On February 13, 2012,
in Just as all good movies have a sequel, so shall Mumblings on a Monday. (Of course I know that even some BAD movies have sequels….so let’s just agree that the first installment of Mumblings on a Monday was a critical and box office success, and the writing is far better than anything George Lucas could do – even if the special effects aren’t quite up to par).
- I hate winter! For those of you in colder climes than Northeast Florida, you’re probably thinking, “What the heck is he thinking….he lives in FLORIDA!” Well, Winter finally showed up in the Sunshine State over the weekend, and I was camping. Saturday night’s low was in the mid 20′s. This morning, the car registered the temperature as a balmy 24 degrees. I frankly have no idea how you folks who live where it gets cold can stomach exercising outside. I’m wearing about 300 layers and I’m still cold.
- Apparently Lance can do Tri: So yesterday, Lance Armstrong raced the Panama 70.3 race, and did pretty darn well. He took 2nd place in his debut race as a professional triathlete. He averaged about 26mph on the bike – and according to some was “holding back” – and then ran a 1:17 half marathon. Not bad for a bloke who hasn’t done triathlon in quite a few years. It will be interesting to watch him race this season and see how well he does.
- Rev3 Tri comes to Florida: As you may recall, a
Let’s face it. Cancer bites. Far too many folks deal with it. I suspect that each and every person who reads this will have a family member or dear friend that has or has had cancer.
I’ve been really lucky. I haven’t had cancer. Folks in my family have; my father has prostate cancer. My stepmother had breast cancer last year (and thankfully now is cancer-free). My wife has had numerous skin cancers (thankfully no melanomas). One of my best friends found out a few weeks ago he has prostate cancer, and is having his prostate removed this coming Monday. He’s way too young to have this.
For the past couple of weeks, folks on Team Rev3 Tri have been trading stories about friends and loved ones that have dealt with cancer as part of our motivation and run-up for Rev3′s Run Across America. Honestly, the stories have been inspirational, sad, poignant, wrought with feelings, compelling, and amazing. They have also been galvanizing. Team Rev3 Tri has become laser focused on the fight against cancer.
We’re going to all run with Rev3 during the Run Across America. Some of the team will physically take part in the run; others will be running “virtually” in our home towns. There will be team competitions where we invite others to run with us, all in the name of raising money for the Ulman Cancer Fund.
The most exciting news broke… Read the rest
Cancer is a dirty word. And a dirtier disease. Sadly, most of us are impacted by cancer – either directly or indirectly. While I’ve never had cancer (knocking on wood), I do know lots of folks who do…or have had. My father. My spouse. My step mother. One of my best friends. A college fraternity brother who ultimately succumbed to the disease.
Fortunately, there are lots of great doctors treating people with cancer. Lots of talented scientists trying to figure out how to prevent and cure cancer. Lots of tremendous organizations that help cancer patients and their families. And while you no doubt can name more than a handful of worthy cancer-related organizations, there’s one in particular that I’d like you to know about.
It’s the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults. UCF supports young adults by providing resources, information, and educational opportunities for cancer survivors. Key among their initiatives are efforts to educate young adults in how to avoid and prevent sun damage, which could lead to skin cancer. They also offer support for young adult cancer patients and survivors, including one-on-one and peer support groups.
As you know, fighting the fight against cancer is not cheap. Setting aside the actual medical expenses, the costs associated with ongoing support and education can be astronomical. And that is where Rev3 Tri comes into play.
Rev3 announced today that beginning on March 26th, the staff of Rev3 will begin an epic “Run Across America” with a goal of raising… Read the rest
It’s been a while since I’ve done a random style post, so I thought I’d toss one out there for this week…
- It’s 11-11-11. That’s cool. I love cool dates like today (09-10-11 was another cool one)
- Today is Veteran’s Day. Frankly, I believe that our veterans (and active duty military) don’t get all the praise they deserve. We literally owe our way of life to the brave souls who have fought for this country. To that, you all have my never-ending respect and thanks.
- I read a very interesting post by Jim Gourley today regarding why he won’t be celebrating today.
- You may have heard of The Wounded Warrior Project. This is a non-profit (actually based here in NE Florida) that serves servicemen and women injured in combat. It’s a spectacular cause, and one I’m proud to have supported numerous times this year.
- I’m holding out on setting up my bike trainer. I want to continue to think that I’ll be able to ride outside, but it’s getting harder and harder to actually believe that.
- I started planking this week…and not the kind where I take a picture of myself lying flat on something and Tweet it out. I must have a pretty weak core, because these things absolutely kill me!
- Rev3 Tri started announcing their AG team for 2012 yesterday. The way they are doing it is pretty cool, yet I could see how it could add to some folks’ stress levels. See, what
It’s the time of year when triathletes in the northern hemisphere start thinking about next year’s race season (our friends in the southern hemisphere are in the thick of their season now). Like many of you, I have started thinking about my race schedule for next year.
There’s a lot to think about.
How many races should I do? Should I go “long” again and do a iron-distance race? What would happen to me if I tried to race two half iron races in one month? How much of this will my wife approve? (That may actually be the most important question).
I tend to be really ambitious in my race desires at the beginning of the season – and then life intervenes and causes me to pare down the list. Take this year, for example. When I drafted out my 2011 schedule, I had wanted to run 2 half marathons, a 15k road race, a marathon, two sprint tri’s, two Olympic tri’s, and a half-iron tri. Of that schedule, I didn’t do one of the sprint tri’s, the 15k, or either of the half-marys. Life simply got in the way.
