FIT - Florida International Triathlon: Sprint Course : Official Thread

I'm doing it.  It's my 'comeback' race after hurting my Achilles last August.  No great expectations, but looking to have some fun.

Mark

My husband and I are signed up.  It's our second triathlon, first was at Ft. Desoto a couple of weeks ago.  Had a great first experience and are looking forward to this race, although I'm a bit concerned about traffic on the bike course.

The roads will be open to traffic, but they always have plenty of course marshalls and police at the major intersections.  The worst place is probably the intersection at Stickney Pt road, but again, they always have police there stopping traffic for riders.

Mark

Heard at St. A's from a Storm member that the run WILL BE on the beach this year.  NO SIDEWALK/PAVEMENT at all for both the Oly and Sprint runs.

yuck!

Most of the run is on the packed sand along the high tide line, so that's not too bad.  The worst part (at least for me) is running through the soft sand from T2 to the water and then back to the finish line at the end. 

Actually, I prefer the scenery along the beach, if you know what I mean...

Mark

Edited by RedCorvette 2011-05-04 9:39 AM

Just to confirm what I posted on the Siesta Key thread, the race director tells me that you do not have to check your bike into transition the night before for the FIT triathlon on Saturday, 5/14.  You can check it in if you want to, but it is not manditory. 

The information on the race web site was incorrect.

Hope to see everyone there on Saturday!

Mark

I went out at noon to pick up my race packet and checked out the expo.  Check-in is well organized.  Cool hat in the goodie bag.  The shirt looks like the ones they gave out at the Family Fitness Weekend race last year on Siesta, but it's OK.

I was impressed by the huge chain-link fence surrounding the TA.  Very secure looking.

Expo was good.  Drooled over a new Cannondale Slice in the Village Bikes tent that just happened to be my size.  May have to go back and talk to Tony and the crew tomorrow... 

In their infinite wisdom, the county has decided that this would be a good time to re-pave the parking lot, so some of the areas were roped off for that.  Probably shouldn't be a problem if you get there early.

I also did a spin around the bike course one last time in my car.  There's some sand in a few places on the bike lane on the east side of Midnight Pass Rd after you make the turnaround.  I know in the past they've tried to go out and sweep the worst spots the night before the race, but keep an eye open.

Also, if you haven't ridden the course before, there is a sharp 90⁰ left turn immediately after you cross over the little canal bridge ( the only elevation change on the course).  You can get going pretty well coming off the bridge, but then you have to brake almost right away for the turn. ( I got into a nice two-wheel side there a couple of years ago and almost went down.)  They usually have plenty of volunteers and a Cop at that spot.
I'm getting psyched now...

Mark

Typically they give those out race morning.   I didn't get one today either at checkin.

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