Don't worry, I'm not going to ask you for your resolutions or give you mine. I'll save that for a later post!
With the new year, comes more changes to the Team Nutrilite family. Specifically, with the end of a decade, we also see the end of a great, three year partnership with Jenn Stuczynski and Track & Field events in the U.S.
When Nutrilite decided to sponsor Jenn Stuczynski, her name wasn't synonymous with pole vaulting. We took a chance on each other. As partners, Jenn has gone on to set American records in both the indoor and outdoor pole vault for women, is the only American woman to ever clear 16 feet, is the second-best female pole vaulter of all time, is a four-time indoor and outdoor USA Champion, and an Olympic Silver Medalist.
It is with tremendous gratitude and respect that we announce the end of our relationship with Jenn. She was a tireless worker on behalf of Nutrilite, appearing in national television advertising for NUTRILITE Concentrated Fruits and Vegetables, and making countless appearances signing autographs at NUTRILITE-sponsored events for fans and IBOs alike, as well as attending IBO-only events during her time as a sponsored athlete. Her belief in and advocacy of the brand was evident whenever she made appearances on our behalf and for that, we thank her.
Nutrilite will also end our sponsorships of major track and field events, including the Boston Indoor Games, Tyson Invitational, adidas Track Classic, Reebok Grand Prix, and the Prefontaine Classic.
The 2010 focus is very firmly on our relationships with the Rock 'n Roll Marathons as well as the Phytonutrient Campaign that kicked off last October.
Please join us in a HUGE, heartfelt thank you to Jenn, her coach, her agent and the folks that put on these world-class events for their time and tireless support of Nutrilite's efforts in the sport.
The bloggers are getting a full education on how to optimize their health from Nutrilite's team of experts. Bob Tully's "Perfect Balance" presentation was followed by a very enlightening discussion on Optimal Health, led by Dr. Duke Johnson. Dr. Duke's book – The Optimal Health Revolution- was the centerpiece for his presentation and elicited great questions from the bloggers.
My favorite part – of course, I'm a little biased as the Sports Nutrition guy – was the 25 minute fitness chat given by Diane Paetz, followed by the overview of Nutrilite Sports Nutrition presented by Micheline Vargas. We may not have the awareness of EAS or GNC, but I would put our Sports Nutrition products up against any one of our competitors. We're that good.
I'm guessing the most entertaining part of the day for our guests has been the Q&A sessions with Jenn Stuczynski and Tom O'Rourke. Both have amazing stories. Just learning how they got into their sports is enough to drive questions galore, but they have so many fascinating stories. I'll have to ask both to share more here very soon.
Wondering who these bloggers are? Check them out in their on-line homes:
Jennette – Pasta Queen: a blog about her personal quest to lose weight. Mark – My Fitness Hut: a blog by a former NCAA Division 1 athlete about fitness. Veronica – Roni's Weigh: a blog by a mom and wife on a quest for Optimal Health. Evita – Evolving Wellness: a blog about a holistic approach to health and wellness. John – John is Fit: a blog about one man's journey from fat to fit. Israel – Fat Man Unleashed: a blog about weight loss with a community of support. Steve – I Wanna Get Physical: a blog about triathlons and other endurance sports. Sarah – RX Ironman: a blog about a Pharmacist and her love for endurance sports.
Next up is an overview of the results of the bloggers' fitness and blood test results, then off to the beach for a group run/walk.
So, every now and again I have a few thoughts or stories of interest to pass along. I try to wait and post them as a collection, even if they don't necessarily go together. Today I have a couple stories of note:
Nutrilite star pole vaulter Jenn Stuczynski was in the news recently, a heart-warming story about Jenn's continued affect on her home town. Check it out in The Observer.
Also, I recently fielded a phone call from a local Grand Rapidian with a story as well. Tom Dean - a runner from Caledonia, MI – wanted to tell me his story about how Nutrilite Sports Drinks have really impressed him.
