Event Guide

May 1st, 2016

11 USAT Rules You

Dont want to be
Caught breaKing
page 12

Tri with
Confidence
with our step
by step guide
page 14

Rookies:
Navigate like
a Veteran
with Course
Maps page 18
AROUND TOWN:Events Calendar

page 11

what went wrong

with Jacks first tri?everything! page 17

Wave Start Times

Spectator Info
Tri Check List
& More!
Photo by
Tom Marek

TEXAS TRI SERIES:

Full

season of fun concluding with a party!

page

10

Ben Phillips - Real Estate Advisor

Proud Sponsor of the 2016 Texas Tri Series

Weather Contingency Plan

In the event of foul weather, the start time of this event may be
delayed up to 1 hour. Should the weather conditions be unsafe for
the swim, this event will be changed to a duathlon with distances
of a 11.2 mile bike, and 2 mile run. The start will be a time trial
start in the same order as swim waves. If the weather makes it
too dangerous for cycling, this event will become a 2 mile run.
3 | The Rookie Tri

CONTENTS

5 Welcome Letter
6 Event Schedule
6 Wave Starts
7 How to Wear Timing Chip
7 Our Sponsors
8 Parking & Spectator Info
9 Awards & Amenities
10 Calendar of Events
12 The Rules
14 Triathlon Advice
17 My First Tri
18-19 Course Maps

bigpistachio.com

Big Pistachio
Insta

CoachErinT

Coaching

individual custom programs

small group training
race-specific

Personal Fitness Training

one-on-one or small groups
gym or home locations

erin truslow
erin@bigpistachio.com

We are
awesome...
We do stuff
together.

Welcome to the 2016 Rookie

Triathlon! Were excited to have
you join us for the 13th edition of
this event - the kickoff to the Texas
Tri Series!
In addition to the 300 meter swim,
11 mile bike and 2 mile run at
Walter E Long Park, youll receive
some other fun perks this year:
a sweet baseball style t-shirt, a
personalized bib number, an
awesome finishers medal and reusable water bottle, ever popular
beer garden, tasty tacos, giveaways, free finish line video and
athlete tracking.
This year Rookies will have their
own starting groups (aka waves)
and their own bib color - RED. So
be sure and cheer them on as they
cruise by! And speaking of cheering
- your friends, fans and family can
track where you are on the course
this year whether theyre at the
venue or around the world! To read
more on this popular feature, visit
page 9.
From all of us at High Five Events,
thank you for registering and we
truly hope you have a fun-filled day!

The Rookie Tri Staff

Announcer: Logan Delaware
Athlete Services: Joey Trimyer
Bike Course: Tim Stansbury, Lance
Pyburn, and Mike Watson
Bike Mechanic: Revolution Bike Repair
Director of Marketing: Stacy Keese
Director of Operations: Dan Carroll
Director of Sales: Jack Murray
Head of Transition: Nick Seidel
Race Manager: John Chung
Run Course: Emily Stevens and Danny
Spoonts
Security: Danny Hinkle
Site and Supply Manager: Ray Porter
Sponsorship & Marketing: Tina Thomas
Staff Wellness: Cindy Keese & Kathy
Murray
Swim Course: Brad Miller & Ben Phillips
Timing: Raul Najera, Meghan Najera
Volunteer Coordinator: Jonathan Cruz

Get Social With Us!

Share your Rookie Tri experience with
us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!
Dont forget to use hashtag #RookieTri.

For more info, please visit:

www.TheRookieTri.com
Comments & suggestions:
info@HighFiveEvents.com

@TheRookieTri
/TheRookieTri
@TheRookieTri

5 | The Rookie Tri

WELCOME TO THE ROOKIE TRI

Dear Friends:

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016

12 PM - 7 PM

Packet Pickup & Late Registration at Bicycle World Austin

EVENT SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 2016

10 AM - 5 PM
Packet Pickup & Late Registration at Bicycle World Austin

at 300 S. Lamar Suite L Austin, Texas 78704
1:00 PM

Transition Clinic and Q&A

SUNDAY, MAY 1, 2016

6:00 AM

Transition Area Open

6 - 7:00 AM

Out of Town Packet Pickup at Walter E. Long Park

7:15 AM

Yoga Warm-Up with CorePower Yoga

7:30 AM

Transition Area Closed

7:30 AM

Decker Lake Rd and Hogs Eye Rd Closed

7:40 AM

Mandatory Pre-race Meeting

8:00 AM

Rookie Triathlon Start

10:30 AM

Awards Presentation

Wave Starts

Please wear the swim cap provided in your race packet.

