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400 yard swim, 10 mile bike, 2 mile run

Saturday, June 23, 2012 and Saturday, August 25, 2012

Near Hudson, WI

 

  What to Bring»

 

Overview

Always wanted to Tri? Then this event is for you!

My First TriTM is a triathlon put on exclusively for first timers.  Here’s why:

Triathlons have steadily grown in popularity since the 1970’s, to the point where it has become one of the fastest growing sports in the world - it seems like everybody does them!

That’s precisely what can be intimidating about entering and competing in your first triathlon - it feels like everyone but you has done this before; whether it’s where to put your bike, how to set-up your transition area, or even knowing how fast or hard to swim/bike/run, most new-comers feel a little overwhelmed.

Our solution is to make sure that everyone racing with you is in pretty much the same place...absolutely clueless!  Just kidding  :)

Our hope is that we can help you in every part of this endeavor.  Prior to the race we’ll offer training in all three disciplines, seminars to cover questions and strategies, and “gear days” to try out and talk through some of the technology that could vastly improve your race experience.

On race day we’ll have volunteers and directors helping with each step:

  • Arrival/parking
  • Setting up your gear in the transition area
  • Overviewing the course and what to expect
  • Even the opportunity to race with a mentor - an experienced triathlete who sticks right by your side coaching you through every stage of the race!

My First TriTM is held at Homestead Park in Hudson, WI (about 30min from the Twin Cities) and features a swim in the calm, clear waters of Perch Lake, biking over rolling countryside hills, and a run that features both paved and natural paths.

We would like to extend a special "thank you" to the Friends Of Perch Lake for their assistance with this event.

 

Training

We have two FREE online training programs, designed to take you from the couch to a triathlon in just 12 weeks!

The Beginner Program is designed for those with little to no existing training base, while the Intermediate Program is a little more challenging for those who've been more active.

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you'd like some assistance with these programs, or if you'd like to take your training to the next level with VO2 assessments, Masters Swim classes or any other training we offer!

Also, be sure to take a look at our Seminar Series, which covers a broad range of topics to help during training and on race day.

   Beginner Program    Intermediate Program

 

Registration

Click here to register online for June's event, click here to register online for August or click here to print the registration form.

The race fees are as follows:

  • $85 before June 9th, or $95 through June 20th, or $105 on race day

 

 

Packet Pick-Up

Your race packet will include all the materials you need for your race, such as your timing chip and race bib, and some fun stuff like your complimentary race shirt and special offers.

Pick up your race packets at our retail store at 1340 Highway 96 East in White Bear Lake (get directions).

For the June event:

Thursday, June 21st, 2012   10am-8pm


Friday, June 22nd, 2012   10am - 6pm

For the August event:

Thursday, August 23rd, 2012   10am-8pm


Friday, August 24th, 2012   10am - 6pm

 

 

 

Race Location

My First TriTM is located at Homestead Parklands, 550 Perch Lake Road near Hudson, Wisconsin (get directions).

Parking on race day will be available within the park. Signs and volunteers will direct the participants and volunteers.
 

 

Schedule of Events

 

6:30 am - Park and parking lots open

7:00 am - Transition area opens, body marking begins

7:30 am - Race announcements begin

7:45 am - Transition area closes

7:50 am - Final course updates (at the beach)

8:00 am - START OF EVENT

10:00 am - Awards ceremony

SEVERE WEATHER POLICY:  There is a chance of inclement weather. The safety of our participants, volunteers, spectators, police and everyone else is our top priority, so we may need to make race-day adjustments.

The race director will have NOAA weather alerts via phone and walkie-talkie, and will monitor any severe weather alerts.  All volunteers will watch for lightning and alert the director immediately if they see it.  We will be following a 30-30 policy, which is: if we witness a flash of lightning, and hear thunder within 30 seconds, then we will delay the race by 30 minutes. Everyone should avoid any metal objects or tall, solitary objects and head to their car if possible. 

The roads will almost certainly be wet in that case.   Please watch for slick roads and standing water, especially on the bike course!

In the case of lightning during the course of the event, we may have to cancel and pull participants off the course. This will be the responsibility of the sag wagon and other volunteers as we can afford.   We will work to notfiy all participants currently on the course that the event is being canceled.

There are no refunds or transfers in the event we have to cancel the race, though we reserve the right to issue a transfer via email to registered participants. It is the absolute last option, but we have to have everyone's safety in mind.

