Need a New Year's Resolution? Try the new Texas Tri Series

Looking to put some strong commitments behind your New Year's resolution to stay fit & healthy? The Texas Tri Series might be just what you are looking for. The original premise behind the creation of the series was to provide motivation for anyone to stay fit and active throughout the year. The idea was to tie together some of the regions best events into a series that would be fun and competitive, but achievable by anyone. We also wanted to put out a strong enough reward, the Texas Tri Series Finisher Party, so that it would help get you out of bed for that morning run or stop you from eating the 3rd slice of pie.

2011 looks to be the best Texas Tri Series yet. It's the 5th annual series, so the party will be sure to be good, plus there are some exciting changes and additions:

• The Rookie Triathlon -The signature kickoff to the triathlon season has been moved a few weeks earlier to April 17th, and to a new venue near Austin. The event was moved for 2 reasons. First, we wanted the Rookie to be the first event of the season for most everyone. Second, we needed a venue that could accommodate more people. The Rookie has become so popular that many first time triathletes were being shut out because all the triathlon "veterans" also wanted to do the event. The new venue allows us to host both a true "Rookies" event for first timers, and there is a "veterans" race for all the experienced triathletes.
• A sixth event has been added to the Texas Tri Series lineup, the Lake Pflugerville Triathlon on June 19th. We've had our eye on this event since it started, and we think it will make a great addition. The Pflugerville tri community puts on a well organized, safe, and fun event.
• Last, there will be a new anchor event to the series. It will now be the Kerrville Triathlon festival, on October 1-2. This new event will bring a new long course triathlon to Texas hill country on an outstanding course with a downtown finish. There's also a sprint event the day before. We'll have more info posted soon.

Don't forget that you must register for the Texas Tri Series before June 1, 2011. It's free! Second, you must register for each of the events individually. Some of the events are sure to sell out so register early. There are early bird registration discounts too. Why wait?

Announcing the Round Rock Express Ride

Jack & Adam's Bicycles, Please BE KIND to Cyclists, the Round Rock Express, and High Five Events are pleased to announce the inaugural Round Rock Express Ride cycling event. This one-of-a-kind cycling event has ride distances of 77 and 27 miles, and includes tickets to a minor league baseball game! The ride exists to promote health & fitness through cycling and to benefit the Please BE KIND to Cyclists non-profit organization.

Details on the event can be found at www.rrexpressride.com.

All New Rookie Triathlon

2011 will bring a re-vamped Rookie Triathlon, with a new date, new venue, new course, and improved format! The event will now be held at Walter E. Long Park, just minutes outside downtown Austin, and earlier in the year, on April 17th.

The triathlon will still be the same super sprint distance of 300 meter swim, 11.2 mile bike, and 2 mile run. Although, the bike course will have few more hills. The swim and run courses will be brand new for the venue.

The most significant improvement is the addition of a true "Rookies" division. This division will be open to only those participants who are doing their first or second triathlon. There will be separate swim waves and award categories.

Stay tuned for more info as we work out the finer details. It's sure to be a nice improvement to an already great event!

Texas Tri Series All Star Volunteers

Final Results for the 2010 Texas Tri Series are posted on the home page of TexasTriSeries.com. Jack & Adam's Bicycles and High Five Events would like to especially thank all of you who volunteered at events throughout the series. This year, there was a record number of individuals who volunteered at all 5 events in the series. AMAZING!

2010 All Star Volunteers:

Gordon Alexander, Laurie Allen, June Black, Vic Black, Jodi Denyszyn, Mary Dodson, Paul Edmonds, Mary Egan, Stacy Farrugia, Doug Gillenwater, Rhonda Halliburton, Annette Kobus, Teri Lybecker, Carolyn Marek, Tom Marek, Christine Marquette, Judy Melchor, Nancy Moore, Roy Moore, Rob Murphy, Kathleen Murray, Jennifer Phillips, Shawn Phillips, Javier Pina, James Thomas, Denise Trybalski

TRIATHLON 101 - The History of Triathlon

Early triathlons were held as off-beat training exercises for runners. The first known swim/bike/run triathlons were held at San Diego’s (Calif.) Mission Bay in 1974. Organized by members of the San Diego Track Club, the events were held on summer evenings and were intended as no more than light-hearted breaks in the normal grind of training for marathons and 10Ks. One athlete who raced at the first Mission Bay Triathlon, John Collins, was very influential in the further development of the sport. Collins, a U.S. Naval Officer, took the triathlon concept to Hawaii and used it several years later to combine three of Oahu’s endurance events – the Waikiki Rough Water Swim, the Around-Oahu Bike Ride and the Honolulu Marathon – into one race: the Ironman.

