A look at the shoe area – With 80-100 different makes/models of  shoes TriSports will have one of the best run shoe selections in the entire Phoenix valley for both runners and triathletes!

The early morning sun in late April shines into the store with the famous ASU A-Mountain in the background.

I arrived about 45 minutes prior to the swim start giving me enough time to park, swing by Starbucks, soak in the energy, and head to the bridge. The energy throughout Tempe was like Christmas morning, with everyone bubbling with the anticipation of the long day to come. Watching 2,500 people tread water below the bridge was incredible, and as the cannon went off and the athletes started their day, I tried to picture myself on the beach in Idaho.

The 2011 Ironman Arizona age group start.

After a quick breakfast and more caffeine, I found myself on a curb about ¼ of a mile from the bike course turn around. The day was perfect for racing, with temperatures in the mid 70’s, mild wind, and 0% chance of perception. Here I was able to get a good picture of how our athletes were doing. Torsten Abel looked calm and confident in the chase group (12^th place), which was quit a few minutes (about 8-10) down from the lead pack. I knew the day was still young and Torsten has a killer run, so I wasn’t worried. Leanda Cave came out of the water in 4^th but experienced a crash and some mechanical problems and looked pretty frazzled as she exited T1 in 8^th.  I was worried, but by the time she finished lap 1 of the bike she looked focused and back on her game. Woohoo! Seton was cruising right along, enjoying the cheers, and hamming it up as he rode in 3^rd place in the men’s 35-39 age group.

Seton got off the bike in 3rd in the M35-39 age group.

As the pro’s took to the run course, I made my way to the best aid station at Ironman Arizona –  Aid station #7 under the Mill Ave. bridge, which is staffed by the employees and customers of TriSports.com and headed up by our Vice President, Debbie. My goal on the run was to make people smile and with the help of my trusty hot pink sign, I think I accomplished just that.

Who doesn't love a "That's what she said" joke?

The run consists of 4 loops; with each lap I watched Leanda’s lead increase and Torsten run his way up through the ranks. As they passed through the TriSports.com aid station for the last time I made my way over to the finish line just in time to see this happen…

Then came Thomas Gerlach. Thomas received his pro card about a month ago and this was his professional Ironman debut. 8:57, not too shabby!

Team TriSports' Thomas Gerlach

Not too long after Thomas crossed the line, Leanda passed under the Ford arch with the biggest smile I have ever seen from the mild mannered and reserved Brit. A few month ago Leanda was in the shop and said, “I want to win one of those,” referring to an Ironman. With numerous 70.3, ITU and coveted race wins (Alcatraz, Wildflower), it was only a matter of time until she won one. It was incredible to watch one of the most decorated athletes in our sport finally cross the line first at this distance.

Leanda Cave wins 2011 Ironman Arizona.

Just 18 minutes after Leanda, TriSports.com CEO, Seton Claggett, came running down the shoot to win the men’s 35-39 age group, finishing 50^th overall and 8^th amateur. Imagine what he could do if he didn’t have 2 small kids and a company to run?!

Seton win the M35-39 age group and his bet with Leanda Cave.

Charisa Wernick hung tough and rounded out the top 10 for the pro women after a Tour de Porta-Potty during the second half of the marathon.

Charisa Wernick rounded out the 10 ten at IMAZ.

For Billy Oliver, the day didn’t go quit as planned. After a 2 minute swim PR, Billy crashed on the 2^nd loop of the bike. He only suffered some minor road rash, so he dusted himself off and got back into the race, willing himself to the finish only 3 minutes slower then his IMAZ PR. Bad ass.

Billy Oliver pushes through the pain.

Could I have asked for a better first Ironman to watch? I don’t think so. Multiple podium finishes from friends, watching Team TriSports athletes dig deep and push through the pain, all while spending a lovely day in Tempe, Arizona. Congratulations to all those who competed yesterday; you are an Ironman!

Retail manager, Erik Jacobson, volunteers at the 2010 Ironman Arizona.

I have to say that we are very fortunate to work in our facility because it really does feel like the entire TriSports.com staff is behind you.  They understand when you had a hard day on the bike, a great run or a meeting in the Pain Cave.  Most of the time when you see someone dragging in this building, it is because they just tortured themselves on some epic workout.  Why?   Because we live the endurance lifestyle, it is what we do, it is who we are.  See you up in Tempe!

