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After a brief hiatus, our #TrailTownSpotlight series is back! This edition crosses the border to explore the outdoor gems of Amherstburg, Ontario - possibly the single most historic recreational trail town in the Great Lakes region. All roads lead to Amherstburg, Ontario . Or at least that's our lingering sentiment after researching the Detroit region's outdoors over the past several months. Allow us to explain. Our first encounter with colonial Amherstburg dates back to our article on the Battles of Frenchtown - known predominately in the U.S. as the Battle of River Raisin - during the War of 1812 . The decisive British, Canadian, and Native American forces that routed the outnumbered Americans at Frenchtown ( now Monroe, Michigan ) had assembled at Fort Malden in Amherstburg, crossed the frozen Detroit River into Michigan, and later returned across the river on foot with hundreds of captured American soldiers during the infamous blood march now known as the " River Raisin Massacre ." In an unintended twist of fate, Amherstburg popped back up on the Expedition Detroit radar just a few weeks later. In honor of Black History Month, we published a two-part series on the Underground Railroad and its lasting legacy within the Detroit region. To our surprise, the long, clandestine trails of the railroad did not typically end in Windsor. Amherstburg, and specifically Fort Malden again, provided the final destination for tens of thousands of fugitive African Americans. While Detroit had the Underground Railroad codename of "Midnight," Amherstburg was referenced symbolically as "Dawn " - the light at the end of our history's most dark and dangerous trail. Beyond history, our research into southwestern Ontario's most popular trails ( future article spoiler ) led to uncovering 5 " Top Trails " within cycling distance of Downtown Amherstburg. Add in a healthy mix of Essex Region Conservation Areas, regional parks, and a dramatic coastline along the Detroit River and Lake Erie - well, let's just say that it didn't take much convincing for us to grab our hiking boots, passport, and hit the road. Here's our point: Amherstburg should be on the bucket list of every traveler to the Detroit region . A must-visit for outdoor enthusiasts, history buffs, street art fans, and foodies alike. It's our pleasure to formally introduce this quintessential Great Lakes colonial destination now. MEET AMHERSTBURG

The sixth installation of our #TrailTownSpotlight series, this edition highlights the natural gems of one of Michigan's most beautiful, historic, and - as of very recently - controversial destinations: Dearborn, Michigan. Join us as we explore and re-introduce this vibrant outdoor community! Photo courtesy of Downtown Dearborn First impressions matter. In human psychology, this is called the " Primacy Effect ": a cognitive bias where individuals tend to predominantly remember the first piece of information they encounter rather than any information they may receive later on . This first piece of information could comprise of a thought, experience, or second-hand description. When I hear the word " Dearborn ," my brain immediately time travels to a first impression resembling a humid evening in August, circa 1998. My family were Detroit region expats at the time, but we made semiannual pilgrimages back to the homeland. This particular year, the legacy of a distant relative was being honored at a special event located at some place called " Greenfield Village " in " Dearborn ." Those names meant nothing to me, other than a cessation in cousin playtime in favor of putting on formal clothes and driving some 30 minutes away. Stepping out of the car, I experienced immediate confusion regarding my surroundings. The bright red brick contrasting with white steeples. Row after row of older, victorian-styled buildings. Fancy old cars. Men and women in period clothing. Even an old train stationed not too far away. Sights that I had never seen in Michigan before. " Mom, are we at an amusement park? " She laughed. The memory ends before I can recall her response. Photo courtesy of Zoe Communications Group For decades, that memory of Greenfield Village constituted my sole impression of the City of Dearborn. After my family reestablished our roots in Southeast Michigan, new experiences and interactions started to accompany my connection with the city. I attended several weddings at The Dearborn Inn . Cycling from Plymouth to Dearborn along Hines Drive became a favorite past time. My father and I ran in the 2019 " Martian Invasion of Races " through its downtown. Most importantly, several of my closest friends - including a significant proportion of my law school class - all came from Dearborn . Men and women of diverse cultures and backgrounds, interests and passions. Amazingly, each and every one of them with a desire to make today slightly better than yesterday - to push themselves towards excellence. Exhibit A is our own Dr. Eric Reilly , a Dearborn High alum, accomplished anesthesiologist, and badass backcountry outdoorsman. I don't believe that my Dearborn story, as a long-term Detroit region local, is unique. Generations of Michiganders have fallen in love with the historic and culturally-diverse mosaic that defines Dearborn . A collective first impression that's overwhelmingly positive. On a national scale, however, Dearborn's public image is under siege. This first came to my attention watching a certain episode of "Designated Survivor," where Dearborn was depicted as a post-apocalyptic hellscape of suburban unrest. And then came this month's infamous article in the Wall Street Journal , which we will not be linking here. A xenophobic hitpiece, written by a non-local, intended to sow distrust within a flourishing community. For better and for worse, we in the Detroit region are no strangers to news headlines painting our communities with a broad, less-than-flattering brush. Especially by "painters" who have never left the confines of DTW . For us at Expedition Detroit , however, we identify with the words of Mark Twain - that "travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." So, in the midst of the swirling headlines, we decided to trek down Hines Drive to Dearborn to experience the city firsthand. More particularly, we sought out Dearborn's outdoor destinations, outfitters, cafés, pubs, and other institutions that form the bedrock of its active community . Our mission at Expedition Detroit involves changing the national narrative regarding the Detroit region's status as a gateway to world-class outdoor destinations, so its our honor to reintroduce Dearborn here with a designation that we all can rally around: an innovative, historic, diverse, and flourishing " Trail Town ." Photo courtesy of Downtown Dearborn

