IMWI Ralley Thank You Thread
Rich, Patrick, Team
Back in the real world after cowgirl camp and the IMWI Tri Rally, I sit with a sparkle in my eye and a smile on my face, thinking about what a wonderful training weekend we all had.
It is often difficult to explain this team to offline people - how does an online triathlon team work? How on earth could you care about so many people you've never met in real life? Is this some waste of time World of Warcraft-esque obsession? Nope. In reality, its a lot closer to being triathlon family.
Work works. And this team works. Chicagoland peeps, I look forward to training with you live in the future. Other peeps, please move closer so we can do this more often!
Oh, yeah, and I'm smarter, too. Aerobars tweaked (thanks, Gina!), paceline etiquette learned (thanks, Nemo!), a better plan for race day nutrition, lots of tips and practice descending, cornering, and how to not get completely sunburned. 
I am truly grateful to Rich, Patrick, and all of you for making this place and this team. I am quite proud to be a part of it.
Comments
Completely agree with everything said so far. It was so fun to meet so many of you! I know there were a lot more of you that I didn't get to meet, so hopefully will get that opportunity in September. Fantastic team, phenomenal coaches. Glad to be a part of it.
Oh, and a few of us EN Chicas totally ROCKED the dessert Team Time Trial last night. We recorded about 15 minutes of hilarious audio during this event, will hopefully get a chance to upload it soon.
Thank you all!
Thank you Rich, Patrick, Team for this wonderful community you've created. I'm blessed to be part of it.
What Beth said, Gina, Nemo, Jennifer and all the others already expressed., I am basically a very very shy person in situations where I really don't know anyone and always think I am going to be the oldest least fit rider or triathelete in the group. But I have to say that all day on both rides I had several "hey you are doing great", "hey is that Linda?" , "join us for dinner", I could go on and on. My most embarressing moment........the first day I rode out with all guys who were FAST and sure enough I hit the first railroad tracks and rocketed off both of my water bottles. Also I insisted they go ahead and I would get them, two guys got off their bikes went out in the middle of the street and brought them to me. I was SO embarressed. But wanted to mention, this is the kind of group the kind of "family" that is hard to explain to others. So thanks Rich and Patrick for encouraging me to go, no matter how I fretted about my insecurities.....twas never an issue!!
I will do it again and again and would do anything I could to come and sherpa those who are doing the race, how great to stand next to Rich at the 18th mile and scream and clap for all of you, cheering along and watching the people take pictures of RICH!!! No matter what he says, he is goinna look hot in that little pink thong
While we are at it, one nice way to say "Thank You" would be to upload some of your pics to the EN Blog so the guys can create a photo album of all our adventures.
It's pretty simple just go to the bottom of the rally page here: http://www.
Thank you to everyone that made IMWI Tri Rally a success. And that means not just the coaches and those that attended, but the many that attended in spirit. I don't want to sit here and cry, so I will leave it at that.
Hey folks,
It was a pleasure hosting you this weekend. I had a lot of fun and I see lots of opportunities to improve the weekend in the future. Already looking forward to the race in September!
Sounds like it was a great success. Are you planning on penciling it into the EN schedule for 2011?
Yes. These Rallies have become a big hit. We expect to add a couple more to the schedule and to make several improvements, grow them bigger, etc.
Also, and I know that I've told several of you this stuff over beers, etc at camps and such: when PnI started EN we were thinking of coaching, plans, supports for those plans and other typical tri-geek, coach-y stuff. We never expected that the members, you, would create such a powerful added value for yourselves by creating such a powerful team vibe.
I've had a lot of travel in the past few months and have had the opportunity to observe this vibe: 4k talk in Atlanta in April, IMSG, ToC, IMUSA Rally, IMCDA, IMWI Rally. I'm generally not a very introspective dude (drives Joanne crazy :-) but I've had more than one occasion to sit at the table, so to speak, look around and think "this is just fookin' cool."
I see tons of potential for more cool stuff in the future but just want to let you all know that PnI really do appreciate the incredible...stuff...that you have all created for yourselves. Just cool to see.
Thanks to the Chica's for picking a great weekend with great weather (the guys failed at that last year). You girls did awesome at organizing your camp and it was great to meet all of you.
Thanks to Rich, Johnny, Jim, Hayes and Karin for pulling me around all weekend :-)
Hopefully the non-EN members at the camp saw how great of a time we were having and "got" EN and Rich's talks. If they did, I'm sure we will see a few of them joining the team, and if not we they will be roadkill of the IMWI team to count on race day.