The swim start for The Rookie will feature a mass start for the Open Wave and a
time trial start for age-group waves, including Aquabike. The Time Trial Start will be
conducted with 2 people entering the water approximately every 2 seconds.

VETERANS
8:00 AM
8:04 AM
8:08 AM
8:12 AM
8:16 AM
8:20 AM
8:24 AM
8:28 AM
8:32 AM

Open Wave Light - Purple

Men 29 & Under - Red
Men 30-39 Light - Blue
Men 40-49 - Navy
Men 50+ - Green
Women 29 & - Under Red
Women 30-39 - Light Blue
Women 40-49 - Navy
Women 50+ - Green

ROOKIES
8:36 AM
8:40 AM
8:44 AM
8:48 AM
8:52 AM
8:56 AM
9:00 AM
9:04 AM
9:08 AM

M 29 & Under- White

M 30-39 - Yellow
M 40-49 - Pink
M 50 & Over - Light Purple
W 29 & Under - White
W 30-39 - Yellow
W 40-49 - Pink
W 50 & Over -Light Purple
Aquabike & Relay - Red

Bike Check In / Check Out

Transition Area Information

Bike Check In will only occur on the

morning of the event. To enter the
transition area each athlete must
have all of the following:

Transition racks will be ordered by

swim wave. Participants may rack
anywhere on the racks assigned to their
wave. Bikes will not be allowed out
of transition until the final cyclist
has completed the bike course. It is
expected that this will be around 10
AM. Participants will be allowed back
into transition after they finish, but
bikes may not be removed from the
racks. Please be courteous to your
fellow participants while in transition
during the race.

(1) Race number affixed to their

bike and helmet
(2) Athlete wristband on their
wrist.
(3) Be body marked. Body Marking will take place at the swim entrance to transition.
6 | The Rookie Tri

Thank You to Our Awesome Sponsors!

Official Partners

Want your time?

wear your chip Correctly!

7 | The Rookie Tri

PARKING & SPECTATOR INFO

Parking is available at Walter E. Long Park for everyone arriving before 7:30 AM.
Decker Lake Rd will close at 7:30 AM, and there is no parking available onsite for
any vehicles arriving after 7:30 AM. There is first come first serve parking along
Blue Bluff Rd. (south of the park) if you arrive late. Spots are very limited.
Before 7:30 AM:

- From FM 3177, head east on Decker

Lake Rd. Veer left onto Hog Eye Rd.
and left into the park.
- From FM 969, head north
on Blue Bluff Rd. Turn left onto JM
Holloway Ln.

After 7:30 AM:

- All traffic must enter the park from the

south on JM Holloway Ln. Take FM 969
and head north onto Blue Bluff Rd., and
then left on JM Holloway Ln.

Decker Lake Rd. and Hog Eye Rd. will be closed from 7:30 AM to 1 PM

Spectators

Spectators are welcome to roam the venue and cheer

on their friends and family members. There are
very few places that spectators will not be allowed,
the transition area being one of them. Please do not
challenge volunteers or jump fences. The volunteers
are there to help ensure the safety of the athletes.
Spectators are welcome to help themselves to water,
however we encourage you to bring your own drinks
and snacks for yourself and your family. Official race
food and drink is for the athletes and volunteers only.
8 | The Rookie Tri

AWARDS

Everyone who crosses the line will

receive an awesome finishers medal!
Separate awards will be presented to
the top 3 male and female finishers in
each age group, starting at 19 & Under
and going to 75+ in 5 year increments.
There are seperate awards for Rookies &
Veterans.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

THE PARTY

Bottled water has been replaced with reusable

bike bottles and easy water filling stations.
Recycling receptacles are located next to each
trash receptacle.
A waste crew is on duty for the full duration of the
event to ensure the maximum amount of recycling.
The entire course is cleaned of trash after the
event, even if the trash was there before the event.
Registration for participants and volunteers is
100% online.
Post event food and beverage options reduce
waste and maximize recycling.

