I have listened to a lot of TdF commentary on the internet and read a lot of news stories, but since I don't have the cable network that televises the TdF, I have never really SEEN it. What I saw this morning was the most pure example of teamwork and selflessness I have ever seen in competition. The USPS team was just absolutely amazing. With all the other teams spread out across the peleton, all 9 members of USPS are up front pulling Lance through the stage. The weaker cyclists took the early pulls and just gave that race all they had and then fell, exhausted to the back. One by one, each team member took their turns pulling their leader through the course until there was just one left. The last man standing was a really strong mountain climber. He pulled Lance right up to the end, where there was <400 meters left. Then Lance, with unmatchable power, just left everyone in his dust and won the stage, taking the yellow jersey. It was really something to see!
What on earth does this have to do with the mystery race? Well I am not doing this race solo, that's what. I have entered the DeSoto American Triple T with one of the guys that gave up 6 weekends last spring to get me through century rides. Who swam with me for 10 months leading up to the race. Who hopped off his bike and ran me through some brutal bricks in May. It's time for Tony and I to race together as we work towards his goal of a PB at IMLP in 2008. I'm not sure if I can can be quite what the USPS team was to Lance, but I'll give it all I've got. Here we are together before I left for CdA last year (he's the tall one)
The DeSoto Triple T is one of the most Unique weekends in our sport. You can do it solo, or in 2 person teams. It is a 4 event, 3 day race:
The super sprint on Friday night is an individual race.
The First Olympic distance race on Saturday is an individual time trial.
The Second OD race on Saturday is a team time trial. You start the race on the bike and it is draft legal within the team. Then you hop off for the swim, then out of the water running. The time of the slowest member is the time for your team.
Sunday is a Half Iron distance race. Teammates MUST finish TOGETHER! (again, draft legal with your teammate)
Here is some more info. Did I mention that the courses are friggin insanely difficult?
Race 1: Prologue
Friday, May 23, 5:00 PM
250m Swim - 5 mi Bike - 1 mi Run
RACE RULES: All individual times count towards the team time. Any individual (solo and team) finishing in the top five overall will receive team bonus time. Drafting is not allowed.
SWIM: The 250 meter swim is a counter clockwise loop course in Turkey Creek with participants starting in a time trial start every 5-seconds. Swim start is a dry land running start. Wetsuits allowed.
BIKE: The 5 mile bike course is a challenging loop course to the top of the resort and back. Bring your climbing gears.
RUN: The 1 mile run course is an out and back course on park roads within the park.
Race 2: Individual Time Trial
Saturday, May 24, 7:30 AM
1500m Swim - 24.8 mi Bike - 6.55 mi Run
RACE RULES: All individual times count towards the team time. Any individual (solo and team) finishing in the top five overall will receive team bonus time. Drafting is not allowed.
SWIM: The 1500 meter swim is a counter clockwise loop course in Turkey Creek with participants starting in a time trial start every 5-seconds. Swim start is a dry land running start. Wetsuits allowed.
BIKE: The 24.8 mile bike course is a challenging loop course on park fire roads within the park and state routes outside the park. Bring your climbing gears.
RUN: The 6.55 mile run course is an out and back course on park fire roads within the park. This is a tough course.
Race 3: Team Triathlon
Saturday, May 24, 3:00pm Start
24.8 mi Bike - 1500mi Swim - 6.55 mi Run
RACE RULES: Your last teammate across the finish line counts towards the team time. This unique triathlon format starts on the bike in a time trial start with teams starting every 30 seconds followed by solos. Up next is a 1500 meter swim, followed by a 6.55 mile run. Drafting is allowed only within teams. No drafting is allowed otherwise.
BIKE: The 24.8 mile bike course is a challenging loop course on state routes surrounding the park. Bring your climbing gears.
SWIM: The 1500 meter swim is a counter clockwise loop course in Turkey Creek with participants starting after the completion of the bike. Swim start is a dry land running start. Wetsuits allowed.
RUN: The 6.55 mile run course is an and back course on park fire roads within the park. This is a tough course. Same as morning run course.
Bike Course Profile
Race 4: Team Time Trial
Sunday, May 25, 7:00am Start
1.2 mi Swim - 55.5 mi Bike - 13.1 mi Run
RACE RULES: All teams must start and finish together. The top five teams will start in order of current place in the overall standing with the wave interval being the time differential between the teams. All other teams will start every 15 seconds there after.
SWIM: The 1.2 mile swim is a counter clockwise loop course in Turkey Creek with participants coming out of the water briefly after lap one. Swim start is a dry land running start. Wetsuits allowed.
BIKE: The 55.5 mile bike course is a VERY challenging loop course on state routes outside the park. Bring your climbing gears.
RUN: The 13.1 mile run course is a double out and back course on park fire roads within the park. This is a tough course.
1 Lap of the Bike Course Profile
General Race Rules
These rules apply for the duration of the event.
1) All participants will be issued a customized logoed and numbered Desoto American Triple-T racing singlet. Participants MUST wear their DeSoto American Triple-T singlet on the outer most layer at all times.
2) Altering of the racing singlet in anyway is not allowed.
3) All participants are required to where black tri/bike shorts or black speedo. Sponsor logos and team names are allowed on shorts or speedo. If you don't have anything black go to www.DesotoSport.com and order the Tri Short. This is a great fitting padded tri short, which is perfect for swimming, biking, and running.
4) Sportsmanship will be imperative during this long hard weekend. You'll be racing side-by-side folks in formats that many participants may have not raced in. Be careful and be a good sport. Unsportsmanlike conduct towards other participants, volunteers, race officials, or local authorities will not be tolerated and will result in a DQ, loss of all race entry funds, and prize eligibilty.
...
Game on
Oh, and in case you're wondering... We are racing under team name: Undermedicated
10 comments:
Awesome choice for a race Jodi!! and well worth the wait!!! I'ts one I've ALWAYS wanted to do!! Your gonna do great!!!
Just damn... {as jaw hits the floor} :-)
That is going to be one memorable weekend!!! That is awesome!!!
That just sounds insane! I' sure you'll have a blast!
I figured this was your mystery race. I've debated this race too but will hold off until I start slowing down on the run!
You will have a blast I am sure!
This sounds like an awesome race.
Definately will consider this one in the future!
Get yourself a copy of the 2004 Tour and watch stages 5-15. I guarantee you've never seen anything like it! Stage 13 especially was some of the best footage in any of the recent Tours.
The Triple T will be an AWESOME race for you. It should be on every triathlete's "must do" list.
Wow! I watched Matt solo that 1.5 years ago. Solo or in teams, it is one tough mother! Insane terrain, but you and Tony will be awesome!
Hopefully, you'll be at CSU tomorrow, so I can high five both of your crazy hands!
Shoulda known. I was speculating a little while back about the possibility of doing this race.....someday.
Team Undermedicated is gonna rock (and roll right over) them Appalacian foothills.
always thought about doing tis one...good luck..very impressive event..
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