Iron Pol

The title of this post WAS going to be "I Love It When a Plan Comes Together."  Unfortunately, my host and my Internet connection have other plans.  And the definitely AREN'T coming together.  So, I had to go with something about the best laid plans of mice and men...

There was supposed to be a nice picture of The A-Team's leader, Hannibal Smith shown here.  For some reason, Weebly isn't taking pictures after some recent down time.  Who knows what's going on with that?

The whole "plan coming together" thing is based on several current events coming together in perfect harmony to make this winter's training new and exciting.

First up is the USAT National Challenge Competition.  This contest pits tri clubs from all over the country against each other as they log training mileage for December, January, and February.  Each month has a focus, starting with swimming in December.  Because of this program, I shifted my 30 swims in 30 days from November to December.  While it will be difficult to hit the target of 30, I wanted to avoid being burned out on swimming come December.  Of course, I'll be competing with the best tri club in the world, the Fox Cities Triathlon Club.

December also marks the beginning of the Evotri Iron Challenge.  This will make the USAT NCC more interesting as Evotri Ambassadors strive to complete a total Ironman during their monthly training.  For an even greater challenge, individuals can attempt to complete multiple Ironman distances in a given month.  For anyone competing in the National Challenge Competition, the team leader will love you if you are also doing the Evotri challenge.

Finally, as part of the Evotri Iron Challenge, we will be using a beta site call Plus 3 Network.  Yet another triathlon focused networking site, Plus 3 Network has partnered with companies like SRAM, Trek, and Pedro's to raise funds for worthwhile charities such as World Bicycle Relief, Safe Routes, and Rails to Trails.  Mileage completed and logged on the site generates money to be donated by the sponsors to the various organizations.  It's a great way to let training have a positive impact on others.

These programs will provide a great deal of accountability to training through the long winter months.  And with Plus 3 Network, that training will help others around the world.  I have selected to partner with SRAM and the World Bicycle Relief project.  Now, all I have to do is keep up with the Evotri Iron Challenge, support the Fox Cities Triathlon Club in the National Challenge Competition, and document the training, and I'll help provide bicycles to people in need.

As Hannibal Smith used to say in The A-Team, "I love it when a plan comes together."  If you want to be part of the plan, just stop by the Evotri site to find out about the Iron Challenge (and signing up for Plus 3 Network), check with your local tri club about the USAT NCC, and start planning your workouts.

It promises to be an exciting winter.

Last week, we were down to the wire.  Then, we learned someone sneaky moved the wire.  And if total hits are in any way correllated to votes, everyone has been going above and beyond in their efforts to help out.  Thank you to everyone who has stopped by, regardless of vote!

Now, it's the eleventh hour.  I promise that we will return to our normally scheduled programming, tomorrow.  For today, it's the KISS principal (that's keep it simple, stupid for anyone who's never heard it).  And this is as simple as I can make it.

If, like me, you are using an Internet based E-mail program (G-Mail, Yahoo, etc), it's slightly more complex.  Send an E-mail to vote@evotri.com with www.ironpol.com/blog.html in the subject.

Tomorrow, as soon as the results are known, they'll be posted, here.  I imagine they'll be posted on Evotri before that.  Thanks for coming along on this roller coaster of a ride!

I'd like to take this time to give a big THANK YOU to everyone who has been through the site in the past week and a half.  The recent hit counts have been way above average, and it means a lot.  I hope there has been something helpful for everyone stopping by.  I am working at getting by the sites of those who have blogs, and will try to get everyone's links up as quickly as possible.  If there is a blog that needs to be added to the Tri Blog Community, please let me know.

I particularly want to thank those regular readers and anyone else who has thrown their support behind my effort to be the next sponsored member of Team Evotri.  As we start the final push toward the end of the voting cycle, I started thinking about the question I would put forward to any candidate for any office.  Why do you want to be in this position, and what makes you qualified to be there?

As I think about that question, lots of answers float through my head.  Some are lofty goals aimed at others.  And some are much more grounded and self-centered.  So, a sort of "Top 10" reasons being on this team means so much to me.  To keep things honest, I'll start with five personal benefits to being on the team.

1.  The "stuff" - Every single person trying to become a sponsored member has to acknowledge the promised equipment is a big factor in their decision.  For myself, everything being offered is way above what I can provide for myself.  World class coaching, world class equipment, world class support.

2.  The platform - Pay attention, because you'll see this one, again.  Being a sponsored member of the team will provide opportunities that might otherwise be missed.

3.  The people - I spent the past year getting to know Iron Wil, Stu, and Rural Girl.  I met Bolder, and look forward to getting to know him better.  Chris Sweet was moving so fast at IM Wisconsin, I was barely able to get pictures, let alone the chance to talk.  I look forward to another year of meeting bloggers, triathletes and coaches, as well as their families.

4.  Steelhead - The team race at Steelhead offers to things.  First, the chance to actually race with the entire team.  After following the team at IM Wisconsin, last year, the chance to race as part of the team is exciting.  Second, it's the chance to race a new Ironman 70.3 course.