Only 12 men completed the first race held in January of 1978. In 1979, 13 men and one woman crossed the finish line. But a Sports Illustrated article by Barry McDermott in May 1979 increased the 1980 field into the hundreds and brought ABC’s Wide World of Sports to Hawaii for the first of an unbroken string of annual network broadcasts. In 1982, the last year no qualifying was needed to compete at Ironman, the dramatic footage of Julie Moss crawling on her hands and knees to a second-place finish at Ironman, triggered an explosion of interest. The same year also witnessed the birth of Triathlon Magazine, the sport’s first national publication; the founding of the U.S. Triathlon Association (later named USA Triathlon), triathlon’s national governing body; and the U.S. triathlon Series, the first national racing series.

The decade that saw phenomenal growth in triathlon, the 1980s, ended with a step toward the future. In 1989, after several failed attempts, triathlon formed an international governing body. Twenty-five nations were represented at the founding congress of the International Triathlon Union in April in Avignon, France. The focus of the International Triathlon Union (ITU) was to gain acceptance by the International Olympic Committee and have triathlon accepted on the Olympic program. The first step in that process would be to create a triathlon world championship. The race took place four months later in Avignon with Mark Allen of the United States and Erin Baker of New Zealand winning the inaugural world championship.

The Ironman World Championship in Hawaii may be triathlon’s most recognizable event, but the international distance is the sport’s most popular. The 1.5K swim, 40K bike, and 10K run is triathlon’s international standard and the format used at the triathlon world championship and eventually the Olympics. The 1980s also saw the development of the "sprint distance" triathlon, which is about half the distance of an international distance race.

In 1991, the IOC recognized the ITU as the sole governing body for the sport of triathlon at its 97th session in Birmingham, England. In 1993 the Pan American Games approved triathlon for competition at the 1995 Pan Am Games in Mar del Plata, Argentina. The first Goodwill Games Triathlon was held in St. Petersburg, Russia on July 23, 1994. Then in September of 1994, triathlon was named to the Olympic program as a medal sport at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.

The first Olympic triathlons were held Sept. 16-17, 2000 in Sydney, Australia. Switzerland's Brigitte McMahon won the women's race and Canada's Simon Whitfield won the men's race.

The United States won its first Olympic triathlon medal on August 25, 2004, when Susan Williams of Littleton, Colo., placed third in the women’s event in Athens, Greece. Kate Allen of Austria won the women’s race and Hamish Carter of New Zealand won the men’s race the next day.

For more on triathlon: www.usatriathlon.org/resources/multisport-101/history-of-triathlon

ALL STAR VOLUNTEERS - Judy Melchor

We would like to spotlight Judy Melchor this month. Thank you Judy for all of your time and amazing energy! You add so much to each and every High Five Event!

How long have you been involved in triathlon as a volunteer and as an athlete?
Started racing triathlons and volunteering at races since '99.

Why do you volunteer?
When I am racing, volunteers make my race day so much better. In either rain or shine they cheer, provide water/gator and everyone can feed of their energy to get through the race. What a better way to give back to the sport! By volunteering I can pay it forward and help make someone else race a success.

What is your favorite High Five Volunteer Perk?
Besides volunteering with amazing friends who I have raced with a time or two. The volunteer party!! It is so much fun to see everyone and just laugh and have a good time

What is the most memorable volunteer moment you've experienced at an event?
It was very late in the day and only the family of the last athlete left and I were at the finish line. We saw her coming around the corner walking in and we just busted out cheering her in, encouraging her to finish strong and run in the last few yards. The huge smile on her face as she saw us and started to run to the finish. She crossed the finish line with the biggest smile on her face and thanking us all for getting her there and for staying around to see her finish. Seeing how her family celebrated with her was well worth the wait. As I was cleaning up she returned, still with a big grin on her face, and thanked me for staying around to make sure she finished and for volunteering. That alone made my day!

