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Hotsheet
May 1, 2008
by Tim Sheeper
In this edition:

Wildflower Updates

Wildflower is upon us.
 
Update 1
Cindy Welton and Mike Osmond did the team a big favor by traveling to Lake San Antonio this past Tuesday and setting up 16 tents in the HARRIS CREEK CAMPGROUND (Veterans, our normal area. Rookies just get a map at the ranger station).  They have put up Team Sheeper banners and arranged the tents to mark our territory, so we all have enough space to camp together.  Please be certain to personally thank them.

Update 2
I will not be going to Wildflower this year.  We have had a sudden and tragic death in our family and the memorial service is this Saturday morning at 10am.  I wish everyone the best in their adventure and race.

Update 3
We will stay with tradition and assemble potluck meals on Friday and Saturday night at 5pm.  From experience this method is the most beneficial when camping.  Please bring a dish that is enough for 6-8 people.  The sharing of food makes eating before or after the race usually more nutritious and satisfying.  The team is providing utensils, napkins and plates.  If your last name begins with A-K bring food for the beginning of a meal (bread, appetizers, salad, and drinks) If your last name is L-Z bring food for the end of a meal. (main dish, desserts).  Bring chairs since there is only one picnic table and limited seating at our team site.

Update 4
Be certain to remember that Wildflower is a "preparation race."  It has not been the main focus of our training and our rest before the event has not been optimal.  All that being said, the training has been sufficient and plentiful enough for each and every individual to go out and have a strong showing.  Remember, this is a back-end loaded race.  The course and climate are more challenging the last 50% of the race.  Patience and planning are virtues in this particular event.  Also, you do it because it is fun.


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Fearsome Foursome

The Fearsome Foursome (FF) exploded in 2008.  In the first year of the FF we only had 1 team member complete all four events.  Then it grew to 3 people, with steady rate of about 6 people completing it for years.  Last year we doubled and had 12, but this year we had 25 people complete all four events. 

25 people tore into the 20 mile Ultimate Run, then braved the month of February to log 50,000 yards of swimming.   Then pumped up 10,000 vertical feet to complete the Epic Ride and now just a couple of weeks ago took on the Portola State Park Wilderness to knockout the Fearsome Tri like it was a little bit of nothing.

Yes, the team has come a long way.  Physical fitness and strength has improved some, but the biggest jump in improvement has been increased confidence laced with the desire to challenge limits, accompanied by feelings of elation upon completion of these large tasks.

Congratulations to the 2008 Fearsome Foursome Athletes:
1. Kevin Burns
2. Tracy Fujieda
3. Doug Fujii
4. Paul Gorman
5. Lennard Hachmann
6. Ian Hersey
7. Martin Michael
8. Mike Osmond
9. Chas Pavlovic
10. Pierre Pujol
11. Tanja Sattler
12. Jason Schroedl
13. Carol Shelton
14. Lorraine Sneed
15. Cindy Welton
16. Mimi Winsberg
17. David Greenwood
18. Jan Jindra
19. Tina Lount-Pretre
20. Sally Phillips
21. Joel Phillips
22. Michele Santilhano
23. Maggie Smeal
24. Susan Hinrichs
25. Elspeth Farmer

(Please inform me if there are any corrections that need to be made to the list)


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Honu Bike Transport

Yet another way to get your bike to the Hawaii race:

Tri Bike Transport, the same company that we have had great success with shipping our bikes to and from Cour de Alene Ironman is offering bike transport to Hawaii.

They will do a pick up for us on the 21st or 22nd May from the pool. Bikes will be available in Hawaii for pick up on Thursday 29th near transition area. Drop off  after the race at the same spot and back at Burgess Pool on 4th or 5th
June. Price is $250, cheque or cash with bike hand in. No additional  bag option since cost is based on weight and air freight.

We will need a list of people who want to do this deal and they can email Mike Osmond by 17th May.


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Las Vegas

Although we are fast approaching the peak race for the first part of our season, the Hawaii Ironman-Honu 70.3, its already time to start thinking about the races for the second part of the season. The 24 hour triathlon in Denver is 60% full, and they are holding a number of slots for our team. This promises to be a fun weekend so if you don't feel inclined to tackle the event as a solo entrant, put a team together and come along. Let Mike know if you enter so he can keep track of our team entries.  So far we have a two person team, a four person team and five solo individuals entered in this event.  We plan on renting an RV to be stationed as the home base for all of our teams.  The event will undoubtedly afford you memories for a lifetime.  Hope you can be a part of it. 

The focus race for the end of the season is the USAT Club National Championship in Las Vegas to be held on Oct 18. The day includes  sprint, Olympic and half-Ironman distance races. For those interested  in the half-Ironman distance there are two options. The race is the  final race in a series championship and there are qualifying times for  each age group. The times can be found on their website at www.halfmaxchampionship.com

An alternative is to sign up now as they offer 200 non-qualifying  slots. More than half of these have been filled and some of our team  members have already jumped on this option. The sprint and Olympic races are open with no restrictions.


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Parkside Mile

Scheduled for Saturday May 10, 2008 in San Mateo.  This event is on our Triathlon Team and Masters Team event schedule.  This is a perfect opportunity to get a strong open water swim completed close to home and at the beginning of the tri season.

This event will be in place of our regular Saturday morning bike ride.

Registration can be found at:
http://sanmateomarlins.org/openwater.html


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Duathlon

Menlo Masters will be hosting it's 14th Annual  run/swim/run/swim/run Duathlon on Monday May 26, 2008, Memorial Day morning.   (This is a date change, so mark your calendar)

We will have two heats, a fast and a faster heat.  Heat one will start at 6:45am and heat two will start at about 8:00am.  The total length of running will range from 1.0-1.5 miles and the total will be 800-1200 yards of swimming. 

Most people complete their heat in 25-40 minutes.  No registration required and participation is for team members only. 


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Sierra High Altitude Training Camp

Mark your calendars for Friday August 1-Sunday August 3, 2008. 

This will be Team Sheeper's first ever multisport camp (swimming, cycling and running) at altitude.  Base camp will be at:
Lakeshore Resort
Huntington Lake, California
www.lakeshoreresort.com

The camp will include swimming, cycling and running each of the three days.
 We will swim in three different alpine lakes, visit a hot springs, climb 2 mountain passes both over 8,000 feet in elevation, we will run along lake shores, creeks and eat good basic American food at the lodge every morning and evening. 

This camp will be a good chance to prepare for the 24 hours of triathlon race, or to just get out of our normal day to day setting and explore nature and the outer bounds of our adventurous endurance spirits. 

Stay tuned for details and registration on our site.


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Death Valley Tour

Our first ever Death Valley Tour has been booked for Friday-Sunday November 14-16, 2008.  The tour will start in Lone Pine, California on Friday and then will roll through valleys and traverse mountains for 350 miles of spectacular riding and scenery.  We will stay both Friday and Saturday night in Furnace Creek, the heart of Death Valley.  We have blocked rooms at a wonderful Inn for the two nights.  More details coming soon, keep the weekend open.


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