Tsali Challenge Triathlon
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The Tsali Challenge Triathlon replaces the traditional swim, cycle and run with a 3-mile lake paddle, a 5-mile trail run and a 12-mile mountain bike ride, all at beautiful, nearby Tsali Recreation Area on Fontana Lake. |
Individuals compete on Saturday with five classes of racers: Women’s Open, Men’s Open, Women’s Masters and Men’s Masters (Masters Classes are open to competitors age 40+), and the Grandmaster (60+) Class. Sunday sees the Team Challenge, where 3-person teams divvy up each leg of the race to one team member. On Sunday, there are three classes: Female, Male and Co-Ed teams. A racers’ meeting is held 20-minutes prior to the start of competition on both Saturday and Sunday.
Tips for First Time Tsali Challenge Racers
1. Don't try anything new on race day. Try out your bike, running shoes, boat, paddle, food and drink (energy drinks, water, etc) in training to make sure they work well for you.
2. If there are only a few weeks left before race day there is no time like the present to get started. Even if you haven't done any base miles, this race is short enough to survive with a few simple preparation "bricks." A sample brick would be to paddle 30 minutes before going for a 20 minute run. Training your body to get used to running after a paddle is fun--with all the blood in your arms from kayaking, your first 10 minutes of running might be closer to walking.
3. There are only water stations at transition areas, so we suggest you carry your own. Practice carrying and drinking your water in training.
4. Get to Tsali at least one hour before the start to give yourself time to park, put your equipment in the transition area and go to the bathroom 10 million times.
5. Bring someone to help you. It'll make your day go smoother.
6. Eat and drink easily digestible things at each transition area (examples: bananas, energy bars, defizzed cola, water)
7. Paddle whatever boat you feel most comfortable in. The boat handicap system was designed so that if you only have access to a slower boat, your start time is before the faster boats to make everything more fair.
8. When approaching another boat, you will get sucked into their side or stern wake. Be prepared to get bobbled by this. Unless you know how to ride a wake, stay at least four feet away from other boats.
9. At the paddle/run transition, NOC staff (our boat-herders) or your support person will help you get out of your boat and put your boat on shore for you. It is worth waiting for help to get out of your boat or else you will fall into the lake. With all the blood rushing around in your arms your legs, your appendages will feel like lead.
10. The first 200 yards of the run are up a steep hill. You might as well walk. The next two miles are easy. Don't blow out, because the final two are almost all uphill.
11. The bike segment starts off easy and gets progressively harder. Granny gears rule, especially because your legs will feel whooped from the run.
12. There are a few technical sections. If your skills are sketchy, it is better to get off and walk, or you may crash, and you will struggle to regain your momentum.
13. Save some energy for the final long climb up to County Line Road. It's downhill from there.
14. Celebrate your finish by drinking lots of fluid. It will flush out lactic acid so you'll be able to brush your hair and walk the next day.
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