Happy New Year from Team RWB

Dear Team RWB Teammates - 

As we start a new year, we wanted to wish all our athletes, sponsor partners, friends, families, and most importantly, our military members, a very safe and happy holiday season.  This is also a perfect time to reflect on the season, and look forward to what may come in 2012.  Was 2011 the year of your first triathlon, your first half, or first full iron distance race?  Did your races go the way you wanted?  What did you learn that you will carry over into next season?   

It is also a great time to reflect on the year, one where we celebrated the military's successes and as a nation, grieved their losses.  For many families, this holiday marked another one separated from a loved one who is deployed, or perhaps spending their first holiday apart as the war in Afghanistan continues.  We have also seen the end of the war in Iraq and complete withdrawal of our troops there just in time for the holidays.  This has been one of the largest single re-deployments of combat troops, and now more than ever, It's Our Turn to give back to help these troops reintegrate back into society.  At Team RWB, we are so proud of what our military does every day, and encourage everyone this holiday season to remember what the war in Iraq has meant and has cost so many service members and their families.  We are also so grateful for our athletes and what each of you does to raise awareness for our returning veterans - whether it is through fundraising, wearing the team kit, or spreading the word through social media and word of mouth, thank you.  On that note, it's not too late to pre-order a 2012 kit - you have until 5 JAN, just hit this link: http://www.freewebstore.org/team-rwb-triathlon/index.aspx?pageid=1096663

At Team RWB, we are excited about the year that 2011 was - we grew exponentially and formed new partnerships.  Our pros and age groupers had some amazing successes, including Ironman wins and podium finishes, multiple PRs, and other "firsts."  Team RWB was profiled in the media and it grew in true grassroots fashion.  In 2012, we are looking forward to an even more amazing year, and we are so excited that you are part of this experience.  

We are also going to be growing our on-line presence, including re-vamping our blog.  Brittany did an amazing job of keeping up with the blog in 2011, but her responsibilities have grown, mirroring the growth of the team.  She has very graciously passed the blog on, and we look forward to following her lead and being good stewards of it.  In 2012, we will have a dedicated blog team, and our goal is to update the blog more frequently, with an immediate focus on the "off-season" months.  This will include chapter and athlete profiles, off-season training tips, winter recipes, pro and sponsor interviews, and spring races.  We also welcome your suggestions - if you have a team chapter or individual you think we should profile, please let us know.  If there is a race you want to highlight, gear (particularly that of our partners) you have tried and tested, or a recipe you want to share, please send it in.  To our pros, if you are willing to be interviewed, please email us (I can be reached at mdpiet@aol.com) - we would love to get your views and perspectives.  

Thank you for all you have done for Team RWB and for our veterans.  This was truly a special year and we look forward to even more growth and exposure for the team and the mission in the year to come.   We have some very exciting news coming out soon, so stay tuned to the blog, follow the team on Twitter, or Like Us on Facebook - you won't want to miss this.  Happy holidays and happy New Year - Team RWB, It's Our Turn. 

Team RWB Elite Ambassador: Brad Williams

After a very successful year, to include a stellar 9:36 at Kona, Brad Williams, a member of the US Air Force, has taken the step to join Team RWB as one of our Elite Ambassadors! We're thrilled to have him as part of the Team representing from across the world in Korea! Team RWB- Meet Brad Williams!

Brad Williams triumphantly finishes Kona 2011

Name: Brad Williams

Nickname: Bad Brad (been around since I was 4 years old and caught back on in H.S.)

Age: 25

Do you have a Twitter account where people can follow you? A blog?

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/afbadbrad

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/afbadbrad

Blog: http://aftriathlonguy.blogspot.com

Do you have a significant other and kids? Single and no kids

When did you get into triathlon and why? I got into triathlon while I was stationed at Osan AB, South Korea.  I had already been here a year and had wasted the whole first year partying and doing what most 21 year olds do.  In 2008 I saw a flyer for a sprint triathlon and in March of 2008 I started training and have been hooked ever since.

