HOP Fit Club

The House of Pizza is going to celebrate with another World Cup viewing this Saturday June 27th.. Here are the details so help spread the word.
• Bar opens at Noon with game kick off at 1:00pm
• Noon – 3pm : $6 Endless Pizza and $3 Beer pints – Stella, Bass, Newcastle, Fat Tire, Widmer, Bells Stout, and more.
• Any USA team support gear gets your first beer for $2. Any Ghana gear gets you a laugh but very impressive.
• Come down, bring the kids, wear your fanfare and help cheer on the USA boys.

Come down at noon for guaranteed seating!! Last time it filled up quickly. Taxi vouchers available if needed or maybe you can bike..

I had two race goals this year – both stretch goals. I wanted to do the 20-mile distance at Earth Day. And I wanted to do a half-ironman triathlon.

First goal; achieved. Went great.

But when it came time to register for the second goal…I couldn’t pull the trigger. It’s not that I’m afraid of that distance or that I don’t think I’ve trained properly. (Those things are both TOTALLY true.) It was more the deep, abiding sense of cheapness that grips me at my core. With current circumstances being what they are (which I shan’t go into in this forum), I couldn’t bring myself to spring for $100 for the registration fee.

So what am I gonna do? Quit? Hell no. I still want to test myself at this distance this summer. I mean, think about it. Did that one Greek guy who ran the first marathon stop off for gyros and ouzo and blow off the rest of his run? Not a chance. Did Teddy Roosevelt get tired and puss out halfway up San Juan Hill? You bet your big stick he didn’t.

I’m doin’ this thing, dammit. Just the way our forefathers would have. I’m building my half-iron from scratch.

Who’s with me?

Here’s the way it’s going to go down. On Saturday, July 10, at 7 a.m., I’m going to start out at Gold’s Gym in Sartell. I’m going to jump in and do my 44 laps to make up 1.2 miles.

After that, I’m going to head out to the parking lot, climb aboard my trusty Stealth Bomber, ride out to St. Joe, pick up the Woebegon trail and ride until my computer says 56 miles.

At that point (somewhere just after Osakis) I’ll hop off my bike, switch shoes, put on my oh-so-techy iPod with its handy Nike Fit chip, and continue on down the trail until the little voice in my ear tells me I’ve run 13.1 miles.

That’s going to leave me somewhere on the outskirts of Alexandria; the city where my parents spend their summers. So I plan on meeting up with them to rehydrate with lots of water…and probably a couple of beers.

Here’s where you come in:

I’m not implying that you might be crazy enough to want to join me for the whole thing (though that would be awesome – I’d love the company). But maybe you’re interested in joining me for an event or two. Know what I mean?

Do you like swimming? (What the f is wrong with you?) Let’s make plans to meet at 7 and crank out a whole bunch of laps.

Looking for a nice, flat bike ride? Let’s hit it! In fact, if your summertime stretch goal was to do a century ride, I’ll bet if you met me at the St. Joe trailhead as I rolled by, my transition point would just about be your turnaround point. Just a thought.

If you’re a runner (with an apparent lack of anything better to do on a Saturday afternoon), get in touch with me and we’ll arrange to meet just past Osakis. We’ll go for a nice, long run and then get something to eat and have a beer. Heck, I could probably even arrange to drop you off at your car in Osakis on my drive home!

I don’t know. I don’t have all the logistics worked out. I’m making this thing up as I go. I’m working on talking my fantastic wife (and potentially a couple of kids) into taking a long, scenic drive up to Alexandria that day, making frequent stops to find the trail and catch me with water bottles as I roll by. If you’re helpful like that, let me know. I’ve got a feeling that’s an area where we could use some helpers.

In the end, don’t feel guilty if you decide this isn’t something you want to do. I was planning on doing this all by myself when I came up with the idea. But it was suggested that I post about this and see if I can get any takers.

So what do you say? You crazy enough to come along and supplement my half-iron experience?

Let me know,

Skoog

gskoog@creativememories.com

Remember, Saturday Morning rides start at 10am from Liquid Assets in Sartell.

Hope to see you all there.

Eric

For something like 10 years now Charlie and Jeni Schad have opened their home up for the Apple Post Race party.

If there is one thing you should do to start the 2010 summer, it’s go to this Post Race party.

It’s not overly crazy and it’s not a wild drunken affair. It’s good times talking to people with similar interests from the Hop-Fit club and the St Cloud area Cycling/Tri/Running community.

It’s a great place to make friends and start matching faces with names. Charlie is always crazy good on the grill and there is always plenty of fun to be had.

I know my team-mate Jodi and I have been training extra hard just to get ready for the party.

Here is the breakdown and info.

Fitzharris Bike and Sport will be holding a HOP fit club team night on
Monday April 26th from 6pm to 8pm. Feel free to bring in your bike(s)
for free brake and derailleur adjustments. Want to learn how to change
a flat, tweak a derailleur, or just lube the chain? No problem. We
can show you some basic tips to keep your bike running smooth this
summer.

Remember fit club members get 25% off all bikes, accessories, parts,
clothing and even energy bars and gels

Where: Municipal Park in Sauk Rapids
When: April 17th 2:00pm – 10:30pm (park closes)
Who: HOP Fit Club members, family, friends, runners, volunteers, kids. Everyone is invited.  Not part of the club? Come meet us.

The park has everything that a good party could need and more. A HUGE firepit, a LOT of picnic tables, bathrooms, and a massive playground for the kids. The charcoal grills will be hot n’ ready. 
Please bring your own food and drink. Beer is allowed in the park .

This notoriously has been the kick-off and biggest party of the year. Lets keep the tradition going.

If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments.

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We had a great showing for the first gear fitting and registration last Thursday. A lot of returning members and new faces as well.

To make sure everyone has a chance to be a team member of the 2010 season we will be having another gear fit and registration on Tuesday March 16th at 6pm at the HOP downtown.

March 16th is also the last day anyone can register. All registration forms can be found on the Registration page.

If you know anyone that may be interested in becoming a member please have them go to the final registration meeting.

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Hey all,

Remember, this Thursday will be our first sign up and kick off day at the House of Pizza downtown–6pm start.  We will have another time and I’ll let you know that within the next day or so.  You don’t have to be present to sign up, simply contact one of us, or get the form online.  We are doing things a little different this year.  The uniform will be a sport Tee with our sponsors on it.  There will still be competition gear available as in previous years, but it will be additional with the benefit being group purchasing power.  We wanted a simpler “uniform” that people could wear in public, and in a race.  The sponsor card will still be given to all members with discounts and specials at all.  There are a few new sponsors–Endurance shop being one, and I’m working on a few others.

Spread the word, bring friends and family.  Shirt sizes will be available for kids and all, and we’re working on a family package.  Hope you are all excited–a little recent sun and warmer weather.  Time to emerge from the cave and come out to socialize, have a Fat Tire, get rid of the fat tire, and meet some really cool people.

See ya there.
Mark Halstrom

On February 25 at 6pm we plan on having our member sign up sizing etc. Unless otherwise notified, this will be at the House of Pizza Downtown. We don’t exactly know what to expect from a clothing perspective, but are working on a few things.

Again, the goal is to get people together to keep active, do a few events and have fun. If you know of other people that are interested, let them know about the date. Please contact us with questions.

If you have gear ideas, new things the group should focus on, or know people interested in sponsorship, let us know that as well. The key is simple and fun social networking with a fitness twist.

We look forward to seeing you all there. Remember, Earth Day Half Marathon is our usual season kick-off. It is on April 17th. Registration is open–run it by yourself or with a partner.
Lots of time to train!!