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Thank You
Sponsors!
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We have a lot going
on! We have had a number of new teammates
join recently, we picked up a wonderful new sponsor, we
are in the midst of our Summer Racing Contest, and we
have a couple of training camps coming up. Please
feel free to forward to anyone that might have an
interest in the team! And thank you for your
continued support!
Photo above: That's
Brian Ricketts hammering his way to an 11:51 finish in
the White River 50 (miles!) outside of Seattle.
Read his race report and profile below.
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| DO
I HAVE WHAT IT TAKES? |
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This is a question that I never
seem to stop asking myself. As you grow up you get a
job, get married, have kids, move up in your career,
move to new cities, pursue new hobbies and passions and
continue to move outside of your comfort zone. I'm a
pretty confident and assured person and am firm in my
faith, but the question never seems to go away.
Especially since I started racing. Here are my
thoughts on the question:
Do I Have What It
Takes?
It
starts with a spectacle. For most of us our
fascination with racing started by watching a race on TV
or hearing of a friend or family member completing some
huge event. Maybe it was the Boston or NYC
Marathon or the Tour de France. For me it was
watching the Ironman on TV for the first time. I
don't remember what year or who won, but all I could
think of was 1) these people are awesome and 2) these
people are crazy.
Then your curiosity
begins. You start to wonder how a person
can propel their bodies for 9 or even 17 hours. Or
for 21 days in the Tour! So you start to break it
down in stages, small somewhat manageable pieces.
For me it was the marathon. I never raced a 5K or
a 10K, but I signed up for the Marine Corp Marathon in
1996 in Washington DC. What the hell. I read
a few books, subscribed to Runners World, and then built
and followed a training plan. At this point you
race to finish. And I did with a time of
4:36.
Then your
fascination grows. I ran for years off and
on, but never lost my fascination with racing. I
recorded the Ironman every year. I started
watching the Tour. These people are amazing.
So you pick your next event and stretch your
sights. For me it was the 2006 Buffalo Springs
Half Ironman. I signed on with coach Joe Sulak of
Peak Fitness in January of 2006. With professional
coaching, lots of words of encouragement, and small
victories your sights change again. For me I got
3rd place in my age group in a local 5K. Talk
about a surprise! In my first Olympic Tri I was
the 4th person out of the water.
Shocking!
Do I
have what it takes? From then on you keep
aiming higher. You get more methodical in your
training and eating. You map out your race
season. But you never stop asking yourself "Do I
have what it takes?" Never. I moved on to
bike racing and had some top 10 finishes. My best
finish last year was in a local crit when I had decided
that I didn't have what it takes that day. I was
tired of suffering and wanted the pain to end.
Oddly enough in the last lap, after I had decided that
I'd just roll in with the main group, I took a corner
fast and all the sudden had a small gap on
everyone. It wasn't intentional. I raced so
hard and got caught at the line for 2nd place. I
actually did have what it takes after all.
So now what? Know
that we all ask ourselves the same question
over and over: Do I have what it takes?
Read Brian Ricketts race report from the White
River 50. He asked himself the same question
many times. But he kept going and ran
on dirt trails, up and down mountains for 50
miles in 11:51. That's awesome!
Surround
yourself with encouraging people. That's
the sole purpose of this team. In addition to
helping you train smarter, a coach like Joe provides
some of the best encouragement you can find. He's
got his time and reputation on the line for your chosen
event and offers guidance, accountability, and
encouragement that makes you lift your game to the next
level.
And
lastly, become the encourager. Tell people
that they have what it takes. On a bike ride, when
someone gets dropped, you fall off the front and give
them a hand. Encourage people to keep showing up,
to keep racing, to keep trying. Together we all
have what it takes.
Race
strong,
Morris
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TRAINING
CAMPS
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 We have 2
training camps each year. The first is hosted by
teammate Scott McMillian at his ranch in Mason, Texas
and is free except for splitting the cost of food and
maid service. It's a very hilly and scenic area
and a great place to ride. Last year we had 12 or
so teammates show up and we put in some good, long miles
over 3 days. We are working on a date in November
so stay tuned.
The second training camp is held
in January, is hosted by Joe and Jill Sulak of Peak
Fitness in Ft. Davis, and allows you to truly train like
a pro for a weekend. All you do is show up with
your bike and supplements and they take care of the
rest. They even provide SAG support so you don't
have to stuff everything in your pockets. The cost
is $475 per person and includes everything, but your car
ride out there. It's one of the most beautiful
places in Texas and not to be missed. A
non-refundable deposit is due soon to hold your
place. Click here to let Joe
know that you are coming.
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| NEW
SPONSOR - ACADEMY SPORTS + OUTDOORS |
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Academy Sports + Outdoors has
recently agreed to become a Gold Sponsors with a
generous cash donation! Many thanks to teammate
Vince Rosetta who recently joined their marketing
organization. Academy Sports + Outdoors is one of
the nation's largest sporting goods retailers, operating
over 95 stores across the southeast. They have 6 stores
in San Antonio and are building their newest store at NW
Military and 1604. They offer a huge selection at
great prices. Be sure to thank Vince next time you
see him and please keep shopping there.