The finish line party is open to all

participants and spectators. Participants
will receive free drinks and food including
tacos from Third Base, fresh fruit, chips,
cookies and pretzels. Our 21 and up
participants can visit the beer garden
and enjoy the bloody mary bar and FREE
BEER from New Belgium!
Plus, make sure to stick around and
get ready to catch some swag when we
toss out great door prizes at the awards
ceremony.

Get Live Athlete Updates

You can receive updates from athletes as they cross points on the course and have those
updates sent to Facebook, Twitter or mobile phones.

How Does It Work?

Set up or sign in to your ChronoTrack Live Account.

Search for Athletes for whom you would like to receive Get updates at: bitly.com/rookie16live
updates. Select how you would like to receive those updates.

Amenities in your race packet

Each participant will receive a baseball style shirt, reusable bag, timing chip & strap, bib number, helmet number, bike number, and swim cap. At the finish line, each participant will be
presented with a finisher medal and souvenir bike bottle.
Bib & Bike Numbers The large number included in your participant bag is worn after the
swim and can be used with a race belt or pinned onto the front of your shirt. The sticker
sheet contains stickers for your bike frame and helmet.
Place Helmet Number on
front of helmet. >>>>>>>
Attach Bike Number
to back of seat
with twist-ties >>>>>

12

Latex Swim Cap

Please wear the cap
provided; it corresponds to your swim
wave and serves as
part of the event
safety plan.

Bib Number

Wear this on the front of

your running shirt.

x
x x
x x
x x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x x
x x
x
x
x
x x
x
x
x
x
x x
x x
x x
x x
x
x
x
x x
x x
x
x x
x x
x x
x x
x
x
x
x x
x x
x x
x

Reusable Bag

Baseball-Style Tee Shirt

Timing Chip & Strap

The chip is attached
to velcro ankle strap &
secured to your ankle
at all times during the
tri. A volunteer will
remove it after you
cross the line.

Safety Pins
(not included in
bag) May be used
to secure your race
number onto your
shirt. They can be
picked up at packet
pickup.

Wristband Gets you

into transition & is
used to get food
& beer at the after
party. Yellow is for
those over 21 Red is
for under 21.

AWARDS & AMENITIES

It is a goal for each event that we leave the venue in a better condition than when we arrived.
High Five Events have put in place the following
programs to keep the venues we use clean:

TEXAS TRI SERIES EVENTS

Life Time Tri Cap Tex May 30

From views of Lady Bird Lakes charming landscape
to the Texas State Capital, Life Time Tri CapTex has
welcomed elite and amateur triathletes to the heart of
Austin on Memorial Day for more than two decades.
Includes historic parts of town including Congress Ave
and Lady Bird Lake. This year receive a commorative
cowboy hat with registration!
www.CapTexTri.com
Jacks Generic Tri, August 7th
Do you want to recapture that simple, thrilling feeling
brought on by participating in a great triathlon? Then
Jack's Generic Tri is for you! Inspired by a time when
triathlons were not planned around sponsorship,
location or prestige but the joy of racing that you, the
everyday triathlete, feel when participating in a safe,
well-organized and, most of all, fun event. This year it will
host a Sprint Tri, Intermediate Tri, Aquabike, and Relays.
www.JacksGenericTri.com
TriRock Austin, Sept 5th
Swim in Lady Bird Lake with thousands of people
cheering you on, bike on the most historic street in
Texas, Congress Ave, with views of the state capitol, and
run through Austins most beloved parks. Live music at
the finish line with great food and beer to make for a
fun after-party! Come join one of Americas most active
cities in an event youll never forget.
Trirock.Competitor.com/Austin
Kerrville Triathlon Festival, Sept 24-25th
In the heart of the Texas Hill Country, Kerrville is a true
triathlon destination. Each course features a swim
in the scenic Guadalupe river, a looped bike course
through downtown Kerrville and the surrounding Texas
Hill Country, and run along the shaded banks of the
Guadalupe on the paved river trail. Choose from sprint,
quarter and half distance events during the two-day
festival. Voted Best Long Disstance Tri in Texas!
www.KerrvilleTri.com
The Texas Tri Series
Complete all of these events through participation and/
or volunteering to become a Texas Tri Series Finisher!
Rookie Tri, CapTex Tri, Jacks Generic, Tri Rock Austin,
and Kerrville Triathlon Festival. Finishers receive finisher
shirt, hat, swag, and an invite to the party of the year!
Finisher party includes awards ceremony, food, drinks,
and good time!
www.TexasTriSeries.com
10 | The Rookie Tri

