Danskin Newport Race Report- My first Tri!!!

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Sorry about the prior post- something very screwy is going on with my computer. When I figure it out I’ll repost the report- Roxanne

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Well, it’s true- I’m no longer a wannabe, but rather an *official* triathlete!! I did the Danskin Newport this weekend along with 578 other women (pro’s, elites, veterans and lots of fellow-newbies) and had a BLAST!! I’m writing this race report for me, but am posting it for anyone wanting to relive their first time, as encouragement to those who want to, but haven’t quite jumped over the hurdle and for the personal glimpses of the pro’s involved in the entire weekend event. A separate post will include the pro and age-group results 3 deep for anyone interested! PRE-RACE EXPO TALKS & CLINICS I arrived at the Hyatt Newporter at 10:45am in time to register (very efficient two minute process) and to sit in on the first course talk and Sally Edward’s first timer clinic. The course talk pretty much rehashed what was mailed in our pre-race packet. Couple of fun questions like *Does the clock stop for the transitions?*- remember about 50% of us were very green newbies!! Sally’s talk was the best- she is one of the most entertaining and *natural* public speakers! Sally’s first question was *How many of you have worried that you just might come in last?*. Nobody has to worry about that, because she volunteers to be the sweep athlete, wearing #999, at all the Danskin events. The stories she has gathered from doing this for 6 years are variously funny, heartwarming and downright outrageous (the woman from Seattle liesurely celebrating the end of the swim in the transition area with a big wicker picnic basket and chocolate cake!). Her talk basically walked us all through our first triathlon with lots of tips, mystery solving and good humor. Michellie Jones teamed up with her to help out and provide her own insights, with Sally suggesting that Michellie may take over the Danskin spokesperson role at some point in the future. Lastly, Sally invited anyone interested to join her for a swim in the lagoon at 4:00– allright!!! Next were the swim and bike clinics. What an opportunity for all of us!! Michellie ran the bike clinic while Joy Hansen Leutner (bum foot and all) conducted the swim clinic. I was disappointed they were at the same time, forcing a choice. Maybe next year they can arrange to have them back to back? I went with the bike– the majority of the women were concerned about getting a flat- *Do we have to change our own? How? My husband always does this!*. Once again, remember how many first timers were here! The BEST part was while Michellie is struggling to demonstrate, someone asks her if she’s ever had to do this in a race (No) then she was asked how often she has changed tires in general, and she pauses, looks up, gives us a big grin and says *well….to tell you the truth, I usually ride with guys, and I just ask better! After demonstrating the tire change, she solicits help to do it a second time. How many newbies get to learn how to change a tire one-on-one with a pro? We also practiced putting a chain back on and a few other minor mechanical things. Michellie answered a few more questions on technique and strategy and we were pretty much done. The expo itself included just about every brand of energy/nutrition bar I have ever heard of- lots of samples too! I picked up Sally’s heart rate monitor book– the monitor itself is on my wish list for Christmas (Santa, I’ve been very, very good!). There was a raffle for a Mountain Bike– all proceeds going to the race’s official charity, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. There were a few retail booths (Danskin of course!) with a snake-oil salesman or two mixed in. The race shirt was a nicely designed tank top- one I’ll be proud to wear. Okay, now a couple hours off to check in- little did I know I would NEED a couple hours! The first room smelled like a smokey billiard hall even though it was labled *non-smoking*- the front desk offered a killer air freshener, I

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