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First Try Triathlon

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Name: First Try Triathlon
Date: June 20, 2015
Time: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM EDT
Event Description:
https://sites.google.com/site/firsttrytriathlon/home-page
FirstTry Triathlon - 2014 300 yd Swim, 9.1 mi Bike, and 2 mi Run Saturday, June 21st, 2014

Welcome to the fourth annual FirstTry Triathlon, a triathlon designed specifically for first timers.  If you are not a first time triathlete please sign up for the FastTry, which is the competitive version of the FirstTry.  The distance is what we call a Super Sprint (half a sprint). 
 The concept of the FirstTry is to offer a race that gives you the experience of racing in a "real" triathlon without the intimidation factor. Let's start by addressing many of the fears that first timers have:  
"I will drown" - The swim is a 300 yd out and back, so if you can swim the distance of three football fields you can cover the distance.  The wave starts will allow us to put enough people in the water with you to give you the feeling of what the triathlon swim is about, without the fear of someone swimming over your back.  There will be a "course talk" at the beginning of the race to answer your questions.  There will be a regatta of kayaks and pontoon boats if you decide you need rest or (if you ask nice) you might even sip a margarita. 
"I don't have a clue what to do in a...what is it called again, Transition"? - Transition will be staffed with "coaches" who will help you set up and answer your questions about what to do in transition.  They can point you in the right direction and discretely help you if you start to do something silly (don't get naked in transition).

"I will get lost or crash on the bike" - The bike course is only 9 miles long and is mostly pancake flat with some small hills. There are only four turns and the course will be heavily marshaled so you will know what to do. 
 
"I can't run" - The 2 mi run course is an "out and back" on the bike trail in Linden County Park.  You will run one mile, turn around and head back to finish your first real triathlon.
 
"I will be last" - You won't be last.  We have someone officially assigned to be last.  This person is designated at the 'lantern rouge', or the red lantern. 
 
The race is sponsored by the CSCTriclub, a group of local triathletes who are dedicated to bringing new athletes into the sport of Triathlon.  Grab a friend and start training now as this race only comes once a year and you first time comes only once in your life.  Many first time triathletes will go on to compete in races around the world.  Triathlon attracts many people because of the lifestyle.  The athletes are friendly and approachable with wealth of knowledge.  We want to see people fall in love with the sport like we have.  When you get to a point where triathlon is adopted as a lifestyle change you are not subject to the pitfalls of diets and targeted weight loss - you are in control.  Triathlon is a sport that has longevity because if you are having running issues, you hit the pool hard until the issues are gone.  If you have trouble finding time for the bike your running will carry over.  Swimming is a sport that sees the least injuries of any.  At the FirstTry finish line you graduate as triathlete and you will be filled with a sense of accomplishment that you simply have to experience to truly understand. 
 
Training for the FirstTry Triathlon is simple and takes little time commitment. Jump in the pool, swim a few laps, then jump on your bike, ride a couple of miles and then go for a short run afterwards. If you feel tired, stop. Go have a beer, go to work, watch TV, or phone a friend. If you feel good, keep going and keep increasing the distances week by week. If you get too busy with work, and take a few days or a week off training, so what? The key is to slowly incorporate training into your lifestyle. Remember, triathlons are fun! If you follow a regular training schedule, you will just naturally get faster. Our simple diet and training program: eat less food and exercise three times a week.
 
Have fun training, and we’ll see you at the FirstTry Triathlon!
 
Location:
Byram Lake's Clover Beach
Linden Country Park
15349 S. Linden Road
Linden, MI 48451

 
Course Descriptions
 
Swim – Easy 300 yard out-and-back swim in Byram Lake.  The water temperature will be between 75 and 80 degrees F.  WARM, COMFORTABLE, SAFE.  Athletes who feel uncomfortable swimming may request the services from any of the number of kayaks that will be lining the course. 
 
Bike – 9.1 mile loop starting from the transition area located at the beach parking lot at Linden County Park.  The bike course will head north on Linden Rd (Bridge St), go though town, and turn right on Rolston Rd toward Jennings Rd.  You will then turn left (North) on Jennings Rd and head to Lahring Rd.  At Lahring Rd you will turn left (West) and continue on Lahring Rd to Linden Rd.  You'll make a final left turn (South) Linden Rd, go past Rolson Rd, through town, and back to Linden County Park to the transition area.
 
Run – 2 miles out and back from the transition area onto the bike path, toward the turn around at soccer fields.

 
Date/Time Information:
Friday, June 20th (night before the race):
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM:  Race Weekend Registration and Packet pick up near Finish Line Area

Note:  Look for CycleFit tent across the street from the beach.  If you pick up your race packet (race bib, swim cap,and t-shirt) on Friday night, you will still need to check-in Saturday morning to get your timing chip, body markings, etc.
 

Saturday, June 21st (day of the race):
 6:00 AM - 7:15 AM:  Packet Pickup and Athlete Check-in at Clover Beach Pavilion
6:00 AM:  Transition Area Opens
7:30 AM:  Transition Area Closes
7:35 AM:  Course Talk at the Beach
8:00 AM:  FastTry Triathlon Starts
8:03 AM:  FirstTry Triathlon Starts
10:30 AM: Giveaways
(all races) & Age Group Awards (Fast Try ONLY)
Contact Information:
Paul Zieske
Fees/Admission:
 Cost:
Early Registration (through 6/8/14) -- $50
Late Registration (6/9/14 through 6/18/14) -- $60
Race Weekend Registration (6/20/14 only) -- $75
   *NO race day registration will be offered!

 
All participants registered by 6/8/14 will be guaranteed a shirt. 
 
NEW THIS YEAR:  Visit the My Events page on ACTIVE.com to manage all of your event registrations.  From there, you can edit your personal information, claim registrations, transfer registrations and more!  Participants can transfer from FirstTry to FastTry (or vice versa) for free. If you are unable to race, you can transfer your registration to another participant for $10.  All transfers must be made by the end of early registration (through 6/8/14). 
 
NOTE:  As with nearly all triathlons, participating in the event also requires you to have a USAT membership.  If you already have a USAT membership, great!  If not, you will have the opportunity to purchase a 1-day adult membership during registration for $12 (1-day youth is $10).  You can also purchase a yearly membership during registration if you plan to participate in several triathlons.  For more information regarding USAT memberships, please visit USAT's website directly.
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