Marathon Relay, September 18

The Marathon Relay is a 6 person team road
running event. Each team member completes a
4.37 mile loop for a cumulative distance of exactly
26.2 miles, a full marathon!

There are 14 different divisions to choose from.

No matter what your division, we guarantee a fun
time!
www.MarathonRelay.com
3M Half Marathon, January 22, 2017
The 3M Half Marathon will celebrate its 23rd year
running Downhill to Downtown. There will be good
times and a good time!
Runners have been PRing at this Austin favorite for
years. Starting in north Austin and finishing in front
of the Texas State Capitol, runners will enjoy a 306
net elevation drop. One of the largest stand-alone
half marathons in Texas takes you through the
University of Texas campus.
Come run Downhill to Downtown, push yourself to
PR, and enjoy a fantastic finish line festival!
www3MHalfMarathon.com

Austin Marathon and Half, Feb 22, 2017

The Austin Marathon and Half Marathon presented
by NXP will celebrate its 26th year running in Austin.
The premier running event in the City of Austin
annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 20+
countries around the world. With a downtown finish
and proximty to many top hotels and restaurants,
the Austin Marathon and Half Marathon is the
perfect running weekend destination.
Come run the roads of The Live Music Capital of the
World where theres live music on course. Whether
you run 26.2 or 13.1, the finish line festival will be
one to remember!
www.YourAustinMarathon.com

CALANDER OF EVENTS

With the start and the finish both taking place

at the beautiful Auditorium Shores in downtown
Austin, TX, each runner is in the center of the
action before and after running their relay leg. The
festival also includes live music, entertainment,
sponsor booths, food and drink. It is a totally
fantastic team tailgate experience!

+COMMONLY VIOLATED RULES & PENALTIES

1. Helmets: Only helmets approved by the
US Consumer Product Safety Commission
(CPSC) may be used in USAT sanctioned
events. Helmets must be worn at all times
while on your bike. This means before,
during, and after the event.
Penalty: Disqualification
2. Chin Straps: Chin straps must be
buckled at all times when on a bicycle. DO
NOT unbuckle your chin strap unless you
are off your bicycle.
Penalty: Disqualification on the course;
Variable time penalty in transition area
only.
3. Outside Assistance: No assistance other
than that offered by race and medical
officials may be used. Triathlons and
duathlons are individual tests of fitness.
Penalty: Variable time penalty
4. Headphones: Headphones,
headsets, walkmans, iPods,
mp3 players, or personal
audio devices, etc. are not to
be carried or worn at any time
during the race.
Penalty: Variable time penalty
5. Race numbers: All athletes are
required to wear race numbers
at all times during the bike and
run. Numbers must face the front
and be clearly visible at all times. Numbers
may not be cut or folded or altered in any
way. DO NOT transfer your number to any
other athlete or take a number from an
athlete that is not competing.
Penalty: Variable time penalty for missing
or altered number. Disqualification and
one year suspension from membership in
USAT for transferring a number without
race director permission.
6.Transition Area: All equipment must
be placed in the properly designated and
individually assigned bike corral. The wheel
of the bicycle must be down on the side of
the assigned space. All participants must
return their bicycles to an upright position
in their designated bicycle corral. No person
shall interfere with another participants
equipment or impede the progress of
another participant. All bar ends must be
solidly plugged. No participant shall bring