5.  The pride - I'm only aware of a handful of the people I am sure are involved in this competition.  And the task of selecting the next sponsored member isn't something for which I envy the team.  There are a lot of great triathletes and bloggers out there.  Making the final three would be a huge source of pride.  Being selected as the next team member would probably do something many consider impossible.  Leave me speechless.

I wanted to get those up first to be completely honest with myself and with everyone reading.  There ARE purely selfish reasons for wanting to be on the team.  I hope that each is understandable.

Those reasons are not, however, the driving force behind the desire to be on the team.  Here are the top five things that led me to submit an entry.

1.  My "kids" - I put that in parantheses because I'm referring to the youth I lead instead of my own children.  I want nothing more than to be in a position to share the love of triathlon with the youth in our community.  We have a fledgling program that would benefit greatly from the opportunities presented by Evotri.  That is why I am involved, regardless of the sponsorship.  Being a sponsored member provides that little bit more exposure.

2.  The platform - Deja vu, eh?  I've used my blog to share a bit about our youth triathlon program.  Evotri has the stated goal of growing beyond that and finding ways to grow programs to which its members commit.  As stated above, being a sponsored member helps in that effort.

3.  Community programs - As part of this process, Evotri has asked candidates to consider new events or opportunities that can be developed.  This has forced me to put more than thought into future plans.  Entering the race has led to new ideas.  Becoming a sponsored member will raise the bar and push me to put these and other plans into action.

4.  Long term commitments - One big change in the development of Evotri is the acknowledgement that this is a long term committment.  They are seeking people interested in promoting life-long change and enduring programs.  Triathlon is a part of who I am, and this is an opportunity to be on a team of like-minded individuals.

5.  Role models - I strive to be a role model to my "kids" as well as my family.  I consider every member of Team Evotri as a role model.  Wil and Rural Girl are amazing moms who are also Ironman triathletes.  Stu has an amazing energy that he shares with everyone.  Despite his on-line demeanor, Bolder is an incredibly giving person who is always there for anyone travelling through his area.  And Chris is an amazing athlete who qualified for Kona while becoming a father.  I haven't met Charlie, and trust he is cut from the same cloth as that is what the others have indicated.  I would be honored to be a part of a team of this caliber.  (Note, this could also go in the first group, as well)

There you have it.  Ten reasons I want to be on this team.  As for the "qualifications," I would almost have to go to my friends and family for that.  I live for sharing the endurance lifestyle with anyone that is interested.  Those are really their stories.

Now, the request.  If you can think of anyone who hasn't heard my story, please share it with them.  Ask them if they will consider voting for me.  E-mail the link to my site to your friends and family and ask them to vote.  If you haven't voted already, know that your vote will be greatly appreciated.

And if you don't vote (or vote for someone else), know that your visit is appreciated, as well.  I value every person who stops by and checks out what I have to say.  Thank you for your support!  In a few days, we'll know the outcome of the past two weeks.

Have you ever noticed how short 500 words is?  It seems impossibly long in school, and suddenly it's far too short.  So rather than history, let's consider the future.

My participation in endurance events is the direct result of challenges.  Medical challenges in 2000 forced me to start running.  I then challenged myself to run more.  Challenges from classmates and co-workers led me to become a marathoner.  And the challenge of a group of 8th grade boys from the Boys' and Girls' Brigade motivated me to learn to swim and become a triathlete.

After that, self-motivation has been mixed with encouragement from the Tri Blog Community as I continue the journey.  Along the way, I have tried to share my newfound passion for the swim, bike, run lifestyle with anyone possible.  Family, friends, co-workers, youth, anyone.

Co-workers know if they sign up for a half or full marathon, I will complete long training runs and the race with them.  The same applies for any local triathlon.  Last year, I worked with three young men in a pilot program aimed at launching a youth triathlon club for area youth.  This year, we hope to have more than 20 young men and women involved.  To ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate, we secured private funding and the help of a local race organizer.  The only thing the kids have to provide is motivation and a bike.  Eventually, the goal is to open the program to the entire community and promote a love of endurance sports in youth.

I'm very proud of my accomplishments in the past half-decade.  Few things compare to crossing the finish line of an Ironman triathlon.  One thing that will always gives me more pride than my own achievements are the achievements of those I've helped along the way.  The co-worker who completed his first marathon.  The youth who completed their first sprint distance triathlon.  The friends who will compete in their first triathlon in June.

I'm a middle of the pack marathoner and a middle of the pack triathlete.  I can't bring speed, experience, or trophies to the Evotri team.  What I do offer is a love of sharing endurance sports with others.  The passion I have for triathlon is born of the change it has brought to my life.  That is what I hope to show to the youth and others I meet.  Having the kind of people, support, and energy I know the members and sponsors of Evotri generate and share would be an incredible resource for that task.

Thank you for checking in.  Your vote will be greatly appreciated.  If you aren't listed on my Tri Blog Community page, please let me know and I will add your link.  At the end of the day, community is what it's all about.