BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
Why?
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
Ugh. I thought as I fumbled around to turn this noise off. 5:30 AM. So early. I struggled to pull the covers off, and stepped out of bed to be greeted by the morning black. As a yawn escaped, I slowly pulled on my gym shorts and grabbed a banana. Today, I was participating in my first Taco Tri put on by Kammok, a local company here in Austin. I was excited, and to be honest, a little nervous.
When was the last time I even used these? I thought as I shoved my goggles into my bag. Do I even remember how to swim?
I loaded up my bike, 
put some jams on to get me psyched, and headed off to the Kammok headquarters.
You see, I’ve trained for a triathlon before this. I knew transitions were key. Swimming in open water can be intimidating. Having the right gear can make or break your triathlon. This was what I was preparing myself for as I pulled up and parked next to the other bike-adorned cars. However, as I signed a wavier and pumped up my bike tires, I was pleasantly surprised.
The Kammok Taco Tri is not an all out, fight to the end, throw up and keep going, grueling battle. It’s not a size up the competition as you compare the sleekness of their tri kit. It’s an everyone’s welcomed, do what you can, get to know your community, then eat some tacos kind of event. You’ll meet new people, get a great workout in, and explore Austin in a different way.
Here’s how it works. You meet at 6:30 am in the parking lot of Kammok. A few minutes later, with bike lights flashing and helmets buckled, you head out onto the roads of the city for a chill four and a half miles. At the end of this ride, you’ll find yourself outside of Austin’s Barton Springs. Here, bikes are locked up, bags stored, and shoes tied. As a group, you head out on to the Greenbelt for a “choose your own adventure” kind of run. One group runs a 5k, but you are encouraged to go whatever distance you feel comfortable. Then it’s swim time. After a moment of self pump up, you jump into the cool Springs and head off for a two length swim (ending with a jump off the diving board if you so choose). Time to dry off (a little at least). You then jump back on the bike to pedal back to Kammok where tacos await your arrival!
Are you an Ironman athlete? Come on down for a different vibe with new people. You’ve never done a triathlon before? Then come on down and have your first chill triathlon experience. New to Austin? No worries, come on down and meet some of the locals. Do you just love Kammok? Then come on down and get to know them. Whatever your reason, next month, when your alarm goes off come on down to Kammok and give it a tri.
Written By: Lydia Huelskamp