12 | The Rookie Tri

ANY glass containers into the transition

area.
Penalty: Variable time penalty
7. Drafting: Keep at least three bike lengths
of clear space between you and the cyclist
in front. If you move into the zone, you must
pass within 15 seconds. Position--keep
to the right hand side of the lane of travel
unless passing. Blocking--riding on the left
side of the lane without passing anyone and
interfering with other cyclists attempting to
pass. Overtaken--once passed, you must
immediately exit the draft zone from the
rear, before attempting to pass again.
Penalty: Variable time penalty
8. Course: All competitors are required
to follow the prescribed course and to
stay within all coned lanes. Cutting the
course is an obvious violation and
going outside the course is a safety
issue. Cyclists shall not cross
a solid yellow center line for
ANY reason. Cyclists must
obey all applicable traffic laws
at all times. Penalty: Referees
discretion
9. Unsportsmanlike-Like Conduct:
Foul, harsh, argumentative or
abusive language or other
unsportsmanlike
conduct
directed at race officials, USA
Triathlon officials, volunteers, spectators
or fellow athletes is forbidden. Penalty:
Disqualification
10. Abandonment: All personal equipment
and belongings taken out onto the course
must stay on the athlete the entire time. No
garbage, clothing, etc. shall be thrown on
the course.
Penalty: Variable time penalty
11. Wetsuits: Each age group participant
shall be permitted to wear a wetsuit
without penalty up to and including a water
of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water
temperature is greater than 78 degrees
but less than 84 degrees Fahrenheit, age
group participants may wear a wetsuit at
their own discretion, provided, however
participantsshall not be eligible for prizes
or awards. Above 84 degrees, wetsuits are
prohibited.

ATLAS RIDE
June 4, 2016

fight cancer with texas 4000 riders

25, 50, 70 mile options

BBQ, wine, & beer @ pillar bluff vineyards

atlasride.org

GENERAL ADVICE

Here is a logical progression that you may want to go

through the night before and morning of The Rookie:
1) Arrive Early and get ready to have
a lot of fun! Plan to be in transition
1hr before race start. Mental stress
can make your first tri morning seem
hectic. Take a minute to take it all in
and realize that you are winning just
by showing up!
2) Set up a mock transition area the
night before at home. Put everything
out as you plan to race morning. Practice putting on your shoes and helmet, and then switching to running
shoes and running hat. Check off the
equipment checklist on page 16 of the
Event Guide.
3) Attach all the numbers to proper
equipment including bike, helmet,
and race belt. Proper placement can
be seen on page 9 of this guide. The
number must be worn for the entirety
of the run and you must finish the
race with the number on the front of
your body.

take your bike to the mechanics tent

or use your own pump.
Now that you know where and how
your bike is going to be - set up your
area. It is nice to have a small towel to
put down. Since you practiced the night
before this should be a piece of cake!
1) Remember to make sure that
your bike and running shoes are
open with loose laces for easy on/
off. Put your sunglasses in your helmet so that you grab them before
putting on the helmet and dont accidentally try and leave transition
without either. If you want water on
the bike course make sure and have
a water bottle filled on your bike.
2) As you leave transition count how
many bike racks away from the entrance you are. When it is all filled
with bikes it can sometimes be
like finding a needle in a haystack.

4) Leave your house in the morning

wearing what you are going to race in,
INCLUDING your timing chip on your
ankle. Didnt have a timing chip in your
packet or realized you left it at homedont worry you can pick up a replacement one on race morning.

3) Before you leave transition make

sure to take your goggles and your swim
cap with you. You will not be able to
reenter once transtion closes at 7:30.

5) Make sure that all your numbers

are matching: timing chip, bike, helmet, race belt, and body marking. This
is for your safety. Your USAT race age
goes on the back of your right calf and
is based on the year you were born
not the exact date- so anyone born in
1976 is 40.

4) Familiarize yourself with the flow of

the race site. Visit swim start and finish
and make sure understand how to get
from swim exit to transition. Do a warm
up walk/ run of the run finish. Get an
idea of a landmark that lets you know
you are near the finish line. This will
be a great boost and make you more
comfortable when you are in the home
stretch. (Continued on next page)

6) After body marking, head straight

into transition and claim a nice spot
since you are there extra early. Be
kind to your other athletes and keep
your transition area small and directly
underneath where your bike is.
7) There should be enough room
for at least 6 bikes per rack. You can
rack your bike by either hooking the
seat over the railing or by hooking
the handlebars over the railing. If you
have not inflated your tires already
14 | The Rookie Tri

3) Use the bathroom early if you can. The

lines will get longer nearer to race start.

