Just How Vain Is Pepper?

Nothing like starting your day with an email from Hap Gentry notifying me that there is a gapping hole in the roof over the competition pool at The Center of Clayton as a result of the high winds yesterday. The message went on to quote Mike...

Mike Pepper wrote in:"I was in the pool when this occurred...!!! The hole is over lane one of the competition pool. If the roof had fallen inside the pool area it likely would have hit me. I had completed 700 of my 1000 yard, all-out, swim test prescribed by my tri coach, when I was poked by a lifeguard and told to exit the pool. Needless to say, I am quite lucky that the roof section did not fall on me !!"

Question 1 - did he really need to include the part about having a tri coach? Does anyone care that he was in the middle of a swim test?

Answer - NO!!!!

Julie Pepper wrote: "Mike is completely vain. It is always about HIM! His new nickname should be Simon (reference to Carly Simon's hit song, Your So Vain)."

Dream Big Or Go Home

THROW YOUR HEART OVER THE WALL
AND YOUR BODY WILL FOLLOW
-Plaxico Burress

Ironman …

2500 competitors.
2500 goals.
2500 dreams.

Standing clad in our wetsuits and caps we may look alike – but we’re not. We each bring our own story. Our own history. Our own burdens. We are young. Old. Married. Single. From CEO’s to bike messengers, ironworkers to accountants. Mothers, grandfathers, husbands and daughters. First timers and grizzled veterans. Each of us has our own reason for showing up.

Yet we share a single dream: to become an Ironman.

This is the odyssey that is Ironman. This is why it is unique.
We come from all walks of life – yet we are all dreaming big. Regardless of whether our dream is to finish first in our age division or just finish (all limbs intact), we go from dreaming it to doing it.

Truth be told, the overwhelming majority of us that toe the line have never even competed in an ultra-distance event. With the exception of Hawaii, there are no required qualifiers. We don’t need to be the fastest in our age group or our state. We don’t even need to be the fastest on our block. We just need to show up with our wetsuits in hand.

Most of us are just middle-of-the-packers with one day – one race – to prove to ourselves that the endless hours of training and discipline were not in vain. That the thing that drove us to chase something so impossible will not let us down. We’re not saving ourselves for better day when we can finish top ten. We’re not driven by prize money or endorsements. We race only for ourselves and this is our day.

And the only thing that stands between us and our dream: 140.6 miles. Sure … covering this distance in a single day is a monumental task that elicits a “you must be kidding” response from most of our critics. But, great things await those that are brave enough to dream. The finish line is sacred real estate and we are ready for a fight.

You’ve heard the saying “Go big or stay home.”

Well we say “Dream big or stay home.”

What’s your dream?

Make this your year. Follow your dream. Stop putting it off until you have more time. More money. More experience. You’ll probably never have enough of those anyway. Start today because if you don’t start today, you’ll be behind tomorrow. Do you really want to spend another moment watching someone else chase their dream? Get up and chase your own.

I started out a dreamer and ended up an Ironman … and that was just the beginning.

Order Complete

The Tri Bull racing jerseys have been ordered. We are currently going through the proof approval process for the design (this should take about a week) with Champion Systems and anticipate going into production sometime next week. I am expecting to receive the jerseys by April 1. They will be shipped on a boat from China alongside a bunch of furniture that Mike ordered for his store.

2008 Team STL Jersy

The 2008 TEAM STL jersey has been created and is awesome! This jersey is available to all those that wish to be part of the 2008 Tri Bull Racing Herd. You don't have to race Ironman Florida to look good in this garb - you can simply wear it to your favorite spinning class at Wellbridge (Meg!). I need your orders by this Thursday. Jerseys are sleeveless and are approximately $45. Tri tops are $45 as well (I have never been able to look good in one of those). We are also creating accompanying bike shorts ($55) as well as tri shorts ($45). We will again have the Bill Cragg wind vest for about $45. Please note that prices are only approximations and do not reflect tax and shipping. Just let me know what you want and how many you want and we will get it worked out for you. Please note that the apparel will arrive from overseas toward the end of April. The goal is to get as many people out there sporting the Bull so tell all of your friends! Even if you are just taking the Bob Denlow (I only train - never race) approach you can still look good this season!!!

Iron Art

I was reading on Everyman Tri's blog about how he took his Ironman finishing photo to a local Bolder, Colorado artist who converted the photo into a water color picture.

