Meet Your Red Licorice Team: Joey Trimyer

Race day is where it is at. The absolute thrill you get looking out at the athletes and spectators knowing that you made that happen is a drug you can't buy on the street. My first major event job was managing the lifeguards at the Olympics in Atlanta. Since then I've had the opportunity to work on some extraordinary races such as the Austin Marathon, Nike Human Race, and the Chicago Marathon.

When asked if I am Sweet or Twisted my answer has always been "Heck Yes" so when the time came to try something different I knew exactly where I wanted to work. Red Licorice is fanatical about the things that count while keeping a great sense of humor. So, a couple of phone calls and a brunch later and I was a Race Director/Project Manager for RLE!

As an athlete I've completed dozens of triathlons ranging from super sprints to Ironman. I also coach runners for Rogue Training, and co-own the race results site MyChipTime.com. I don't think a weekend is complete if I'm not racing, volunteering, coaching or somehow active. I think having been in on all aspects of an event gives me the empathy to make certain that athletes, spectators, sherpas, and volunteers all have a great time.

This will be my first year directing races for RLE, but already the team feels like an extended family. The culture at Red Licorice is to throw yourself at projects like it's your best friend's wedding. And then do it better. And then do it better again. I hope to live up to that standard.

See you on race day!

Meet Your Red Licorice Team: Gayle Williams

You are tired and your legs are starting to push back on you. You have been in motion for over an hour and now at the last leg of your triathlon...ahhhhh the run course. You finished the swim (thank goodness!), you are off the bike (no flats!) and you realize this is it, your moment, your time to finish this race and finish it well. Your body seems to fall in line with your thoughts as you lean forward, giving in.

My name is Gayle Williams and my job as RLE's run course manager is to make every step as smooth as possible as this is where you could possibly get lost!!! I'm in charge of alleviating any directional questions on the course and ultimately making this run your best! To ensure your success, I will personally run the course looking for any areas of confusion in regards to turns and tricky places that need clarity. I will run it again, question it, make Eli (my assistant) run it, flag the course again, run it again and well, flag some more if needed. No eye can miss the path of this course, allowing YOU to kick it!!! Watch your back!

Afterall, this is it... the finish is near and your heart is pounding! Go Quads!! Go Hammies!! A few more steps and you feel the banner hit your chest. Your Finish, Your Resolve and your water bottle now in hand! You are amazing and I am here to help you accomplish amazing things. Lace em up (or slide your feet in!) and see you soon!

Meet Your Red Licorice Team: Pam Tobias

I am Pam Tobias, Volunteer Manager for Red Licorice Events. I think I got the job because I wore a red shirt to the interview. It’s the little things that matter! Actually I’d like an alternate title of Cat Herder, since working with volunteers is much like herding cats! My job is to gather together a group of people with busy lives and get them all going in the same direction, just for a little while. I am up to the challenge!

I’m a long time Austinite, and I’ve participated in sports in some manner for as long as I can remember. In high school I played on the Junior Varsity basketball team. If you ever meet me in person, you’ll see how deluded I was and I’ll laugh at me with you. Since then I’ve dabbled in soccer, softball, volleyball, and racquetball. I discovered triathlons and distance running 5 years ago, and since then I’ve competed in 3 marathons, countless shorter distance running events, numerous sprint distance triathlons, one Olympic triathlon, and if all goes well, I’ll be competing in my first half iron distance race this fall.

Professionally I have been a software developer and project manager until recently. When one door closes, another opens, and I am now reinventing myself as a fitness professional, studying for my personal training certification. By the time you read this, I may be certified!

By combining my passion for fitness, my love of events, and my project management skills, I hope to do a knockout job as Volunteer Manager here at Red Licorice Events! It takes a happy demeanor, boundless energy, and organization to herd the cats that are our volunteers. I hope to make every volunteer position an opportunity for fun. I know that as a volunteer, you’re giving your precious time, and I want each person to leave with a smile on their face and wanting to come back next time.

So next time you’re at a Red Licorice Event, stop by the volunteer tent and say hi! And see for yourself why my basketball career never took off.

Pam

Meet Your Red Licorice Team: Chris Day

Chris Day

Rest Stop Manager

I didn't know what to say when I was first asked if I was 'sweet or twisted'. The Jury is still out...

I am Chris Day at your service as the Water-Stop extraordinaire for Red Licorice Events. When I took this role I immediately began studying Adam Sandler in 'Water Boy'. I know my job is a little different than that, my goal is to provide everyone with 'Some high quality H2O..."

Growing up in Fayetteville Arkansas, endurance sports were not very popular or present. While I spent my time as a sprinter and on the soccer fields, I thought anything over 5k was for crazy folks. Well, I'm not sure that still isn't true but I've been bit by the same bug as those that I used to raise my eyebrows at. I began Triathlon 4 years ago as a way to stay in shape and with out being a 'Dragon Shirt wearing, Tribal Armband Tattooed, Spikey Haired, Metro Gym Rat'. I'd like to see those guys out on 360...

I have competed in several Sprint Distance and X-terra Triathlons as well as countless running races and adventure races. I completed my first Marathon this February and I begin my Tri season in May 10th as part of the Texas Tri Series that ends with the Longhorn Ironman 70:3 in October.

I'm President of the Young Execs of Austin, a non-profit networking group, and we're incorporating more wellness and activities in our programming. I am passionate about bridging the gap between business and fitness and excited to begin working with RLE.

The race-day events definitely make anyone's first or fiftieth race so much fun, you'll keep coming back for more. I love being part of the RLE crew. Every meeting we have, I leave with soreness in my cheeks from smiling and laughing so much. I have so much fun at the events watching the accomplishments of an athlete's passion, discipline and dedication all come together. Hey, why else would I wake up at 2 am on a Saturday?!?

I can't wait to see you out on the course!

OK, I've given it some thought... I'm sweet for sure.

I'm still not sure about all you twisted people...

-CD

Meet Your Red Licorice Team: Eli Cohen

Eli Cohen

Event Development Director

Greetings RLE Faithful!

My name is Eli Cohen and I'm your Event Development Director. What exactly is it that I do? Well, if I told you, I'd probably have to kill you... totally kidding! All joking aside, while my role with RLE is "complicated," my mission is simple: to inspire, educate, and motivate you to enjoy a lifetime of endurance adventure!

I enjoyed great success running track and cross country in high school, but in 2000, I tore my ACL two weeks before the regional XC championships. Never quite returning to full speed, I hung up my running shoes as I headed off to college. Five years later, I broke my foot which actually proved to be a blessing in disguise. While rehabbing the injury, I also worked on strengthening the knee. The road back wasn't the easiest, but after a lot of hard work, dedication, and determination, I emerged from the endurance athlete's underworld as the serious (or perhaps insane) athlete you know and love today. I dabble in a little bit of everything from 5K to marathon, kayak and adventure racing, and triathlon. My passion is staring adversity in the eye and pushing my body to limits I never knew existed - there's truly no greater feeling!

I encourage you to join me on race day and participate in all aspects of the Sweet & Twisted experience whether competing, volunteering, or supporting other athletes. While I'll be coaching numerous clinics this spring/summer, if there's only one thing I want you to remember, it's to HAVE FUN! This is something I all too often forget, but RLE, its athletes, and events remind me that this is why I do what I do. I'll leave you with this: I live but by one motto, and if you've put in the countless hours and early mornings of training and preparation, then on race day there's only one thing to do... GO BIG!!!

At 5'3", I appear short and sweet, but trust me, I've always got a card up my sleeve! TWISTED for sure!