 

What To Bring

We want to help ensure that you have the necessary equipment on race day for the best experience possible.  Here is some gear you will either need or want:

  • Towel
  • Water Bottle(s)
  • Sunscreen
  • Gel (Energy Replacement)
  • Wetsuit
  • Swimsuit/Trisuit
  • Swimcap
  • Bucket (to clean feet)
  • Goggles
  • Bike
  • Bike Helmet
  • Sunglasses
  • Bike Shoes
  • Bike Tubes
  • Tire Pump/CO2
  • Running Shoes and Socks
  • Race Number
  • Race Belt
  • Body Glide or Suit Juice (to help prevent chafing)

 

 

Course Profile

The course includes an out-and-back swim that starts at the boat/canoe dock, proceeds out in a NW direction following large, easy to spot buoys, toward the opposite beach.  Distance is approx. 400 yards.

The bike course for this event features a couple of moderate hills (a fun challenge to climb...really fun to descend!) but mostly rolls over smaller hills and lengthy flat sections that tour around some of Wisconsin’s gorgeous countryside. The run course stays entirely within the park and includes some flat paved sections, as well as some rolling wooded trails.

The swim start is on the beach near the boat/canoe dock, just east of the lower parking lot and adjacent to the grassy picnic area. All swimmers are REQUIRED to wear a swim cap provided by the event organizers. All participants MUST report to the swim start area 10 minutes prior to the scheduled time trial start, regardless of starting position.


The swim course travels away from shore in a NW direction for approx 200 yards (600ft). As swimmers approach the opposite beach (and final Buoy...) they’ll be directed to turn around head directly back (on the opposite side of the buoy line) towards the beach and parking lot transition area.
The course and turn-around are defined with orange/yellow buoys which should always be on the swimmers RIGHT side.

Lifeguards and kayaks/canoes line the entire course.  Once swimmers exit the water, they’ll make their way through a chute (and up the hill) toward the transition area.

Swimmers are sent out every 5 seconds.  Faster swimmers are encouraged to come to the front so as to make the whole process easier for everyone.

Please note: To help with the congestion that often happens within the transition area, only participants and volunteers will be permitted in the transition area.

Bikes MUST BE WALKED/RUN in the transition area. Mount/Dismount Zones are located just outside the transition area.

After exiting the park, the Bike section of this course follows a clockwise route around the roads encircling Homestead Parks.  Participants will begin the bike course by leaving the transition area and riding out of the park, bearing right (S) on 60th St.  Directional Signs, Mile Markers, and Volunteers/Race Staff will be posted on the course during the race day to assist with navigation...but it always helps to know your course, so give it a look, give it a ride, and you'll be good to go on race day.

The entire bike route is open to traffic; please be aware of vehicles and plan on following all traffic rules when traffic control is not present. The road surface is asphalt and course volunteers (armed with brooms) are stationed at all turns; this should be a nice, clean course...please help us keep it that way by holding on to your empty gel packs or other litter.

BIKE HELMETS ARE MANDATORY.

Tri Fitness will provide pre-race and on-course bike support.

The run course is a scenic combination of paved and trail running through the park.  Due to limitations with the mapping software, not all paths are visible, but the blue line charting the course is pretty stinkin' close.  Participants leave the transition area heading South toward the park entrance and continues counter-clockwise (mostly) around the grassy upper area of the park.

This path empties out onto the road that leads down to the swim area.  Runners follow this to pick up the second half of the run - another wooded section that tours the trails on the west side of the lake. This last trail loops back to the finish line (the picnic area adjacent to the swim start) where friends, family, and volunteers will be cheering you on!

Fluid replacement (water and HEED) will be available at the lower area of the run (about the half-way point).  Volunteers are stationed throughout the course and at critical turns/areas.

 

 

Finish Area

The finish area is located in the picnic area near the swim start.  Volunteers will assist in removing timing chips and/or race numbers.  Bottled water, HEED, fresh fruit and other post-race snacks will be provided.

Tri Fitness will also hold a drawing to give away door prizes!

 

Results and Pictures

All participants will receive a tech shirt for registering for the race.  These are unisex shirts that run generously, so please plan accordingly if you're between sizes.

Because the focus of My First Tri is finishing the event and pursuing personal goals, we do not give out competitive age group awards.

Divisions:

  • Individual Male: 19 & Under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+
  • Individual Female: 19 & Under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+

These age groups are standard for most races; this lets athletes compare their respective times with those in a similar age range.  These divisions will not affect the standings in My First Tri; our goal is to have you finish successfully...and to have a great time!

See the race results page for past years' results.  Click here for photos from August 2011, here for June 2011 and here for photos from 2010's event!


 

For More Information

Please contact us at races@trifitnesswbl.com.

 

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