ktoddstorch @ business thoughts

Go Buy This Book! The Tour by Dave Shields

Back in June of 2005, I interviewed Dave Shields, the author of The Race.  I found Dave through an article in a cycling magazine about his book, found his website and I was hooked on his writing.

Dave has finished the sequel to The Race, aptly titled, The Tour.

Why you should be interested in this book:

- you've read The Race
- you are a cycling fan
- you are interested in the Tour de France
- you are a Tour de France freak!
- you would like to know about the behind the scenes activities of a pro cycling team
- you enjoy reading "page turner" books

The Tour continues the story about Ben Barnes and his quest to win the Tour de France.  The way this book reads, you feel like you are in Ben's shoes the whole way.  The battle to make a name on the team, the in-fighting between coach and owner, the struggles and pain of the stages; it is all here.

I nearly read the entire book in one night and I wouldn't be suprised if you end up finishing it in one sitting.

As you can tell, I highly recommend this book.  If you haven't read The Race, pick them both up; you won't be disappointed!

Be sure to check out Dave's blog as well here.

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tags:  dave shields | the tour | the race

Away, but Not Gone!

Sorry for the delay in posting!  It has been very busy and there was no time in the evening for me to focus on blogging.

I have lots of notes to get back to my regular posts but I thought I would let you know about a new Business Thoughts venture (big words for a blog/podcast I am sponsoring)!

I am pleased to announce that Business Thoughts is sponsoring Zen and the Art of Triathlon.  Brett needed help with his bandwidth, so I stepped up as a sponsor.

This is a blog and podcast that focuses solely on the triathlete and the triathlete lifestyle.  I have been following Brett's work from almost day one and he is providing a great service, info and entertainment.  There is a very natural connection between triathletes and business, so the sponsorship makes a lot of sense, especially with my triathlon passion.

Brett and I have had great brainstorming emails for nearly a year and I even got to meet him and his wife face to face at a triathlon in Shreveport.

So, welcome triathletes and visitors from Zen and for all Business Thoughts readers, I invite you to check out Brett's work here.

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tags:  triathlon | zen and the art of triathlon

Warning! Do Not Read...

the latest issue (Sept '05) of Wired magazine if you believe:

• television and its industry is right where it needs to be
• Jon Stewart, host of The Daily Show, is just a talking head comedian
• Yahoo! doesn't have a clue on how to compete against Google or Hollywood
• ESPN is just a TV network and group of radio stations
• no company in there right mind would custom make products for one person

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tags:  wired magazine | yahoo | espn

Adidas buys Reebok to compete

#2 and #3 team up to beat #1, Nike.

Most interesting point to me in this announcement is the Lifestyle vs. Sports section.  Adidas needs Reebok for their lifestyle brands.

Nike has mastered lifestyle marketing...

I guess Adidas with now have to Just Do It....

Sorry, it was just too easy to throw that in...

[link] via

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tags:  nike | adidas | reebok

TiVo To Go: Loving it!

One of the benefits of being home sick I had some time to figure out the codec situation for TiVoToGo.

My laptop runs on Windows Pro 2000, whereas my desktop runs XP.

There was a free codec for Pro 2000 that TiVo listed, so I got my laptop up and running.  I saved 2 shows (Chasing Lance) on my laptop and watched them before falling asleep early.

The only drawback is that it takes just longer than the actual show runs to save.  The one hour show I saved took about an hour and 15 minutes over my 802.11g home network.

Great use for those of you that travel.  Drop in your favorite shows and watch on the plane or your hotel room while on the road.

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tags:  tivo to go | chasing lance | sick day

Using Google Maps for Running and Bike Distances

As a triathlete and marathon runner, I am always looking for different routes to run/ride and the distances of the routes.

Here's a great application using Google Maps that is really easy to use.

[link] to Gmaps Pedometer

Thank you Lifehacker for pointing this out!

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tags:  google maps | running | triathlon

Buffalo Springs Ironman 70.3 Recap

Thank you for all of the "good luck" emails!

[read] race recap via my personal blog

[view] photos via Flicker

Off to Buffalo Springs Ironman 70.3

Heading out this afternoon for one of the big races of the season, Buffalo Springs Lake Triathlon in Lubbock, TX.

This is a Ironman 70.3 distance race: 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and 13.1 mile run, ie. half marathon = 70.3 total miles. 

BSLT is a qualifying race for the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii.  It is a part of the brand new 70.3 qualifying race structure of the World Triathlon Corporation.

My first Half Ironman was last year at Texas Man with a time of 6 hours 10 minutes.

We will get to see my mom, Grandmother and Tara's parents on this trip as well, which makes for a good time with the kids.  I won't have much opportunity on-line, so don't expect much from me until Monday!

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tags:  half ironman | triathlon | 70.3

Triathlon: A Sports Business Opportunity

Most of you know I'm a triathlete.  My first triathlon of the season was this past Sunday. 

There are so many things I love about the sport:  the discipline it takes to train, never getting bored with all of the different ways to train, the friends you make, setting new goals constantly, competing against yourself and others, being one of a very few (but it is growing) that have completed a Half Ironman...I could go on and on.

If you spend any time around a triathlete or a triathlon event, one thing you will see an abundance of:  Passion.

Companies that are looking to tap into this have an amazing opportunity:

• We spend a lot of money on gear and everything associated with the sport (qualified prospects!)
• We love to try new things and products (early adapters!)
• We will tell our fellow triathletes how much we love our new products (word of mouth advertising!)
• We travel to compete in races (need for multiple modes of transportation and lodging!)
• Most of the local races are put on by individuals, not big corporations (cost effective and local community appeal/activation!)

There are plenty of local race directors that looking for sponsorship dollars and have great opportunites for companies.  Find them and talk to them about your needs.

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tags:   triathlon | business opportunities

On a personal note...

Being featured with Matt in the Dallas Morning News was pretty cool.

[link] via my personal blog

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tags:  triathlon | marathon | dallas morning news