Today I was taking a kid to Lifeguarding practice, and he forgot to wear his seatbelt - automatic 5 'triathlon-style' pushups (where the kids go down and hold for one second, then two seconds, then three...). Not much but it gets the point across without being corporal punishment :-) Anyway, so we got to the pool and he did them without complaining. Then he made the comment, "you know you're the only person I'd do that for."
Which was cool because this is a kid who I met two summers ago in my summer school class (and actually failed it because three days before he would have passed it he stopped coming... three summer school absences and you're automatically failed...), then did water polo for a season, tried diving for 2 weeks but then quit, and has gone on just one triathlon camping trip because he annoys most of the kids. So he's definitely what you call, "grew up without a strong father in the home." Nice reminder as the school year ended the power of positive change being consistent with these kids can bring about!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
Splash and Dash Race Report
It's taken a week, but I really wanted to be able to sit down and do a race report that fit the Splash and Dash!
Friday (5/29)
The venerable Suburban did not die (as it had been doing lately... whenever I'd be driving for a while then stop, it wouldn't start without a jump) as I picked up the trailer, students, sleeping bags, fruit, shirts, etc. We met up at McLane for a nice Chipotle dinner courtesy of our sponsors and then headed off to Millerton Lake. We set up camp, had a nice little swim, and people came up to help us set up, tell ghost stories etc.
I did have some problems with some of the 23 (yep) students who hadn't been on trips before because I belatedly tried to enforce the usual no electronics rule. Didn't work too well. But all were in their tents at 10:59 just as I had instructed.
Then the sprinklers came on.
Yep... we were camping out by the picnic area as we had been allowed to by the park ranger and the sprinklers hit the tent with the girls newest to camping. The rangers could hear the screams from across the campsite. Most of us were laughing, although a few of the students not so much! Ha ha. So we initiated "back up plan B" which involved sending a few of the students whose stuff was now soaked to other tents or to sleep in cars. Thanks Lindsey and Edna for understanding... sleeping in the Suburban isn't that bad ;-)
I slept on a park bench.... first with just a blanket for a pillow and in my regular clothes, but around 3am it got cold so put my wet sleeping bag on top of me. I didn't sleep on the ground because we'd seen snakes earlier that night.
SATURDAY MAY 30th!
The day was finally here! I'd stayed up until about midnight every night of the week prior getting ready for this, and had been talking it up for months and months! I pretty much used up most of my 'personal capital' getting ready for it, but it's all good.
We had 51 pre-registration sign ups, and 24 people signed up on race day! There were certainly a few bumps in the road, but most people were good sports and I was very thankful for the strong tri-community support. My student volunteers were outstanding and I got several comments or emails like this one:
"I just wanted to let you know how impressed I was with all of the teens who were working the event. They were all helpful, friendly, and serious about their jobs, which is not always the case with teen volunteers at races. I just want you, and your students, what a great job they did."
So that's nice to see! It was pretty fun being race director with the megaphone and everything.
The people came in, we got results going and all that... then for the other big surprise!
After the results were announced and pictures taken of people on the podium and all, I asked my sponsors to come on up. Active.me who provided sports and energy drinks, Sierra Running Company who came up with wetsuits and other stuff to give away and helped set up the entire thing, local tri clubs who helped get things set up, etc. And my girlfriend, because I mean she put up with me working and stressing a lot about not just the Splash and Dash, but the tri team in general!
Then, as I thanked her for being so wonderful I reached into my pocket.
And pulled out a ring.
And got down on one knee and proposed! Captured on many cameras and even in video!
She said yes. So we're gonna get married sometime in the next year or so. Still kinda working on the date.
It was a GREAT first weekend for Tri-This (we netted about $500) and and of course me personally too!
Pictures are here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/trithisfresno/splashanddash#
Friday (5/29)
The venerable Suburban did not die (as it had been doing lately... whenever I'd be driving for a while then stop, it wouldn't start without a jump) as I picked up the trailer, students, sleeping bags, fruit, shirts, etc. We met up at McLane for a nice Chipotle dinner courtesy of our sponsors and then headed off to Millerton Lake. We set up camp, had a nice little swim, and people came up to help us set up, tell ghost stories etc.