All you need to provide is your finishing line photo and the artist, Mike, will turn it into a beautiful painting that you can share with your friends and family for the rest of your life. I could 100% see Seiichi Noda taking advantage of this. Now that he finally has furniture in his living room, this would be a logical next step. I am confident that Kim would enjoy looking at this every single day. Also, don't put this past Pepper. He is not thrilled with his finishing line picture and would benefit by having an artist make some adjustments to it...including altering his finishing time to get him into the 12 hour range. We are watching you Mike!!!

Ghisallo Trivia Night

Ghisallo is putting together a trivia night to benefit the Corky Miller Aspiring Athlete Fund. From what I have read it is going to take place on Saturday, March 2nd at Ghisallo. Everyone is welcome so gather up the smartest friends, neighbors, second cousins etc. that you have. They are having tables of eight at $150 a table. (Tables are limited so its never to early to call and reserve yours! 636-273-1511) In case you didn't know (or forgot) the trivia night is to raise money for the Corky Miller Aspiring Athlete Fund. This fund is in place to help swimmers, runners, cyclists, and triathletes cover race fees or other costs that come along with their sport of choice. The fund is available for anyone of the following: Runners, swimmers, cyclists and triathletes of all ages that have a need that is preventing them from reaching their fullest potential. Anyone intested in benefiting from the fund can apply and their application will be reviewed by the Ghisallo Board.The trivia night is going to be the big kick off for the fund and it is going to be lots of fun! What a good reason to spend a little time with some of your favorite people on a Saturday night.

113 Days Until Race For Sight

The countdown has begun for Race For Sight on Sunday, May 4th, 2008. This Sprint Triathlon held in Columbia, Missouri (University of Missouri) features a 440 yard swim - 14 mile bike - 3 mile run. This is the annual kick off for the triathlon race season and gives area athletes the ability to gage their early season fitness level. The event boasts being one of the largest pool swim triathlons in the nation and fills each year. This is the perfect first triathlon for anyone wanting to get started in the sport. For the more advanced triathletes, you won’t find tougher early season competition. The event is staged on the University of Missouri campus. TEAM STL will be departing the St. Louis area at 445am in order to arrive for the 730am age group start. The cost of the event is $65 but you can save $5 by registering online. Click here for the official race site.

Am Evolution Is Coming

In 2007 we had TEAM STL.

In 2008 we have something even bigger.

Something larger than LIFE.

Something that will make you want to climb higher, race faster and have more fun.

stay tuned - An Evolution Is Coming.

(graphic by Iron Will)

You Left It At Home

You were so focused on doing well in the race that you left the most important thing at home. How was that possible? You went over your checklist 100 times and made sure that everything was packed. Your backpack was stuffed to the gills. Nothing else would fit, but you forgot it. And you will need it.

You have used this a million times. It has always gotten you through the race. Some races you use it a ton and others not so much. But you have never not had it with you.

You have your goggles for the swim so it cannot be that. Doesn’t matter though. You will still have a tough time seeing under water all because you left this at home.

You know it’s not your bike since you just pumped up the tires to make you go faster. But the hills are going to seem interminable long without it.

It saved your butt last week when the temperatures were climbing and everyone was suffering in the heat. You have your water bottles and electrolyte pills but this is so much more important.

Is it your running shoes? No, but your feet will hurt just as much without this as they would without shoes. Sure your shoes are worn in but they will not be able to protect you as much as this would.

You brought plenty of bananas, power bars and gels to keep you nourished but you are going to feel empty as the race continues.

You race number is in your bag but without this that is all you are, a number. This would have let you stand out from the crowd. No, it is not your neon green running top but it is just as prolific.

Will you be able to borrow someone else’s at the race? No. Everyone needs there’s and it would be like asking someone to use their Speedo. It is just too personal of an item.

You have cash so maybe you buy another one when you get to the race. Forget it. You got this as a gift and have not been to a store yet that carries a duplicate.

All is not loss though, you can still race. I have seen it done before. People have gotten to the finish line without this. They don’t look like they are having a good time but I have seen them finish.

Sometimes it is difficult to tell whether they used the item or not. The grimaces on their faces as they cross the finish line cover it up and leave us guessing if they ever took it out of the bag. Usually though, as their pain dissipates the item appears. Revealing itself like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day, it is there.