"I have been running for about 8 years – 5Ks, The River Bank Run 25K, a couple of marathons, and an endurance event three times (200-mile relay with five other guys, we each run about 30-35 miles). I was a Gatorade user for most of these years, until someone introduced me to Nutrilite Sports Drinks as I was training for the Grand Rapids marathon in fall of 2008. I fell in love immediately with the taste, the fact that there were no added colors and that it had antioxidants that Gatorade didn't have. It had nothing to do with price, honestly, because I’m always willing to pay more for a superior product. I consider myself an average athlete, so I can’t say that all of a sudden I was running faster or longer because of drinking Nutrilite, but I am serious about what I put in my body – food and drink – and just felt better knowing that I was getting a better tasting hydration drink than what I was used to."
Also a teaser for you… stay tuned to this blog for an amazing story about a past Olympic champion who has re-invented himself as a sprint cyclist.
Pardon the Wizard of Oz reference in the title, but now that I've got your attention, I have a ton of cool news to share with you.
National Spotlights Coming to a big city near you in the next few weeks… join us so you don't miss your opportunity to experience and learn what other IBOs across the country have discovered. And best of all? It is FREE to you and your guests.
Join us September 3-5 at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. We even have a wide range of times available for you to stop by and soak it all in. We'll be there Thursday from 5-9 p.m., Friday from Noon-9 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Why attend? It's really quite simple: - Taste, touch, and try many of the products – including great new products – available through Amway Global. - Get your brand and product questions answered by experts. - Learn valuable techniques to energize your business. - Take home FREE product samples and literature. - Participate in product demonstrations you can use in your business.
Let us do the work for you! Bring your customers and prospects to the largest open house imaginable.
Can't make it to NYC? Here are dates for Chicago (same times): September 10-12 at the Stephens Convention Center.
Rock 'N' Roll Marathons Whether you're running, watching, visiting or just checking it out… don't miss out on the next two marathons in the Nutrilite sponsored series.
First up is the Virginia Beach Rock 'N' Roll 1/2 Marathon, September 4-6.
Of note: - Greg Meyer is speaking at the Expo Clinic (Virginia Beach Convention Center) Friday – 1:30-2:30pm (at the Nutrilite MoBE before and after); Sat – 5-6pm (at MoBE before) - Jenn Stuczynski available for signing autographs at the Nutrilite Mobile Brand Experience (Friday – 5-6:30pm; Saturday – 11-12:30) - Expo hours: Friday, Sept 4 – 12 – 7pm; Sat, Sept 5 – 9am – 6pm - Race Day – Sun, Sept 6 – start time 7am - Visit rnrvb.com for more details.
Then, September 18-20 catch us at the ING Philadelphia Distance Run (1/2 Marathon).
Greg Meyer will be speaking at the Expo Clinic (Pennsylvania Convention Center – Hall C); Times TBD. Also note: - Expo hours: Friday, Sept 18 – 11am 6pm; Sat, Sept 19 – 9am – 5pm - Race Day – Sun, Sept 20 – start time 7:45am - Visit ingphiladelphiadistancerun.com for more details.
Nutrilite Sports Nutrition NEW product update About six weeks ago, I blogged here about some exciting new products available for sports nutrition consumers. Time for an update.
- Sugar Free Strawberry Sports Drink launched on June 30 and is going gangbusters. This great new flavor tested at the top of the list with consumers and is a terrific replacement for Sugar Free Dragonfruit.
- Mixed Berry Smoothie Energy Bars launched on July 27 and are a great addition to the line of already beloved flavors. This bar offers a change-up, to borrow a baseball term, in that it has even more carbs for energy production, with slightly less protein, and lower calories. Plus there are no nuts in the product (though please read the label as it is made in a facility where some allergens may be present).
- Mixed Berry Smoothie Protein Shake launched around August 10. Get your Strawberries & Cream while it lasts! This terrific new flavor improves upon the taste of the Strawberry and offers the same great 25g of protein with no sugar and only 160 calories. It is the perfect post workout fuel for lean muscles and quicker recovery.