I did have some problems with some of the 23 (yep) students who hadn't been on trips before because I belatedly tried to enforce the usual no electronics rule. Didn't work too well. But all were in their tents at 10:59 just as I had instructed.
Then the sprinklers came on.
Yep... we were camping out by the picnic area as we had been allowed to by the park ranger and the sprinklers hit the tent with the girls newest to camping. The rangers could hear the screams from across the campsite. Most of us were laughing, although a few of the students not so much! Ha ha. So we initiated "back up plan B" which involved sending a few of the students whose stuff was now soaked to other tents or to sleep in cars. Thanks Lindsey and Edna for understanding... sleeping in the Suburban isn't that bad ;-)
I slept on a park bench.... first with just a blanket for a pillow and in my regular clothes, but around 3am it got cold so put my wet sleeping bag on top of me. I didn't sleep on the ground because we'd seen snakes earlier that night.
SATURDAY MAY 30th!
The day was finally here! I'd stayed up until about midnight every night of the week prior getting ready for this, and had been talking it up for months and months! I pretty much used up most of my 'personal capital' getting ready for it, but it's all good.
We had 51 pre-registration sign ups, and 24 people signed up on race day! There were certainly a few bumps in the road, but most people were good sports and I was very thankful for the strong tri-community support. My student volunteers were outstanding and I got several comments or emails like this one:
"I just wanted to let you know how impressed I was with all of the teens who were working the event. They were all helpful, friendly, and serious about their jobs, which is not always the case with teen volunteers at races. I just want you, and your students, what a great job they did."
So that's nice to see! It was pretty fun being race director with the megaphone and everything.
The people came in, we got results going and all that... then for the other big surprise!
After the results were announced and pictures taken of people on the podium and all, I asked my sponsors to come on up. Active.me who provided sports and energy drinks, Sierra Running Company who came up with wetsuits and other stuff to give away and helped set up the entire thing, local tri clubs who helped get things set up, etc. And my girlfriend, because I mean she put up with me working and stressing a lot about not just the Splash and Dash, but the tri team in general!
Then, as I thanked her for being so wonderful I reached into my pocket.
And pulled out a ring.
And got down on one knee and proposed! Captured on many cameras and even in video!
She said yes. So we're gonna get married sometime in the next year or so. Still kinda working on the date.
It was a GREAT first weekend for Tri-This (we netted about $500) and and of course me personally too!
Pictures are here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/trithisfresno/splashanddash#
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
almost here!
The race bibs are written, the t-shirts are ordered, the permits issued and paid for... wow! The 2009 Splash and Dash is almost here!
Counting some students, 52 people have signed up and we expect at least another 14 to sign up between now and on race day. 70 would be a cool milestone to hit.
Tonight I went with some students to Home Depot to get some course markers and sign posts, also posterboard and the like. Also processed a few more registrations today (although active.com likes to go down at night when I try to do my offline registrations...)
Will of course pictures and all that after the event as soon as possible!
Counting some students, 52 people have signed up and we expect at least another 14 to sign up between now and on race day. 70 would be a cool milestone to hit.
Tonight I went with some students to Home Depot to get some course markers and sign posts, also posterboard and the like. Also processed a few more registrations today (although active.com likes to go down at night when I try to do my offline registrations...)
Will of course pictures and all that after the event as soon as possible!
Saturday, May 23, 2009
A Proper Update
Yesterday I (Brandon Dorman, President of Tri-This! Inc.) went to Wells Fargo, Rubber Soul, and Sierrra Running Company for various reasons.
Pretty amazing when some of the workers at Wells Fargo told me, "Hey, thanks for the free PR on your blog..." which blew me away that they'd been reading it... sure they'd mentioned they thought what I'm doing is cool but I had no idea they'd actually mean it. (note to wells fargo employees: my offer for the Splash and Dash next Saturday still stands. Click here.
While in line I saw Sarah Klose, an old friend from Camp Sugar Pine. We're talking 7 years here... I hadn't seen her in a while so that was pretty cool.
Then off to Rubber Soul to drop off some bikes. That accomplished, it's great to be greeted by the owners. While there I saw some parents of some jr high kids I used to mentor and even tutored for a bit. I felt bad interruepting the Rubber Soul owner's sales pitch, but it was nice catching up. (I did forget to pick up a bike Rubber Soul was going to donate to us... will swing by today before leaving and do that.)