Do you have a favorite race? I would have to say Kona was my all time favorite, but a close second would have to be Wildflower.  The environment at both races is just electrifying and really exciting.

What is your best race memory?  Getting to Kona on my first attempt via IM Korea.  Then showing up to Kona and not being “known” in the military circle of athletes.  I was not the official representative for the Air Force but had a break through race and finished 2^nd Overall out of all the military athletes.  Being able to cross the line at Kona with the US Flag, was by far the most emotional and exciting times during a race.

When you reach the point of the race where you have to dig down deep, what do use as personal motivation?  I started racing for a purpose in September of 2010 and that is when digging down deep became a little easier.  Each race I would chose something different to race for and whatever I was racing that race for is what I would use to get me through the tough patches.

What is your favorite leg of a triathlon and why? I think training is probably the best part of triathlon, because it is the journey that gets you to the start line.  Oh wait you said leg of triathlon ;)  I am not a good swimmer by any means, so you can rule that out really quick, but I would say it would have to be the run, because that is where the race is either won or lost.

What is your favorite pre-race food? My go to food on race morning is instant oatmeal, it is easy to travel with and when traveling through Asia having an easy food that you can take everywhere is key.  I usually go with the Apple Cinnamon flavor.

What is your favorite post-race food? Anything and everything in sight, and then of course a cold beer.

Besides triathlon, what do you do for fun? Triathlon takes up a majority of my time, and then on top of that I take 5-6 college classes a year.  So there isn’t much time for anything else.  But once school is done and I find some more time in my life I will get back to snow skiing, water skiing, golfing, camping, fishing, pretty much anything outdoors.

Why Team RWB and supporting the military? I started racing for a purpose in September of 2010, and since then I have changed that purpose every race.  I like that Team RWB focuses on wounded veterans and getting them back into the “real world”.  I couldn’t think of a better way to do that than with something that I love with endurance events.  It is a great way to meet people and make a great network of friends throughout the world.  You never know what tomorrow will bring you, and I could be a wounded veteran tomorrow needing a fellow Team RWB member to help me out.  I feel fortunate to be on the helping side of things and hope that I can make a small difference in someone’s life.

Significant Race History/Results:

- 2011 IM World Champs 2^nd Overall Military finisher: 9:36:39 32^nd/94 Age Group/225^th Overall

-2011 IM Korea- 10:00:31 4^th/44 Age Group/19^th Amateur

-2011 Silicon Valley LC Tri- 1^st/21 Age Group/3^rd Overall

-2011 IM 70.3 Singapore- 4:34:39 3^rd/98 Age Group/19^th Amateur

-2011 DMZ Road Race- Male 20’s Age Group Winner/1^st Finisher

-2010 DMZ Half Marathon-1:18:55 13^th/1,362 Overall

-2010 Chuncheon Marathon- 2:58:12 98^th/12,020 Overall

-2009 IM 70.3 China- 5:16:34 1^st/3 Age Group/4^th Amateur

-2009 Air Force Marathon- 3:11:54 #1 USAFE Male Runner

-2009 IM 70.3 World Champs- 4:39:26 37^th/55 Age Group

-2008 Osan AB Sprint Tri (First Triathlon)

Team RWB at Ironman Arizona

Are you racing Ironman Arizona and want to join in on some Team RWB activities? We'd LOVE to have you and we have a few get togethers planned for race weekend and some cheer areas, so join us! Click and read more here:
TEAM RWB IMAZ Newsletter

Thanks! More to come! Stay tuned!

Thanks so much to all of you that bid on the aerobars and a big cheer to Bryan, who happens to be an RWB athlete (we didn't expect that!), who won the auction! Thanks for helping us make a difference!

