Welcome to TheTrainingCoop.com  We're a small cooperative of recreational athletes who enjoy some regimented physical training, who test ourselves in local competitions and through other self-inflicted challenges, and who enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded individuals who view physical activity and sport as a fundamental component and enabler of an effective life. 

Or to put it another way, we think that riding bikes, gliding on skis, paddling kayaks and canoes, pumping weights, and so on is fun, and we think that sharing those activities with friends is even more fun. 

Our ongoing goal is to maintain a training and competitive environment where a small cooperative of members share many of the same athletic interests, and want to live through some of the highs and lows of each other's training, competing, and adventures together.  We also want to encourage others to participate in fitness activities, whether that's achieved thru helping put on local races and events, donating fitness merchandise to like-minded charities, or offering certified personal fitness training.

Click on the links above to learn a little more about what we're up to, go to our message board to read the latest updates, and scroll down to view our member profiles.

Happy training!

 --------------------  M E M B E R S  --------------------

Scott Wiebe

This picture is taken as Scott climbs a hill during the unsanctioned "GrudeCross" race which took place just a few feet from his house (picture credit to photographer extraordinaire Laura Braun).

Scott enjoys his mountain and cyclocross bikes (though his new-found love of motorcycles has hurt his motorless bike training), loves getting into the water on his kayak and surf ski whenever he can, and has a daily strength training regimen.  He also skis a bit in the winter, sort of.

Deanna Wiebe

Pictured here Deanna enjoys the view of Lake Winnipeg after a paddle along its coast. 

Deanna shares in many of the same activities as Scott but particularly enjoys her indoor winter rides on her Tacx virtual reality trainer. 

She can build muscle more quickly than Scott but is still kind to her husband even though she'd arguably win a fist fight between the two.

Graham Wiebe

Graham is eyeing a water bottle handoff in this pic taken during a mountain bike race at Grand Beach.

Graham may be the most naturally gifted mountain biker among us (which isn't necessarily saying much) and he tries to get in a few good mountain bike races a year.  If the rest of us wimp out and decide not to race Graham always serves as a great excuse to still show up and cheer on the competition.

His job as a self-employed carpenter helps keep him fit but also prevents him from getting in as much riding as he'd like.  None the less Graham's fat percent is the envy of the rest of us.

Tom Kolesnik

Here's a self portrait of Tom skiing with his sons Brett and Jordan. 

Tom is no stranger to varied outdoor activity as a former park ranger and general outdoor enthusiast.  As a military search and rescue pilot he needs to keep himself in good shape to cope with the sometimes gruelling job of rescuing others who have been enthusiastic beyond their abilities and gotten themselves in trouble.

Tom loves endurance events and is great at setting and maintaining a pace for mile after mile.

Lori Kolesnik

Lori is pictured here  riding by Sturgeon Creek close to home.  She rides, skis, and enjoys other activities like the rest of us, but she especially enjoys a varied strength and cardio routine with free weights, her Smith machine, treadmill, and outdoor runs. 

Lori likes researching the latest fitness and nutrition treads and implementing the bits that make sense to achieve her personal goals.  The results speak for themselves.

Brian Dyck

We've all had bad helmet head, but Brian was brave enough to take a picture of himself with some well coiffed post-ride hair for all to enjoy.

Brian is nothing if not meticulous about his bikes and appreciates the fashion and function of his two-wheeled toys. 

His road bike in particular is gorgeous and if, heaven forbid, he were to meet an untimely end while on a group ride we would (a) pay our heart-felt respects and (b) fight over the bike spoils.

Dean Gurney

Dean is likely the most formally accomplished athlete among us.  While the rest of us were learning our multiplication tables in elementary school Dean had a personal running coach (who happens to currently be the head coach for the U of M track & field program), and by the time the rest of us started dating Dean had piled up numerous national level running awards. 

Scott and Dean have enjoying a friendship and competitive rivalry since kindergarten, maybe most notably culminating in a badminton doubles partnership in high school and a university track & field career together.  There've been many other sports adventures along the way too.

Dean has transitioned from a running and school-sports background to triathlon competitions, and hopefully more paddling as time allows.

Kara Dennis

Dean and Kara met at the University of Lethbridge as members of the cross country running team.  They've moved around quite a bit since then, as far north as the Canadian Arctic and as far south as, well, Wisconsin, but they've settled on an anchorage in southern Manitoba. 

Kara is an avid outdoorswoman, and after the relatively recent arrival of two children she's taken to the gravel and pavement with her running shoes again.  Like Dean, she's looking forward to fitting in more paddling, winter sports, and more as her family grows.