A smile.

It would not have taken up any room in your backpack but could have made a world of difference in your race and in your life.

Another Introduction

Rebecca went to work on a different introduction...


In 1978, the Ironman Competition extended the somewhat comprehensible traditional triathlon distance to a mind boggling ultra-endurance event. Racers would swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 and run 26.2 miles… all in one day. What’s even more shocking is that it was televised. Despite warnings that it would be “about as exciting as watching a lawn growing contest” ABC took a gamble. Couch potatoes all across America – present company included - could delight in the carnage of the world’s first genuine reality show.

Perhaps there is something in the human psyche that revels in watching others suffer. We spend our money buying tabloid rags and chicken neck at freeway pile-ups. Case in point: the majority of folks can’t recite the distances of an Ironman race, but will tell you that it’s the race where competitors are reduced to primal forms – knuckles dragging as they limp, crawl and claw themselves across the line.

Or maybe it’s something different.

What if Ironman’s allure had nothing to do with suffering? What if it’s about possibility? It seems impossible to cover 140.2 miles. Yet – thanks to ABC – all you need to do is turn on your television and watch the impossible unfold. No time for that. How about TIVO or UTube? It’s everywhere now. Here’s why.

Ironman sucks you in. It starts with a beautiful panoramic shot of the race venue and close ups of some really, really fit people in workout gear. What’s not to like there. Then a guy starts talking and he’s got this accent – the kind where he could be telling you about … well, watching grass grow … and you would be riveted. So you listen. Mostly because you’re comfortable on the couch. “Hey. Wait a minute. These are real people.” Yep. People with children and grandchildren. People with jobs and responsibilities. People that each carry their own burdens in life. People like you.

And for a moment – however small - reality is suspended. A little voice in your head says “What if that was me?” What if I was the one carrying my kids across the finish line? Limping through the night with a glow stick leading my way? Reveling in the blood, sweat and tears of countless hours of preparation? Crying - head in hands -overcome by an intoxicating mix of pain and joy? What would it be like to hear “INSERT YOUR NAME” – You are an Ironman?

This book is about that feeling. Making the impossible, possible.

Training for a triathlon can be a bit of a grind. Kinda like life. Swim, bike, run, repeat. But somewhere mixed up in all those long workouts, dirty laundry missed social engagements, late nights and early mornings are some lessons. And the lessons have pretty much nothing to do with swimming, biking or running and everything to do with dreaming, daring and doing.

We don’t profess to be elite triathletes. Far from it. This book is not going to unlock the mystery of breaking your PR, increasing your VO Max, or decreasing your body fat. You wouldn’t want our advice in those departments anyway. Instead, we are going to tell you about what it felt like to hear the voice, listen to it and get up off the couch and go do it. And, while we aren’t out to get you to sign up for Ironman (though we certainly wouldn’t discourage it); we hope that you will find something in these pages that speaks to you. That motivates you to dream, dare, do and repeat.

Life 140.6

A new t-shirt is in the works. This one combines the SALES140.6 concept with the Life Is Good idea. The end result is LIFE140.6 Dream-Dare-Do-Repeat. This will be available for purchase in the very near future. I know what you are thinking...hey, what about the TRI BULL RACING JERSEY!!! Believe me, it is coming. These things take time. When I am all said and done you will have all of the t-shirts and jerseys that you need to get you through an entire racing season!!!

You Can't Wear The Race Shirt Until You Finish The Race

Sales 140.6
You Can't Wear The Race Shirt Until You Finish The Race

You never see a serious competitor wearing the t-shirt of the race they are participating in until after they complete the race. Think about it. How many times have you seen the winner of the Boston Marathon fly across the finish line in a Boston Marathon t-shirt? Never! It is not only a major fashion faux pas but it is also a complete violation of an unwritten code that says that you must earn it before you can flaunt it.

Race shirts say a lot about an individual. For example, when I see someone wearing a shirt from the local YMCA triathlon I think to myself, beginner. Someone sporting an out of state regional race, now I am impressed. If you are cool enough to wear an Ironman finisher shirt then I am all out frightened of you.

Shirts tell us where you have been and what you are capable of accomplishing. Since it is not yet fashionably acceptable to strut around town with a finisher’s medal around your neck, we must rely on our t-shirts to advertise what we have done.