The end of daylight saving time means that the Detroit region's shorter, darker days have arrived. Put differently, our region's BEST nights for stargazing are FINALLY BACK. Ready to admire the cosmos, Detroit? Here are the 10 best destinations for stargazing near Detroit - UPDATED FOR SPRING 2026. The Northern Lights above Maybury State Park - May 2024 Have you ever felt like the harder you try for a goal, the less likely you are to achieve it? If you have, you're far from alone. That sentiment is so profound that it's known in modern psychology as the " Law of Reversed Effort ," which suggests that conscious, forced effort can be counterproductive, and that achieving goals often requires relaxation, trust, and allowing the process to unfold naturally. Exhibit A: my long-standing goal to witness the brilliance of the Aurora Borealis phenomenon, aka the Northern Lights. I had traveled near and far to experience the Northern Lights. From backpacking in Alaska, visiting my brother in Norway , to skiing at Mount Bohemia in the U.P. , I had certainly "put in the work" for crossing the Northern Lights off of my bucket list . I was in the right places, at the right time of year - and yet, time and time again, no luck. And then, on a seemingly random May evening in suburban Northville, Michigan , I saw that my sister-in-law was calling my cell phone. "DAN - get outside NOW and look up!!" I walked outside of her Northville home with a view directly towards the towering tree of Maybury State Park . Sure enough, the starlit skies that typically adorned the park had an ethereal movement to them - a wispy, wavy, and colorful sheen that I had never experienced before. Without any warning or notice, the Northern Lights had arrived in the Detroit region. The light show was spectacular - and absolutely worth the wait. Amazingly, Maybury isn't even one of the best locations in Southeast Michigan for stargazing near Detroit. If nothing else, my Northern Lights experience proves that just a few acres of unadulterated green space can create a noticeable decrease in light pollution. So then, where exactly are the best locations within a major metropolitan area like Metro Detroit? Don't worry, we've got you covered - the Expedition Detroit research team has painstakingly reviewed clear sky charts and light pollution maps to pinpoint the exact locations of the least amount of light pollution. Naturally, we found some gems hiding in plain sight - perfect destinations for a starlit hike or romantic adventure. All within an hour's drive of Downtown Detroit. Happy stargazing, Detroit!

