Here's a pep talk for everyone headed off to Ironman Wisconsin:

Triathlon Forum
1

Good luck guys- you rule:

http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/editorials/0000086.shtml
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2

Tom,

Thanks for the hearfelt words. While I have been living and breathing this race for months, I know where it stands within the real world of sacrafice and suffering. 9/11/01 and the recent hurricane are but 2 examples of real human suffering that happens every day. Thanks again and I hope to tear up the course on my Bikesport P3!

3

Tom, this was a classic piece. I really liked this part:

“In the span of our lives there are precious few days when, at the onset of the day, we know that at the conclusion of that day our lives will be altered profoundly and permanently. These are the days that change our lives. These days change our ideas of ourselves, the way our friends see us and we see them. We remember these days for the rest of our lives”

I’d have to say that my first day of College, the day I was commissioned as an officer in the Air Force, the day of my wedding and the day my son was born also fall into this category. Those and each of the 12 days I finished an ironman.

4

an excellent editorial, thank you

I like your sentiments on toeing the line even without ideal preparation. What was the Rumsfeld quote? “You go to war with the army you have, not the army you want”?

I realize that this Sunday is 9/11, and that there is a terrible tragedy on the gulf coast. Still, I think I would be happier if I heard nothing about terrorist attacks or hurricanes all weekend. I in no way want to take away from the seriousness of those things, but there are 364 other days to think about them, and do what you can about them. This Sunday is Ironman day. I’d like to focus on that.

5

Thanks for reading. i enjoyed writing that one.

The title for the editorial is from a speech made by (then) President Ronald Reagan at the 50th anniversary of D-Day at Pointe du Hoc, France, where a U.S. Army Ranger unit attacked a cliff mounted German gun position.

Reagan referred to the participants as a “Roll Call of Honor”, and the term seemed somewhat fitting.

6

…and on aother note (with respect to BikeSport Editorials), I have to say that my P3SL in 700c size 53 (like yours), rides smoother in the tri position than my Carbon Fiber Kestrel 200 in the roadie position. I can’t explain how this is possible. It is just the way it is.

Thanks for putting up these editorials. Always a useful and interesting read.