T-shirts also hide the details. They don’t communicate whether you had a good day or a bad day, the best race of your life or the worst experience ever. Whether you came in first, second or just behind the obese woman walking a 22 minute mile.

Our shirts are our resumes. They proclaim our victories without making mention of any of our defeats. They allow us to broadcast to the world:

Been there.

Done that.

Got the t-shirt.


SALES LESSONS TO BE DISCUSSED:
What is in your wardrobe?
Did you earn it?
When do you wear it?
What does it say about you?

I Run

A GREAT chapter outline by Rebecca...

I run. Sort of like the mailman. Rain, snow, sleet. My only two exceptions are hail (because it hurts) and lightning (because I think it would hurt.) My weather report comes directly from mother nature. If I can’t hear it while I am lying in bed then I am getting up to run.

This would not be so impressive if I lived in Sand Diego and perhaps more impressive if I lived in the Twin Cities but it still requires a bit of hardiness on my part living in the mid-west. I have learned that anything below 17 degrees feels just about the same. It’s damn cold. Also, once you are wet, you’re wet…so you might as well just keep running.

People wonder why I do this. My husband thinks I am crazy. My friends think I am obsessed. Complete strangers driving their SUVs down freshly powdered roads think I am a menace. They’re all probably a little right.

The reason I run has less to do with physical fitness and more to do with mental health. With the exception of my Saturday run (which has its own non-fitness related purpose that I’ll tell you about another day) I run alone. This is my time.

I discovered running when I began practicing law at a large firm. Anyone who has worked at a large firm or has known someone else unfortunate enough to have chosen this path knows that the firm owns you – particularly young associates. They require you to write down what you do every moment of the day. Then this handy tally is used to determine your value. Not a healthy thing for an obsessive compulsive type like myself.

So, I started running in the morning before work. Most of the year this means I am stepping out into the dark – my favorite time to run. The streets are quiet. The lights are on blink. The dogs (and the muggers) are still sleeping. It feels like I own the world. I do my best thinking on my runs. I have sorted through sticky legal questions, drafted wedding toasts and children’s books, invented gadgets, charted and re-charted career moves, talked myself off relationship cliffs, and resurrected relationships with estranged family members.

Running and thinking is a little bit like drinking and thinking. Sometimes what seems like a really good idea after four cocktails with your looped friends sounds like a recipe for disaster the next morning. Other times you end up with the next greatest business plan scrawled on a cocktail napkin. Regardless of the outcome there is pleasure in the process.

I have found my place. It’s out on the road. It doesn’t matter where I am. I can always get there. Where is your place? Where do you go to quiet your mind so that you can hear yourself think? Find it. Visit. Come back again soon.

What I Want From A Coach: Get Me To The Finish Line!

Another Sales 140.6 Chapter: What I Want From A Coach: Get Me To The Finish Line!

The decision to hire a coach was a no-brainer. We new that we had miles and miles of training in front of us but we needed someone to make sure that we were on the right track. The greatest fear was that we would invest a tremendous amount of time and energy on this pursuit and fall short because we didn’t know what we were doing.

We approached the hiring of our coach as if it were a job search. We interviewed several candidates, discussed their philosophies, grilled them on their strengths and weaknesses, checked their references and grilled them some more.

This was not a decision that we took lightly. We were looking for someone that could guide us. We needed someone that we could trust. We had to have someone that would work with our individual styles. We preferred someone that was experienced and had done this before. We were willing to put in the miles but we wanted someone that was going to get us to the finish line. Failure was not an option.

Luc Morin impressed us the most. He was knowledgeable and had a positive outlook. He explained the logic behind his approach and endured our constant questioning on tidbits of minutia that would have had most running for the exits. He told us about his past successes and outlined a communication strategy that would ensure that we were all on the same page. We liked his attitude. We hired him after the third interview.

We all need coaches, teachers, leaders and mentors to show us the way. There are many routes to the finish line and plenty of resources to take advantage of to get there.

Knowledge must be shared. People who seek out advice and counsel are better served than those that go down the unknown road alone without a candle. This chapter shows readers the benefits of working for a manager that they trust. People perform better when they work for a leader that leads. It is important to invest the time upfront to make sure that you are working with someone that you believe can help get you where you want to go. Great coaches know how to get there and can effectively communicate what it takes for you to succeed. The rest is up to you.