Of all things you've seen as a volunteer, what is one suggestion you would make to athletes to help their day?
Enjoy the day and smile through out the race! You have worked so hard in training why not enjoy your success in achieving your goal. Enjoy the moment!!

Which is your favorite High Five Event and why?
Love Couples Tri! It is a lot of fun and it is always great to see the groups that race! Not to mention the team names, you just have to love the creativity!!

What do you like to do when you're not volunteering/racing?
Spending time with family and friends. May it be a BBQ, camping, day at the park or catching up with drinks and a movie.

Which is your favorite High Five Volunteer Shirt?
I can't remember what race this was from but has been my favorite so far. All it said in the front was "Volunteer".

What is your favorite Volunteer Assignment and why?
Definitely finish line! Love to see athletes cross the finish line with big smiles knowing they achieved their goal.

Do you listen to music when you train? If so, what are some of your favorite tunes?
To many to list! Anything from Salsa to Top Hits! If its music you can dance to and has a great beat then it is on my play list to train with. What a better way to motivate you when you train than some very upbeat music!

Tracking updated with AVIA Austin Triathlon results

Tracking for the Texas Tri Series is updated to include results and volunteers from The AVIA Austin Triathlon.  Only participants in the Olympic distance event were eligible for time tracking.  All others have been given credit towards finishing the series.

Please check your results closely and email corrections to dan@highfiveevents.com.

Austin Tri Results

By Brom Hoban American Statesman Correspondant

Not even a flat tire on his bike could stop Great Britain's Philip Graves from winning the fourth edition of the Austin Triathlon on Monday.

Despite the tire mishap, which came with more than two miles to go in the 24.8-mile bike leg of the Olympic-distance race, Graves still finished first overall, 1 minute and 21 seconds ahead of Australia's Ritchie Cunningham.

The two men, who now live and train in Austin, scrambled out of Lady Bird Lake in a dead heat after completing the 1,500-meter swim in 17:56. The 21-year-old Graves pushed hard on the bike, leaving Cunningham behind as he completed the first two loops of the downtown course.

As he rode on Cesar Chavez Street, though, Graves blew out his rear tire. Realizing he had no time to perform an on-the-fly repair, Graves covered the last couple of miles on the bike's wheel rim.

" I put my bike in the biggest gear and put all my weight on the front wheel, trying to limit the damage," said the 21-year-old Graves, who last year became the youngest male winner of a major Ironman event with his victory at the Ironman UK in Bolton, England. "I just wanted to get to the run start safely and in one piece."

Not only did he arrive safely to the start of the 10-kilometer run, but Graves' time of 56:08 in the bike leg put him two minutes ahead of Cunningham.

Still, Cunningham is known as one of better runners competing in triathlons, and Graves took nothing for granted.

"He is a much stronger runner than I am so I usually try to get off the bike ahead," Graves said.

Sure enough, Cunningham cover the 10K course in 33:41, but he couldn't make up enough time to catch Graves, whose overall time was 1 hour, 52 minutes and 11 seconds..

"The way Philip hit the bike course — that was pretty impressive. I couldn't respond to that," said Cunningham, whose finishing time was 1:53:32.

A former Austinite, Michael Lavato of Boulder, Colo., placed third in 1:54:43.

In the women's Olympic-distance race, Austinites Kelly Williamson and Desiree Ficker entered the closing run neck and neck. Williamson, who was coming off a victory at the Steelhead 70.3 — a half-Ironman event — in Benton, Mich., on July 31, pulled away in the run to finish first in 2 hours and 25 seconds. Ficker, the defending women's champion, was second, 2 minutes and 9 seconds behind.

Williamson and Ficker both trailed Canada's Tenille Hoogland coming out of the water, but they passed Hoogland during the bike leg.

"Desiree caught me right at the same time we both passed Tenille," said Williamson, "but my biking has been really strong lately so I think that helped me start the run with less fatigue."