Not that I’m disappointed. In fact, I’d rather aim big and accomplish some of the list than only have a few races on the schedule and not be able to do them.
So….what am I thinking for next year? Again, another full year. I’d like to accomplish the following
- three half marathons (one in the spring, two in the late fall)
- a
Dear Ironman,
You and I, we have a history.
I’ve sweated and swam, biked miles upon miles, and ran like Forrest Gump. All in an effort to overcome the races you’ve lain in front of me. Not just once, but several times.
Orlando. Panama City Beach. Louisville. They are familiar territory. A few good memories have come from my pursuits there. More of them have been ho-hum.
Once I was pleased to hear Mike Reilly proclaim that I was an “Ironman”.
But I’m over you.
It’s not you…..it’s all me.
I’m tired of swimming with two thousand friends. I don’t like drafting when I’m supposed to be racing. I don’t like feeling like a customer.
Triathlon isn’t about those things. At least for me, it’s not. Triathlon is about the challenge. Feeling like you belong at a race – regardless of whether you’re the first finisher or the last. I like spectacle and boisterous finish lines as much as the next guy, and while you’re good at that, others are equally good – if not better – at it than you are. I want to feel valued as an athlete. Part of the family. Cared about. Loved.
And you, well, you don’t do that anymore for me.
I’m just a tick mark on your headboard. Another zero on the balance sheet. Another person to sell logo’d merchandise to for too high a price.
We’re done. I know you’ll find others. People will constantly clamor for the “notoriety” that comes from… Read the rest
Crossing the finish line at the 2010 Rev3 Knoxville.
We’ve been in the midst of this great American recession for going on five years now, and yet multisport events are seemingly on a growth curve resembling Apple’s sales figures following the release of a new iPhone.
It seems as if new races and race series are popping up everywhere.
WTC has expanded like two horny rabbits in the last three or four years. Rev3 Tri has gone from one race to nine. HITS is coming into the marketplace in 2012. The Challenge series has grown. WTC created the 5150 series (well…”created” is a term used lightly as this series was wrought from acquisition and partnership activity). Countless local races have sprouted all over the country.
Let’s face it, our sport offers a pretty unique value stream. Revenues are seemingly high. Attendance is generally trending up. Membership in USAT is on a growth track. Triathlon couldn’t be subjected to the perils of a downtrodden economy.
Or could it?
While lead news items typically include only announcements of new and exciting races and venues, what gets lost – and perhaps buried – is the fact that race cancellations are not unheard of. Certainly, WTC’s cancellation of the season-ending 5150 race in Clearwater, FL ranks as the biggest cancellation of the year, it’s just the veritable tip of the iceberg.
Many races get canceled. Often they are canceled for weather or permitting issues, but just as frequently they are canceled due to low turnout – as was the Clearwater 5150 race. Just this fall, races such… Read the rest
No….this isn’t a post about the Civil War or why some of my neighbors may want to fly the Stars & Bars flag or even why the SEC is the most dominant football league in the NCAA. This post is about something even better than sweet tea, southern accents, and pecan pie (and yes, since I’m actually from the South, I do consider myself an expert in each of those areas).
This post is about a new race that you’re going to want to put on your 2012 calendar.
Revolution 3 has announced that they are coming to Florida! (insert thunderous applause)
Sarasota will be season-ending stop in the Rev3 series the weekend of October 27-28, 2012.
For those of you who have never been to Sarasota, picture this. A swim in the beautiful blue-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico, white sandy beaches, pancake flat bike and run. Since the event will be in late October, the temperature and humidity will be more than tolerable. This race could well become one of the marquis events in the Rev3 series.
I’m officially excited as hell to have this race come to my home state.
Just like all the other Rev3 races, Rev3 Florida promises to be an outstanding venue for families. I mean – come on. The beach? In Florida? In October? Need I say more? Plus – Sarasota is the winter home for the Ringling Brothers Circus. If you like camping, fishing, etc., nearby Myakka State Park is top shelf… Read the rest
So yesterday I wrote about the little ‘ole race out in the Pacific this weekend. At the tail end of that post, I made my prediction as to who would win the men’s and women’s races.
Well, that race isn’t the only big-ticket event happening this weekend. The other event is the concluding race in the Rev3 Points Series!
In case you didn’t know, Rev3 offers a points series – for both professional triathletes as well as age groupers. The prize purse is pretty hefty. The winners of the pro series each get a $15,000 bonus payout. The age group series has a prize purse of $20,000.
To qualify for the series championship, athletes have to race at least one of each Rev3 distance (Olympic, Half Rev and Full Rev). Points are awarded commensurate with the finishing place at each race.
While we all know the popularity of the Quassy race (due to the HUGE prize purse for that race, the difficulty of the course, and the general awesomeness of the Rev3 crew), there are more than a few folks who are eligible for the points series championship.
The men’s leader board is topped by Andrew Starkowicz - also known as Starkey. He took a victory at Cedar Point, and as a result is 200 points ahead of Chris “Big Sexy” McDonald. David Thompson is also in the mix, just 360 points out of the lead. Sunday’s race in Anderson could be an epic showdown. In all honesty, you can’t… Read the rest
