Checkout our new Family Fan Club website on Wordpress

It's been in the works for a while, but we've finally made the move to WordPress. On the surface, that's probably not very exciting, but behind the scenes it lays the foundation for some exciting enhancements at Family Fan Club.

The first big change is the integration of the store and blog. From this point forward, we'll be blogging from the integrated blog function native to WordPress.

The second and most exciting change is the ability to offer products direction from the lab at Family Fan Club. As we announced on June 7th, we're starting to offer Performance tech t-shirts for triathletes, runners, cyclists and swimmers. The move to WordPress based store will allow us to supplement our partnership with CafePress with products made and delivered directly from Family Fan Club. We'll be printing all of our Performance Tech Shirts on 100% polyester ALO shirts with styles for both Men and Women. Every design in our store will be available on demand and in low volumes (as low as one!). In addition to our standard designs, we can also personalize any design or simply supplement an existing the design.

In the end, the benefit will be to our customers, providing more options with products directly from Family Fan Club.

If you've landed here, please go to our site, look around and shop, shop, shop!

Wear Your Support! Visit our t-shirt website for Triathlon t-shirts, Running t-shirts, Marathon t-shirts, Cycling t-shirts, Duathlon t-shirts, Swimming t-shirts and personalized t-shirt options supporting family and friends on race day. Browse our selection of designs, it's likely we have a triathlon t-shirt, duathlon t-shirt, marathon t-shirt, running t-shirt, cycling t-shirt or swimming t-shirt that will appeal to you.

New Family Fan Club logo

As you can see at the top of the page, Family Fan Club has a new logo! We think it really embodies what we're about, designs for athletes, family and friends, wearing your support and who doesn't need more cowbell on race day? Thanks to the guys at i design your logo for making it happen.

We'll be making this design available in our store shortly!

What do you think about the new design? Tell us your comments.

Wear Your Support! Visit our t-shirt website for Triathlon t-shirts, Running t-shirts, Marathon t-shirts, Cycling t-shirts, Duathlon t-shirts, Swimming t-shirts and personalized t-shirt options supporting family and friends on race day. Browse our selection of designs, it's likely we have a triathlon t-shirt, duathlon t-shirt, marathon t-shirt, running t-shirt, cycling t-shirt or swimming t-shirt that will appeal to you.

Family Fan Club is now available at Campus Street Sportswear

Family Fan Club is now available at Campus Street Sportswear located on the Pearl St. Mall in Boulder, Colorado. With Father's Day approaching and race season heating up, stop by and pick-up some t-shirts and Wear Your Support!

Here's some shots from our visit on Memorial Day Weekend:





Wear Your Support! Visit our t-shirt website for Triathlon t-shirts, Running t-shirts, Marathon t-shirts, Cycling t-shirts, Duathlon t-shirts, Swimming t-shirts and personalized t-shirt options supporting family and friends on race day. Browse our selection of designs, it's likely we have a triathlon t-shirt, duathlon t-shirt, marathon t-shirt, running t-shirt, cycling t-shirt or swimming t-shirt that will appeal to you.

Road Block

Hello. I am Kim, Paul's wife. Paul has been asking me to write for our FamilyFanClub blog for 2 seasons now so I figured I should finally get around to doing it. Although, I have to say there are selfish reasons for my blogging as well, but we will get to that in a bit.

Let me tell you a little about myself. I am the proud mother of 2 handsome boys, ages 7 and 5, and a very happy wife. My primary duty is to be a mom to our boys, but in spare time I run 3 businesses. BINSI Labor and Birth Apparel, FamilyFanClub and I am also a birth doula.

My life is full of joy, however, it would absolutely not be the same if it wasn't for my running partner Rebecca (that's her on the left)! We prefer to call each other running partners rather than best friends because we feel like it shows more commitment to one another than simply just being best friends.

In fact more often than not, it is this commitment to Rebecca that keeps me running. That's why I am particularly thankful for her this year. For whatever reason it seems like I am hitting a running road block this season.

