Sunday, January 1, 2012

Champagne Run 2011


It was original although some might say peculiar. Either way it was an incredible way to end another hard year of team training. To what do I refer? I am referring to what will now be known as the annual FitBird Champagne Run ~ a morning New Year's Eve team training run around the LSU lakes followed by champagne, mimosas, muffins, and music!

Pre-Run: Lizard, COOg, SWMFU, FireFly (bottom)
Heather, Crash, Bubbles, The Judge (top)
As with many FitBird adventures, this one started as an impromptu flag planting that got little response until it was re-vamped with the promise of champagne and fun after the training run. It held true to its promise, and after a training run that was kind of like playing "best ball" in golf (in other words a run that was decided by who had the best training peaks plan for the day), the champagne began to flow and our presence in the parking lot of the City Park tennis courts became obvious to all around.

It's these times that it is clear to me what it means to be a FitBird. We displayed to the community a team being supportive of each other and having fun. Support was demonstrated during the run as some members were encouraged to stick to their plan as it was written and go solo to stay focused on their upcoming goals, or it was demonstrated by the merging of plans in order to run in small groups to push each other to go farther, or by each team member high-fiving and cheering the "faster" birds as they made their way in reverse around the lake at a quicker pace timed just fast enough to get back in time for the after-party. Effort was made to run with strangers and encourage them to join in on the fun. A recruitment drive of sorts began to form as vehicles were stopped to encourage new faces to become FitBirds, and champagne and muffins were offered to contacts that members have made during their training.

Surely it had to have been quite the scene... a range of ages, abilities, and backgrounds of ladies who were sweaty, laughing, eating muffins, and making mimosas in a parking lot at 10 am while ukulele music played in the background. As the last runner arrived she was greeted by a musical chorus of "She's all smile, all smiles, all smiles" and received a finish line "wave" of sorts as she was handed a drink. I mean, where else do you get that??

We became such an attraction that heads turned as vehicles drove past, and finally one male runner requested his picture be taken because his wife would never believe him.


Thanks to Lizard for instigating this first run, and to all who contributed in making it a success! Thanks to FireFly for the trunk buffet, to Crash for the fancy cheeses, and to SWMFU (Joyce's Indian Name - Stand with Middle Finger Upward) for the homemade handpicked blueberry muffins! Thanks also to Poly for making sure that FireFly didn't have to worry about filling up her fridge with half-empty bottles of champagne once the party ended...

Post Run: COOg, Smiles, Lizard, Maddy, FireFly (bottom)
Poly, SWMFU, Bubbles, Koko, Crash, The Judge, Vortex

Another EPIC adventure and the first of many Champagne Runs to appear in our future!!
 See you all December 31, 2012!!

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Rouge Orleans 2011

FitBirds start thinking about Rouge Orleans 2012! It is an incredible ultramarathon race and a life changing adventure! There may be multiple FitBird teams organizing this year, so start twittering with each other!! This is a synopsis of 2011 and our video entry for an attempt to win a team entry for 2012.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Youth Paratriathletes Media Blitz!

The FitBird Falcons Youth Tri Camp has received a lot of media attention, especially in regards to our paratriathlete division. Thanks to all of the Falcon-Teers, sponsors, and community for supporting and encouraging both staff and athletes! What a rewarding experience!


And last week's media spot on the same group of athletes... FitBird Falcons prep for Paratriathlon/WGMB Fox 44. We have received incredible coverage and hope that race day will be embraced by the media so the youth will have some fame when they complete what they've set out to do!

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Santa Rosa Training Camp Promo Video 2011



 

Time is running out! Register soon for Training Camp in Santa Rosa, Florida! This is great race preparation for the Santa Rosa Tri on October 1st, which just happens to fall on Coach Anne's birthday! (another reason to celebrate). Santa Rosa Triathlon consists of a 600 yard swim in the Gulf, an 18 mile bike along the beachfront, and a 3.1 mile run through some lovely neighborhoods. The swag is great, the food excellent, the setting serene, and the after party is, well... you have to see it to believe it.

Even if your season's goals do not include the Santa Rosa Tri, this camp will help build your base, teach you to swim in open water, improve your technique, and make your stomach hurt from laughing. If you've never experienced this kind of focused training, don't let it intimidate you. It is open to beginners and advanced athletes alike. Come challenge yourself, see how far you've come, and push beyond your perceived boundaries. There is no limit to what you can do!

For more information, or to register, contact Anne at 225.246.1731.