Top 10 Reasons to Race (or Volunteer) REV3

(Disclaimer: I have been on the Revolution 3 Age Group Triathlon Team for the past 3 years. This means I have raced and volunteered at Rev3 races, my family are huge Rev3 fans, and I even spent a week with the people behind Rev3 living in an RV and running across America).

Here are my Top 10 Reasons to Race Rev3 (in no particular order):

#1 Awesome Race Venues

Rev3 adds amazing venues each year. Rev3 The Dells in Wisconsin sounded like a great race this past weekend and I can't wait to head to Old Orchard Beach in Maine. Each race venue is family-friendly, the courses are challenging but well-chosen, and the experience is top notch.

www.rev3tri.com

#2 Reliable, Real-Time Race Coverage on Rev3 Live

Rev3 provides amazing race-day coverage. Tweets, race videos, live race coverage, online updates.... It is quite easy to stalk follow someone doing the race. 

#3 If You are Going to get a Race Tattoo, the Blue R is Pretty Darn Cool

If you aren't a triathlete, the phenomenon of getting a registered trademark as a tattoo might not make sense. For some, it is a badge of honor after completing a race that spans 140.6 miles. This is how one athlete commemorated their journey.

#4 Kid Friendly Races at Every Event

Rev3 not only puts on phenomenal races for big people, they love seeing our smaller companions have run racing. The "Little Rev Adventure Race" has become a popular pre-race tradition. The race is open up to children ages 4-16 and is held at most Rev3 events. For $25 per family at the Old Orchard Beach race in Maine, kids get a medal, finisher's tee, and are eligible for prizes. Not only that, they run around and get worn out!

Knoxville Little Rev Race (www.rev3tri.com)

#5 Awesome Race Swag

Rev3 gives out very cool race swag at each event...including visors and race medals specific to the venue. Check out the swag for Rev3 Old Orchard Beach in Maine...

 

#6 The Rev3 Family (Staff)

Rev3 races aren't just family-friendly events for athletes. The staff are like family, and treat all the participants as such. The staff work all of the Rev3 events (and some of the Rev3 age groupers are staff at races). The races are put on by people who are triathletes, know what triathletes want, and put triathletes first. And they are just downright awesome people.... (and I would be remiss if I didn't mention the fabulous volunteers at races). 

Some of the Rev3 staff having at little fun at the Ulman Cancer Fund Blue Jeans Ball.

Rev3 staff having a little fun (before lots of hard work) in Costa Rica.

#7 Reasonable Race Fees

Want to race a 140.6? Thanks to Rev3, you can still register for the Cedar Point 140.6 (if you are a last-minute kind of person), and it would only cost $575 (and that is last-minute pricing). 

#8 Huge, On-Site Race Expo & Awesome Transition Area

The Rev3 Race Expo always has great gear for sale in the store, and great vendors. It is a party atmosphere pre-race, and during the race. Lots of smiling faces, fun for the family, and good triathlon gear to buy (in case you need something new, or need to look for something you didn't yet know you needed).

As for transition, Rev3 has the best bike racks! They afford you lots of space, and hold your bike nicely. 

#9 Rev3 Provides Awesome Support for the Ulman Cancer Fund

When the Rev3 crew does something, they do it big. Charlie and the Rev3 staff have been providing support to the Half Full Triathlon (which benefits the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults) since it began in 2010. In 2011/2012, the Rev3 staff took their commitment to fundraising for Ulman to a new level. For 21 days, Rev3 staff, age group team members, supports, family members, and Team Fight members ran across America. Several of the Rev3 staff ran all 21 days. It was a road trip for the ages, and the Rev3 staff showed just how much spirit and dedication they have. Rev3 has partnered with Ulman for the 2012 Half Full race and it will definitely be fantastic.

#10 Rev3 Races are a Top-Notch Experience for Athletes and Spectators

Anyone who has spectated a triathlon knows it is hard work. When I brought my kids, Mom, and Sister along for Rev3 Cedar Point in 2010, I knew I could entice them with the idea of playing at the park while I raced. The kids watched the swim start from our balcony at Breakers hotel, rode coasters and rides for the majority of my race, and were there to finish with me. They had a blast, there was minimal whining from my then 7 and 4-year-olds, and I got to finish with my daughter. This is my absolute favorite part of Rev3 races...seeing families run across the finish together. When I struggled on the run of the 70.3 race due to injury, the idea of seeing my daughter at the finish got me through. It was even better than I imagined. 

