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Posts tagged Races
2012 Zilker Relays
Aug 15th
It’s that time again! The Zilker Relays are coming up on Friday, August 31st at 6:30p.m at Zilker Park. 
This 4-person relay race starts and finishes at the same location at 6:30p.m, near the Mopac footbridge on Stratford Road. The distance is 2.48 miles per leg of the adult race. The kids race, which starts at 6:00p.m runs approximately 600 meters each leg. Registration is open through the website, and will remain open until the 250 max team limit is reached. Also good to know, is that the price of registration also covers the festivities and the meals. With this year being the 10th anniversary, the relays are sure to be a special event filled with exceptionally good food, music and fun!
A detailed itinerary is located on the website, as is more info about the race. So get a group together, strap on those running shoes and sign up!
Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting Triathlon
Mar 6th
Check out this month’s Austin Woman Magazine for the monthly fitness article from MyFitList! Continuing our focus on Triathlon, we share our list of 9 Things I Wish I Knew Before Jumping into the Sport of Triathlon. Pick up your copy of Austin Woman Magazine on stands now, or read the March 2012 Digital Edition online!
Training and racing in triathlons is an amazing way to stay fit, particularly in Austin. Not only do you get to enjoy the outdoors as you swim, bike and run, but you also become a part of the vibrant triathlon community of athletes, coaches and supporters. Triathlon is one of the most popular endurance sports in Austin, and participating in this sport is an awesome experience that we encourage everyone to try at least once. Before you jump in to triathlon, we brought together coaches and experienced triathletes to share the insight they wish they had before they got started in the sport. See you at the finish line!
- Find Your Training Fit
Spend time figuring out what training setting works best for you. Do you need guidance, accountability or skill development? Do you prefer individual attention versus camaraderie with fellow athletes? Would you feel more comfortable training in a women-only group? Shop around before you join a group and take advantage of trial periods to make sure you enjoy working with the coaches and other athletes. - Beware of the Urge to Splurge
Triathlon can be a gear- and equipment-heavy sport. It can add up quickly if you’re not careful. But that’s not to say you can’t do triathlons if you’re on a budget. Be smart and spend wisely when necessary. Then, as you get more involved and experienced in the sport, upgrade your beginner gear. - Know What You’re Getting in to
Watch a race before you compete in your first race. It’s not only helpful to get a gr asp of logistics of the race—bike setup, open-water swim course, running course, transitions—it is also extremely motivating and will get you excited about your own race. Volunteering is a great way to get involved in the community, watch a race up close and personal, and meet fellow athletes. - It’s Not Just a Sport, It’s a Lifestyle
Triathlon requires a lot of training and discipline, and you’ll find that it influences many aspects of your life. You’ll go to sleep earlier on a Friday night and wake up earlier on a Saturday morning than you ever would have thought. You’ll start to eat better, read and blog about triathlon and talk to your friends about working out. - Not All Races Are Created Equal
For your first race, try a sprint distance or break up the Olympic distance in to a relay with two other friends. It is also a good idea to seek out a local race for your first. Traveling for a race brings with it a lot of other things to consider that you might not want to add to your first-race jitters. Ask around at local tri shops like Jack and Adam’s Bicycles. These experts will be able to recommend great local beginner-friendly races. - Be Your Own Barometer of Success
It’s easy to get caught up in the competitiveness of the sport. It is important to set your goals and decide what you want to achieve. Challenge yourself, and use races and your teammates as motivation to reach your goals, but remember what is important to you. - Self-Care is Critical
Triathlon and endurance-sport training put your body under physical stress, so it’s important to take really good care of yourself. This means massages, eating a balanced and nutrient-rich diet, stretching, foam rolling, yoga, cross training and listening to your body. Triathlon can be a very fun and fulfilling lifestyle, as long as you take care of your body. - It’s Highly Addictive
You think completing an Ironman sounds insane, impossible or you just don’t have time? Just wait until you complete your first season. You’ll be hooked for life! - Triathlon Can Change Your Life
You’ll meet some of your best friends (and friends you’ll see the most), improve your health and push yourself to new levels physically and mentally.
Now that you know what you’re getting in to, here are a few tips from a few of Austin’s top triathlon coaches to get you going!