At Sierra Running Company it's been a pleasure to get to know pretty much all of the staff there over the past year and half/two years I guess now! They didn't have bags I was hoping to get for packet pickup, so we'll just use envelopes instead. That's fine.
Now off to a great weekend of relaxing with Meagan, my parents, a baseball game in SF, then Monday is dedicated to the splash and dash!
Pretty amazing when some of the workers at Wells Fargo told me, "Hey, thanks for the free PR on your blog..." which blew me away that they'd been reading it... sure they'd mentioned they thought what I'm doing is cool but I had no idea they'd actually mean it. (note to wells fargo employees: my offer for the Splash and Dash next Saturday still stands. Click here.
While in line I saw Sarah Klose, an old friend from Camp Sugar Pine. We're talking 7 years here... I hadn't seen her in a while so that was pretty cool.
Then off to Rubber Soul to drop off some bikes. That accomplished, it's great to be greeted by the owners. While there I saw some parents of some jr high kids I used to mentor and even tutored for a bit. I felt bad interruepting the Rubber Soul owner's sales pitch, but it was nice catching up. (I did forget to pick up a bike Rubber Soul was going to donate to us... will swing by today before leaving and do that.)
At Sierra Running Company it's been a pleasure to get to know pretty much all of the staff there over the past year and half/two years I guess now! They didn't have bags I was hoping to get for packet pickup, so we'll just use envelopes instead. That's fine.
Now off to a great weekend of relaxing with Meagan, my parents, a baseball game in SF, then Monday is dedicated to the splash and dash!
Monday, May 18, 2009
update
- Debit card from Wells Fargo with Tri-This! name proudly on it!
- 38 people signed up for the Splash and Dash and climbing!
- Running with some new kids this Wednesday Morning
- Water Polo season starts umm... tomorrow after school! (Tues/Thurs afternoons)
- house hunting is going well.
- I decided to ride the 10 miles on roads each way to Masters Swimming tonight. Going there was great, coming back got a flat about 2 miles in. Didn't have a co'2 canister in my pack like I assumed I did... so had to call my uncle. still, a good idea! I did the ride on Saturday and it is a very easy but flat ride and I was able to hit 27mph on flat and sustain it for a bit!
- looking for grants/meeting with the Grant guy on Monday!
- 38 people signed up for the Splash and Dash and climbing!
- Running with some new kids this Wednesday Morning
- Water Polo season starts umm... tomorrow after school! (Tues/Thurs afternoons)
- house hunting is going well.
- I decided to ride the 10 miles on roads each way to Masters Swimming tonight. Going there was great, coming back got a flat about 2 miles in. Didn't have a co'2 canister in my pack like I assumed I did... so had to call my uncle. still, a good idea! I did the ride on Saturday and it is a very easy but flat ride and I was able to hit 27mph on flat and sustain it for a bit!
- looking for grants/meeting with the Grant guy on Monday!
Monday, May 11, 2009
message to my supporters (copied and pasted from email)
Greetings supporters of Tri-This!
Just a note to let you know that Tri-This! Inc. now also has a bank account at Wells Fargo. So now we can actually deposit those checks for the Splash and Dash as well as write them when necessary.
We are currently in debt as has been necessary to establish the team and do a few events.
Tri-This! is unique in using the unique sport of triathlon to train, discipline and lift student athletes from low-income areas in Fresno. For the past two years as Fresno PAL and with a renewed purpose now, we aim to help students go to new heights academically and athletically. Join with me once again as we embark on a $5,000 capital campaign that will:
- eliminate debt incurred in the first 3 months of operation (general liability insurance, government fees, 4 events involving 42 students with some duplicates)
- rent or see if we can receive donated space from a mini-storage facility for bikes, donated clothes not already given out, camping gear etc.)
- extensive bike repairs
- uniforms* (seeking sponsors for these mostly)
Rest assured that for principal exenses and growth we are actively working to find and receive grants. We are working on two currently... but grants take time to process.
Currently the 'goal' event for the crew is the Lemoore Mud Run June 6th. It will probably be mostly paid for by proceeds from the Splash and Dash as well as student fees of $10 'no flake' deposits). We have done this event the last two years.