This is only the 3rd year that I have run all year long. In the past I would stop running sometime around November and pick it back up in March, but for the past three years Rebecca and I have run every Sunday outside, regardless of the temperature and this year (for the first time) we continued to run outside 3 days a week, regardless of temperature. Although, the coldest weather we ran in was 10 degrees.

I look forward to running season every year. I run the Mother's Day Title 9K and Steamboat Half Marathon every year, and sometimes the Bolder Boulder as well. Yes that is my season in 4 weeks, the rest of the summer I simply run for fun. But for some reason this year I have hit a running road block. I just don't seem up for the training this year. I have been struggling with stomach issues, exhaustion and flat out disinterest in running. What is that all about? Luckily I have Rebecca to keep me motivated and to help me get through this odd time.

So what am I going to do? I am going to get out my training chart and run my way out of this funk!


Wear Your Support! Visit our t-shirt website for Triathlon t-shirts, Running t-shirts, Marathon t-shirts, Cycling t-shirts, Duathlon t-shirts, Swimming t-shirts and personalized t-shirt options supporting family and friends on race day. Browse our selection of designs, it's likely we have a triathlon t-shirt, duathlon t-shirt, marathon t-shirt, running t-shirt, cycling t-shirt or swimming t-shirt that will appeal to you.

2008 Triathlon World Championships - Pre-race

Tomorrow is the 2008 Ford Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, the Super Bowl of triathlon. Last years winners Chris McCormack and Chrissie Wellington are both back to defend their titles. Both have won a number of races since last year's race, I think they're both undefeated as far as I know, which will make it hard for the competition to unseat them as champions.

For the men, I'd like to see Macca win again. I met him at Velo Swap in Denver and saw him speak last year at the Ironman viewing party at Bicycle Village in Westminster, CO. I recognize that Macca rubs some the wrong way, but I like his confidence and spirit he brings to triathlon. Although I'd like to see him win, repeating is tremendously difficult. If he doesn't repeat, the next in line I see is Craig Alexander. I'm buying the reports that after last year's second place finish he felt fresh and could've given more. He also hasn't over raced the last year, in fact he hasn't gone the Iron distance since last years race. I like that he'll be fresh and focused. I also think Norman Stadler is ready to return to the top after a disappointing race last year.

For the women, I don't see anyone beating Chrissie Wellington. I admittedly don't know many on the women's side, but from what I've read in Inside Triathlon and Triathlete magazines, barring injury or mechanical failure I think she'll repeat.

If you're not doing anything tomorrow, check out live race coverage on www.ironman.com.

Skirt Chaser Kids Race

The family headed down to Boulder tonight for the Skirt Chaser Kids Race, one of the events leading up to the Skirt Chaser 5k in Boulder this Saturday. The race was being held at the local middle school behind Fleet Feet Boulder, which also gave us a chance to see our Family Fan Club t-shirts in the store. We got signed up, Connor & Griffin got their race numbers and waited impatiently for the race to begin. Luckily, there was a toy store next to Fleet Feet that was a nice diversion for at least 5 minutes!

Finally we headed over the middle school and the kids were drawn to an old football tackling sled like moths to a flame. They jumped and hung & speculated what this pseudo jungle gym's original purpose was. When were able to draw the kids away from the football sled, we tried to get the kids to do some stretching. As I was tickling Connor and Griffin, Tim DeBoom (2 time Ironman World Champion) and I joked that pre-race tickling was the key to his Ironman championships, as it loosens all the muscles in the body. So, for aspiring Ironman out there find someone to tickle you before your next race, perhaps that will be the key for a PR. Connor and Griffin also like to be hung and swung upside down as part of their pre-race stretching.

Tim and Nicole DeBoom gathered the kids and led the kids in a triathlon of stretching exercises. After everyone was stretched out the kids were broken down into three groups by age. Connor was with the 5 & 6 year olds, while Griffin went with the 3 & 4 year olds. For some reason and from some unknown source Connor is incredibly fast. I don't know where he gets it, but it's certainly not from me or Kim. Griffin on the other hand, we know exactly where his running talents come from. Not only does he look exactly like me, but he also has my body type and running abilities (read: SLOW).