- Chocolate Chunk Sports Cookies are now shipping. These cookies are as good as they sound and serve a critical function in the sports nutrition category. They boast an optimal 4:1 carb-to-protein ration, which has been shown to provide faster muscle recovery and reduced muscle damage. The 24g of carbs also give this product versatility in that it can be used for pre-workout energy.
- ROC2O Isotonic Sports Drink is set to ship any day now. These tasty drink mixes come in Mixed Berry and Fruit Punch flavors in convenient stick packs for quick and easy addition to your favorite bottle of water. Think sports drink on the run when you think about this product. Or sports drink plus. The plus is the 100mg of Red Orange Complex, which has myriad benefits.
Coming soon – Endurance Cubes. I'll blog more about that very soon…
In the meantime be sure to check out the National Spotlights, hit a Rock 'N' Roll Marathon or at least try all of the new Nutrilite Sports Nutrition products.
Travel and illness have kept me from the blog for the past few weeks, but a lot has happened since we last spoke. Of course Jenn was a late scratch for Berlin due to a nagging Achilles injury (but you'll be able to catch her at the Rock-n-Roll Marathon in Virginia Beach in a few weeks), however our Sanya Richards delivered the goods.
Sanya scored gold and some personal redemption with a triumph in the women's 400 meters and then anchored the women's 4×400 team to the sixth best time in history.
For more on Sanya's feats, check out this story from USAToday.com
I just received word that Team Nutrilite's Jenn Stuczynski has had to scratch from the World Championships in Berlin. Jenn has been fighting a nagging Achilles injury for most of the outdoor season - an injury that nearly kept her out of the U.S. Outdoor Championships in June.
Despite numerous treatments, rest, etc. Jenn regrettably has to shelve her quest for World gold. While a disappointment to Jenn and her camp in the now, this will allow her to mend and come back stronger than ever in her quest to be the world's best female pole vaulter.
Here is an official statement from Jenn herself:
"Despite my focused efforts for the last five weeks to get 100% healthy, I made the decision on Sunday that I just can’t be ready in time to compete in Berlin. The doctors who are treating me say that my Achilles injury is not serious, but it just has not improved enough for me to vault next weekend. I think I just ran out of time. I’m disappointed I won’t get the opportunity to join Team USA in Germany."
Heal up soon, Jenn!
In the meantime, be sure to watch for Sanya Richards in her quest for that elusive individual World Championship in the women's 400 meters.
Since the last time I wrote, I competed at the USA National Champs in Eugene, Oregon. I won with a jump of 15' 3" (4.65m). Nationals is always a meet that I get VERY nervous for. This year, we were qualifying for the World Championships in Berlin in August so it was very important for me to place in the top 3. Also, the field size is always larger at Nationals and the wait time from my warm-up until I compete is about 1 1/2 hours longer than I am used to. However, this year I was a little banged up with an injured Achilles and hip flexor. I received a lot of physio treatment while I was in Eugene and everyone helped piece me back together long enough to get the job done (phew). I am very grateful to have won my 8th US Championship title.
Technically speaking, I have improved so much since indoor and even from my first couple of outdoor competitions. My speed times (measuring how fast I come down the runway) were very good at Nationals which is proof of the all-around gains I have made.With my speed, strength, and technical adjustments improving, I can’t wait to see how high I can go. All I need to do is get 100% healthy! That has been pretty frustrating for me but I am dealing with it day by day and trying to keep a positive attitude.
Although my outdoor 2009 season has had some setbacks, I have enjoyed the summer months here in western New York. I went home for July 4th and had an awesome time with my family. We went to the pier in Dunkirk where the fireworks display takes place. My entire family was there (parents, brother, sister, brother-in-law, nieces) and family friends. We sat in the same spot with the same families that we have sat with for over a decade. Some things never change and I love it!
