In 1984, one of the greatest music videos of all time was born: I Wanna Rock, by Twisted Sister. Aside from the incredible guitar, drums, and man make-up, the video was an instant classic because of the nut ball teacher screaming at his students (reminds me of a stats professor I know)…and the kid’s classic response…
Nut Ball Teacher: “What do you want to do with your life?”
Kid: “I WANNA ROCK!”
So I ask you, “Where do you wanna race this summer?”
Athlete: “Awesome DelMo. What does Twisted Sister have to do with Triathlon? Why would you subject us to something as stupid as an 80’s hairband. Where could you possibly take this post?”
DelMo: “Easy. Spring is in the air. If you haven’t scheduled out your next seven years of racing like some crazy Type A triathletes, you’re starting to look at the 2015 schedule and you’re considering these three questions:
- Sh*t, I think I can wait to train until after Easter, right?
- What races are close to my house?
- What makes one race cost more than another race?”
Athlete: “WHOA…did you, a race organizer, just say the dreaded four letter word(s)…COST MORE?”
DelMo: “Yes, I did.”
Athlete: “Well what do you think about your races costing more than most? The best triathlons used to cost $50 or $60. I think you’re nuts for charging people over $100 for a sprint triathlon!”
DelMo: “I agree with you. You’re right. Races aren’t what they used to be. Guess what costs more than a DelMoSports triathlon, swim, etc….?”
YOUR TIME
The best triathlons place EXTREME IMPORTANCE on your time. It is sacred and it cannot be replaced. To prove this point, here is a list of items that ATHLETES JUST LIKE YOU have demanded from DelMoSports after doing “How races used to be…” and we (hopefully) have delivered:
Athlete: “DelMo, we want…
- a UNIQUE experience
- a SAFE race course
- ample course SIGNAGE
- EASY check in
- PLENTY of parking
- SECURE transition area
- A LOT OF LIFEGUARDS
- an AWESOME race shirt
- PHAT medals
- FREE photo
- FABULOUS buffet breakfast
- emails ANSWER in a timely manner
- TONS of volunteers/staff
- FRIENDLY service from start to finish
- GREAT prize giveaway
- the BEST AFTER PARTY’S in NEW JERSEY
Yup, the best triathlons DID NOT used to have all of this stuff. They were just races, and they were awesome. We used to crush each other on the course then crush a six-pack…that Danny Fab would bring in his cooler (and he still does BTW!). In fact, for my first ever Tri the Wildwoods…I didn’t even have a permit….”Tri” getting away with that nowadays. But, things evolve, it’s human nature.
The Greatest Guarantee of All Time
If you don’t like to hear the “S” word, please do not click on the video below
I, like Tommy Boy, will also guarantee you two things this summer. You’re either going to SPEND TIME or INVEST TIME on your race schedule. In case you’re a little fuzzy on what these words mean, I have take the liberty of asking Mrs. Google:
Spend (verb): use or give out the whole of; exhaust.
Invest (verb): devote (one’s time, effort, or energy) to a particular undertaking with the expectation of a worthwhile result.
You only get 52 Saturdays and 52 Sundays in a year. That’s it…so get your money’s worth.
Twisted Sister got it right. When it comes down to crunch time and you need to make a decision about how what do you want to do with your time you should always wanna rock! Let’s not forgot about Tommy Boy either. He was right in many, many ways. You can put that guarantte on the box, or you can actually have a product that the OWNER will personally back up with his word.
Now, seriously, how great were those videos:)