After the race, Nicole complimented me on my "I need more cowbell" shirt and I told her about Family Fan Club, my shirt, the kids shirts and she loved it, great message. I saw that as an opening and suggested that we partner! She loved that idea too and I was on a roll! Nicole invited Family Fan Club to participate as a vendor at the SkirtChaser 5k race, it was like she was reading my mind at this point. Needless to say, we're very excited to be part of this race and building a relationship with Nicole and Skirt Sports. Check back next week for our expo report.

Checkout the attached photos and movies that recap our fun night with Skirt Sports. We had a blast, the boys had a blast! Thanks Tim and Nicole!

Here's a video recap of the race and associated activities (3.51):

Family Fan Club featured at Workout Mommy today

Family Fan Club has the honor of being featured in today's "One Fit Family" segment over at Workout Mommy. Stop over and checkout the article. Also vote for your favorite shirt for a chance to win it!

Support Workout Mommy by shopping for Family Fan Club gear via the affiliate link on the Workout Mommy webpage (right hand side).

3X Fast Triathlon Equipment

Family Fan Club is happy to announce that 3X Fast Triathlon Equipment in Loveland, CO is now carrying Family Fan Club t-shirts and stickers in their store. Stop by and say hello to Nick and Nadia. They've got all of your tri gear needs covered from wetsuits & googles to Scott bicycles to Zoot running shoes as well as all of your race day nutrition needs. Stop by and show your support for 3X Fast Triathlon Equipment.

2008 Hy-Vee Triathlon

This past weekend, Family Fan Club traveled to Des Moines, Iowa for the 2008 Hy-Vee Triathlon, where the last members of the men's and women's US Olympic Triathlon team were selected. Hunter Kemper and Sarah Haskins secured the final spots on the men's and women's teams respectively. Prior to the Pro's race, there was an age group race with over 2,200 participants, which was a great opportunity to spread the word about Family Fan Club. We partnered with Rasmussen Bike Shop in Des Moines at the Hy-Vee Triathlon Expo to sell and spread the word about Family Fan Club. We met a lot of new and enthusisastic race day supporters, gobbling up rompers, t-shirts, stickers and magnets. The folks at Rasmussen Bike Shop did a great job presenting and promoting our triathlon gear!

The elite race was awesome, with basically the Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky and Joe Montana of triathlon participating. The prize for the top male and female winner was $200k! That's a lot of cash to swim, bike, run! We caught the tail end of the Women's race, won by Emma Snowsill from Australia. The men quickly followed and it was quite interesting. The swim was about 5 miles from the central transition and finish. We got good position inside the stadium and waited for the athletes to arrive. I was really surprised how quick the swim leg was completed and how tight the cycling pack was. The first group of cyclists entered the stadium for the first of eight laps in a pack of about 25 riders. The action was tight, fast and furious. Each lap had a new leader, but no break aways until the 6th lap when Timothy O'Donnell from the USA broke away with a :30 to 1 minute lead, which seemed significant considering the pace/pack to this point. After the 8th and final lap it was like a NASCAR pitstop in front of the main grandstand with 25 elite cyclists basically finishing simultaneously and sprinting into transition. It was really exciting to watch and everyone was out in under a minute to start the 1st of 4 laps. We quickly discovered that elite Triathlon is all about the run, where to this point in the race all competitors were within a minute or less of each other, it was very close. The run separated the contenders from the pretenders. Rasmussen Henning eventually pulled away for his second consecutive win, again pocketing $200k for the win in 2008 (He won in 2007 also).

The race for the 3rd and final Men's Triathlon Olympic berth was a race between Andy Potts (the reigning 70.3 World Champion) and two time Olympian Hunter Kemper. Hunter pretty much had the lead the entire race and solidified it on the run, claiming the last spot on the 2008 Olympic team. Matt Reed was also at the race, but I suspect that with the win out of hand on the run, he shut it down to avoid injury. $200k is a pretty good incentive, but if the day is lost, no since in pushing it. That's not confirmed, but my guess. Hopefully he's not injured.

