RR: Publix Family Fun Weekend Ft. Desoto 2009

Before I rant, let me say that one family who had done this particular race before said it is usually a wonderful event.

And I will say that I had a tough run so I was not in the best mood after the race. Which is why I waited to write this report.

I have several complaints. Pre-race, they never asked for ID. Never asked for my USAT card. Never asked for anyone to pay the one day fee. I saw them allow a woman to pick up packets for 3 other athletes who were not present. This may be fine for running races but not in triathlon. They did not have enough qualified staff around. Everything seemed to fall on 3 overworked volunteers who did the best they could.

The traffic pattern in transition was ridiculous. It doesn't matter than you are 30 feet from the bike exit. Run your bike 200 feet to the end, then run back? Really? Even though the other triathlons that are staged from this same parking lot let you use the closest exit?

The racks in transition where unstable. I watched them fall, with bikes on them, more than once. In fact, my rack fell when I put my bike on it but I was able to hold up the bar and re-set it into the groove.

Transition security was a joke. Family members were all over the place before the race and no one watched athletes after the race to make sure they left with their own bike.

They did not have nearly enough water for the conditions. No water available in transition after the swim or the before the run. So much so that the sole water stop on the run was rationing water. When I asked for water, my glass had less than 3 oz and they wouldn't give me another glass. Just to be fair, I don't care if you have water or if you don't but TELL ME. Don't spend a bajillion dollars to advertise the race as a family friendly first timer weekend and don't provide water.

And I say all this first because, other than the water issue, I had a fab swim and a great bike time. It all fell apart because of the water issue. I could have easily brought water with me but I didn't want to look like a paranoid freak. Now I know better.

Third placed Athena in what will, hopefully, be my last Athena race in a long time.