Williamson, who will be competing at the 2010 Ironman World Championship in Hawaii in October, cruised through the 10K run in 34:55, steadily moving away from Ficker, who clocked a 37:06. She earned $1,200 for her victory, as did Graves.

"I felt a little rough today," said Ficker, who recently returned from a month of racing in Europe, where she won the TriStar111 Triathlon on Aug. 7 in Estonia. "I tried to hang with her as long as possible, but I could tell about a mile into the run that she was the stronger runner today."

Hoogland hung on for third place in 2:05:56 .

Mike Montoya, a middle school teacher in Las Cruces, N.M., won the sprint-distance race designed for aspiring triathletes, finishing in 1 hour, 14 minutes and 53 seconds.

Jessica Waninger, a cross country runner for the University of Texas at Tyler , was first woman to finish the sprint-distance event, posting a time of 1:23:37.

For Full Results, click here.

Austin Tri Participant Guide

The AVIA Austin Triathlon Participant Guide may be downloaded at www.theaustintriathlon.com/Participant-Guide.pdf.  A hard copy of the guide will be included in the event goodie bag provided at packet pickup.

TRIATHLON 101 - August 2010

With The AVIA Austin Triathlon approaching, we thought it would be a good idea to give you an inside look as to the “ins-and-outs” of this fantastic course! We’ve asked High Five Events Race Director, Dan Carroll, to give some quick pointers – so you can get excited and be ready for what’s ahead:


Packet Pick-up & Transition
A little different from the past High Five Events events so far this summer is the packet pick-up and Transition set-up procedures.

1. Packet pick-up will be one-day only and will take place on Sunday, September 5th at the Hyatt Regency Hotel from 10-6pm. During packet pick-up, there will also be a really cool athlete expo and informative seminars throughout the day.  TIP: Need last minute essentials, Jack & Adams will be there for you at the Expo! Also, come prepared with your photo ID and USAT card to be able to pick up your packet.
2. Transition set-up is done the day BEFORE event day. After picking-up your packet at the Hyatt, you will need to check-in your bike at the transition area that same day. Having the bikes already checked-in the night before will make event-morning a lot easier and less stressful.  TIP: Be sure to put your numbers on your bike before checking it into the transition area. Also, don’t put any plastic bags over any parts of your bike. This will cause the bikes to blow in the wind and the plastic often gets stuck in the gears. Check out the bikes in the Open wave rack. None will have plastic bags on them. 

Swim Course
The AVIA Austin Triathlon is one of only a few times that the City of Austin allows people to swim in Lady Bird Lake – and what a great experience it is!

1. The swim start is a deep-water start. Come prepared to jump into the water off a dock (about a foot above the water) to prepare for the race start. Participants will tread water and line up in front of the dock to wait for the starting horn (about 1-2 minutes). TIP: If you are a slower swimmer, or are less comfortable treading water for a period of time, be prepared to enter the water last and be towards the back of your swim wave.
2. With multiple bridges and banks on both sides, this swim course has many great points for sighting. TIP: Before jumping in for your wave, have a look for these points and use them to help you swim in the right direction.
3. On Labor Day, the water temperature is usually around 75 degrees, so the swim will likely be wetsuit legal. However, anything is possible with these warmer temperatures we’ve been having. TIP: Be prepared for both a wetsuit and non-wetsuit swim.

Bike Course
Three loops for Olympic distance and two loops for sprint distance on the scenic downtown roads make this an exciting course for all levels of participants!

1. Be prepared for a short hill at the very start of the bike course. This means, having your bike in the right gear coming out of transition. It’s not really steep, but if you find yourself stuck in a hard gear you’ll have a bit more trouble. TIP: The road at the start and finish of the bike course is very narrow. Take it easy heading out and coming in. There’s plenty of course to put the hammer down, but this is not the place.
2. With this multi-loop course, you will have some u-turns. Be prepared and know ahead of time when to expect these u-turns, as you will want to slow down, stay your line, and be aware of those around you as you all safely make the turn. TIP: If you have weaker bike handling skills, stay towards the outside (or the right) as you make the turns – this will give you a wider turning radius.
3. As this is a pretty fast bike course, please be aware not to draft. Drafting is being less than 3 bike lengths behind the person in front of you. We will have officials patrolling the course enforcing the no-drafting USAT rules. TIP: Come to the pre-race meetings at the expo to learn more about the USAT rules.

