[reply]like the guy who passed me on the run at River City...helmet still strapped on tight...head down...shoulders churning away.[/reply]
I did a beginner's (coed) tri on Saturday (along with TimW, Hinds57 and JohnA), and I was finished and walking back to get something to drink and a guy was heading out on the run and I heard the gal at the run out corner say, "Do you want to really want to run with your helmet on?" Oops!
This race was probably 40% first-timers and about half women. The nice thing is that the RD has an "experienced triathlete" wave that goes first. 150 total Type As. No USAT, so no marshals and lots of drafting on the bike and riders all over the place (I swear, some people can't hold a line to save their life, and these weren't beginners!) I pulled a pack for a couple of miles just because I didn't want to be caught up in the middle of them if someone crossed wheels.
The RD also reserves the last wave for anyone who really wants to go last or anyone who wants to race together the entire way. Since the race isn't timed (but there is a finisher clock), it's no biggie. He also says that if you need assistance on the swim, take it, but your swim is over, though you are encouraged to do the bike and run.
Things I saw:
Big variety of bikes--mountain, road, classic steel touring bikes, tri bikes. A little of everything.
All shapes and body types, both men and women.
Lots of balloons to find one's bike.
Some iPods on the run.
A good number of kids, including two girls who did the entire race with mom. I was doing a cool down jog and told them "good job!" They had huge smiles on their faces. Another little girl was running with dad and they were ahead of mom and let mom know that.
Lots of smiles.
Youngest participants were 9 yo (boy and girl) and oldest was 65 or so (female).
I was 10th woman onto the run, but not at the finish. Hinds57 was leading JohnA into the last mile of the run--how'd it turn out?
Very fun day.
clm
clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com
I did a beginner's (coed) tri on Saturday (along with TimW, Hinds57 and JohnA), and I was finished and walking back to get something to drink and a guy was heading out on the run and I heard the gal at the run out corner say, "Do you want to really want to run with your helmet on?" Oops!
This race was probably 40% first-timers and about half women. The nice thing is that the RD has an "experienced triathlete" wave that goes first. 150 total Type As. No USAT, so no marshals and lots of drafting on the bike and riders all over the place (I swear, some people can't hold a line to save their life, and these weren't beginners!) I pulled a pack for a couple of miles just because I didn't want to be caught up in the middle of them if someone crossed wheels.
The RD also reserves the last wave for anyone who really wants to go last or anyone who wants to race together the entire way. Since the race isn't timed (but there is a finisher clock), it's no biggie. He also says that if you need assistance on the swim, take it, but your swim is over, though you are encouraged to do the bike and run.
Things I saw:
Big variety of bikes--mountain, road, classic steel touring bikes, tri bikes. A little of everything.
All shapes and body types, both men and women.
Lots of balloons to find one's bike.
Some iPods on the run.
A good number of kids, including two girls who did the entire race with mom. I was doing a cool down jog and told them "good job!" They had huge smiles on their faces. Another little girl was running with dad and they were ahead of mom and let mom know that.
Lots of smiles.
Youngest participants were 9 yo (boy and girl) and oldest was 65 or so (female).
I was 10th woman onto the run, but not at the finish. Hinds57 was leading JohnA into the last mile of the run--how'd it turn out?
Very fun day.
clm
clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com