GENERAL ADVICE

5) After the swim you will enter transition at one end and leave at the other.
This process is reversed for the second transition when you return from
the bike. That is, the bike starts and
finishes at the same side and the run
goes out where the swim came in.
6) If you do nothing else to familiarize
with the race set up, get to the swim
start early!! There will be an announcement of when the water is open for
warm-up swim. Take advantage of this
opportunity to get a feel for the water.
If this is your first open water race take
an extra moment to get comfortable
with not being able to see the bottom;
dont worry no one else can either.
7) If you dont like swimming in the
group or are not a strong swimmer
place yourself on the outside edge
and towards the back of the swim
group. Placing yourself ahead of faster swimmers will only mean that they
will have to swim around you, which
can be stressful when you are trying
to focus on other things like sighting. Not sure? Talk to others with the
same swim cap color and ask, you
will meet new friends and will have
an idea of where to be in the pack.
8) What should you do if you have a
moment of panic in the water? Try
switching the style of swimming.
Maybe doggy paddle or breast stroke
until you have your bearings again. If
you feel that you cannot continue the
race there are lifeguards in kayaks
that can pull you from the water. You
do not need a wetsuit to race. We will
take the water temp on race morning and announce if wetsuits are legal. Check USAT rules for more info.

15 | The Rookie Tri

EQUIPMENT CHECK

Have a system that you can use at all triathlons. It is recommended that you start with the equipment that you will use first
and work through to the equipment that you will use last.
1. Goggles: Make sure you have
used them recently and that
the eye seals have not perished
and leak water. Check that the
strap and nose piece arent
brittle and are securely attached.
Make sure the lenses arent
scratched. If your goggles have
any of these issues, consider
replacing them and bringing them
as back-ups to your new ones.
2. Wetsuit: Check for potential tears
and frayed seams. Look for holes
and cuts; these can be patched and
glued to prevent water entering the
suit. Wetsuits arent required, so
dont worry if you dont have one.
3. Bike: Make sure that the bike
frame has no cracks, the wheels are
not bent, and that all components
are in working condition including
brakes and shifters. If you do
not know how to check for these
things, dont worry - just call
ahead to your local bike store and
ask them to safety check it. This
can also be a great opportunity
to learn how to check the bike
yourself. On race morning, make
sure tires are inflated properly.
4. Helmet: The plastic shell needs
to be firmly affixed to the foam
and the strap should not be
frayed. There should be no cracks
or dents as these will likely not
pass inspection when checking
into transition. It should fit snugly
around your head. The general
rule for the chin strap is within
two fingers spaces from the chin.
5. Cycling Shoes & Pedals: Make
the cleat is firmly attached to the
the shoe. Replace cleat if it is worn
may inhibit safe clipping in. Check
sure pedals are firmly attached to

sure that
bottom of
down and
and make
the crank.

6: Running Shoes: Look to see that they are

not worn out of alignment or that the midsole
is crushed. Cut down or replace any long or
frayed shoe laces. If using elastic laces make
sure that have not lost elasticity and that
any plastic is still in good working condition.
16 | The Rookie Tri