Carrie Barrett of FOMO Training:
Have fun. The missing ingredient to so many people who are caught up in gadgets and wizardry. My personal mantra is, “If you can’t laugh at yourself, someone else will.” Have fun during the training. It truly is a gift. (More about FOMO Training)
Have fun. The missing ingredient to so many people who are caught up in gadgets and wizardry. My personal mantra is, “If you can’t laugh at yourself, someone else will.” Have fun during the training. It truly is a gift. (More about FOMO Training)
Shawn Bostad of Pure Austin Coaching (PAC):
Always train with a purpose. Have a goal with every session and make that goal measurable. (More about Pure Austin Coaching)
Tzatzil LeMair of Tough Cookie Fitness:
Mix it up and keep it fun. Variety is the spice of life also applies to fitness. Cross-training is not only good for you body but also your mind. Adding yoga, pilates or bootcamp classes can help keep you fit and avoid overuse injuries. (More about Tough Cookie Fitness)
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Chrissie Jarrell and Natalie Yerkovich, the gals who created myfitlist.com, do the grunt work for you. Well, the organizational grunt work, anyway. They work hard to connect people with the fitness groups, information and resources they need so they can grunt, sweat and tone to achieve their personal goals.
Read the fun and inspirational fitness articles by the creators of MyFitList, every month in Austin Woman Magazine. This article can be found in the March 2012 issue on stands and online now!
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MyFitList brings together the latest information on hundreds of local fitness businesses in Austin. We’re your resource for inspiration and information for getting and staying fit. Search hundreds of Austin fitness groups and services like running, triathlon, bootcamps, yoga studios, gyms and more all in one place! Check us out at www.myfitlist.com
Triathlon Guide for Beginners: Race Day
May 4th
To finish up our series on triathlon for beginners, we’re going to take a quick look into race day specifics. You’ve registered for the race, you’ve trained and prepared your body and mind, and you’ve purchased all the necessary gear. Now it’s time to wrap your head around the logistics of race day, when you’ll have your chance to put it all together!
To simplify what can seem like a complex series of steps, we’re going to break it down into the 7 stages of a race: Pre-Race, Swim; T1, Bike; T2, Run, and Post-Race.
PRE-RACE
Transition set-up
This is a great “how to” video on properly setting up your transition area:
The Triple Check (do this at least 10 minutes before your swim)
- Do you have your goggles
- Do you have your cap
- Do you have your timing chip
Calm the nerves
As you wait by the water prepping for your swim, you’ll want to find ways to help calm your nerves. Talking with friends, stretching or reflecting back on all the hard work and training that you did in preparation will help calm your mind and keep you relaxed.
SWIM
The swim start at a triathlon can be an overwhelming and intense experience. Here is a funny video put together by ClifBar that highlights this fact:
Hopefully you’ve practiced swimming in open water and swimming with others. If you are nervous about the swim start, position yourself towards the back to avoid the big rush up front. If it is permitted, another thing you can do to prepare for the swim start is acclimate to the water by getting in and warming-up ahead of time. A swim warm-up allows you to get a feel for water temperature and clarity.
T1
Here are the things you want to be sure to grab at your first transition: helmet, bike shoes, nutrition/water, sunglasses, and put on any additional clothing. Do a quick double-check to make sure you have everything before heading out onto the bike course – it’s better to have a transition that is 30 seconds longer than realizing you forgot your water bottles when you are out on the road.
BIKE
The bike portion of a triathlon is pretty straightforward and depends a lot upon the terrain and the course. A few things to keep in mind:
- Be aware of the athletes around you
- Stay to the right unless you are passing
- Hydrate and take any nutrition you have brought along to be sure you will be fueled up for the run
It’s often a good idea, especially if this is your first race, to drive the bike course the day or two before the race. This will help you become more familiar with the terrain and course layout.
T2
The second transition is a lot easier than the first. Drop off all your bike gear and just change out your bike shoes for your running shoes. Also, you’ll need to grab your race belt with your number (if you didn’t have to wear it on the bike).
RUN
If the bike portion of the triathlon was straightforward, the run is even more so. The main thing to be prepared for is how your legs are going to feel coming off the bike. You are 2/3 into your race at this point and some fatigue is setting in. Something you can do in preparation for your race and for this feeling of “heavy” legs after the bike are “brick” workouts – this is where you will practice running directly after cycling. If you’ve done this in practice, you will feel much better about it on race day. Be sure to pace yourself and stay on top of hydration and nutrition.