November brings cooler temperatures, remaining colors, and rapidly diminishing crowds on the trails - perfect conditions for exploring the best hiking trails near Detroit! Here are the top five ranked trails to kick off your next hiking expedition. Outdoor enthusiasts all come in different shapes and sizes - interests, ethnicities, identities, and range of experience in the great outdoors. That being said, our demographic research has zeroed in on one great common love among all lovers of our natural environment: hiking . Regardless of whether your trail of choice is your neighborhood-sponsored natural trail or the topographic rollercoaster of a "black diamond" trek, the Detroit region has a perfect hike waiting for you. We guarantee it. Just in time for National Hiking Day , the Expedition Detroit team has painstakingly evaluated and curated the following list of the Detroit area's top five hiking trails for your exploring pleasure. Happy hiking, my friends - we'll see you at the trailhead. Photo courtesy of AllTrails, LLC

Along the banks of the Huron River and through the towering pines of Proud Lake, we retraced the generational footsteps of one of the Detroit region's oldest backpacking routes: the Chief Pontiac Trail . Join us on this concluding Part 2 of this series that follows this classic Michigan hiking trail from Proud Lake to Kensington Metropark! Pro tip: try to get more than 3 hours of recovery sleep in the middle of a ~20 mile thru-hike. The key word there is " try ." Two of our more recent Expedition Detroit articles have centered on the elusive concept of a restful night's sleep in the outdoors. On one end of the spectrum, you have hammock camping : your best bet for a glorious slumber while swaying ever so slightly under a starlit night . Perfect for pristine, solitary, and obviously forested nights in the Detroit region's natural environs. On the other end - and I shudder as I begin to type these words - you have my mid-Chief Pontiac Trail camping set-up at Proud Lake's Modern Campground. Let us be clear, there's nothing inherently wrong with this particular campground. However, when your sole camping option along the trail involves reserving a spot at one of the most popular campgrounds in the entire Detroit area, well , you get what you signed up for. I detailed my night from hell in our aptly-named " Five Guaranteed Ways to Piss Off an Entire Campground " article, so I won't rehash that horror story here. Here's the plain truth : pursuing an outdoor lifestyle, including the lifelong adventures and benefits that accompany it, often comes with the price tag of " Type 2 Fun ." Anyone will gladly identify as an "outdoor enthusiast" when running on a full night's rest, perfect conditions, amazing company, and immaculately-curated trails. The crowd thins a bit when your exhausted body further suffers through a horrendous night, the rain clouds roll in, nature has reclaimed what once resembled a trail, and you're completely alone. In those "Type 2" conditions, our advice is simply to live , laugh , and get your ass back on the trail . Fully embrace the terrible hand that your outdoor experience has dealt you. Why? Because the adventure doesn't start until something goes wrong, and nobody likes a story where everything went right . Day 2 on the Chief Pontiac Trail started with this exact mindset. Three hours of tortured sleep. A torrential downpour rolling in. Exhausted legs. And ~8 miles to backpack. Perfect variables for an unforgettable adventure. Let's get back to the trail.

