This Saturday, there are three opportunities to help your local racing community. I hope you will consider doing one of these:
1) Roanoke Valley Sprint Tri - This triathlon is in it's second year. Tom McDowell is the race director for this event. Tom has participated in every race the RMEC has put on, and has even become a member of the club. I would love to see our club return the favor by participating in this Roanoke Rapids event. It is a perfect introduction to tris. The swim is an indoor pool swim, the bike is under 15 miles, and the run is only a 5k. Come out and race!
2) Volunteer - Can't do a tri? Volunteer! Tom is looking for volunteers. This is a great chance to help out a race, and cheer on your friends. The race is only 35 minutes away. Volunteering is a rewarding way to be involved with Tri Roanoke Valley. Event organizers would like to encourage individuals, clubs, and civic groups to become volunteers to make sure we have a safe and spectator-friendly event.
They are doing things a little differently this year by allowing the individuals, clubs or groups to earn $10.00 each for volunteering. You can designate the charity or non-profit that they would like for the money to go towards. This means you can raise money for the RMEC! If you are interested in helping out, download and complete the volunteer form.
3) Outreach 5k - Tarboro has a 5k that will race on Saturday as well. This is a fun race that several RMEC members did last year. This year they have certified the course, and will likely attract even more runners. To read about last years race, visit here.
Depending on the interest in the above events, we may move our Saturday group run to the afternoon, or maybe Sunday. Stay tuned!
I'm planning on doing the Outreach 5k. Would like to run Sat. afternoon or Sunday.
ReplyDeleteThis is my first tri. Can anyone give me some advice/tips as far as transition phases? Do you body glide before you swim or after, before the bike ride? Do you take time to change from swim suit to running shorts, or do you just swim in your running shorts? How is you bib number connected to you? Do you afix it after the swim, or go solely on some type of attached timing chip? Are there aid stations and are they spaced close enough together or do you recommend carrying addional water bottle and gels? Any additional information that might be noteworthy? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteSteve, there are more qualified people than me to answer, but here is my feedback.
ReplyDelete1) Transistion: some say skip socks. I need the to avoid blisters.
2) Swim: You will want to swim in "tri shorts". They have a small pad in the rear for biking, but small enough to not bother you on the run. You will do everything in these shorts. I have a pair you can borrow.
3) Bib: You can get a "race belt" to clip your number to. You put it on after the swim. This way you can flip it to your back while cycling, and to the front while running. Or, you can just pin it on your shirt before the race.
4) Aid: You should have plenty of aid available. You can put stuff in your transition area to take on the bike. Be sure to hydrate well with your own water bottle while riding.
5) Gels: You probably don't need gels for this distance, but just leave them in your transition area. Take one on the bike, or before the run if needed.
Good advice. I want to chime in and say keep the socks unless you've run a 5K without them prior to race day. I saw many bloody feet at a couple of triathlons last year after those new "sock free" Zoot shoes came out.
ReplyDeleteAlso, put your helmet on first and buckle it (in transition 1). To get on your bike without a fastened helmet is grounds for DQ.
Lastly, practice your transitions prior to the race. Transition times in sprint tri's are very fast: T1 - helmet - sunglasses - race belt - socks - bike shoes - unrack your bike and go; T2 - rack bike - sunglasses off - helmet off - bike shoes off - running shoes on - go. (That's the basics. Think minimalist.)
Best of Luck, Kinnie
Micheal, Wish I could be there. I'll be in Wingate with my Odyssey of the Mind team.
Steve,
ReplyDeleteFeel free to call me regarding tri details. I will be happy to help in any way, ie, needing race belt, chip band, etc.
Jeff Miller 937-8661
I may be running the Tarboro Outreach race as well.
ReplyDeleteSteve - This was my first tri last year and it's a great one to do as your first. Transitions definitely are key. I think I had one of the longest transition times -- ha ha -- but I learned from it.
ReplyDeletePut on body glide before your swim. You don't have time in transition. You likely won't need much since it is short distances. They will give you a timing chip you wear around your ankle. You put that one before the swim. There will be your first timing mat as you exit the pool area. Definitely have a water bottle ready on your bike and drink as you ride (so you don't lose time). I believe there are two water stops on the run. I would recommend wearing socks but pick ones that are easy to put on wet feet. I found that my thinner, low-cut socks went on easier than some of my other socks. I did one tri where I decided to forego the socks and ended up with really nice blisters. :-)
Bring a towel for your transtion area. It's not so much to dry off (no time for that) but to stand on when you're putting on shoes/socks (and to wipe grit off your feet).
Have fun!
I used thinner socks too, made it easier to get them on. You may want a water bottle to use at the transition to rinse your feet off as you step onto your towel and then dry off quickly before putting on socks. I think we run through the parking lot to your transition area..Tracy H
ReplyDeleteThanks, everyone, for the great tips and advice. I had no idea you could be DQ'd for not buckling your helmet before getting on your bike.
ReplyDeleteI am really looking forward to this event.