This was my 9th year to do the Rivercities Triathlon in Benton, Louisiana. It is a six hour drive to get to this venue, but it is so worth it. This is one of the best run events on the planet. Kudos to Matt Brown, the event director, for doing such a fantastc job! This event sells out each year within 30 minutes to an hour, and the entries are limited to 1200 participants. This year, the total value of the bicycles in T1 was an astounding 3.4 MILLION dollars!!
The SWAG (Stuff We All Get)!!!
One of the reasons I do this event almost every year is the SWAG. This year was not as good as all of the other years, but it was still good nonetheless. The backpack alone is worth almost as much as the entry fee, and the cool max shirt is colorful and bright. I love to wear the hats from these events to other events and look for people who share my passion for travelling and doing athletic events. The one thing that does get my goat, so to speak, is that the sizes run small, so even when the stuff is awesom, not all of it can be worn by me. The jacket is this picture, for instance, is nice, but the sleeves are tight and it runs short, so I will have to pass it on to someone who can use it. They have Clydesdale (men over 200 pounds) and Athena (women over 150 pounds) divisions in this race, so you would think that the clothing would fit all participants, not just the sleek and trim.
The course for the swim and run.
The course is just gorgeous, even if the lake swim is tough because it is so murky and usually runs about 84 degrees in early August, the time of the race. There are kayaks and boats out on the water to assist swimmers, and as you swim, you are kicked and splashed from the mass of swimmers all trying to break PRs. It is a given that you are going to end up swallowing some of this swamp water, and the smell of diesel and gasoline from the boats on the 2nd leg of the swim is cloying and overpowering. It never fails that my goggles fog up, and I end up swimming off course more often than not.
A stop at Soulman's BBQ in Terrell, Texas on the way to Shreveport and our hotel. The Double Barrell baked potato. Yum!
Our tradtitional night before the race meal at Monjuni's, a cute little Italian place.
The Italian Sampler. Mmmmmmmm.....
Getting set up before the race begins.
My bike, #349, and set up
Predawn at Cypress Lake Park. Beautiful area!
1200 participants strong!
The food tent at the finish line
Posing with Team RWB Shreveport after the race. Good times! I am representing Team RWB Ft. Hood, Texas
The Rivercities Traihlon 2013 medal
Another great weekend doing what I love. I am already looking forward to next year!