Haven't tried a Rev3 Race yet? Check out their site here and pick a race! I personally can't wait for Williamsburg 2013...only 3 hours away and so much for the family to do! One thing I didn't have in my list (and which could easily be #11) is the engagement of the pros who race Rev3 races. They are friendly, engaged, and have been known to pass out age group awards and cheer on finishers. 

Cookie's "First" Year

It was June 30th of last year when Cookie came to us, her "forever family". If you haven't read Cookie's amazing story, check it out here... She was rescued from an abandoned house that was on fire (she was tied up inside- our guess is she was the pet of squatters). She was presumed dead, but then they realized she was alive. The following day, she lost all of the fur on her back as a result of third degree burns.

That was December of 2010. Cookie received amazing care form the College Park Animal Hospital, and then hyperbaric therapy at South Paws Veterinary Hospital. She lived at South Paws for over a month. We got to visit over Spring Break, and the staff was amazing. Cookie seemed at home, and it was amazing to meet people who put so much into making her better.

The last link in the chain of Cookie's recovery was Dawg Rescue and her foster family. Cookie's healing was far from over when she went to live with Kathy and her family. You can see from the video below (taken in March 2011) how well she did in her foster home.

When I came across Cookie's story, I knew she was the dog for us. Who better to adopt her than a firefighter and a nurse practitioner. The loss of our beloved dogs Spanner and Spridel was still fresh, but I realized we were destined to have another dog.

A year later, Cookie is right where she belongs. She is a crazy combination of hunter and herder, of high energy and relaxed cuddling... She is awesome. A great running buddy, a companion for all of this, and a wrestling buddy for Tommy. We think she is 2 1/2 years old, and she is still definitely a puppy. People do a double take when they get close to her. Initially they think she has unusual coloring and then they realize she is missing fur. Our hope is that as she matures Tommy can take her to the annual burn camp for children who have sustained burns. She would be perfect for the job.

Some fun pictures from Cookie's first year:

She blends right in!

Visiting South Paws

Her first week with us!

Winter running with Mom

Who couldn't love this pup?!?!?!

Cookie and Dylan making sure there are no "intruders" (squirrels and rabbits) in the back yard.

Even I am not ok with her laying in my spot!

Last week, getting back to running.

Shhhh...don't tell Daddy.

For a dog who needs sunscreen or a shirt outside, she finds every spot of sunshine!

"Helping" Mom do sit-ups

Running with Mom...the Fuel Belt doubles as a great leash holder.

Running around the lake behind our house. 

Cookie helping Dylan drive Aerial Tower 23 at Tommy's firehouse.

Cookie and Cooper

Keeping cool.

Cookie meeting her cousins, the horses.

The "indestructible" dog toy, 5 minutes after giving it to her. 

Many thanks again to all those who made it possible for us to have this truly amazing pup (and to Tommy, who gave into my begging and agreed to adopt Cookie...I think he is happy with the decision).

Epic Weekend: Rev3 & the "Derecho" Storm

So I've been a slacker on blogging lately. The last weekend in June was set to be a big one. We had a BBQ planned with Tommy's coworkers and some friends, and my friend and teammate Laura was coming into town to hang out and to do some work.

Friday night, Tommy headed out to do some computer work (which could only be done when said office was empty), and Laura and I watched "Mirror, Mirror" with the kids. Laura got an email that the Rev3 staff could use help packing the trucks for the Revolution 3 Triathlon in Portland. We decided to bag our plans for a ride with teammates Alyssa and Maggie and head to Virginia in the morning to help. (If you haven't been to a Rev3 race, the staff is awesome. Any chance to help support people who are like family, and super fun to hang out with, is a great opportunity).

Not only did Laura drive from Connecticut, but she helped make dinner and inspired a nice healthy veggie dinner. Yeah! She also brought Leo, who Cookie harassed until he finally (begrudgingly) played with her.

