Question to the Haus-Whats up with 1/2's?

Dave Campbell

Let me start this question off with some perspective.  I work as a continuous improvement engineer, and as such am constantly looking for ways to improve things.  Some people view that approach as someone who's never satisfied, some embrace it and enjoy the improvements.  I've been around since the Crucible Fitness days and can tell you this gig has come a long way already.

So here's the question.  Whats up with 1/2's?  I ask this because this past weekend, I raced the 70.3 Augusta race.  Over 2500 finished the event, more signed up and DNF'd.  Best I can tell, there were 4 of us there.  Two us us sporting EN kits.  I think the other 2 are new to EN and haven't went through the kit ordering season yet.  I would call this very low vibe and a serious opportunity for improvement.  What a wide open market for expanding the EN vibe.  Word has it that its the largest half in NA.

I contrast that to the vibe surrounding 140.6 races and ask, whats up with this?  I know that RnP can't be everywhere, but we should be able to figure out a next level of support and hit the 70.3 races with the same plan as fulls.  I was at LP this year to register for 2011 and the vibe was sooo different for EN there.  We need some of that at the 70.3 level!

Seems like I remember seeing in "2011 Changes" a comment about more focus on 70.3's, so if its in the works, great!

What do you think?

 

Tom Glynn

I'm not yet signed up for any 1/2s, but I think it's a great idea. Perhaps it's time to get life size paper cut-outs of RnP so they can be everywhere at once! Pink speedo pics preferred (or so I've heard )

Kevin Walter

I think part of it is that there are so many more 70.3 events than 140.6 it dilutes out the number of members that can muster at an event. Last year we talked about targeting a few 70.3 events to show up at in force, but logistically it didn't work out. Nemo set up a spring east vs west 70.3 challenge 2-years ago where folks raced Wildflower or White Lake.

Nemo Brauch

Yup- when it comes to halfs, there's just so many that everyone gets really spread out. That said, there's a lot of momentum around Timberman this year (in P's back yard- hint hint) and I know Rich is always trying to get folks to come out for Wildflower. We actually had a pretty big crew at Eagleman last year too. Maybe we can do another East vs West challenge with those races as the targets? Perhaps let the midwest folks play along with Kansas or something else?

Coach Rich

 Hey Folks,

Short of PnI adding travel to HIM's to our travel schedule (please, please don't ask us to do that). We would luv duplicate as much of the EN race weekend vibe at fulls at HIM's as well. 

• Don't tell anyone, it's double top secret squirrel secret, we are doing a complete redesign of the EN kits, cycling and racing, and will fire up a CafePress store where you can gets your kid's t's, coffee mugs, pink speedos and more. And after 3yrs of doing this stuff, I think we've finally gotten the timing of lots of stuff right so that EN actually has the $ and the uniform ordering aligned so we can get everyone all set up at the same time. Bottomline, there should be many, many more ENers in EN kit next year at the races. More on that later...but don't tell anyone.
• We're gonna need your help. We will need to really tighten up the Race Captain position, ask for volunteers for more races to help us organize, etc. 

So while we will likely close out this trial membership drive at around 500 members, and most of those people are doing 1 Ironman, I can tell you from looking surveys, snooping the forums, etc, that MANY of you are doing 2-3 x HIM's next year, MANY of you racing together. 

We have a lot of balls in the air right now with new members and our plan sale, but once the dust settles, we want to bring the tell-us-what-you're-racing aspects of the DataTool closer to your profiles here in the forum, so you can add your races, we can do a simply query to see who is racing what, make one of you volunteer to herd cats at an HIM team dinner, let's all meet at the bike entrance of transition at 6:45am for a photo, stuff like that. 

Eric Rueppel

I think it would be awesome to rally the members at the 70.3 events. The mojo at the IMs is intense with all the team members "especially the Chickas" getting together and supporting each other. We as a team can step up and make the vibe happen at the HIMs.

Bill McKinney

Race Captian idea is a good one. Maybe a group of folks could get into Google docs and start up some sort of protocol/expectation doc. I'll participate but have no idea how to start up a doc, so I'll need at least one other person who understands this google thing.

phaedrus

Anyone else see the poconos race that was added for 2011? Perhaps another east coast option...

jburbatt

Think this is a great idea. Especially after doing IM training over a long summer (hello Wisconsin), I'm pretty sure I won't be doing an IM yearly, but a couple halfs in an off-year while still having the EN vibe at the race would be awesome.

Dave Campbell

White Lake 1/2 is a great early season East Coast race, usually split between the first 2 weekends in May(Actually 2 race weekends back to back). I prefer the first one and will stick my hand up in the air to vlounteer to Captain that race. I usually rent a house that holds 14. Hows that for da Haus?

Coach Rich

Later today I'll start a thread where we can brainstorm the duties of the Race Captain position, solicit volunteers, etc. This will be powerful stuff!

dan_forbes

 @RIch: would it make sense for those who are closest to the race (who want to volunteer) since logistically they may not be as bogged down?  Just quick thought to make things simple...

Dan

Coach Patrick

ANyone can volunteer...ideally a spectator / supporter, but I've lead races and raced before too....totally up to the individual!

Bill McKinney

Where's the thread el capitan?

Dave Campbell

Just bumping this one back to the top of the list. Like I said, I'll be glad to head up the Tean EN group for White Lake May 7th. I've already rented the house and have some interest going on that. What else needs to be done? Team Dinner, pre-race photo, etc. Lets make a big splash with 1/2's this year.

wareagledusty

I'm doing the White Lake race on May 7th as well. Glad to help do anything I can! Another EN member Jody Smith who is a buddy of mine is doing the race as well.

jburbatt

I put in a request to RnP for a general 1/2 folder to start the process of a stronger vibe at the 1/2s. http://members.endurancenation.us/Community/Forums/tabid/101/aft/4642/Default.aspx

Dave Campbell

Good call Jennifer, I thought at one time Rich was going to start something, brainstorming Captains duties, etc. Maybe I missed it.

Coach Rich

Today is Jan 7th...plenty of time to dial in the EN Presence at Races Program . In short we will have:

• A Race Director, already been identified and great for the job
• RD will work with me to create a standardized list of "stuff we do" for the team before/during/after every race.
• RD will go out and recruit IM and 70.3 Race Captains.
• RD will manage/help the RC's manage the fulfillment of that standardized list.
• Desired endstate is that we are able to duplicate as much of the IM experience at 70.3 races as we can, given the fact that RnP want to stay married and not spend 8mo on the road going to races

Of course, in my mind, I see a chain of command, rank structure, and chevrons on EN singlets in those bullets above

Dave Campbell

Good deal, call on me for White Lake 1/2 May 7th as a RC. I'm racing, but as a "non-A" event. Already got a few EN peeps in the house I've rented. Easily can be a headquarters.