2011 Ironman Arizona finisher, and Team TriSports athlete Matt Grabau.

]]> http://blog.tri-sports.com/2011/11/17/ironman-arizona-%e2%80%93-a-group-effort/feed/ 0 http://blog.tri-sports.com/2011/11/01/halloween-at-trisports-com/ http://blog.tri-sports.com/2011/11/01/halloween-at-trisports-com/#comments Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:00:11 +0000 Tom D. http://blog.tri-sports.com/?p=5255

Treats await the tricksters at the TriSports.com Halloween Luncheon with Mrs. Green, Gina Murphy-Darling. TriSports.com was awarded “Arizona's Greenest Workplace” by Mrs. Green’s World for 2011.

There really is no place like home as Dorothy enjoys the Whole Foods Luncheon at TriSports.com in celebration of winning the “Arizona's Greenest Workplace” award at our annual Halloween Costume Contest here in Tucson, Arizona.

Apparently the lack of devil’s food sandwiches upset Adam McCreight, retail associate, during the Halloween Luncheon with Mrs. Green as TriSports.com celebrated the “Arizona's Greenest Workplace” award for 2011.

Some of the TriSports.com family dogs got into the act including this one with a fairly convincing Guernsey costume at the TriSports.com Halloween Luncheon with Mrs. Green.

An impressive turnout of ghouls, goblins and get-ups for the 2011 TriSports.com Halloween Costume Contest during the Halloween Luncheon brought to us by Whole Foods, with guest Mrs. Green (AKA Gina Murphy-Darling), CEO of Mrs. Green’s World, on hand to help judge. TriSports.com won the Mrs. Green’s “Arizona's Greenest Workplace” award for 2011.

Staying with the front pack on the swim requires not only superior swimming abilities but top-notch hydrophobic fabrics. Leanda will be rocking the lightening fast Blueseventy PZ3TX and Hydra-vision goggles.

Comfort is key when it comes to riding 112 miles. Leanda’s weapon of chose is her Pinarello FT3 with Shimano Di2, Easton EC 90 TT wheelset, and ISM Adamo Saddle.

Leanda will be keeping her noggin nice and safe in Giro’s super light weight Ionos helmet (on sale now!)

As she makes her way down Ali’i drive 138 miles into the race she will still be smiling thanks to her happy feet in K-Swiss Kwicky Blade Lights.

140.6 miles is no easy task, and to keep Leanda going strong the whole day she uses and assortment of nutrition including Pacific Health Lab’s Accelerade, Accel Gels and 2nd surge, Nuun Hydration, and Salt Stick.

The punishing sun of Kona strains the entire body, including your eyes. Leanda’s Oakley Radar Path’s will not only protect her eyes from ultra violet rays, but they also protect her from unnecessary muscle strain caused by squinting or having to re-focus to correct for imperfections in the lens.

GOOD LUCK LEANDA!

TriSports Cycling member puking in the bushes.

The TriSports.com contingent was super strong at this event – we had 7 teams (6 of them from the TriSports Cycling Club and Team and one team of all triathletes).  Our two women’s teams took the top two spots on the podium while our best men’s team took 3^rd.  It was awesome to see all of the red, white and blue out there on the road!

Billy Brendon, Seton Claggett, Steve Acuna, and Craig Pansing

]]> http://blog.tri-sports.com/2011/08/29/arizona-state-team-time-trial-take-one-for-the-team%e2%80%a6and-then-puke/feed/ 1 http://blog.tri-sports.com/2011/06/21/kitzbuhel-itu-world-cup-race-recap/ http://blog.tri-sports.com/2011/06/21/kitzbuhel-itu-world-cup-race-recap/#comments Tue, 21 Jun 2011 20:35:26 +0000 Jaclyn A. http://blog.tri-sports.com/?p=4556 I’m a bit of an ITU junky, as I think it is a fascinating aspect of our sport that many American are not as familiar with. Some of the most successful long course triathletes got their start on the ITU circuit including, Leanda Cave, Chris McCormack, Andy Potts, and Cat Morrison. This year’s series is proving to be action packed as the stakes are high and the athletes eager to earn points to prove to their home countries that they are a viable choice for the 2012 Olympic Games. As well, current Ironman World Champions Chris McCormack announced his return to short course racing in hopes of being a contender for the Australian Olympic team.

