It’s finally here, the Nautica South Beach Triathlon!!!  Before you know it the race will be over and you will be back on a plane returning home.  Hopefully you will have met new friends and had the time of your life.  I know that a lot of triathletes are always trying to beat their personal record but PR or no PR; I encourage you to enjoy all aspects of the weekend. The people in South Beach are amazing and the weather is soothing.  The warm sun and the cool, refreshing breezes is a delight for me as I leave cold Spokane, WA.
Saturday will be a busy day with a variety of triathlon clinics and fun on the beach as you pick up your race packet. Packet pick up is open from 1-5pm at 5th and Ocean. Don’t forget to drop by the Nautica booth and pick up your commemorative race gear!!! If you really want to be ahead of the game you can participate in swim clinic at 9am, Saturday and get some experience and pointers on ocean swimming. 100% of the proceeds from Saturday’s swim clinic benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. For more information go to www.nauticasobetri.com
Sunday morning comes so early. I’ll be leaving my hotel no later than 5:30am. Make sure to get up early enough to eat a healthy breakfast and start hydrating. Saturday night make sure your bike and transition bag are packed and ready – you want to be relaxed and prepared come race morning. I like to spend at least 20 minutes setting up my transition area. I double check my tires, helmet and make sure my cycling shoes and running shoes are open and will be easy to slide on.
Transition closes at 6:45am. The pre-race meeting will be at the main stage. The Olympic distance swimmers will have their meeting at the swim start which is a mile down the beach from the Classic race start (I’m racing the Classic).  At this time in the morning it will feel a bit cold so it’s a good idea to have layers til the last minute. I really enjoy the Nautica South Beach Tri swim. The water is usually about 74 degrees and there is great visibility. If you’re at all nervous about getting thrashed around or touched during the swim, hold back and start towards the end of the swim wave. This will allow you to enter at your own pace and not feel rushed. As you swim into the shore at the end people will be cheering you on and it will give you extra motivation. I find that although I can actually stand yards out, it’s better to swim in as far as possible, to the point where your fingers touch ground, then stand up and run in.
Remember your sunglasses. The bike course is very sunny. Listen to the volunteers during the bike course as there are a couple hairpin turns. You will ride over a few different bridges, on freeways and downtown where you have to watch out for pedestrians.  Enjoy the ride – it’s a closed course with beautiful sights of South Beach!
As you turn into the transition area people are everywhere cheering you on. Take it in! The 4 mile run is a loop with four water stations. Remember to hydrate!!! The Olympic distance racers run the same course, but go further before turning around. The very last part of the run course is on sand. Dig deep and push your way to the finish line!!! Remember as you are running through the finish area to smile and enjoy your final moments of the race. Smile and wave for the camera men – you might just want a picture to commemorate your big day.
I wish you all the best of luck this Sunday. Enjoy the day. Enjoy your fellow triathletes. Enjoy the beautiful South Beach weather. If you see me please come say ‘hi’, I want to get pictures and videos to share with you all next time 
See you Sunday,
Ali xo
0 COMMENTS
No comments added.