TriSports.com Blog

Swim Challenge.

This press release was sent to us today.  Always great to see our vendors stepping up and supporting great causes.

VISTA, Calif. – March 3, 2010 – Aqua Sphere, the leader in high-end, innovative swim products, dares to see who will go the distance—men or women?

As the sponsors of the Swim Challenge, Aqua Sphere, the company that promotes comfort and long-lasting performance in the water has thrown down the gauntlet in an effort to raise funds and awareness for breast and prostate cancer and in the process, determine who rules the pool.

Beginning April 1 through November 30, swimmers of all abilities can sign-up and sign on to www.swimchallenge.org  each day to log their hours (not their laps) in the water.  Whether they like it smooth or rough, on their backs or their stomachs, – it’s not the stroke that matters but who will outlast their competition.

The Swim Challenge website will track the total time, men vs. women, via a “leader meter” posted on the website and created as a widget so that competitors can keep tabs on their counterparts. The site will also allow swimmers to individually track their personal progress in the pool, encouraging them to swim longer each day.

A $35,000 donation will be split between the Prostate Cancer Foundation (men) and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (women); allocations will be determined by the cumulative hours swum by each gender.

“Regardless who wins, they both win,” says Olivier Laguette, Director of Marketing for Aqua Sphere. “We’ve all been personally affected by cancer in some way or another but instead of simply writing a check, we wanted to do something fun that would promote a healthy lifestyle as well as some healthy competition – and a little bit of gender wars seemed appropriate.”

Aqua Sphere, the originator of the “swim mask,” is widely known for their line of comfortable aquatic eyewear including the popular Seal and Vista masks and the Kaiman and Kayenne goggles.  Designed for form and function, swimmers can simply fit the frames to their face and forget about them while they enjoy swimming for time, distance, exercise or just fun.

About Aqua Sphere – Aqua Sphere is the worldwide brand of choice for swimming gear, based on the highest industry standards of design and innovation.  Launched in the mid-90s as a division of the diving industry leader Aqua Lung, Aqua Sphere is committed to supplying eye protection for dedicated or casual swimmers, enabling them to feel safe, comfortable and at home in the water.  The company’s numerous innovations include the Seal, the first swim mask featuring 180° vision and Kaiman, the first panoramic goggle.  For more information, call (800) 775-3483, or log on to www.aquasphereswim.com.

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® (BCRF) was founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder as an independent, not-for-profit 501(c) (3) organization dedicated to funding innovative clinical and translational research. The Foundation supports scientists at top universities and academic medical centers worldwide conducting the most advanced and promising breast cancer research that will lead to prevention and a cure in our lifetime. A minimum of 85 cents of each dollar donated to the Foundation goes directly to breast cancer research and awareness programs. For more information, visit www.bcrfcure.org or call 1.866.FIND.A.CURE.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation – The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) was founded in 1993 to find better treatments and a cure for prostate cancer. Through its unique model for soliciting and selecting promising research programs and rapid deployment of resources, the PCF has funded more than 1,500 programs at nearly 200 research centers in 20 countries around the world.  The PCF is a force of HOPE for more than 16 million men and their families around the world who are currently facing the disease.  For more information, visit www.prostatecancerfoundation.org.

Welcome USAT Nationals.

Tucson will be hosting Duathlon Nationals in 2011 and 2012.  If any of you have not made the trip out to the desert southwest yet, this could be a great excuse.  From the USAT press release yesterday:

TUCSON, AZ – USA Triathlon announced Wednesday that the scenic city of Tucson, Ariz., will host the National Duathlon Festival in 2011 and 2012.

Exact race dates have not been set, but organizers expect an April event for both years. Duathlon races consist of a run-bike-run format.

“USA Triathlon is thrilled to be bringing our National Duathlon Festival to Tucson in 2011 and 2012,” said USAT executive director Skip Gilbert. “Given the tremendous reception we received from Richmond, Va., for the past two years, we are confident that our nation’s 32nd-largest city and its active community will roll out the red carpet to help support and showcase our sport.”
 
“The selection of Tucson/Oro Valley to host the 2011 and 2012 USA Triathlon National Duathlon Festival provides the perfect opportunity to prove to world-class athletes and trainers how our community lives up to the title of ‘America’s Winter Training Capital,’” said Vince Trinidad, director of the Tucson Sports division for the Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau. 

“Additionally, the event will be an example of the seamless cooperation and collaboration between Tucson Sports, Oro Valley and Ventana Medical Systems, a private organization for which our destination is becoming well known.”

