Spring is in the air and its also the time for so many race options before the "REAL" heat hits us all this summer.  So much has already taken place this calendar year that I don't know exactly where to begin.  Since we live in the Valley of the Sun, we have already hit the races fast and hard with so many Olympic, Sprint and Ironman events and its only April!  Take the time to scroll through the photo albums on the website to see many of our members wearing the FWT uniforms with pride!

 

Triathlons are not the only events that keep us busy.  I had a chance to run in the "Skirt Chasers 5K" on February 29th.  (Leap Day)  This unique event had over 700 women take off from Tempe Town Lake on a Friday afternoon only to be "chased" by 200 men three minutes behind. (Interesting workout after a day at work!) The attached picture shows a group of us men at the beginning of the chase.  Events like this are popping up all over the Valley and are an opportunity for more and more people to get up off of their couches, away from their desks or happy hour barstools and get moving!  Its a beautiful thing! 

 

Back to our main sport, I want to publicly thank Don Campbell and his first lieutenant, Phil Plentzas for their leadership on our FWT Aid Station at Ironman Arizona on April 13th.  What a great day for our club to serve those who were out there in such tough conditions!  This year's IMAZ had the 3rd highest DNF rate in the history of the race.  I know Don and Phil would want to join me in thanking everyone who came out to work for all the athletes.  Also, FWT club member, Sue Iverson led a team of finish tape volunteers.  You can see her and other club members like Greg Spayde with big smiles being the first people to congratulate so many Ironman finishers at the finish line.  Thank you to Sue and all her volunteers for such a great job!  Of course, a HUGE congratulations to all of our FWT members who raced in this year's Ironman Arizona event!  Check out the times posted posted on the homepage to see how everyone did.  Whether it was your first or 14th (Dave Seeley) we are all so proud of you for what you did! 

 

USAT has just released the 2007 Triathlon All-American list and we have five First Wave Tri Club members who made the cut.  Paul Bakerman and Lincoln Murdoch are USAT AA in the Male 50-54 age group.  I was fortunate enough to make the list in the Male 40-44 age group.  FWT Vice President, Mike Brown is All-American as part of the most competitive age group; Male 35-39 and finally, Ryan Lindsey made it in the Male 25-29 age group.  To be All-American, a Triathlete must have be in the top 5% of all USAT sanctioned races as compared to those in their age group.  Some of these age groups have over 4,000 Triathletes!  Congratulations to all!

 

Finally, the Tempe International Triathlon is coming on Sunday, May 18th.  Every year, we get stronger and stronger at this event.  Check out our photo page to see our group picture at last year's event.  Please consider doing either the Sprint or Olympic race and make sure you list First Wave Tri as your club affiliate when you register.  For more info on this race check out http://www.tucsonracing.com/TATinf.htm#ClubChampionships This year there is a division for big and small clubs.  Let's win this thing!  (I'm not competitive at all!)

 

Stay safe and have fun out there.  See you at our meetings and/or at the races!