Run Course
The AVIA Austin Triathlon run course is flat and compact, which makes it extremely spectator friendly and competitive. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Expect it to be hot with very little shade. Use the aid stations to help you keep cool. TIP: Consider wearing a hat or visor to help keep your head cool.
2. At some of the aid stations, there will be the opportunity to get wet underneath a sprinkler or hose. Take advantage of it. A little cool water does wonders in the heat.
3. The course is a combination of grass/dirt trails, pavement, and sidewalk. TIP: Take a look at the race course maps and come up with a strategy to help you tackle the course!

We can’t wait to see you all out on Auditorium Shores for the start of The AVIA Austin Triathlon on Labor Day – Monday, September 6th, 2010. We hope these tips give you a better sense of what to expect on event day and help you get excited for the fantastic day it is sure to be!

USAT Officials Corner - August 2010

One would think that with the recent high temperatures in Austin, TX have been over 100 degrees that The Austin Tri would NOT be wetsuit legal. . . BUT as of August 24th temperatures in Lady Bird Lake prove otherwise. The final temperature will be taken on race day, but as of now, it looks like athletes may have the option to wear a wetsuit in the open water swim this coming Labor Day. Here are the official temperatures regarding wetsuits as officiated by USA Triathlon, as well as other swim related rules to keep you and all athletes safe this Labor Day weekend!

Section 4.4 Wet suits. Each age group participant shall be permitted to wear a wet suit without penalty in any event sanctioned by USA Triathlon up to and including a water temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water temperature is greater than 78 degrees, but less than 84 degrees Fahrenheit, age group participants may wear a wet suit at their own discretion, provided however that participants who wear a wet suit within this temperature range shall not be eligible for prizes or awards. Age group participants shall not wear wet suits in water temperatures equal to or greater than 84 degrees Fahrenheit. The wetsuit policy for elite athletes shall be determined by the USAT Athletes Advisory Council. The AAC has set the wetsuit maximum temperature for elite/pros at 68 degrees for swim distances less than 3000 meters and 71.6 degrees for distances of 3000 meters or greater.

Section 4.7 Official Equipment. If provided by race management, a swimmer shall wear the proper official swim cap corresponding to his wave. The penalty for an infraction of this rule is a variable time penalty. For safety reasons if no official cap is provided, all swimmers should wear their own brightly colored swim cap.

Section 4.8 Goggles. Swimmers may wear, but shall not be required to wear, swim goggles or face masks.

Section 4.9 Illegal Equipment. Any swimmer wearing any artificial propulsion device, including but not limited to fins, gloves, paddles, or floating devices of any kind shall be disqualified.

Discussion

It all boils down to this:

• 78 degrees or below:  Wear a wetsuit if you like.  It's not required.
• 78 - 84:  You may wear a wetsuit, but you will not be eligible for rankings or awards
• Above 84:  It's way too warm to wear a wetsuit.  Go to the sauna instead.
• Don't use any equipment that gives you an unfair advantage.  And yes, people have actually tried to use fins during the swim!

August 2010 Featured Volunteer

Dan Kirkley

Thank you to all the volunteers who help make High Five Events' events a success! From the packet stuffing a few days before, to bodymarking on event morning, to post-event clean-up (and all the many other ways!) -- we could not do it without you.

If you know someone interested in getting started with triathlon, volunteering is a great way to see the "ins-and-outs" of the sport and can often be just the thing to get inspired to try it out for the first time!

Every month we like to highlight a special volunteer. Up this month, one of the most inspiring people on the course: Dan Kirkley!

How many years have you volunteered with High Five Events? This is year #4. My son Matt and I have been finishers since the (Texas Tri) series began.

What is your favorite part of volunteering at High Five Event races? My very favorite part is doing things with my family (my children). I also really enjoy helping people and encouraging them to excel.

Why do you volunteer? I volunteer because it lightens the load for others and because it gives me the opportunity to rub shoulders with athletes and people like Jack, Dan, Michelle, Nick and others who"know the business."

