Tri The Parks is a triathlon race series put on by Blue Sky Sports team in Georgia. It is a great series and they assign points to every racer in each race and at the end of it all give out the series awards. This year, Tri the Parks featured a triathlon series, duathlon series, aquabike series and one aquathlon and they offered multi race discounts to make it enticing for athletes to enter a whole bunch of them. I raced the Blalock Lakes Sprint Triathlon as my first triathlon of the year to the #LongRoadToAugusta and the race director was very gracious in accommodating people on a wait list after the race had sold out. Apart from races who have a deferral and bib transfer policy, I’ve never seen any race do that – it sure was extra work for the organizers, but it helped about 20+ athletes race that day (based on registered racers who pulled out or didn’t show up on race day).

Wednesday was wrapping up the 2015 season with the annual awards banquet hosted by Tri the Parks and Classic Subaru of Atlanta, the sponsor. Even though I wasn’t in line for any award (I tried to convince them to give me a DFL award, but they weren’t inclined to do that. Bummer.), I was able to manage a rare evening out to meet old and new friends at the banquet.

They did say banquet in the invitation but I wasn’t prepared for this fancy! I’m glad I didn’t show up in my usual workout clothes. And the food – simple but good! The garlic rolls were to die for. No photos – I smashed through them without a thought of photos. If only I could Swim/Bike/Run as fast as I went through those garlic rolls. 

 Dan Arnett of Endurance Concepts, as the official partner of the Tri The Parks series was connecting triathletes together. 

 Aside from posting some ridiculously faster than fast race transition times., Dan also likes playing Oprah. Even though he didn’t give away any Subarus to you, you, you and everyone, there were plenty of giveaways including 4 months of free coaching for 2 uber lucky winners, sling chairs, $100 gift cards from All3Sports and transition mats.

 I won a TMAT Pro Transition Mat that I plan to personalize with a few “accessories” besides writing my name. While not an absolutely necessity (a towel does just as fine), I know I’m going to like it because I … umm … forget to wash my transition towel after a race and then it stinks up the transition bag and house. 

And I got to hang out with Fox of The Tri Geeks, who let me ride with them and helped build my bike handling skills over summer. I did not recognize him out of riding kit when he waved to me. Oops.

All in all a good evening of celebration and yes, I’m signing up for more in 2016. If you are in Georgia or nearby, I highly recommend any of the races in the series. The races are very well organized and the courses will show you how much training you have put in.

 
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