The 2011 and 2012 USAT National Duathlon Festival will consist of three duathlons in the Oro Valley – the Age Group National Championship, a sprint-distance Citizen’s Race and the Off-Road Championship. The 2010 event is slated for April 24-25 in Richmond, Va.

Tucson boasts an average of 350 days of sunshine annually, and event participants can expect average highs of 82 degrees and average lows of 50 degrees in April.

Set in the Sonoran Desert valley and surrounded by five mountain ranges, Tucson was ranked as the world’s No. 1 location for triathlon training by Triathlete magazine in 2009. The area is known as a hub for outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, rock climbing, golf and horseback riding. Tucson also boasts outstanding dining, museums and galleries.

The second-largest city in Arizona, Tucson has a metro population of more than one million. It is the home of the University of Arizona and ranks as one of the oldest continually inhabited areas in North America.

The area is serviced by the Tucson International Airport.  

Located in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains, the Hilton El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort, an AAA Four Diamond property, will serve as the host hotel for the event. Packet pick up will take place at the resort, as will the event’s vendor expo.

2011-12 USAT National Duathlon Festival Race Distances (run, bike, run)*
Age Group National Championship – 5k, 40k, 5k
Citizen’s Race (sprint distance) – 2.5k, 20k, 2.5k
Off-Road Championship – 3k, 15k, 3k
*All distances are subject to change.

It is official.

Tucson is now the Winter Training Capital and we have the proclamation to prove it.  This past Monday, February the 8th, Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup made it official.  As many people in and out of our industry are aware, Tucson has long been viewed at the place to be for training during the winter months.  We are admittedly spoiled here and sometimes lose sight of the fact how lucky we are to have the desert southwest as our stomping grounds.  With the weather wrecking havoc on the east coast, the timing could not have been more appropriate.  We admittedly have snow in Tucson as well, but it is up on the Catalina Mountains in a postcard perfect backdrop for training.

For more information on the Winter Training Capital, you can check out the website.

Warehouse 4 – Buying Department 0.

Sometimes I use this column to give credit where credit is due.  This past weekend the TriSports.com Fun Squad reunited and put together a paintball extravaganza.  Once announced, I promptly called out the warehouse crew by telling them to meet on the battlefield.  I was not sure how they would respond, but all I have to say is that they showed up and in a big way.

After they donned their brand new one-of-a-kind t-shirts provided by yours truly, they responded by pummeling us – 4 games in a row.  The beating was so bad that we had to switch teams almost immediately.  I was defeated and had the bump on my head to prove it (thanks to getting hit squarely during the first game).

Paintball was one heck of a cross training session for most of us.  Today we have employees gimping around the shop sore as can be and with welts all over their body.  Brutal, but it sure beats a weekend on the couch.  I’m off to lube up with Doctor Hoy’s Pain Relief Gel before meeting up with the Mayor tonight (exciting news to come on that subject soon).

TriSports.com Warehouse Crew

Where in the world is TriSports.com?

I like surprises.  I think it is nice when something unexpected happens – obviously as long as that surprise is a positive experience.  For example, I had never had a surprise birthday party until this past year.  I was completely caught off-guard and was more than grateful to the people involved in planning and attending.   As a more recent example, I was given a small Christmas gift from someone who I never expected anything from.  I was very touched.  In both of these examples, the surprises were planned in advance and showed me that these people cared enough to make it happen.

Over the years, our small triathlon company here has grown into a large triathlon company but we are so small in the grand scheme of the world in which we live in.  One of my favorite surprises here at TriSports.com is seeing the unsolicited support of our customers around the world.  Our customers are spreading the good word of TriSports.com without our knowledge.  When I first started with the company over 6 years ago, I most likely knew everyone wearing a TriSports.com T-Shirt or logo on their tri top but now that has changed dramatically.  Now I see and hear TriSports.com all over.  I have traveled a fair amount this year and here are my favorite TriSports.com surprises from the road:

• TriSports.com Decal in Baltimore Safeway Parking Lot (2000 miles from Tucson) – It was cold.  There was snow on the ground.  I was making a quick grocery store run.  I get out of the car, start rushing toward the entrance and then stop in my tracks.  The car I parked next to had a TriSports.com Decal on their back window.  Just so random – it made my day.
• TriSports.com Quebec Customer (2300 miles from Tucson) – Part of my job is meeting with vendors and sometimes visiting their facilities.  I can tell you that almost trip visiting a vendor results in a conversation from one of their employees talking to me about how they order from us.  It makes me smile and it is always unexpected even though it happens almost every time.  I picked Quebec for this example because it just happens to be the most recent example.
• TriSports.com Uniform at the Laguna Phuket Triathlon (9100 miles from Tucson) – When I was in Thailand this past month, one of the biggest triathlons in Asia was going on – the Laguna Phuket Triathlon.  Just before the swim start, I catch a quick glance of Mr. Race Number 150.  See picture below.  I have no idea who this gentleman is, but he was sporting the TriSports.com colors on the other side of the globe.  The race was about to begin so I was not able to introduce myself.