POST-RACE
After you’ve crossed the finish line, be sure to celebrate your accomplishment! Connect with those around you who also finished the race and enjoy the post-race festivities.
….and then go sign-up for your next one!
For more of the specifics on race day rules and regulations, visit the USA Triathlon’s website: http://www.usatriathlon.org/resources/multisport-101
Need a visual of what to expect on race day? Check out this video from High Five Events of The Rookie Triathlon:
See what else MyFitList has been talking about: www.myfitlist.com/blog
Triathlon Guide for Beginners: Training Tips
Apr 20th
Training Ideas & Tips for the Beginner Triathlete
This is part 2 of our 4 part series on triathlon for beginners. Last week we talked about finding your motivation to jump into the sport and picking the best first race. In case you missed it, read it here: http://www.myfitlist.com/blog/?p=237
In this article we’ll cover some ideas and tips for getting the most out of your training. For most people, how well you prepare will have a big impact on how much fun you have on race day.
1. Have a plan
If this is your first triathlon race, it is recommended that you spend at least 6 to 8 weeks preparing for the race. If you are very new to exercise and activity you will want to extend that period to 8 to 16 weeks. Additionally, if swimming is your weakest of the 3 sports, consider taking some lessons or a swim clinic before starting your training.
Here are a few online resources for finding a triathlon training plan:
http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/
http://www.active.com/triathlon/
http://www.trinewbies.com/tno_trainingprograms.asp
2. Find support and guidance
If you are new to any of the 3 sports, it is definitely worth the time and investment to have the guidance of a coach. Swimming, cycling, and running are all technical sports and you will have more success (and more fun) if you get coaching. There are lots of triathlon training programs in Austin. Or, if you only need help with a specific sport, find a swimming, cycling, or running specialist.
3. Grab a friend…or two…or three…
You will be more successful and you’ll have more fun if you train with others. Whether you recruit a few friends or join a training club, the accountability and motivation that comes from training with others is huge.
4. Practice the details
To be well prepared for race-day, you must not overlook the details. Once you get the swimming, cycling, and running training down, spend some time thinking about the specifics.
Transitions are a big part of a triathlon race and if you don’t practice them, they can be one of the most challenging aspects. Learn what needs to go where and practice them!
The other detail that many beginners overlook is the difference between swimming in a pool and swimming in open water. Carve out some training time to get in an open water swimming environment (Barton Springs is great!) and practice sighting and swimming in a straight line. It’s amazing what happens when you take the lane lines and the black stripes away.
Plan out what gear you will need for race day. It can be overwhelming if you don’t figure this out ahead of time. There is a long list of gear that can (and should) be used during your race….from timing chips and race belts to tri shorts and speed laces…do some research, ask your coaches and teammates, or the experts at local triathlon shops.
5. Watch a race
One of the most invaluable things you can do before your first race is to be a spectator at a triathlon race. By absorbing the environment and noting the details from the sidelines, you’ll be able to better prepare and visualize your own race-day experience.
The age-group triathletes who contributed insight into why they did their first triathlon in the first part of this series, also have a bit of advice for newbies:
JEREMIAH J.
(1) Workouts can, only on some occasions, be used to MEASURE fitness… its best to think about workouts in terms of their primary purpose, which is – in every case – to BUILD fitness – bad workouts build fitness, and dwelling on bad workouts is one of the easiest ways to fuel negativity. (2) Set your purpose for participation, and plan your involvement and goals around your purpose
NANCY E.
Get a training buddy. This way you will have some to hold you accountable and to race with.
LOGAN D.
Enjoy it. Too many of us get all worked up about this sport. It’s a sport…..not a liver transplant.
LAURA H.
Enjoy yourself! Don’t get caught up in your times or how you “place” or how many races you do. Everyone who does triathlons, regardless of race distance or number of years in the sport, is a total bad@ss for trying something different and being a part of an amazing community in ATX.
GORDON M.
Its all mental.
JESS K.