Anyway, we had a great time in Iowa, visiting college friends and triathlon. Doesn't get much better than that!

5430 Sprint

One day until the first 5430 Triathlon of the year. The weather is outstanding today and expected to be so again tomorrow. We've got 3 vendors selling FamilyFanClub.net gear at the 5430 Sprint Expo and with over 1500 competitors, many of whom I suspect could be beginners, we should have a good sales day. Plus, it's Father's Day, who could resist a Triathlon Daddy t-shirt?

My race preparation has been pretty good. I'm coming off last week's Greeley Triathlon, so the base work is done. I swam Monday and Tuesday, ran on Wednesday and Thursday and took a 20 mile bike ride yesterday. Today I'm just going to be relaxing at Connor's t-ball game and heading to the Boulder Reservoir for packet pick-up and relaxation.

My goals for tomorrow's race are:

* Under 1:45 overall with
* Under 15 minute swim
* Under 1 hour bike
* Under 30 minute run and no walking!

In order to make 1:45 I'll need to go under in one or more of the categories and have fast transitions. My training times and Greeley suggest all of my goals are achievable, I just need to go out and execute and have a great race!

I'll blog more tomorrow to let you know how the race went!

2008 Triathlon season starts tomorrow

The 2008 Triathlon season officially starts for me tomorrow at the Greeley Triathlon. This is where it all started for me and Family Fan Club last year, where I did my first triathlon and Family Fan Club was born. I've been looking forward to the 2008 Greeley Triathlon pretty much from the day after the 2007 Triathlon. 2007 was fun, but I felt I could have done a lot better. Last year I finished in 1:37 with a 00:09:20 swim, 00:45+ bike and 00:37+ run/walk. My goals this year are:

* 1:20 or under
* Under 9 minute swim
* Under 40 minute bike
* Under 30 minute run
* Top 3 in Clydesdale division

Those are some lofty goals, particularly the last one, which in the scheme of things would be icing on the cake. I don't need to be top 3, but it would be nice! My training has been going pretty well. The simulated triathlons that I've done this year suggest that I will be right around 1:20. I think it will take 1:17 to be top 3, so not really counting on that.

In addition to the race, Family Fan Club will also have a booth at the Expo / packet pickup and on race day.

Fitness for Mommies - Family Fan Club

Family Fan Club is featured today on Fitness for Mommies blog. Check it out!

Fleet Feet Sports - Boulder, CO

We're excited to announce that Family Fan Club t-shirts and rompers are now available at Fleet Feet Sports in Boulder, CO. Stop by and talk with Kathy and browse her selection of Family Fan Club gear and outfit your support team today.

Summer Open Sprint Triathlon - Expo

We had a great time at Colorado Multisport, meeting and introducing FamilyFanClub to over 100 people. The romper and t-shirts definitely created a buzz at packet pick-up.

We also made a great connection with Todd Lowe from the Greeley Triathlon team and subsequently FamilyFanClub will be at the Greeley Triathlon expo and race day on June 7th and 8th. If you're doing the Greeley Triathlon, please stop by and say hello!

Adrenaline Tri Sport - Niwot, CO

We're excited to announce that Family Fan Club t-shirts and rompers are now available at Adrenaline Tri Sport in Niwot, CO. Stop by and talk with Gail & Roger and browse their selection of Family Fan Club gear and outfit your support team today.

Family Fan Club makes a great Father's Day gift!

Summer Open Sprint Triathlon - Expo

Family Fan Club will be at Colorado Multisport in Boulder, CO on May 17th for the inaugural Summer Open Sprint Triathlon at Union Reservoir in Longmont, CO by Without Limits Productions. Family Fan Club will be selling Run Mommy Run t-shirts, Run Daddy Run t-shirts, Triathlon Mommy t-shirts and Triathlon Daddy t-shirts. Stop by and see these designs as well as other designs available on our website.

See you at the expo.

