Team Jerseys Have Arrived

The TRI BULL RACING HERD jerseys have arrived well ahead of schedule. They look great! The boys at Champion Systems in New York delivered a solid product. Several have already been delivered to team members. The reviews are phenomenal - everyone loves the new look. I expect to see these all over the water station for the 5k next weekend. The BULLS will be on the loose and looking very stylish in 2008.

Congrats Kevin

Congrats to our favorite restaurant entrepreneur, Kevin Nashan, as he destroyed the field at the Ironman 70.3 event in Oceanside California today. The eatery's top chef turned in a 4:58:27 proving that he is in prime racing condition. Here are his numbers:

Swim: 34:31
T1: 4:17
Bike: 2:38:50 (21.15 mph)
T2: 2:03
Run: 1:38:46 (7:32)
Total: 4:58:27
Place: 196

This guy's time was every bit as good as the Filet Bernaise that he serves up every night. This was only a warm up for Kevin as he has his sights set on Coeur d'Alene later this year. I look forward to hearing the race report when the Nashans return from the left coast.

You Will Love Reading This Book If...

You will love reading the book, LIFE140.6, if...

• You want to learn why someone would look at exercising for 17 straight hours as a FUN activity!
• You want to change your life for the positive and know that reading these stories will help you do that.
• You always thought that dreams had to do with a hot blonde and a Ferarri as opposed to a hot blonde and a Schwinn Bicycle.
• You enjoy reading about people who wear Speedos
• You are fascinated by those that get up at 4am but somehow don't make it to work until 9am - what are they doing???
• You are curious to know how ordinary individuals accomplish great things.
• You want to know what running for hours on end has to do with the meaning of life.
• You would like to know what it is like to cross the finish line and know that you have accomplished something truly special.
• You believe that if they can do it - so can you!

Merchandise

North America Sports launches new Merchandise Initiative

BOULDER, Colo.-North America Sports and nine partner companies are proud to announce the launch of a new merchandise initiative for the 2008 race season. The new concept store will be featured at the North America Sports Marketplace at all nine NA Sports events in 2008. It will feature a new store look and layout as well as a focus on adding variety to the merchandise offerings.

“We had a goal to improve the merchandise component of our events by adding more options for athletes to choose from when they come to the Ironman Marketplace,” said North America Sports CEO Graham Fraser. “We have partnered with a number of companies who not only will be selling their various lines at the events, but also will have technical reps on hand to help explain and talk about the products to athletes.”

The nine merchandise partners in the venture include Zorrel, Sugoi, 2XU, Zoot Sports, Wigwam, Headsweats, TYR, Blue Seventy and Fuel Belt.

The new merchandise concept store will featured logoed race apparel as well as a full range of merchandise from the various partners. Former professional triathlete Marc Lees will oversee the new initiative for North America Sports. “All of the partner companies have been great to work with and have made a commitment to help us improve the athletes experience at the Ironman Marketplace,” said Lees. “We are trying to offering a better shopping experience in all ways-from an improved look of the store with flooring and new racking, to more variety of products, to having people on hand to explain the products and to offer great value at great pricing.”

The concept store will kick off beginning at the Ford Ironman 70.3 California event and will be featured at all nine events in 2008.

Kish Me I'm NOT Irish

Plenty of personal records set today as The St Patrick's Day 5-miler took to the streets of downtown St Louis. We started at the corner of the park in order to get an extra five miles in prior to running the race. The luck of the Irish once again prevailed upon the weather as dry conditions greeted the 5,616 runners who participated. Our friend, Ben Rosario took fifth place overall with a time of 24:46. Tommy Rosenthal was not far behind with a time of 36:37. As for me, 40:40. Not too shaby considering that I have missed the majority of workouts lately (Bill Cragg style).

TPR, Jeff, Tim, Scott, Seiichi and Strass

Seiichi, TPR and Tom Irwin talk shop and PRs

KissN Incorporated (Kim + Seiichi)

Newtons

Does this have Rosenthal's name on it or what? I predict that he will drop his current sponsorship with Brooks in favor of the new Newton Footwear that is no exclusively available at Ghisallo. Look for Pepper to order a pair as well since he will not want Tommy to have any sort of competitive advantage over him. As for me, I am sticking with my Brooks. Me fear is that if I switch to these stylish shoes then I will be swarmed by female admirers and will never be able to make my way around Forest Park. I am having enough trouble getting the long runs as it is - I don't need the distraction that would come from being surrounded by EVERY female runner out there!

ZIPLOC OMELET

I found a very cool way to cook an omelet courtesy of Clean Eating The Magazine. This magazine helps you change the way you view food, prepare meals, and fuel your mind, body and soul to be the best that you can be. Check this out...