Practice everything…including running in bike shoes, transitions, mounting your bike with people around, dismounting. I can’t stress enough how important it is to practice transitions. visualize the transition before the race. Go over your transition in your head the morning of and pick up all the items one at a time that you will need to make sure you have all of your gear. Oh and have fun…a lot of triathletes take themselves and their races too seriously….we do this for fun…..so smile and enjoy the day .
Amanda M.
Keep a balanced approach to life and triathlon to ensure you stay excited about the sport for the long-term.
We hope these tips are helpful as you prepare for your triathlon race. Now go get training!
Triathlon Guide for Beginners: Find a Race
Apr 13th
This is part 1 of a 4 part series on triathlons! Tri season is upon us and there are many reasons why you should considergiving them a try (if you haven’t already). Instead of me telling you why you should do a triathlon, I decided to reach out to a few age-group triathletes for their opinion….here’s what they had to say:
JEREMIAH J.
WHY: variety of multi-sport training; new challenges; welcoming/supportive community; mystique of the sport
FIRST RACE: Splash Triathlon, at Sea World in San Antonio, TX – September 2004
NANCY E.
WHY: I made a deal with a friend of mine that if she did a marathon that I would do a triathlon. I hardly back down from a challenge. It was a real challenge to learn to swim and ride a bike again. I had to finish what I had started. Little did I know how far I would take it.
FIRST RACE: Splash! Triathlon in 2004 at Sea World in San Antonio, Texas
LOGAN D.
WHY: To prove to myself that I could do it; All the cool people were doing it; I was bored and looking for something else to do.
FIRST RACE: Cactus Challenge in 2005
GORDON M.
WHY: (1) Had quit smoking and wanted to get fitter. (2) Always been a swimmer, cyclist. (3) Someone at work challenged me to do my first sprint
FIRST RACE: Chester Sprint Triathlon, in Chester, England
JESS K.
WHY: I chose triathlons because I liked all three sports and I wanted to see if I could do them all at once. I was training for a marathon and wanted a break from just running.
FIRST RACE: I did the Rookie as my first because I knew that i would not be the only first timer out there…then the whole Texas Tri Series in practice for my first Ironman the same year.
AMANDA M.
WHY: (1) Friends/family who had done one before - without that I’m not sure how I would have heard about the sport. (2) Looking for a new challenge (3) Fantastic training programs available in the community.
FIRST RACE: Danskin
LAURA H.
WHY: My aunt is a lymphoma survivor and I wanted to raise money and race in honor of her. I felt very stagnant with no purpose outside of work and decided I wanted to get in shape. I wanted to meet new people with different interests other than mine.
FIRST RACE: Memphis in May, Olympic distance in 2002
Everyone has their own reasons for getting started in the sport of triathlon. Figure out what will drive you to take the leap!
There are 4 main distances in the sport of triathlon:
SPRINT: (also comes in the ‘super-sprint’ variety, with even shorter distances). Most sprints are:
Swim: 750 meters
Bike: 20 km (12.4 mi)
Run: 5 km (3.1 mi)
OLYMPIC:
Swim: 1.5 km (0.93 mi)
Bike: 40 km (24.8 mi)
Run: 10 km (6.2 mi)
HALF IRONMAN-distance:
Swim: 1.93 km (1.2 mi)
Bike: 90 km (56 mi)
Run: 21.09 km (13.1 mi)
IRONMAN-distance:
Swim: 3.86 Km (2.4 mi)
Bike: 180 km (112 mi)
Run: 42.2 km (26.2 mi)
For most beginners, it is recommended that you get your feet wet by starting with the sprint distance. If you are feeling nervous about any of the specific legs of the race, there is also often the ability to do a triathlon as part of a relay. Get 3 friends together, split the race up amongst you, and compete together!
Here are a few great resources for locating your first (or next) triathlon event:
http://www.jackandadams.com/Calendar.asp
http://www.runtex.com/web/4-2.asp
http://www.trifind.com/
http://www.active.com/triathlon/
Stay tuned to part 2 of this series, where we talk about training ideas and tips for preparing for your race.
Are you training for an upcoming race? We’d love to hear about it.
Are you training with a specific training group? Which one?
There are a number of great triathlon training groups and coaches in town, check them out here: http://www.myfitlist.com/find/activity/triathlon