What's the craziest thing you've witnessed while volunteering? The number of athletes who think their bikes are "stolen" before we find them for them in transition. Also, the number of swimmers who've not ever practiced in open water and are unable to complete the swim.

What's your favorite part of the course to work? Transition or swim

Favorite sport besides triathlon? Fishing

What is the earliest you've woken up to volunteer? 3:00 AM to drive from Belton to help with parking.

Favorite volunteer perk? Finishers Banquet. The food, visiting, crazy awards and finisher award. (Matt and I are looking forward to being five year finishers next year).

Best/Worst volunteer t-shirt color? My favorite t-shirt, if I can remember correctly, was the 2008 "Austin" which was a moisture wicking white with the colorful Austin Tri emblem. The sky blue "Rookie" this year was pretty good also. My least favorite are the yellows.

Thanks Dan!

Sign-up to volunteer at the upcoming AVIA Austin Triathlon!

Registration is Still Open!

Registration is still open for the 2010 Austin Triathlon.  Sign up here.  Roughly 300 spots remain and they are going fast.  Yeah, it might be hot, but you'll stay cool with the free tech tee and Sweat Vac hat.  We will also have a brilliant finisher medal, ice cold water bottle, and free ice cream and New Belgium Beer waiting for you at the finish line.  Plus rockin' tunes from LC Rocks all morning long!

Water Temp & Wetsuits

Current water temperature is 73 F.  It is anticipated that the swim will be wetsuit legal.  This event will be governed by USA Triathlon rules.  The official water temperature will be posted prior to the start of the Expo on Sunday, September 5th.

ARE YOU GONNA GET YOURS?!

LC ROCKS!!!

We are pleased to announce Austin's very own 80's metal party band, LC ROCKS, to play at the Austin Tri after party! With sounds echoing Bon Jovi, Guns n Roses, Def Leppard, Journey, AC/DC, and Twisted Sister, (to name just a few!), we will be rockin' all morning long!

Swim, Ride, Run, Rock!!!

Tracking Updated Through Jack's Generic Triathlon

Tracking for the Texas Tri Series is updated to include results and volunteers from Jack's Generic Triathlon.  


Please check your results closely and email corrections to dan@highfiveevents.com.

Tracking Updated through Couples Triathlon

Texas Tri Series tracking is now updated through Couples Triathlon.  In addition, Skeese Greets Triathlon finisher times have been adjusted to account for the shortened bike course.

Skeese Greets Time Adjustment for TTS

The Skeese Greets Tri bike course was changed due to flooding at the low water crossing on Francis Harris Lane.  The new bike course was 0.6 miles shorter than the normal course.  As a result, the bike split times for Skeese Greets Tri were faster than they were for the Rookie Tri held one week earlier.  Therefore, any finisher of the Skeese Greets Tri who is using their finisher time for the Texas Tri Series overall time tracking will have their Skeese Greets Tri time adjusted as follows:

1. The bike pace from Skeese Greets Tri will be multiplied by the difference in length of the two courses.
2. This time will be added to the overall time so that the Skeese Greets time will roughly equate to a Rookie Tri time.

2010 Results Posted

2010 Texas Tri Series results tracking have finally been posted for The Rookie.  There are a few data issues with the Couples results.  Those are expected to be worked out in the next few days and then the series results will be updated ASAP.


View the full results at www.texastriseries.com/results.asp.

Jack's Generic Triathlon Participant Guide

The 2010 Jack's Generic Triathlon Participant Guide may be downloaded here:  www.jacksgenerictri.com/Participant-Guide.pdf.


A hard copy of the guide will be available in the race packet.

Couples Triathlon Participant Guide

The 2010 Couples Triathlon Participant Guide may be downloaded here:  www.couplestri.com/Participant-Guide.pdf.


A hard copy of the guide will be available in the race packet.

AVIA Austin Tri Medals

Finisher medals for the 2010 AVIA Austin Triathlon have been ordered.  Check it out:  

May Splash-n-Dash Sold Out

The May Splash-n-Dash event is sold out at 200 participants.  We will not be accepting any more entries.  Registrations may not be transferred from one person to another, nor from one event to another.


The remaining Splash-n-Dash events are filling up fast.   Don't wait to register.  It's only $10!  

