Race Preview: Topeka Tinman

Follow the Yellow Brick Road

When I first put my inaugural triathlon schedule together, this was to be my very first triathlon.  As it turned out, it will be my third.  That's probably wise because Topeka is over an hour away, and considering my incessant need to keep time on my side leading up to the shotgun start, that would mean I would probably leave at 2:00am for a 5:30am transition open if it were my first.

Later, I took this off my list because I was planning to do the Kansas City Triathlon and Kansas City Corporate Challenge Triathlon.  When you include Hospital Hill Half-Marathon, four events in five weeks seemed way too much.  Since the KC Corporate Challenge distance was pretty short, I decided to put it back on the list.

I will be participating in the sprint distance (400 meters swim, 13 mile bike, and 3 mile) run with Shane.  The plan is to carpool over with Shane, Heather, and TKB in the morning but I don't think I want to figure out what time yet.  Our wave won't start until 8:06am, so we probably don't need to show up right at the transition opening.

Note about Heather and Shane.  I ran Brew-to-Brew, Trolley Run, and recently Hospital Hill with Shane.  These are absolutely great people.  I have known Heather since I was in kindergarten and she introduced me to TKB while at college.  I'm stoked about finding yet another reason to hang out with them!

Temps are probably going to be in low-80s at the start, so it is going to be a hot one.  Not sure what the water temperature is but I don't think 400 meters will make it worth bringing the wetsuit.  Given the shorter distance swim, I think I'm going to line up more competitively and count the bruises and black eyes later.

Social Media EXPLOSION!
Per usual, I will publish a Glympse on my Facebook and Twitter (which you can find on the right side of the blog), so check those locations around 8:00am CT on Saturday.  It won't track me on the swim, but once I strap my race-belt on for the bike, it will show my location on a map.  When you tie the Glympse with Ultramax live video feed of the finish line, you'll easily be able to watch me cross the finish line of the triathlon, assuming I can find it.

Drinky Drinky
Lastly, what's with triathlons and pint glasses?  For KC Triathlon, participants received a pint glass as part of the goodie bag.  The finishers of Tinman receive an etched pint glass.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE it.  I decided this year that as part of my "major" events I want a pint glass as a souvenir.  I'm kind of bummed that Hospital Hill doesn't have one because I would purchase it just like I did for Kansas City Marathon.