This past weekend the 4^th race of the ITU World Cup series was held in Kitzbuhel, Austria. This weekends race was much anticipated with Chris McCormack making his return to short course racing, and Canada’s Paula Findlay would challenge two-time ITU World Champion Emma Moffatt’s record for the most World Championship Series wins. Unfortunately for McCormack things did not go as planned. Just two weeks after his win at Challenge Cairns he pulled out of the race shortly into the bike after posting the slowest swim time of the day by over 30 seconds.

Helen Jenkin (2nd, GBR), Paula Findlay (1st, CAN), Sarah Groff (3rd, USA)

Findlay did not disappoint and picked up her fifth World Championship Series title and third straight victory! However, the most notable race of the weekend came from America’s own Sarah Groff who had the best finish of her career coming in 3^rd just 35 seconds behind Finlay. Last year, no American even made it to the podium so it’s great to see an American representing abroad! Groff’s performance did not go unnoticed as she was named USA Today’s Olympic Athlete of the Week.

I hope my random babbling about these amazing Olympic hopefuls inspires more of you to follow the fast paced, and action packed world of ITU racing. It won’t be long before we see them in London!

See for yourself how cool ITU racing is! Check out THIS video from TriCenter!

Update: Here is what Macca had to say about his race in Kitzbuhel.

 Who are TriSports Champions?
Champions are triathletes who bring positive energy to their athletic community and to TriSports.com. The Champions are 100 athletes strong who inspire and encourage others, accomplish personal goals, and are active in their local racing scene. On any given day, you can find a Champion doling out advice to a newbie, heading up the pack on the group ride or volunteering on their local tri club board.  Champions know how to push themselves to become a better athlete while inspiring those around them. The TriSports Champions are the everyday-champions of the triathlon world.

What do we look for?
TriSports Champions are members of the triathlon community that strive to carry out the TriSports.com mission: to live a sustainable and active triathlon lifestyle. They are coaches, motivators and athletes who love to train, race, and who will enthusiastically promote TriSports.com as their preferred place to shop.  We look for Champions who are active across various social media to help us spread the word not only about great sales and savings, but also about new and exciting products, as well as new information and articles on TriSports University. 

Why become a TriSports Champion?
TriSports Champions enjoy 20% off purchases made from TriSports.com, special discounted offers throughout the year and a TriSports.com tri singlet to show their TriSports.com pride while racing.  Champions are encouraged to connect with each other at TriSports.com sponsored and other major events throughout the country.  This network of athletes gives Champions the opportunity to meet with new people, be the first to know about hot new products and sales and enjoy encouragement and cheering from other Champions at races.

Apply today to be a TriSports Champion!

Our sales floor inside TriSports.com is like an iceberg in the Arctic Ocean: you only see a small part of what we have at TriSports.com above the surface. Our new sales floor layout will do a better job of showcasing the incredible depth and variety of items in our store. Our Warehouse Manager, Mr. Bob Broyles, is an expert in logistics and juggles over 20,000 separate inventory items. We can’t fit 20,000 items on our sales floor so you only see the part of the inventory iceberg above the water in our retail store.

The challenge for us is to expose you to as many interesting, unique and useful products as we can in the space that we have.

Our new sales floor will be a walking tour of some of our most fun items, and a functional presentation of the things we need on a day-to-day basis as an athlete. You’ll see brand new things and you’ll see the things you’ve come to rely on us for.

If you’re like me, you love to shop and you love a beautiful store and an exciting shopping experience. A good sales floor layout is like a guided tour through a wonderland – a candy store. When you hit our front door the newest apparel for Fall will be front and center. The bargains will be there too; the items from this past season we are sending on their way to make room for the new Fall clothing.

If we do our job right, the new layout will be like a light switch that illuminates ideas about how your experience training and racing can be more fun and more effective. There will be surprises and there will be the things on which you depend. You’ll find the things you need easily and you’ll find things you didn’t know you needed until you found them.

When we’re done the tip of the iceberg of the 20,000 products we carry will be laid out for your inspection. We’ll do our best to create an experience that is like a tour; a tour of the things that make our training and racing easier, safer and more fun. It’s why we say at TriSports.com, this sport is hard enough – your shopping shouldn’t be.

Via Erik Jacobsen, Retail Store Manager.