I wouldn't be doing this nor asking for money if I didn't see results in these students. I wish more people could be with me as when, driving some students up to the snow in January, the suburban grew silent as many of the students saw falling snow for the first time(Joua, Hnuhli, Sovann). The sense of accomplishment when they finish their first triathlon(10+ kids). The motivation to wake up at 4am on a Friday to bring up a failing grade (albert).
Online, one can donate via credit card at
http://www.active.com/donate/trithis09
Donations can also be sent to:
Tri-This!
c/o BRANDON DORMAN
2727 N. Cedar Ave.
Fresno, CA 93703
Please pass along this email as you feel led.
Just a note to let you know that Tri-This! Inc. now also has a bank account at Wells Fargo. So now we can actually deposit those checks for the Splash and Dash as well as write them when necessary.
We are currently in debt as has been necessary to establish the team and do a few events.
Tri-This! is unique in using the unique sport of triathlon to train, discipline and lift student athletes from low-income areas in Fresno. For the past two years as Fresno PAL and with a renewed purpose now, we aim to help students go to new heights academically and athletically. Join with me once again as we embark on a $5,000 capital campaign that will:
- eliminate debt incurred in the first 3 months of operation (general liability insurance, government fees, 4 events involving 42 students with some duplicates)
- rent or see if we can receive donated space from a mini-storage facility for bikes, donated clothes not already given out, camping gear etc.)
- extensive bike repairs
- uniforms* (seeking sponsors for these mostly)
Rest assured that for principal exenses and growth we are actively working to find and receive grants. We are working on two currently... but grants take time to process.
Currently the 'goal' event for the crew is the Lemoore Mud Run June 6th. It will probably be mostly paid for by proceeds from the Splash and Dash as well as student fees of $10 'no flake' deposits). We have done this event the last two years.
I wouldn't be doing this nor asking for money if I didn't see results in these students. I wish more people could be with me as when, driving some students up to the snow in January, the suburban grew silent as many of the students saw falling snow for the first time(Joua, Hnuhli, Sovann). The sense of accomplishment when they finish their first triathlon(10+ kids). The motivation to wake up at 4am on a Friday to bring up a failing grade (albert).
Online, one can donate via credit card at
http://www.active.com/donate/
Donations can also be sent to:
Tri-This!
c/o BRANDON DORMAN
2727 N. Cedar Ave.
Fresno, CA 93703
Please pass along this email as you feel led.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Board Meeting
Highlights from last night's board meeting:
- The board approved making "camps" an integral part of the mission of Tri-This. With the trained high school students as teachers of course. We are looking at putting on camps at the county juvenille detention facility as well as valley teen ranch, a local group home set in the countryside.
- The board also approved reimbursement of $2,000+ of expenses I have incurred as a result of the few trips we have gone on and the typical start up expenses. My credit card thanks them and I look forward to being able to NOT be the intermediary. We have received $600 in pledges so far (grants from USAT and Aetna Foundation) but don't have the money yet...
- Splash and Dash planning is going well. Will probably change the volunteer meeting next week from Tuesday to Wednesday to avoid Cinco de Mayo craziness. It's a HUGE deal here in Fresno since the population I serve is about 70% hispanic.
Swimming championships are tomorrow and Friday. Should be good; if nothing else it means no more after school practice for a few weeks! I am getting sick but might go to Millerton tonight anyway to do some running and swimming?
- The board approved making "camps" an integral part of the mission of Tri-This. With the trained high school students as teachers of course. We are looking at putting on camps at the county juvenille detention facility as well as valley teen ranch, a local group home set in the countryside.
- The board also approved reimbursement of $2,000+ of expenses I have incurred as a result of the few trips we have gone on and the typical start up expenses. My credit card thanks them and I look forward to being able to NOT be the intermediary. We have received $600 in pledges so far (grants from USAT and Aetna Foundation) but don't have the money yet...
- Splash and Dash planning is going well. Will probably change the volunteer meeting next week from Tuesday to Wednesday to avoid Cinco de Mayo craziness. It's a HUGE deal here in Fresno since the population I serve is about 70% hispanic.
Swimming championships are tomorrow and Friday. Should be good; if nothing else it means no more after school practice for a few weeks! I am getting sick but might go to Millerton tonight anyway to do some running and swimming?
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