Water Temp & Wetsuits

The current water temperature at the Texas Ski Ranch is 77 degrees.  The official temperature will be taken race morning.  It's about a 50% chance that the swim will be wet suit legal.  78 degrees is the highest allowable temperature for wet suits.

Dublin Dr Pepper

High Five Events is pleased to announce our partnership with Dublin Dr Pepper.  Dublin Dr Pepper will be supplying ice cold refreshments at the finish line carnivals, including Dublin Dr Pepper, Big Red, A&W Root Beer, and many other classics.


Dublin, Texas is home to the oldest Dr Pepper bottling plant which opened in 1861.  Today, Dublin Dr Pepper still makes Dr Pepper with the original formula, using Imperial Pure Cane Sugar, and not high fructose corn syrup, like most soft drinks.  Find out more about Dublin Dr Pepper here:  http://dublindrpepper.com/

2010 Rookie Participant Guide

The 2010 Rookie Triathlon Participant Guide may be downloaded here:  www.therookietri.com/ParticipantGuide.pdf.


A hard copy of the guide will be available in the race packet.

The Rookie is Sold Out

The Rookie Triathlon is completely sold out.  There is not a waiting list and no additional spots will be made available.  Sorry.


Please look into our other events (www.highfiveevents.com/events.asp) if you have missed out on The Rookie.  They are all great for beginners and experienced athletes alike, and they offer many of the same benefits.  Ladies who missed out on The Rookie should definitely check out The Skeese Greets Women's Tri (www.skeesegreetstri.com).  It's the same exact venue and course as The Rookie.


You can still be part of The Rookie as a volunteer.  Volunteering can be a ton of fun and a rewarding experience.  Plus you get invited to the volunteer party!  Sign up at:  www.therookietri.com/volunteer.asp

100 More Spots added to Rookie Tri

The Rookie is just about full.  Don't panic if you have not signed up yet.  We have been able to make an agreement with the Texas Ski Ranch that, when coupled with the course improvements, will allow the venue to hold 100 more participants.  So, if you forgot to sign up there is still time.  However, we don't expect these 100 extra spots to hang around for long.


Other Rookie Updates

• We just order 1100 water bottles.  Each finisher will receive a souvenir bottle filled with ice cold water at the finish line.
• We've got a new tech tee provider this year, and we just received the Rookie test print and the shirt is great:  Check out the design below:
• The awards will be license plates just like the t-shirt. 

Team LIVESTRONG at The AVIA Austin Triathlon

We don’t live in the same city or compete in the same events, but we’re one team. What unite us are hope, courage and determination. We are more than one. We ride. Run. Walk. Swim. We fight. We are the cyclist facing a long uphill climb in honor of his mother. We are the runner finishing a first marathon in memory of her brother. We are the cancer survivor crossing a 5k finish line after completing treatment. Whatever your strengths, whatever your goal, whatever your personal battle, you can make a difference. We are more than one. Join us in the unfinished fight at TeamLIVESTRONG.org.

Sign up for the Austin Tri, participate with Team LIVESTRONG, and raise money for the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) and the fight against cancer. The LAF is an official partner of The Austin Triathlon. Reserved spots are available at the early registration rate for Team LIVESTRONG. Team members will race in LAF gear and have access to their own personal webpage as well fundraising tools and sample materials online, all of which will help make meeting the fundraising goal easy so they can concentrate on the real challenge - training for the tri. Click here for more info.

The History of Generic

A lot of people will tell you that they think the name "Jack's Generic Triathlon" is very clever or funny. You might even agree, but do you know why? Here's the story behind the name and the theme:


Jack's Generic Triathlon was founded by Jack Murray in 2003, at a time when he thought many triathlons had forgotten about the participants. Events had become so focused on getting big sponsors, accommodating pro athletes, and trying to look good that they sometimes neglected the actual product - the race. Athletes ended up paying more, but their racing experience was actually less. Jack had the idea to put on a race with very little pomp & circumstance, yet at the core be a great race. It would be well organized, safe, good value, and of course, fun. From the outside, it wouldn't look terrific, but the participant experience would be great. It reminded him of the generic isle at the supermarket: It's the same quality products, sometimes even better, but you don't have to pay for the fancy packaging. And hence, the name Jack's Generic Triathlon was born.