NUTRIENTS PER SERVING:
CALORIES: 268
FAT: 1 g
CARB: 59 g
PROTEIN: 11 g

INGREDIENTS:
• 4 egg whites
• ½ cup vegetables of choice
• low-fat cooking spray

INSTRUCTIONS:
Pour egg whites into a Ziploc bag coated with cooking spray. Shake to combine. Add a variety of vegetables such as onion, green pepper, tomato or salsa to the egg whites. Make sure to squeeze all the air out of the bag, and zip it up. Place bag in rolling, boiling water for exactly 13 minutes. You can usually cook 6 to 8 omelets in a large pot. For more, make another pot of boiling water. Open the bag and the omelet will roll out easily. Be prepared for everyone to be amazed. Nice served with fresh fruit.
Serves 6

GET YOUR GREEN ON!!!

GET YOUR GREEN ON!!! The St Patrick's Day Run is just a week away, Saturday, March 15. It has remained one of the largest running events in St Louis, last year drawing more than 7,000 participants. A 9am start from 9th & Market sets the river of green in motion. Lets be honest - the t-shirts for this race have not always been the best but at least it gives my wife an excuse to take this shirt (plus many more) up to Goodwill! Several of us will add an extra 5 miles by starting in Forest Park and running downtown to the start of the race. We will designate a "meeting place" for anyone who wants to join us downtown for the run. This is a go at your own pace run so please don't be intimidated by Rosenthal's 12 minute mile pace and remember, Bill Cragg has not worked out since Ironman so you should be able to keep up. We have always had a great time (even though we fail miserably trying to convince young ladies to kiss us - I guess they know that we are not Irish).

Weather.com is currently forecasting temps of 48 degrees which should be ideal for all of your short sleeved leprechaun garb.

Here are the pics from last year...
http://www.jstrassner.com/photogallery/luckirish/

You can register on line...
http://www.irishparade.org/run/registration.html

Anyone interested in meeting at Pepper's house for a bowl of LUCKY CHARMS prior to running downtown??? Let me know!

Team Jersey Update

I have good news for all those that ordered Tri Bull Racing apparel - production is in full swing and we are looking at an arrival date of March 27th! That's right - you will be ready to dress in full garb for Race For Sight.

5k Water Station

You are cordially invited to help staff the water station for the 5k race tied to the St. Louis Marathon & Family Fitness Weekend. We need you the morning of Saturday, April 5th. Water will be provided. Come help us hand out water while dancing to the tunes that Mike Pepper will be spinning as the official DJ of the event (I hope you like the Bee Gees rendition of Gotta Fly Now - The Theme To Rocky!!!). Asher will once again hand out the award to the best dressed volunteer. Tommy will sit on the sidelines while everyone else feverishly hands out water to all 5k participants. Chris Noda is the expected favorite for this race (Seiichi - this doesn't preclude you from volunteering so save it). You will not want to miss this one event of the year where Diane Pratl and Rebecca Leary make an appearance. Please forward this email to anyone that might be interested in helping out. The weather should be spectacular but please do not encourage Bill Cragg to come dressed in his Speedo - he is always looking for any excuse to put it on.

Let me know that we can count on YOU.

Free WATER for all volunteers.

Bob Denlow Needs YOU!

Dear Runners,

It's that time of the year to insure that we have another successful marathon in St. Louis - and that is where the Pasta Dinner comes in to play. We, the runners, have had a tradition of staffing the Pasta Dinner for many years. This year we are moving the Dinner to the Old Post Office - which is gorgeous! Not to get carried away, but I can vouch that this has been the highlight of my social life every year for at least 5 years. Please e-mail Joann Pelligreen to confirm you can help. Her e-mail is jekarellas@aol.com and cell phone is 314-276-8299. Please volunteer (before you are drafted!)

Bob

P.S. Why not make this the perfect EXACTA by also volunteering at the water station for the 5k run. This is always the highlight of the running season and a great way to get excited for the marathon and half marathon that follow on Sunday.

A Meaningful Poem

courtesy of a a good friend of mine from Syracuse...


Around the corner I have a friend,

In this great city that has no end,

yet the days go by and weeks rush on,

And before I know it, a year is gone.

And I never see my old friends face,

For life is a swift and terrible race,

He knows I like him just as well,

As in the days when I rang his bell.

And he rang mine but we were younger then,

And now we are busy, tired men.

Tired of playing a foolish game,

Tired of trying to make a name.

Tomorrow I say! I will call on Jim

Just to show that I'm thinking of him.

But tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes,

And distance between us grows and grows.

Around the corner, yet miles away,

Here's a telegram sir, Jim died today.

And that's what we get and deserve in the end.

Around the corner, a vanished friend.

Remember to always say what you mean. If you love someone, tell them. Don't be afraid to express yourself. Reach out and tell someone what they mean to you. Because when you decide that it is the right time it might too late.

Seize the day. Never have regrets.

And most importantly, stay close to your friends and family, for they have helped make you the person that you are today.