Welcome back to our weekly #TrailTuesday Series! This edition explores a trail hiked by investors, industrialists, royalty, and common outdoor enthusiasts alike: Highland Recreation Area's Haven Hill Loop. Join us as we rediscover this timeless trail! Two roads diverged in a green wood, and I - I took the one less traveled by, and that led me to the ruins of the Ford family's wilderness homestead, and that has made all the difference. Robert Frost just turned in his grave at my adulteration of his classic poem "The Road Not Taken," but such words echoed around my head as I deviated from a well-trodded trail towards not much more than a game path leading up a steep, wooded hill. An ideal location for a refuge of sorts; some might even say a "haven." As I climbed over a few more logs that had obstructed this "less traveled" route, other signs of a past life began to appear, indicating that I was far from leading a first expedition to summit this hill. Time-rusted scraps of metal began to seamlessly appear next to freshly budding wildflowers. Cemented poles and other fixtures started protruding from the ground. But most surprising of all, right near the summit, an apparatus somewhat resembling a ski hill towrope pole from a bygone era stood silently in the midst of untamed wilderness. Truth be told, I knew exactly where I was heading. I had a vague understanding of the past life of this dramatic moraine that I was summiting. I had studied the titans of the 20th century that had similarly made the journey to the top of this hill, presumably within a Ford motor car. And, tragically, I knew that this destination - where volumes' worth of historical moments once occurred - had burned to the ground in an act of arson in January of 1999. I finally summited, but my eyes did not find a panoramic vista of blooming treetops, rolling hills, and glistening inland lakes. No; they found something even more rare. Alone in the pouring rain, I found myself standing amidst the ruins of Edsel Ford's "Haven Hill" homestead . The industrialist's wilderness sanctuary perched at 1,060 feet that had hosted foreign dignitaries, household name inventors, and celebrities of the mid-20th century. A refuge from which the Ford family could escape from the rigors of a booming automotive industry to the privacy of their 2,422 acres. Ample space for the family to hike, fish, ski, toboggan, swim, and ride their horses. The Fords have been absent from the history of Haven Hill for nearly 80 years , but their legacy remains in the boardwalks, wildlife, and trails that trace their roots back to the family's patronage. The trails surrounding Haven Hill Lake especially owe their carefully planned routes and striking character to this bygone era, with the Haven Hill Loop comprising the most sought-after trail through the region's stunning topography. A recreational tribute to living history, preserved in the timeless cast of nature. It is our honor to reintroduce the Haven Hill Loop and Highland State Recreation Area now. MEET HIGHLAND STATE RECREATION AREA

Welcome back to our #TrailTuesday Series! This edition loops around the wild trails nestled into the easternmost wilderness of Detroit's most beautiful island - Belle Isle Park . Join us as we rediscover Belle Isle's stunning Lighthouse and Blue Heron Lagoon trail ! Trails inspire us. They encourage ingenuity, community, and continuity of connection. They challenge us to push our limits, reward us with stunning vistas, and congratulate us with post-hike brews . Trails provide the perfect venue for brainstorming business ventures, reimagining better futures, and letting go of past hurts and failures. Every trail innately carries these beautiful attributes , which in turn draws legions of outdoor enthusiasts to Metro Detroit's trailheads year after year. These benefits also explain why the Michigan, Canadian, and U.S. governments are investing millions into building and improving our regional trail system. For us at Expedition Detroit , we've found ourselves inspired on a daily basis by Detroit's greater trail system. The opening lyrics to U2's song "City of Blinding Lights" prophesies that " The more you see, the less you know , " which we've found to be absolutely true while navigating the Detroit region's outdoor destinations. Every outing that originated with a specific agenda - " let's document a hike of X trail " - finished with three or more ideas for future article, collaboration prospects, or guided adventure opportunities. Even repeat hikes of a particular crowd-favorite trail like Brighton's Penosha Trail follow this trend. But of all the trails that have inspired us over the past year, one specific trail sticks out in my mind . In fact, I'd go as far as to say that the " Expedition Detroit idea " originated from this exact trailhead. A trail experience that provided the spark for a venture that ignited into this platform. The unwavering belief that Detroit's natural environs of pristine waterways, rugged moraine ridge lines, dense hardwood forests, lively marshes, and state of the art urban trails provide the ideal ecosystem for a revolutionary approach to developing our outdoor industry . Better yet, the hypothesis that all of those outdoor elements coexist within an interconnected, easily accessible, and increasingly dynamic geographic area. Yes, a single trail located in the dead center of our international environment, where every natural, cultural, and historic feature that makes Detroit a world-class outdoor destination comes together in just over 2 miles of shoreline loops , inspired those core beliefs. That trail is Belle Isle Park's Lighthouse and Blue Heron Lagoon trail . It's our pleasure to reintroduce Belle Isle and its most remote trail now. Photo courtesy of Valnet Inc MEET BELLE ISLE PARK

