The Latest @ Coeur
Final Dispatch from Boston. Our heart will always beat on Boylston
Well...that's a wrap. The 2014 Boston Marathon has run its course and the athletes have started to move toward home. We think it will take a while before the race can be put into a truly historical perspective but in our humble opinion, it may have been one of the most meaningful sporting events in the last decade. We knew April 15th would come and we'd have a full year between us and the terrible events of 2013 and we knew that heroes would be racing and spectating. What we didn't know is that a hero would actually win! To our enormous delight, we watched Meb put in the performance of his life. When he lifted the tape at the finish, he lifted all of us with it.
In the Coeur office, we almost went hoarse cheering for our Ambassadors who were racing. Emily came in at 3hrs and 4 minutes, Katie followed at 3hrs and 19 minutes and Melissa crossed in 3hrs and 51 minutes. All three exemplified heart and courage on the course and we send our most heartfelt congratulations to them.
Dispatches from Boston - Race Day is tomorrow
This is going to be more brief today. I've got to go to sleep!!! We had a much lower key day today. It was Easter Sunday, so we celebrated Easter with the kids receiving Easter baskets (with Lindt bunnies) and then took the train to our church in Cambridge. There were lots of runners there so it was fun to head to church with others out of town. It was packed!!! We enjoyed it and left feeling spiritually filled.
Part II of our Brand Positioning Discussion
So a couple weeks ago, we posted Part One of our brand positioning debate. We were having a wine fueled conversation about “who we are and what we stand for as a company.” We’d like to expand on that here in, Part II.
Before we get started, we have to say that the delay in posting Part II was due to feedback from Part I. As a result of a comment we received about our triathlon tops and shorts, we actually changed our sizing. Going forward, everything will be sized down one size. In other words, the old Medium is now a size Small. The Small is now an Extra-Small.
Looking back with a smile, looking forward with hope restored
We’re starting to develop a pattern during the weekend at Coeur. We take the dogs out in the early morning, hit the office for about four or five hours to sublimate some triathlon tops or shorts and then run or mountain bike before it gets too late.
We always keep at least one computer free to check race results and invariably, work slows while we broadcast well wishes and congratulations out via social media. This weekend, we had a full slate of Coeur girls in triathlons across the world and we have to admit, there were long stretches where more time was spent cheering than sublimating.
Great Expectations...that were exceeded.
Thursday and Friday of this week were big days for Coeur. We had our sponsored athlete and rising ITU star Katie Hursey coming into San Diego for an Interview on Competitor Radio, we also had a photo shoot scheduled and most importantly of all, we had a meeting planned with The Challenged Athletes Foundation.
Before we left Los Angeles, we ran by our factory to pick up a shipment of triathlon tops and triathlon shorts and then we headed south to San Diego. Our first stop was the airport to pick up Katie. She was coming in from Phoenix where she trains with the Olympic Development team. We had also flown in her boyfriend Tommy Zaferes (hey…Coeur is all about love), so they could spend some time together before jetting off to the four corners of the world for their respective ITU races. Katie arrived right on time and Tommy touched down about 20 minutes later. After grabbing a cup of coffee, we loaded up the family truckster and headed to the Mighty 1090 a.m. Sports Radio.
Purity of Intent at CAF
It’s rare. So rare that when you see it, you know immediately that it is very, very important. The whiteness of its light. It’s steadfastness. It’s resolve. But it’s hard to describe. Initially, we said it was “pure goodness”. Eventually, we decided that “Purity of Intent” was more appropriate. We’re still searching for the right words.
But we know where to find an example of it. San Diego, California. On Waples street to be more precise. On Thursday, we’re going to the headquarters of the Challenged Athletes Foundation.
Goodness Emanates from this place. CAF Headquarters
Inspiring displays of class and athletic excellence
This weekend had a pretty big build up due to the sheer number of Coeur Girls racing and it did not disappoint. We were treated to a displays of effort, sportsmanship, camaraderie and athletic excellence that were awe inspiring and humbling. We continue to be grateful to everyone who exhibits the values to which we aspire as a company.
The great thing about having a global team is that the weekend can start early. It was still Friday in Los Angeles when we got news that Renata Bucher had once again made it to the podium. This time it was Xterra Saipan where she grabbed a second place.
Renata Bucher continues her podium streak with 2nd at Xterra Saipan
Life, The Universe and Everything...Coeur's take on growing the sport of triathlon
As we have mentioned before, we have the good fortune to have an office that is conducive to conversation. There’s a sofa and a couple of comfortable chairs in the entrance area before you get to the sublimation and warehousing area and there’s a wine cooler right across from the bank of printers.
When the last tri kit has been sublimated and things start to quiet down in the evening, it is not uncommon to find us on the sofa with (shock!) a glass of wine. We use this time to debrief on the day and to occasionally tackle a few of the big issues in the world. “What is the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe and everything?” It’s 42 by the way (kudos to anyone who gets the literary reference). “Why are there interstate highways in Hawaii?” Perhaps they are going to make Hawaii into two states? And recently, we tackled one of the toughest ones. “What can be done to help the sport of triathlon grow?”
And the beat goes on...
An update from Coeur's Toughest Ambassador
At first, she was a rival of mine, someone I had the utmost respect for as a competitor. Then she became a friend, as happens in this sport. We had a couple of great races together where I would come off the bike and try to ward her off on the run, with varying degrees of success. She beat me at Ironman Louisville and then I snuck in ahead of her at Kona in 2010. No matter the outcome, she always inspired and motivated people (including me for sure) with her work ethic, her sportsmanship and her ever present smile.
