Dallas Athletes St. Patricks Day Sprint

The swim is obviously in a pool so no mass start which is nice for first race.  Depending on your pace fudge it alittle and give them a faster time than you can do (:15 secs or so).  For one you will be excited and can probably swim faster than you think and second it is easier to be passed than to pass in a pool.  Learn to flip turn if possible as you have to go under the ropes after each length and it definately makes it quicker.   The pool is huge and you can go 3 wide if needed so you have plenty of room.  Depending on where you normally swim try and find a deep pool to swim in if you are a beginner swimmer.  The first time I swan there I paniced for a second when I jumped into 12 ft deep water and was used to 4 feet deep.

The bike course is 2 loop around a big square with rolling hills.  My only hint is make sure you do 2 loops.  A few people each time only do 1 and get DQ'd.   You really do get any completely flat ground either except on the way to the loop.  You are either on a slight (very slight) incline or decline.  The bike is pretty simple though.

Run in on an enclosed concrete trail.  Completely flat and fast.  It is out and back so you pass alot of people for encouragement.  Only 1 water stop that you hit twice if needed.

Transitions are assigned rack by a number range (100-120 on 1 rack, 121-140 on another, etc)  if  you want an end spot get there early as you really only have 2 available to you.

I think these races are a blast especially for a first race.  I probably never would have attempted a tri unless I could have done one in a pool.

Have fun and good luck.

 BTW, here is the link to the bike course (only 1 loop) but you should get the idea.

Thanks for the information. It's already helping me thing it out!!!

Scott

This was my first ever race last year!  Its my home race, as we live in Keller, and ride most of the routes frequently.

Ken is right that the bike course is not at all difficult.  There are a few "inclines", not really hills since they don't last more than a minute or two to get up.  the roads are in great condition, so its plenty safe.  The run is on the trails in Bear Creek Park.  We run there multiple times per week.  There are only 2 small bumps on the trail, one shortly after you get onto the trail, and one shortly before the turn around. 

If it weren't for IMAZ this year, i'd be doing it again!

http://www.cityofdenton.com/pages/hoursandprices.cfm 

Clip on aerobars will help you save your legs on the run. You'll be more aero, so you'll be faster.

However, if you don't already have clipless pedals on your bike, I would get them first.

bkarhu and I are signed up for this as our first race of the season and a warm up (shake those transition cob webs loose!) to the Playtri HIM in April.  It will be my new tri bike's debut, so that should be fun. 

Who all is signed up for this race, and is anyone making a BT meeting point on race day?

Chris

Just registered for this race!  WIll be my first TEXAS race!  Just moved here from another state, so excited to check out the Tri Scene here.

Got a buddy joining in on the fun as well.

Hope it's warm on Race day!

As of this morning, 2/24/2008, the webpage indicates approximately 100 slots still remaining.

I've done a pool swim event several times, what are they doing for start intervals - 5 seconds, 10 seconds?  Just wondering.

We are not doing the race, but we plan to go, since we live in Keller, and this is right in our backyard.

A good meeting spot that is definitive in the facility is the steps.  there are 2 sets of steps as you walk into the door.  Figure the right set of steps, as it will probably be cold in the morning, and everyone will want to be inside before the start.