TriSupporter

Planning Ahead

So I just blocked my work calendar for September 7 and 10 because we'll be in Madison for another Ironman Wisconsin. This time we'll be cheering on Marcus and Bob as they journey to their first Ironman on September 9th. We can't wait to be there on the helix, at Mt Horeb, at the Union and at the Finish!!

What I really want to block on my calendar is the vacation we're all taking in October to celebrate!!

Ding Ding!

Are all Ironmans Created Equal?

I have to share this story because it I thought it was so darned funny.

Last Thursday Rianman met with Coach Ken to plan the 2009 season. They met at the local Starbucks and from what I understand covered the basics: goals and events and *maybe* a bit of BS. In talking about goals, Rianman was trying to convey the challenge of coming up with a goal now that he had completed the Ironman. "What else is there?"

He illustrated the difficulty by saying, "Look I did the Ironman. I'm just like Chris "Macca" McCormack. We're the same--we are both Ironmen. Once you do one, you're an Ironman." 

I have to interrupt here...in case you don't know who Macca is, Rianman just compared himself to the 2007 Ironman World Champion!! Winner of a gazillion Ironman races.

Me: "What?! You did not compare yourself to Macca? OMG, did Ken laugh?"

Rianman: "No. Why?"

Me: "Really? How could he not laugh?"

Rianman: "I was trying to make a point."

Me: "Did he get it?"

Rianman: "Yes. I think so. I was making a point."

Me [still laughing]: "Okay, I get the point too but really, comparing yourself to Macca is a bit of a stretch."

Rianman: "Anyway..."  and he continued the story.

So are all Ironmen created equal?

• They have finished the same distance.

• They all had to sacrifice something to accomplish the feat.

• They all had to push themselves both mentally and physically to cross the finish line.

• Certainly they all garner attention and respect from others. While Macca's fame is more global and achievements stellar, Rianman and others like him get stopped when wearing their t-shirts or hats and the average Joe is usually pretty impressed.

But, there is the obvious...Rianman didn't win the race or even his age group. He's only done one, Macca has won many more than Rianman even dreams of finishing. What makes an Ironman then? Winning the race or doing what it takes to finish the race?

Clearly an Ironman isn't just the person who wins the race. An Ironman is an Ironman because they have had to train their bodies and minds, had to give up the easy road to test themselves by swimming, cycling, and running 140.6 miles in under 17 hours. They are an Ironman when they cross the finish line. And so, I guess Rianman is right, he's just like Macca.

Happy Birthday

ironman cake
Originally uploaded by natalieandrian

Today is Ri-guy's birthday...well, it's mine too. But yesterday we had a surprise birthday and an Ironman Wisconsin good luck party for him at Spin Pizza. Here's his cake (thanks to Robin at Sublime Slice). It was yummy too!

Prepping for Ironman

Okay, if you don't know yet, we're prepping for Ironman Wisconsin. Ri-guy's work outs have gotten downright easy compared to just a few weeks ago. He's still working out twice a day sometimes but the intensity and duration have been cut dramatically. This actually comes at a good time cause it seems as you taper for an Ironman, you spend the balance of the newly gained free time planning for the Ironman. In the last week Ri-guy has been writing and revising lists, ordering products, planning his special needs bags, getting cell phones numbers of his WIBA friends (remember them? they're all girls...nice huh?), talking to anyone who has done an Ironman, and reading blogs, websites, and message boards.

While he's been doing what he needs to do, I've been doing what a Sherpa does. I've confirmed travel plans, checked on other people's travel plans, made dinner reservations, booked the doggy hotel, reminded him of things he needs to do (practice changing flats), come up with ways to communicate to friends and family during the race, worked with friends to come up with spectator locations, and researched blog, websites, and message boards for the best places to watch. I can only imagine what the next 2 weeks will bring.

Yes, I said two weeks. "But your countdown clock says more than 2 weeks," you note. Yes, but we leave for Madison in two weeks...in fact, in two weeks, we'll be in Madison.

We've done the research, talked to people, watched videos, viewed photos, even gone to Madison all to prepare for this big event and, yet, I feel we have no idea what is in store for us.

Things are starting to feel real.

Ding, ding.

New T-Shirt Designs

While Ri-guy has been training for Ironman Wisconsin, I've been busy getting a few new t-shirts designs up at the store. These new designs are for the triathlete. We have a "go green" design that is perfectly paired on an organic cotton t-shirt.

If you're going to cheer on a triathlete at Ironman Louisville or Wisconsin, there is still enough time to order a custom shirt on one of our 140.6 designs. But don't wait too long or you'll have to pay more in shipping. To order a custom shirt, visit the store to check out our current designs, then email me (trisupporter at gmail dot com) with your choice for the front design and what you'd like on the back design. Our recent custom orders usually include "Team X" with X being the first, last or nick name of the person they are cheering. You can also add the race, the date, or any saying. It's up to your imagination!

Be ready for the race.

Ding, ding.

Cowbells at WIBA Wisconsin Brick Adventure

As part of Rianman's Ironman Wisconsin training, he's taking part in the 2008 Wisconsin Brick Adventure aka WIBA (wee-bah) put on by uber tri-bloggers IronWil and RobbyB, and Team EvoTri. So next weekend we'll hop in Charlie, the trusty tri-mobile, and drive the 8 or so hours to Madison...hopefully avoiding the flooded highways of Iowa. (Please keep the residents in your thoughts.)

Rianman's weekend will be full of training fun while mine will be full of sitting around! Yup, TriSupporter duties call for a co-captain and navigator on long road trips. I don't mind...heck...if I want Rianman to get there alive, I need to help drive. If you know him, you know two things:

1. he gets lost
2. he gets very sleepy behind the wheel

Last night I contacted the the friendly folks putting on WIBA to see if they'd like a donation of keychain cowbells. Happily they said yes. I'm proud to announce the TriSupporter cowbell keychains will make their first Swag appearance. I want to hear mini cowbells ringing across the Midwest!!!

It's too late to register for WIBA 2008, but if your triathlete is planning for the 2009 IMWI, then keep WIBA in mind.

Ironman Kansas 70.3 Expo Day

I love the Expo at big races. Maybe it is cause I also like shopping and this is just targeted, tri-specific shopping ;-)  I think it's a good compromise for the triathlete and the TriSupporter--plus he can't complain about me taking my time!

This time though I'm hoping to be a more active participant or observer. I hope to meet some contacts for moving TriSupporter forward. Inside-Out Sports will be there and so will KC Multisport. I'm hoping to find out how to get flyers into a swag bag (the goodies you get when you are in a race) and even have a table selling our t-shirts and accessories at races and expos.

I have about 50 cowbell keychains to give away and 50 coupon/business cards. This will require me to come out of my shell---can I do it??? I need inspiration from Missy - the best at talking to people! If I come up to you and stick a cowbell in your face and run, forgive me...I'm shy.

If you'll be at the 70.3 this weekend and you see someone wearing a TriSupporter shirt, it is probably me....maybe Rian. Say, "Hi!" You may even get a cowbell keyring out of it.