Clermont & Sarasota, FL 2016

11 days. 2 triathlons. 4 hotels. 2 rental cars. 3 support crew members (Brice, Mom & Dad). Many firsts and many lessons to take away…

Firsts

• First trip to Florida
• First all-professional races
• First swim with gators, and in tea water (tannins–what!?)
• First time hanging out with new friend, Savannah…had to come all the way to Florida to meet someone who lives 30 minutes from me in Cali.
• First time meeting Brice’s great uncle & aunt
• First time to Disney World
• First time at the Kennedy Space Center
• First peanut butter and jelly burger with bacon. Yummiest.

Lessons

• If you rent a car from Budget, sign up for Budget Fastbreak to avoid 1-hr lines.
• Sight less, swim more!
• Have a sighting plan of action. Don’t just wing it.
• Transitions are paramount, especially T1.
• GET IN A BIKE PACK or suffer by yourself!
• First find a pack and THEN put your bike shoes on.
• Pro Triathletes are really stinkin tough.
• AeroPress coffee maker = good investment. Fast, delicious coffee in the hotel room. Yum.
• Ruster Sport Hen House bike bags also = good investment. No more airline fees for traveling with my bike!
• Don’t pack a giant rice cooker in your checked bag–it will break and you will be sad.