Have you ever violated a rule in a triathlon? Do you even know if you have or have not? For a complete list of regulations please visit www.usatriathlon.org and refer to the current USA triathlon competitive rules.

USA Triathlon is dedicated to growing and developing multi-sport from the ground up.  To this end, USAT is excited to announce to all clubs competing or thinking about competing in the National Club Championship in 2006 that the sprint event will be scored, along with the intermediate distance event, to decide the overall club champions.

By including the sprint event in the scoring, USAT is hoping to see a greater turnout from club members- from the first timer to the veteran, all working towards the same goal.  The club system is an important vehicle to introducing new participants to the sport and we want to encourage all club members to contribute to the overall team score at the national championship.

The point breakdown will be the same for both distances.  Clubs will be placed in the division that corresponds to their total team roster.  The sprint distance points will be added to the intermediate distance points to decide the overall club champions in each division.

For more information on point and division breakdowns, visit Club Scoring 
For more information on club eligibility, visit Club Eligibility
                                                                                                   
For race information and registration, visit the PumpkinMan event page.

The 4th annual Rage Triathlon is set for Sunday, April 22nd 2007.

From the first Rage Triathlon in 2004, this race has been growing 100+ athletes every year, don’t miss it this year, as it will be capped at 600 and no doubt will sell out this year. With all of the feedback we received last year, we will be keeping the 2005 bike course.  For those of you that raced, you know what we are talking about…

Registration is now open for this race, and early bird pricing will be open until October 1, 2006. Don’t delay!

Contributing Coaches: Andrea Watkins and Steven Pye of Practical Coaching.

Your first triathlon is right around the corner and you are wondering what is in store for you.  What do you need to know?  First, you are going to have a great day.  Chances are you have done all the training you need to do to get through the race and more than likely you are going to finish your race and want more!  But what about those dreams you are having about forgetting your bike, or, worse yet, showing up naked for your race?  Just like the dreams you had of going to school naked they are never going to materialize.  But just in case, let’s take a minute to walk through the race and help you prepare mentally and physically for the day.

Typically you pick your race packet up the day before the race at the race site.  This gives you an opportunity to check out your race venue.  Find the swim start and the swim finish.  Walk from the swim finish to the transition area.  Locate the bike out, bike in, and the run out areas.  Some things to think about while surveying the race area:

What gear should your bike be in placed in transition?  Is the exit up hill, down hill, or flat?

Where is the best transition spot?   Some races mark the transition rack leaving you no choice in where you rack your bike.  When given a choice we like to rack our bikes closer to the bike out.  For the simple reason it is easier to run without your bike than it is to run with your bike.  The most important benefit of surveying the race site is peace of mind.  Ultimately, you are eliminating some of the unknown helping make race day less stressful.

Pack your race bag the night before the race.  Lay everything from the race packet out on a flat, clear surface.  Pick through the bag and gather the crucial elements for race day.  Typically these are: a swim cap, a number for your bike and helmet, a number for the run, and a timing chip with a means of securing it to your left ankle (that way it doesn’t get caught in your bike chain).  Bring out your race gear: race outfit, wetsuit, swim cap, goggles, body glide, place your timing chip with your swim equipment, helmet, if provided place the helmet number on your helmet, bike shoes, sunglasses, running shoes, and a race belt put your number from your packet on it, a hat for your run, and any nutritional items you might be using.  Go over these items visually.  Look at them and speak them in order of the event.  Pack them in your bag and speak them again as you place them in your bag.  This will help ease your mind and ensure you have everything you need.  Get your number on your bike, place your pump by your bike, and place your race bag by your bike as well.  Now you are ready to go!

Race Day:  The biggest tip we give our athletes is to arrive early.  Most transitions open at 5 in the morning and, yes, we tell people to arrive at 5.  When you do this you give yourself the opportunity to get a great transition spot and if you have any issues you allow plenty of time to get everything taken care of without stress.   And for us social butterflies, it gives us a chance to say hello to all of our friends and wish them all a great race.   Arriving early gives you peace of mind.  Get your transition set up, relax, and get warmed up.  A good warm up gets your body ready for the event ahead.   Have a great day and a great race.

We at Practical Coaching wish you the best.  Please visit our website www.practicalcoaching.net and feel free to contact us at info@practicalcoaching.net with any questions you might have. 

BBSC Endurance Sports would like to wish you all the best with your race season, and would like to thank you for all your support! Remember, all of our events are for everyone, weather you have never done a triathlon, are new to triathlon or an elite, we are committed to do everything we can to see that you have a great time and make it across your finish line.