My First Tri

by Jack Murray, Owner of High Five Events

It was the summer of 1994. The event was

the Victoria Splash & Dash in Victoria, Texas.
I had trained for a few weeks and was sure I
was in peak condition for an easy victory. I was,
after all, fresh off a 1600 meter run victory
and bronze in the 3200 at the Texas State
Championship Relays. How hard could a little
tri be? I thought I knew all there was to know
about swimming, biking, and running. Turns
out - I knew nothing!
The morning started with me loading my bike
into the trunk of my mom's car and driving with
her and my sister to the event one hour away.
I arrived around 6 AM for an 8 AM start. This
was before on-line registration, so I registered
for the event that morning and picked up my
packet. As people started to arrive, I noticed
the differences between my rusty old mountain
bike and some of their $2000 race machines.
My confidence, however, was not crushed; I
was still sure I could win. After racking my bike,
I headed over to the pool area where everyone
was warming up. As I got closer, I noticed
everyone was wearing tight swimsuits and
goggles. I was sure, however, that my baggy
Umbro "soccer shorts" and lack of goggles was
the best way to go. My plan was simple - go as
fast as I could for as long as I could.
They were letting swimmers go every 5 seconds
and we had to snake up and down the pool for
a total of 300 meters. I patiently waited in line
until 5,4,3,2,1 go, I was off. I swam as fast as I
could to the other side and then back again. 50
meters down 250 to go.
By 150 my arms started to hurt and my eyes
were stinging from the chlorine. By 200 I was
kicking off the bottom every few strokes and
swimming with my eyes closed, by 250 I was
just trying to get out of the water alive, and
without my shorts falling off. After the swim, I
was sure I was still in good position to hold my
own on the bike.
I grab my bike out of transition and head out
on to the 12 mile course. As I start to ride I
realize I am not catching anyone. The rusty,
old mountain bike that I borrowed from my
high school track coach was not the stallion I
thought it was.

17 | The Rookie Tri

Transition to the run was probably my most

memorable moment. As I speed to the
transition area, volunteers are yelling at me
to dismount my bike. As I go to lift my feet
off the pedals, I forget that they are hooked
in by cages. The combination of speed and
my feet getting caught was enough to send
me crashing like a bowling ball into a bike
rack with about 6 bikes on it. The volunteers
quickly help me up and as I throw my bike in
the grass next to a picnic table (the rack was
down), I remember thinking how much fun
I was having. The whole day was something
I had never experienced before.
It took about a mile into the run before I
got my legs out of bike riding mode. I had
no idea how riding a bike would effect legs
on the run. As I rounded the final stretch
I saw all these happy people cheering for
me, eating, drinking, and just having a good
time. I talked to people for about an hour.
I met a guy my age that had been doing
triathlons for years. I met some members
of the Corpus Christi tri club and was invited
to their next meeting. I signed up for their
monthly newsletter. In short - I was hooked.
It was nothing I thought it would be. It was
fun and I discovered a whole different type
of people that did not exist in my 5000
person hometown.
Through the years of collegiate running,
duathlons, sprint tri's, half Ironman events,
Ironman events, and working in the shop,
my first tri memory will forever help me
keep our sport in perspective. It is not
about where you finish, what type of bike
you have, what you do for a living, where
you are from or where you are going. It
is about having fun and that is it. You can
have many goals in our sport without

MY FIRST TRIATHLON

There have been numerous instances where

people are seeking advice on participating
in their first triathlon. When I have the
opportunity to help someone in this situation,
I share with them the story of my first tri in
hopes of helping them feel more comfortable
about their endeavor.

Riding around the block a few times for

training was probably not the riding that all
these people were doing. The fact that my
bike could not shift was more trouble than
I thought it would be. And looking back, my
saddle was also about 5 to 7 inches to low.
Towards the end of the ride I was being
passed by a 10 year old girl and her mom;
it was then that I started to feel my big
victory slipping away. Still I was determined
to blaze through transition and light up the
run.

SWIM COURSE
COURSE MAPS

300 meters

Single Loop

SWIM
FINISH

SWIM
START

RUN COURSE
2.0 miles
RUN
START

1M

RUN
FINISH

Single Loop

Turn by Turn

BIKE COURSE
11.2 miles

Single Loop

Lin

de

d.

Rd
.

ll R

6M

FM
3

Blu

177

eB

luff

4M

COURSE MAPS

Right on Hog Eye Rd.

Right on Decker Lake Rd.
Right on FM 3177
Right on Lindell Rd.
Right on Blue Blu Rd.
Left on Bloor Rd.
Right on Hwy 130
Right on FM 973
Right on Decker Lake Ln.
Right on Blue Blu Rd.

Blo

or

2M

Rd
.

8M

De

cke

rL

ak

BIKE
START
eR

d.

73

BIKE
FINISH

FM 9
10 M

19 | The Rookie Tri

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