Congratulations to the many military athletes that finished Kona last week! It was inspirational to watch so many of you cross the finish line! Our favorite pro at the race and RWB athlete, Tim O'Donnell, had a rough day of it.  You can only puke so many times on the bike...Nevertheless, his efforts raised over $12,500 for Team RWB! Tim, like so many of our athletes, look beyond the finish line and know that there is MORE out there than just racing and that we owe so much to those that come back from war with wounds, visible and invisible.  So, thanks Tim!! Word is he might be at Ironman Arizona, so we look forward to cheering him and 10-15 RWB athletes to a great day there.  We also had athletes conquer REV3 South Carolina last weekend.  REV3 continues to put on great races and is expanding in 2012 to more race sites--perfect for all of us who love racing in new places! Be sure to check them out!

While the season is winding down--we do have athletes racing Beach 2 Battleship, Ironman Florida, Ironman Arizona, and likely more that we have missed.

We're currently working on our plans for 2012.  A lot of our plans depend upon YOU, our athletes, and where you think we ought to focus on races.  If you're willing to get a group of RWB athletes to race a specific race in your area, or coordinate with Race Directors to make RWB a part of the triathlon, then let us know and we'll help you out!

So, to those of you who have wrapped up the triathlon season--enjoy the off-season, keep some of that base, and set yours eyes forward! To those who still have some big marks on the wall, press on and have some great races! As always, if you have ideas or questions, please email brittany@teamrwb.org or steve@teamrwb.org and we'll do our best to help you out! Bigger and better everyday with a focus like a laser beam on helping out those wounded heroes who given so much! To learn more, be sure to go to www.TeamRWB.org.

Team RWB Pro-Ambassador Kathy Rakel's SuperFrog Report- 9/11

As we reported in our last blog, Kathy Rakel trekked her way from Arizona to Coronado, CA and joined our Team RWB California crew on tackling the SuperFrog Triathlon.  Take a moment to read her account about race day on her blog Kathy Rakel and SuperFrog (<--click there).

Thanks for sharing, Kathy! Kathy also has a new website, so if you're interested in following the adventures of a rising pro-triathlete, bookmark and follow her on www.kathyrakel.com.

Whether you're a Team RWB Pro or Age Grouper, we are always looking for your race reports, stories, and pictures! If you're interested in sharing your blog or race report here, please let us know via Facebook or email Brittany (brittany@teamrwb.org).  Keep up the great work, you all are inspiring! 

Team RWB Tri and 9/11 Race Weekend

REV 3 Cedar Point, OH 

Team RWB at REV3 Cedar Point: RWB Booth Group Photo

Team RWB had an AMAZING time at REV3 Cedar Point.  Our athletes did amazing, we met tons of great new people interested in RWB, we met great Americans that donated to the cause, we had fun, and we got to help make the finish line memorable for hundreds as we passed out large American flags for the finishers to carry down the finish chute.  REV3, as an organization, is spectacular! The time, coverage, race slots, and more that they agave us, as a non-profit, was truly priceless. They are true professionals and we hope to be at many of their races in the future!  We want to wish a special CONGRATULATIONS to all of our athletes who successfully toed the line, especially those who took on the 140.6: Eric B., Ray R., Ryan M., and Mike M., you DID IT!!

Check out the Age Group recap to catch glimpse of some our athletes as well as to see how incredible REV3's tribute to honor the memory of those lost in the 9/11 attacks, 10 years ago, and to all the Fallen Heroes who have given their lives since. A very powerful video of a very incredible day for racing and paying tribute!

Cajun Man Triathlon Lafayette, LA

Jason M. takes rocking RWB to a NEW level! SWEET!

Wow! What a spectacular day coordinated by the team of great Americans that are Team RWB Louisiana! They did some great work in coordinating to partner with the race, so we're grateful to the Cajun Man Tri for letting us be a part! But what an incredible showing from all of our athletes.  Be sure to check out their Facebook page for tons of pictures like this one--and keep an eye out for the AWESOME and RWB DECKED out tri-bike of Jason M.!  Now if that doesn't say RWB, I don't know what does!

Team RWB LA runs it in together at Cajun Man!