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SUMMER RACING
CONTEST
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We are in the middle of our Summer
Racing Contest and here are our current leaders (as of
August 3rd).
Runner - Brian Ricketts
Triathlete - Vince Rosetta and Brandon Loper are
tied
Cyclist - Maurice East - 8 points with 6 races
completed and 1 new recruit!!
We have had some
great participation amongst our cyclists and have
recruited 3 new members in the process. Here are
the latest standings:
8 - Maurice the Marauder East
(including new recruit Taylor Ewing)
7 - Henry
(Patrick) I raced 32 races and finally upgraded to Cat 4
Martinez (including 2 point upgrade from 5 to 4)
4 -
Branton Ride off the Front or Die Moore
4 - Taylor
I'd Win all of these Races if they Included a 10-mile
run at the End Ewing
3 - Tom I'm an Ironman Damnit
Spaits
3 - John the Dude Spencer
3 - Morris Crash
Camp
2 - Robert Fly Like an Eagle Mercado
2 -
Chandler the Rock Ogden
1 - Ray I'm selling all my
Stuff to buy Doping Products Bortello
1 - Joe 24
Stiches Vivion
1 - Jim the Train Fiore
Click here for the
lowdown on the contest. |
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| RACE REPORT |
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White River 50
Brian Ricketts, who 3 years ago
wasn't a "runner", just completed his first 50 miler in
Washington - the White River 50. It's a very tough race,
yet he finished in 11:51!!! Congrats Brian, you're the
man! Although I'm sure having Vince as your crew made it
just that much easier. Good job guys! Read his race report
here. And yes, he has what it takes!
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| ATHLETE
PROFILE |
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 Brian Ricketts - Mr. 50
Miler
Name - Brian
Ricketts
Age
- 29
Occupation - Game
Operations Manager for the Spurs
Family status -
Single
Discipline - Running
Years racing - 4
Why Peak Fitness Racing
- Great group of athletes with similar goals
Athletic goals for the
season - Complete first 50 mile race -White River
50 outside Seattle, WA - DONE!
Past accomplishments -
1st place in Clydesdale Division at 2007 Austin Marathon
Worst moment in
competition - Having to make a serious (and very
unexpected) bathroom break at the 2007 Austin Marathon,
only to find out there wasn't a porta-potty around for 2
miles.
Who do you
look to for athletic inspiration - Myself.
If I can get myself motivated, then I'm in trouble.
Favorite Pro Sports
Team - Spurs
Favorite Pro Athlete -
Peyton Manning
If
you could be one superstar athlete past or present who
would it be and why? Bill Russell. 11
Championships in 13 years. Hard to argue with
that.
Last movie
seen - Blades of Glory
Favorite book -
Helter Skelter
Favorite television show
- Seinfeld
Favorite food -
Pancakes
Favorite
vacation spot - Anything with a beach.
Favorite restaurant -
Cheesecake
Factory
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| SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT - Papouli's
Greek Grill |
|
 Papouli's Greek Grill
founder, Nick Anthony, and wife Amber (co-founder of Run
Gear Run) believe so much in good food and a healthy
lifestyle that they've made it part of their careers.
Amber taught Nick that solid nutrition for the novice
(or professional) athlete is essential for peak
performance, and that's why Nick and his partner, Robert
Dominguez, have focused the Papouli's menu on robust
flavors presented in a nutritious array of offerings
that fuel the body. Nick says, "we wanted to key on the
flavors and make the nutrition simply a natural
by-product of the Papouli's dining experience." No
matter what your dietary and nutrition requirements are,
Papouli's diverse menu offerings are designed to meet
both pre and post-workout dietary
essentials.
Papouli's, which means
Grandfather's in Greek, has a mission to focus on the
traditions and legacies that Nick's forefathers handed
down. Simple, nutritious foods offered in a genuinely
friendly and casual atmosphere are part of that mission
and at the core of the Papouli's Team goal.
"Being involved with our community, especially
through healthy lifestyle and education based
affiliations, is what we are all about. Supporting
Peak Fitness Racing is just one very cool way we can
achieve that goal", Nick comments.
Learn more
about Papouli's Greek Grill, including a peek at their
full menu, at www.papoulis.com.
With locations across San Antonio's 1604 corridor, from
I-35 to I-10, Nick suggests you drop in to Papouli's
after your next long ride or run, relax, and enjoy a
Gyro and a Greek beer. (See Nick's Special Offer below
and consider dropping in at their new location scheduled
to open mid-August at The Legacy located at 281 &
1604.) | |
| Thanks for your
interest in our team and for reading our newsletter.
Please feel free to give us any feedback. We are always
open to suggestions and are just making this up as we go
along.
Sincerely,
Morris Camp
Peak
Fitness Racing |
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