I decided to re-do my bedroom since we haven’t been travelling this month…a task that sounded so much easier in my head! A friend taught me how to spackle, sand, and paint so I figured…how much work could it be? The first two were pretty easy but painting is an art. I always figured, dip the roller and go but now I know there is plenty more to it. There is taping off, edging, tackling corners that the roller can't get to, paint dripping to deal with…yeah, a lot more to it than I thought of! I painted the room a very light cream/rose color that turned out even better than I thought. I have all white dressers and the hues of my curtains, valence, and duvet cover all blend so well and look very pleasant. I am all girl! I love designing and redoing rooms but in the future I will definitely leave the painting to someone else!
Another tradition that I continued since I’ve stayed home this July was attending the Chautauqua County Fair. I told Rick he hasn’t lived until he has been to the Chautauqua County Fair so yesterday (Thursday) we packed up and headed to Fredonia for the night. The 4H barns are my favorite place. I must have petted more than 20 cows, a dozen pigs and a handful of sheep… but I never pet the roosters or chickens, I am afraid of them! I did allow myself one non-healthy type of carnival food…Cotton Candy. It is my absolute favorite but the hardest decision was to decide between the pink or the blue. I will let you guess what one I chose, it shouldn't be too hard
As for now, I am going to continue to stay focused on my efforts to get ready for the World Championships. I am continuing with adapted training around my injury and have been very disciplined with it. I appreciate all your support and am looking forward to competing again.
The 12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics (Track & Field) are coming up soon. This year, the championships will be held in Berlin from August 15 – 23.
Team Nutrilite athletes Jenn Stuczynski (pole vault) and Sanya Richards (400m) will represent the USA and Nutrilite in attempts to be world champions.
Jenn vaults into action with the qualifying round on August 15 and the finals slated for August 17.
Sanya sprints into the championships with qualifying heats on the 15th, semi-finals on the 16th and finals on the 18th.
The conditions were a little less than ideal this past weekend at Hayward Field in Eugene, OR, but that didn't stop Team Nutrilite athletes Jenn Stuczynski and Sanya Richards from winning their respective events and making the U.S. National Team.
The U.S. National Outdoor Track & Field team will compete at the World Championships in Berlin from August 15 through August 23.
With the top time in the women's 400M, Sanya Richards headlines her team. Jenn bested a tough field and also headlines her team in the women's pole vault.
Here are some quotes from our winners this past weekend (credit to USATF.org):
Sanya Richards – Winner Women’s 400M
On her performance: “I don’t think this was one of my best races, just by looking at the time, but the wind has been tough at Hayward all week. I just wanted to run smart and make sure I brought it home to win. Now I’m ready to move on and focus on Berlin.”
On her goals this season: “I want to run fast. I haven’t run a 48 in two or three seasons, but my number one goal is still to win in Berlin.”
On what her experience has taught her: “I think I learned a lot from last season. I think sometimes I put a lot of pressure on myself at the big meets, and I just need to run relaxed.”
Jennifer Stuczynski – Winner Women’s Pole Vault
On winning the pole vault: “It was kind of a gutsy event. If it was Thursday, Friday or Saturday I would have pulled out. I have so many nagging injuries going on. Today I was able to compete. I am glad it worked out. Now it’s time to move on and get healthy.”
On the windy conditions: “It was just me being able to come down the runway. The wind had no play in it at all. Everything was clicking.”
Well, the Nutrilite sponsored track & field events may be done for the season, but there is still a lot of running and vaulting to be done, starting with the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships this weekend in Eugene, OR.
Both Sanya Richards (400M) and Jenn Stuczynski (Pole Vault) are heavily favored to win their respective championships this weekend.
The event will be televised Friday (8-10 pm on ESPN), Saturday (7:30 to 9:30 pm on ESPN), and Sunday (4 to 6 pm on NBC) and can also be viewed via streaming video.