Ironman Wisconsin: 

Team RWB Pro Jessica Jacobs wins IMWI

Team RWB Pro-Ambassador Jessica Jacobs and several RWB age group athletes toed the line at the famous Ironman Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin.  We are so proud of how they did, and we are especially proud of Jess as she became a 2xIronman Champion (she won IMFL '10 too).  She did so after a year of moving, transition, losing her father, and saying good-bye to her husband as he deployed to Iraq.  As a former Army Captain, current Army wife, Mom, patriot, and Team RWB athlete, it is so fitting and awesome that she took the title on this day! Congratulations, Jess and ALL our Ironman finishers! Re:ad about Jess' win HERE in LAVA Magazine.

 SuperFrog Half-Iron, Coronado, CA: 

Team RWB Pro Kathy Rakel

Our might Team RWB California crew were all over SuperFrog! Team RWB Pro-Ambassador Kathy Rakel took 2nd Overall in the Women's Elite (her first Half-Iron as a pro!), a relay team of super fast West Point Cadets representing RWB took first in their relay, as did some of our awesome Navy SEAL athletes! Team RWB is proud to have true heroes supporting heroes.  Team RWB CA leader, Joe Molina, led up a booth at the expo, and we're extremely grateful to SuperFrog for letting Team RWB be part of the race expo. SuperFrog supports the Naval SEAL Foundation and we think that what they are doing is so important! We're proud to grip hands with another great organization and look forward to many more SuperFrog and SuperSEAL events!

Team RWB CA and the West Point Cadets at Super Frog

Ironman 70.3 World Championship:
A big shout out to RWB Pro-Ambassador Jessica Meyers and Age Group Athlete Evan H. as they took on a tough and demanding 70.3 at Lake Las Vegas in Nevada.  Toeing the line with the best in the world, these two proudly gave it their all! Team RWB athlete and super-fan, Arnie L., was in attendance cheering and motivating our athletes while sporting his Team RWB colors as well! Congrats to the athletes, and thanks to Arnie for cheering on some of our very best!

We're also proud to have had athletes at the Nation's Tri in DC, Pacific Grove Tri in Monterrey (where Pro-Ambassador Derek Oskutis took 10th in the men's professional division), and so many more! Runners completed ultra-marathons in NY, PA, and DC.  A group at the Naval Post-Graduate school completed a century ride. Individuals hiked and ran.  It was an awesome day because so many came together to REMEMBER and pay TRIBUTE.  Our lives changed 10 years ago, and Team RWB did a great job of honoring the memory of those who were killed in the attacks and those service men and women who have given their lives in battle since, as well as those who are still serving.  This past weekend, you not only held Old Glory high and helped America remember and pay tribute, but in representing Team RWB you helped us in our mission to ensure we do right by our wounded veterans! Thank you TEAM RWB ATHLETES! Well done!

Team RWB at REV3 Cedar Point

Hey Triathletes!
  If you're going to be racing the Half or Full REV at REV3 Cedar Point make sure and come say hi to Team RWB! We will be hosting an official booth for the very first time at the REV3 Expo!! REV3 has been amazingly kind and generous in involving us and supporting us in this race! Because of the significance of the race being on the 10th Anniversary of 9-11 attacks, we, in partnership, with REV3 are working to put US Flags in the hands of all of the spectators as well as have flags available for all RWB athletes finishing the Half-REV and for ALL athletes finishing the Full-REV.
  We will have a Team RWB dinner and group photo meet up.  For more information, please click below for a newsletter highlighting Team RWB's involvement at REV3 Cedar Point.  Please send any questions to Brittany (brittany@teamrwb.org) about how to be involved at REV3 Cedar Point (registration closes on 31 August, so you STILL have time to register for the race!) or if you would like to attend the dinner meet up!
  See you there, and THANK YOU REV3 for making us a part of this great race!
Team RWB and REV3 Cedar Point Newsletter (<<--Click for more information)
It's Our Turn!
Team RWB Triathlon