By Mindi Straw
Girls' Trip; a getaway or an escape. typically at the beach, filled with fruity cocktails, wine coolers, and all the other girly drinks your husband gives you the side eye for. an excuse to run away for the monotony of real life, one typically filled with a hectic job, whiny children, and a husband who just doesn't get it.
This pretty much sums up our girls' weekend!! But as triathletes our trip was complimented with the 39th annual Heart O’ Dixie Triathlon. No, doubt a must-do race. This race takes you 35 miles, starting in Louisvllle, MS and ends at the Neshoba County Fair in Philadelphia, MS, better known as the “Mississippi’s Giant HouseParty.”
Logistically, this race can be confusing to understand, but do it once and you will be saying – I will be back next year! Before the race begins I set my bike up in T1. Then dropped off my RUN bag (shoes, socks and race belt) and FINISH LINE bag (clean clothes) are tossed in trailers to be sent to T2 and finish line, respectively.
Logistically, this race can be confusing to understand, but do it once and you will be saying – I will be back next year! Before the race begins I set my bike up in T1. Then dropped off my RUN bag (shoes, socks and race belt) and FINISH LINE bag (clean clothes) are tossed in trailers to be sent to T2 and finish line, respectively.
Lake Tiak'O - Khata This race begins with a 800 yd swim in Lake Tiak O”Khata (Choctaw Indian for “Lake of the Pines”) with a guaranteed swim. You may be spooked by what appears to be daggers sticking up in the water ( but rather tree-tops - being that it is Lake of the Pines) along the swim buoys, but other than that it is an easy swim that is well marked and supported.
Transition racks are much different, not the typical bar to hang your seat on but rather a box to set your tire in, but they work great!,
Transition racks are much different, not the typical bar to hang your seat on but rather a box to set your tire in, but they work great!,
The 27 mile course appeared VERY long as we drove the course the night before but on race day the ride was smooth with a few rolling hills. Despite being an open course, traffic was minimal and cars were courteous. After 27 miles I arrived in Philadelphia, MS, and sitting up on the grassy hillside was T2. That bag that was left in the trailer before the race was lying next to my assigned bike rack.
Out came running shoes and race belt and I was off for the last 6.5 miles to the finish line. Athletes proceed against traffic, occasionally jumping onto the shoulder to avoid oncoming traffic. The combination of hills and not seeing fellow athletes makes for a mentally challenging run. The fun begins at mile 5.5 when you make the turn into the Neshoba County Fair. The roads are lined with colorful “party houses” and filled with cheering fair-goers. The last ½ mile brings you onto the horse track to make your final loop before crossing the finish line.
 Colorful PartyHouse decorate the Neshoba County Fair |  Food, beverages and Fair-life! |
The after party was just the beginning of the FUN! We stuck around to celebrate our team’s success. All six of us placed top 10 Female finishers. The podium was covered in SISTER CHAIN colors and we made a great presence. Strollling through the fairgrounds unreal – the Neshoba County Fair is an epic event that is a must see. These people LOVE their FAIR and are very proud of it.
After back-tracking to collect our gear at T2 and T1 we were ready for some girls' trip fun! We were off to relax and play at Lake Tiak-O-Khata ‘beach” – cocktails, sand, water slides, laughter and team camaraderie! We finished up the day with a yummy dinner at the resort, more laughter and a great night sleep.
I may be a bit biased, but Sister CHAIN is a great group of women. We come from all facets of life where we juggle jobs, motherhood, children and husbands. Getting a chance to drop everything and come together for the sport we love and spend 48 hours enjoying each other and catching up with “life” has left me refreshed and ready to start planning our next “Girls' Trip.”
Thank you to the Heart O’ Dixie race staff and volunteers for a great race! We will be back next year.
Thank you to our sponsors for making 2018 possible – we love our team and couldn’t do it without your ongoing support! We will continue to spread the “triathlon love” along the Gulf Coast.
Thank you to the Heart O’ Dixie race staff and volunteers for a great race! We will be back next year.
Thank you to our sponsors for making 2018 possible – we love our team and couldn’t do it without your ongoing support! We will continue to spread the “triathlon love” along the Gulf Coast.
Amy Stanfield - 2nd Overall Female
Christine Bosau - 3rd Overall Female
Candice Taylor - 4th Overall Female
Cicely Wallis - 6th Overall Female
Mindi Straw - 7th Overall Female
Sue George - 10th Overall Female
Christine Bosau - 3rd Overall Female
Candice Taylor - 4th Overall Female
Cicely Wallis - 6th Overall Female
Mindi Straw - 7th Overall Female
Sue George - 10th Overall Female