 2009, but I was hooked on the sport. I completed St. Anthony’s and several other triathlons in 2010, but I wanted a bigger challenge. I trained and successfully completed the Augusta Ironman 70.3. My race season was made even more special by my son, Dominic, becoming a triathlete as well. I am excited for this upcoming race season. There are several difficult triathlons on our schedule, and Dominic and I looking forward to the challenge.
Vashun Rodriguez – Tampa, FL
I have a 2nd degree black belt in martial arts, but since injuring my knee I was hesitant to get in the ring again. I always enjoyed running, biking and swimming as a kid. I tried my first Sprint triathlon in October 2010 and was hooked. Now Coach Jon is helping me reach my goals and really teaching me how to run, bike and swim competitively. On to my next challenge, an Olympic triathlon, maybe even an Ironman one day. My wife plans to do her first sprint triathlon later this year. Hopefully, our son and daughter will join us as soon as they’re old enough to run.
Franco Saraceno – St. Petersburg, FL
The 2010 season was my first year of racing since 1989 when I completed several sprint races with my parents, both triathletes. With a solid season under my belt, I am hoping to get faster in 2011. Jon’s focus on the science behind the training, matched by his enthusiasm, will make that possible. Since I started training under him, my drive to compete has surged and I know that my splits will follow suit. My goals for 2011 are to complete a 70.3 and to improve my Olympic length PR. With Jon’s coaching and my beautiful wife and kids cheering for me, I know that it will happen.
Jessica Koelsch – St. Petersburg, FL
I was the quintessential “last kid picked in gym class” growing up. Then in college I joined the rowing team on a whim and discovered I am an athlete after all!! I continued to rowing after college and doing more outdoor activities (backpacking, running, cycling, kayaking), started teaching indoor cycling (still do, still LOVE IT!) and was a competitive adventure racer for several years (National Champion in 2002!). I finally bought a “real” road bike and started triathlons in 2007. In 2010 I did my first ironman and managed to qualify for Kona!! Swimming is my weakest discipline but I find with good coaching, I am improving not just my swim, but across the board!! I love the organization and group camaraderie from the TTB Group.