Friday at about 8pm my work pager and cell phone started beeping like crazy with weather alerts. A big thunderstorm was coming. Ok- it is June so summer storms are not unexpected. We didn't know that this would be a storm that would knock power out for over 2 million people in the DC area alone. There were several deaths, and trees down everywhere! Hospitals were on generator power for long periods of time. Thankfully our house is on the nearby hospital's power grid and we had it back within 3 hours.

Did I mention that the kids slept through the entire thing?

Meanwhile, Laura, Cookie, and I hung out on the couch in the dark. (I found out later that though freak circumstances Tommy was locked outside for the entire, very frightening storm. Yikes!)

Saturday morning, Laura and I got up early to head down to Virginia. Trees down all around the area made the trip interesting.

(This is me turning around...notice the wires down on the side of the road!)

So finally we arrived in VA to hang with the awesome Rev3 crew...

Lenny and Amanda working the screen printer (I helped fold).

Amanda will probably hate me for this picture...it was hot in there!

The Rev3 Fleet!

Ashley checking out old merchandise. 

Alex, the Master of Merchandise, and Lenny loading stuff for the expo store. 

Ashley

Alex, the Master of Merchandise

Laura and I in the truck waiting for another load.

The end result!

So we helped load the trucks, and since we had power went ahead with our BBQ. It was great to see everyone (and whether they wanted to see us or not, we had power). The evening took a twist when Tommy had to leave to check on his Grandmother. She was fine, but had no power and ending up having a sleepover at our house. The more the merrier! 

I'm happy to say everyone got power back after the storm, but there are still trees down everywhere. This is the view on my run:

Happy training and racing to everyone. Be safe out there!

Powerbar Product Review

Disclaimer: I am on a team sponsored by Powerbar, and a member of Powerbar Team Elite. That said, I have had the opportunity to explore several of the powerbar products this season and am LOVING them.

(My Powerbar stash)

Here is my feedback:

Perform Sports Drink
Not going to lie: I would like this more if it was called Rev3 Tri perform, but it is good stuff. The taste is light...not too sweet but keeps your water from being boring. I put one scoop in my 24 oz bottle and it is just right. If I needed more nutrition I would add an additional scoop (it is starting to get hot around here). Information from the Powerbar website:

Each 8-fl oz serving includes:

• 17 grams of carbohydrates in a proprietary glucose-to-fructose blend that has been found to improve endurance performance by 8 percent
• 190 mg of sodium, a key electrolyte lost in sweat
• 70 calories

Powerbar Energy Blasts:

These things are awesome! They are the endurance athlete's version of gummy bears. We used these things a lot on the Run Across America. A word of advice..they don't do well in heat or cold...they melt or get too hard to chew. (Laura can tell you after Run Across America about the melting part). I would not use these during the run of a triathlon (the gels are easier to consume), but definitely pre-/post-workout and during the bike. I love the raspberry, strawberry banana, and lemon flavors. 

Powerbar Energy Gels:

I used these during the Maryland Half Marathon, and during the Run Across America. They are a regular part of my training nutrition for longer workouts. I was a little nervous about the caffeine, but haven't had any issues (there are several flavors without caffeine, too). The consistency of the gels is good, and I like the strawberry banana and tangerine. 

Powerbar Pure and Simple Energy Bars:

These bars are great when you need a quick bite. I am a huge peanut butter fan, and one bar only has 130 calories, but 5g of protein and 10% of your daily fiber. It is a great "on the run" snack. 

Powerbar Pria Bars:

This bar is marketed for women, but I have to tell you that my 5 ("and 3/4") year old son takes one every day for his backpack. 110 calories, 5 grams of protein, and "as much calcium as a glass of milk". Not a bad snack for my son, and a great way to fill a sweet craving without a ton of calories. I've got my sister and a couple other girlfriends hooked on these. 

Nutrition can be a sensitive issue (literally, for some people). I have to say I am really happy with my Powerbar experience so far. No GI distress, meeting my nutrition needs, and no "bonking" so far. I can't wait for the season to continue! Thank you Powerbar Team Elite and Team Rev 3.