Mommy Ran - 6th Mother's Day Title 9k Run

It was another beautiful day at the reservoir to support Mommy's at the 6th Mother's Day Title 9k run. Connor (5), Griffin (3) and I came out to wear our support with our Run Mommy Run & custom Run Kim Run t-shirts. We also met up with our friends Rebecca, Steven and Tyler who were also wearing their support.



The race photographer took some awesome shots of us. Here's a picture of all of us and here's a picture of Connor and Tyler, with the sign I attached to the bike wagon. See all race day photos and support Christina Kiffney Photography here.

Connor, Griffin and I rode the bike out to the 7km mark to cheer on all the Mommy's and wait for Kim and Rebecca. Everyone loved the shirts and sign, as the boys cheered wildly. Here's a picture of Kim and the boys finishing up the 9k.

Why do I tri - Part 2

Picking up where we left off with Part I, I completed my first triathlon on June 10th 2008. I arrived early and picked out my spot in the transition area. I staged the transition area with my triathlon gear exactly has I had mentally prepared, laying out each item as I expected to use it. I was a bit nervous, but excited nervous. I took a quick dip in the pool to warm up, as Greeley is a 500 m pool swim. The Greeley Triathlon pool swim is a snake, where you start on one side of the pool and swim up and down the lanes until you get to the other side, completing 500 m in a 50 m pool. Seeding is important and I wondered if the time I submitted was accurate. I used to be able to cover 500 yards in about 5:20, but that was almost 20 years ago. I submitted a time of 10 minutes, hoping to go faster, but at the same time not embarrassing myself.

I waited and watched 105 competitors go and finally it was my turn. I can't recall being so pumped for competition, probably back to high school. I took off feeling fresh and strong. By the end of the first length, I was ready to pass the first swimmer. I passed about 10 other people on route to a 9:20 swim, which I was really excited about. I hopped out of the pool and headed for the transition area. I quickly toweled off and prepared for the bike, just as I had mentally envisioned. In fact, I felt like I had a lot of time in transition. I came out of T1 in about 1:30.

Since this was my first triathlon, I rode my 8 year old Specialized Rock Hopper Mtn Bike, big fat tires, panniers and all. Like Slow Fat Triathlete recommended, no need to run out and buy a road bike or triathlon bike. I completed the two lap course in approximately 45 minutes. I was gassed and getting passed, but I still had a great time. I was encouraged and cheered by my family, in particular my two boys dressed as pirates. Arrrrr!!

As I entered the transition area, my legs were weary and tired. I quickly transitioned from biking to running in about 1:30. I came out of the transition area strong, but I was gassed. I was just hoping to make it past the wave of spectators, at which point I'd take a breather and walk / run. I continued to walk / run and finished the 5k in about 37 mins for a total time of 1:30 minutes.

In hindsight, Greeley was the perfect 1st triathlon. It was small (200+) and an excellent introduction to the fun and friendly triathlon community. We made several new friends, just sharing in the spirit of the day. I also liked that I got a number of door prizes including Road ID braclet, Tifosi sunglasses and a bunch of snacks.

I drove back home with my first triathlon in the books replaying the day already identifying areas for improvement. It took 17 years to get here, but I did it and now I'm hooked! I challenged one of my college buddies and we competed in the Sodus Point Sprint Triathlon in Sodus Point, NY.

June 10th also marked the birth of Family Fan Club. More on that in another post.

Family Fan Club Blog

Welcome to our new blog. The 2008 race season is right around the corner and www.familyfanclub.net has prepared a number of t-shirts, stickers, buttons and signs (over 100 products) with designs for kids supporting Mom, Dad, Grandma and Grandpa on race day, as well as designs for adults (over 100 designs) who love swimming, running, cycling or all three!

We are runners, cyclists, swimmers and triathletes creating designs for athletes and their family and friends in the Boulder, CO area. Our designs are inspired by our training, racing, friends, family and pop culture. You may have already seen our shirts and designs at the 5430 race series or Denver Marathon race expos in 2007.

Check back with our blog frequently, we plan to publish our training and race reports, as well as new product and design announcements.

Visit our website at www.familyfanclub.net and Wear Your Support in 2008. See you at the races!