December can be a VERY busy month for most folks with Christmas shopping in full swing, family gatherings and office parties to attend, along with the many other weekly obligations that are already on your plate. So when can you possibly find time to train or focus on that racing goal you penciled in on your calendar for 2016?
Well…I’m hear to tell you that December is not the make or break month on your annual training schedule and it will do you some good to sleep in, gain a few pounds and miss a few workouts. Let December be a month to give 100% of yourself to your family, friends and co-workers. Try not being that annoying person at your family gatherings that can’t eat a piece of pie “because I’m training for…” 
Enjoy yourself a little and let this time off the “multisport wagon” serve to revitalize your mind and your spirit. If you’re reading this you’re likely a person that has been blessed immensely with a healthy strong body that allows you to compete in this wonderful sport. So…how about giving yourself a break in December?
Here’s to that second piece of pumpkin pie!
Bring it…starting January 2 😉
Shannon Kurek, Race Director
HFP Racing
In case you missed this in our October Newsletter, here it is again:
We always take time after the season to review comments/suggestions from our customers and see what we can implement for the following year.
Here some exciting and certainly some welcome upgrades and changes for the upcoming 2016 race season:
#1 – The tech t-shirt era has come and we believe based on your feedback…is now gone. Our participants are looking for the new trendy 50/50 soft blend t-shirts in gender specific sizing and cut. 
Look for the new t-shirts to roll out at our first event in 2016 and even more important (to many of you) is upgraded designs. We’ve hired a seasoned designer that promises trendy and current designs for all our t-shirts for 2016.
#2 – As much as folks loved our live on-site results on our monitors, personal results email and searchable online results…we can do better. Our software has been developed to allow us to do receipt printing immediately following your finish so look for this results feature to be added in 2016. Additionally, we’ll be adding 8 – 32 inch monitors to our results trailer and lowering the screens a full 2 feet. This will address issues we encountered with our shorter and visually challenged customers. Lastly, we’ll be adding a podium and podium backdrop to the finish area for all finishers to have photos taken with their loved ones and family members
#3 – Folks loved our new time trail starts and felt it made for a much safer, participant friendly triathlon start. However, we did find some of the divisions got a bit bottle necked and it required them to swim over slower swimmers from the previous waves. We’ll be looking at our swim times from 2015 by division and completely reevaluating which divisions are sent off and the spacing in between. 
For example; some divisions can nearly go back to back with no big time break (ie. Male 24 & under and Male 25-29) but then when we send off our ladies 40+ wave we need to give more time for separation before we send off the men 50+ as many of the men in this wave are swimming at a very high level.
#4 – Our software developer is building a new algorithm for the FIT Family Series points race that more fairly represents the “true” winners of each age group. Additionally, we will be adding a new HFP Racing season long points series that will reward those for competing in all or most of our races on the schedule. Most importantly participants will know immediately after the results are posted online where they stand in either points standings. This is all part of the new points algorithm our software developer is finishing up over the winter.
#5 – Team HFP Racing has partnered with Roll as our official bike shop for all Team HFP Racing members in 2016. Along with getting greatly discounted entry fees, Team HFP Racing members will receive significant discounts on bike/gear purchases and any bike service from Roll at any of their Columbus locations. The 2016 uniforms are being provided by Pactimo and will be shipped out in January. All uniforms MUST be ordered by December 1 – sorry no exceptions.
2016 Schedule Update and Changes:
The biggest news for the 2016 Ohio multisport calendar is the introduction of Ironman 70.3 Ohio to Delaware, Ohio scheduled for Sunday, August 21. This addition of Ironman 70.3 to the Ohio calendar has necessitated a move of one of HFP’s longstanding venues. The Great Buckeye Challenge has been moved to July 24th.
The Vermilion Harbour Triathlon and Duathlon has been moved from Linwood Park to a new venue (Sherod Park) on the west side of Vermilion. 
The new venue finally allows us to avoid the dangerous bridge crossing on Route 6 and brings back a single loop 40k bike course for the Olympic distance. Sherod Park also allows for a parking lot transition area (no more grass or trees) and free on-site parking and park entry which has allowed us to reduce the entry fees for this event by $5.00. Best of all is participants will be treated to the same great volunteer and community support that this race has been known for.
See the entire 2016 calendar here. Online registration opens for all events on January 1 @ Noon EST.
The HFP Racing annual Super Sale!
The HFP Racing Super Sale is our way of saying thanks to our thousands of loyal customers that continue to support us for the last 26 years!! YES – HFP Racing is entering its 27th season of racing in 2016. We look forward to seeing you at an event in 2016. Have a very blessed 2016.
Now is the BEST time to start planning for your 2016 season and HFP has just the motivation to not only get your entire 2016 season planned out BUT also to save you significant dollars in the process. On January 1st at 12:01am registration opens for the entire 2016 season AND anyone registering for select HFP events (see list below) through January 15th at Midnight will get a discount of 25% during. This is the LOWEST PRICES on that any HFP Racing event for the entire year. Don’t miss this opportunity to save some serious coin on your favorite HFP Racing event. Use the code “HFPSUPERSALE2016” when registering online during this time to get your discount. Code is case sensitive and will not work unless you type it in just as it is written above in ALL CAPS. Discounts are NOT retroactive for events already registered for.
HFP Racing Super Sale Direct Registration Links:
Helen Georgia Training Camp — April 4 to April 10, 2016
O’Bleness Health System Race for a Reason — April 23, 2016
FIT Family Series — 2016 SERIES ENTRY
American Triple-T Shawnee — May 20-22, 2016
Little Smokies Triathlon — May 22, 2016
FIT Family Series — Deer Creek State Park – June 4-5, 2016
FIT Family Series — Maumee Bay State Park – June 18-19, 2016
Mohican Endurance Festival — Pleasant Hill Lake Park – June 26, 2016
FIT Family Series — Caesar Creek State Park – July 9-10, 2016
Mason Tri-umphant Triathlon/Duathlon, Kids Triathlon & 5k — July 16, 2016
Great Buckeye Challenge — Buck Creek State Park – July 24, 2016
SOMC Tri for your LIFE — July 31, 2016
FIT Family Series — Alum Creek State Park – August 6-7, 2016
FIT Family Series — Linwood Park – August 20-21, 2016
FIT Family Series — Portage Lakes State Park – September 17-18, 2016
Deer Creek Fall Challenge – September 25, 2016
Appalachian Triathlon/Duathlon & Hocking Mud Run – October 8, 2016
HFP Racing News 