Thanks to all you out there helping us build the TriSports.com and making us proud – especially you Mr. Race Number 150.

Company to watch: Louis Garneau.

Last month I had the pleasure of visiting with Louis Garneau – both the company and the man himself.  I can tell you that the progression of product from the Garneau company over the past several years has been more than impressive.  As a cycling company, they made a firm comittment to the triathlon market a few years ago and you can see the results.  When Chrissie Wellington is using your helmets and shoes to break world records, you know you have hit the big time.  They have several innovative products in a variety of product categories from cycling/triathlon shoes to aero helmets to triathlon clothing.  It is this comittment to our sport combined with the backing of a talented product team that allows me to confidently declare that you should be on the lookout for new product from Louis Garneau.  Trust me.  While I cannot officially talk about it, there are some exciting things coming.  Be on the lookout…

RYB.

One of the most used phrases here at TriSports.com is “Ride Your Bike” or RYB.  Sounds simple enough but the command itself is also the answer to many of life’s problems and excuses.

• I don’t feel good.  RYB
• I am not fast.  RYB
• I am tired.  RYB
• I am lonely.  RYB
• I don’t know how to swim.  RYB

With all the media focus on the weather during the past several weeks and how it has made travel a nightmare for some folks, I present you this video.  RYB baby – no excuses.

And in the spirit of bike riding, I also present you one of the hottest bikes out there right now, the new Litespeed Archon C1…

TriSports.com Family.

With Christmas on the horizon, TriSports.com is officially closed both today and tomorrow so that our employees can spend time with their families.  This time of year is always a time of transition – a time when we reflect on the past year and a time when we ponder what the next year will bring.  When I think back on the year here at TriSports.com, my thoughts revolve completely around the great staff we have here running the machine.  Much of the work here is done behind the scenes and goes unnoticed.  Employees are not always openly acknowledged.  As a member of the management team, I wanted to take the time and space in this blog to thank the entire staff of TriSports.com for all their hard work over the past year.  I know all of you have worked hard to serve our customers. 

While we openly admit that we sometimes fail in meeting our high standards of service, it is the push to always be better that drives our company forward.  This drive has initiated some rather exciting projects that will be coming in 2010.  Stay tuned…

And from our family to yours, we hope you have a wonderful holiday season.

Tucson Represent.

Tucson continues to grow its reputation as a training mecca and TriSports.com is gearing up for a great winter training season.  Several Tucson-based athletes showcased their abilities over the past weekend at Ironman Arizona up in Tempe.  Those long hours in the sunny southwest have paid off big with some great late season results.

• Samantha McGlone – WPRO – 1st Overall Female
• Leanda Cave – WPRO – 5th Overall Female
• Chrissy Parks – W30-34 – 1st Overall Age Group Female (13th Overall)
• Torsten Abel – MPRO – 3rd Overall Male

Congrats to the above athletes for leading the Tucson charge and congrats to the rest of the Tucson athletes who raced last weekend.  For the rest of you, this is your official invitation to join us down here for some training in the near future.

Busy week at TriSports.com.

This could be one of the busiest weeks of the year at TriSports.com Retail Store thanks to a few large local events:

EL TOUR DE TUCSON – El Tour is one of the largest cycling events in the United States.  I believe this year they are expecting about 8,000 cyclists from all around the world.

IRONMAN ARIZONA – About 100 miles from Tucson up in Tempe, Ironman Arizona has turned into one of the more competitive late season, post-Kona Ironman races.

It is looking like we will have near perfect weather for both events this weekend.  Expecting a high of 77 degrees (and sunny) here in Tucson on Saturday and 75 degrees (and sunny) up in Tempe on Sunday.  This is the time of year to be loving on the Southwest.  Good luck to all cyclists and triathletes participating and racing this coming weekend.  TriSports.com has several employees entered in both events as well.

It is great to be surrounded by so many athletes who have prepared many days, weeks and months for these events.  There is alwasys a buzz around the shop this time of year even with it being so late in the season.  It is a great way to wrap up the race season before we hit another season… the holiday season (yikes!).