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.