While today, more than 7 years after the first Jack's Generic Triathon (JGT as we call it), our races do have a lot more fancy packaging, but at their core they still try to preserve the values of Jack's Generic. Each race is designed, planned, and priced with you, the everyday triathlete in mind.

Rookie Course Improvements

The 2010 edition of The Rookie Triathlon will feature some course improvements that should create a better experience for all on race day. First, we have order several cubic yards of sand that will be placed at the swim exit. The sand will make a much nicer exit from the water and it should really help to keep the bottom mud from getting stirred up by all the swimmers. This will keep everyone looking good for their race photos. Second, the finish line will be moved to the south side of the cable lake. This creates many advantages, the most significant being the elimination of the pre & post race "people jams" around the finish line. The run finish will now cirlce the cable lake before entering the finish chute. Detailed maps of the course improvements can be found on the course section of the website.

Volunteer to Win a New Belgium Brewery Cruiser Bike

Each person who volunteers at 4 or more events in the 2010 Texas Tri Series will be entered into a select drawing for a very cool cruiser bike courtesy of New Belgium Brewery. What are the odds? Ask Dan Kirkley, a 3 time finisher of the Texas Tri Series. He volunteered at 5 events in 2010, and was the lucky one out of just 8 people to win the bike. You must be present at the finisher party to win the bike.

USAT licenses explained

Have you ever signed up for a triathlon and then been forced to pay $10 extra at packet pickup? Maybe you are doing your first triathlon this year and you've been told that you need a USAT license, but you don't really know what that is or how to get one? Here's all you need to know:

What is a USAT licnese?

USA Triathlon (USAT) is the governing body of the sport of triathlon in the United States. (www.usatriathlon.org). It's overseen by the the United States Olympic Committe. It provides many services to athletes, coaches, and race directors. One of the key services it provides to race directors is event sanctioning, through which it provides event insurance. The insurance covers the athletes, volunteers, and the property that is part of a triathlon. This insurance is usually so expensive that most race directors would not be able to afford it without the assistance of USAT. Without the insurance, many races wouldn't exist. One of the requirements of sanctioning an event is that all participants must be USAT members. Therefore, anyone who signs up for a USAT sanctioned event must show proof of USAT membership. This proof is commonly referred to as having a USAT license.


How do I get a USAT membership?

USAT memberships may be purchased several ways:

• USAT provides registration services online at http://usatriathlon.org/pages/58
• Many USAT sanctioned events have USAT memberships available for purchase as part of their online registration.
• All USAT sanctioned events have USAT memberships available for purchase at packet pickup.

Should I buy an Annual Membership or just pay the One Day fee?

The annual membership costs $39. The one day license costs $10 and may only be used at the event at which it is purchased. It's a no-brainer to purchase the annual membership if you do at least 4 events per year. It typically makes sense to have an annual membership even if you will do less than 4 events per year, as there are many other benefits to having a USAT license, as described on the USAT membership benefits page:http://usatriathlon.org/pages/659. The One Day membership is good option if you are likely to do less than one event per year.


When should I buy my membership?

I don't recommend waiting until packet pickup to purchase a license as you'll have to wait in a second line and make a payment. Buy the one-day membership online with your event registration if you can. Buy the annual membership online directly from USAT anytime before your first event. Make sure you bring proof of you online purchase with you to packet pickup, as well as a photo ID.


USAT will give you credit for $10 towards an annual membership if you show receipt from a one day membership purchase.

Hyatt Regency to Host 2010 Texas Tri Series Finisher Party

The 2010 Texas Tri Series Finisher Party will be held on the evening of November 13th in the grand Texas ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Austin located on Lady Bird Lake. "The Hyatt has been a great partner to the Austin Triathlon", says Dan Carroll of High Five Events. "We are thrilled to have their support for the Texas Tri Series as well. Hosting the finisher party at one of Austin's finest hotels has been the goal since the series was created. It will be a fantastic place to celebrate the end of the season."


The Texas Tri Series Finisher Party is only open to series finishers and their guests. Register and plan your season so you don't miss this great event.


Information on the Hyatt Regency can be found at www.austin.hyatt.com.