Welcome back to our weekly #TrailTuesday Series! This edition explores one of the most accessible, beautiful, and popular trails in the Detroit region: Island Lake's Yellow Trail Loop. Join us as we rediscover this cherished biking, hiking, and running destination! Let's get right to it: if you could only visit one Detroit region park in your entire life, then Island Lake State Recreation Area should be said park. If you have ever had the pleasure of recreating at Island Lake, then that shouldn't come off as a rash statement. At all. My love story with Island Lake started during the peak Covid "lockdown" era. If you recall last week's #TrailTuesday special on Pontiac Lake , one of my best friends served as my mountain biking mentor during my first few months breaking into the sport. After we lapped Maybury's awesome MTB track to near memory, my buddy decided that it was time for his padawan to expand his horizon. To my surprise, Maybury was not his go-to trail; that would be found 15 miles northwest in one of the Detroit region's most beloved parks, Island Lake. I prefer to explore trails before blindly riding them, so the first time that I formally met the Yellow Trail loop, I left the bike at home. The trail was clearly built by mountain bikers, for mountain bikers , so I completed my second traverse on two wheels. Three years later, my preferred arrival at Island Lake includes a trifecta of running, mountain biking, and paddling equipment . To summarize, Island Lake has burrowed deeply into an immoveable, special place in this recreationist's heart. Some of the best days of my life have been spent paddling its idyllic stretches on the Huron, hammocking with friends at Spring Mill Pond, trekking through "the Badlands," and, of course, lapping its pristine Blue and Yellow Trails. No, especially the Yellow Trail . And I'm far from being the only outdoor enthusiast to take that stance. It is our honor to reintroduce Island Lake State Recreation Area now. The Badlands of Island Lake Recreation Area MEET ISLAND LAKE STATE RECREATION AREA

From the heights of Mt. Omich to the lowlands of the Huron River, we retraced the generational footsteps of one of the Detroit region's oldest backpacking routes: the Chief Pontiac Trail . Join us on Part 1 of this series as we traverse this classic Michigan hiking trail from Highland to Proud Lake! " There's no way that it was like this in the 1950s. " I say those words audibly to myself as yet another set of headlights blind me along Wixom Trail. It's just past 10 p.m., and I've got the red light setting on my headlamp turned on to alert oncoming traffic that there is, in fact, a rouge vagabond backpacking along the side of a major road on a Friday night. A few cars flash their headlights at me. Maybe they think that I'm lost. Or they're checking to confirm that an apparition of Chris McCandless hasn't returned to haunt the outskirts of Milford. Regardless, they're obviously - and understandably - confused at the spectacle in front of them. Against all odds, however, I'm right where I'm supposed to be. Not arriving at the trailhead at 6:30 p.m. for a 10.5+ mile backpacking trek would've been ideal, but regardless of my tardy departure, I'm exactly on-trail for the first segment of the traditional Chief Pontiac Trail. A prestigious expeditions that generations of Boy Scouts have traversed since 1958, when these roads assuredly were sleepy, backcountry routes to the outskirts of a growing Oakland County. A welcomed sigh of relief hits my tired legs as I finally verge off of the main roads and back into the sanctuary of Proud Lake State Recreation Area. I have another 2.6 miles to go, but the familiar woods - even in the pitch dark - feel like home. A beautiful, natural environment that has hardly changed in the last 65 years thanks to ardent conservationism and prevailing common sense. My calorie-deprived mind is complete mush at this point, but as I cross the Moss Dam Bridge I start to think about the trail that I'm following - and how it so accurately reflects the state of the Detroit region's outdoors. The grand history and decades-long visions that led to its establishment. The maintenance actions - or lack thereof - the led to its current state. The almost total lack of online visibility regarding its navigation and operation. And, most importantly, the opportunities for its future. Out of all of our exploits on the Expedition Detroit platform, thru-hiking the Chief Pontiac Trail undoubtedly holds the title as our truest "expedition" to date. It's a rigorous, often overgrown, and occasionally unmarked trail that requires backpackers to stay dialed-in throughout the journey. It's our great pleasure to introduce this quintessential trail to our audience now. MEET THE CHIEF PONTIAC TRAIL

Welcome back to our weekly #TrailTuesday Series! This edition digs into one of the most popular trails in the entire Detroit region - a well deserved designation - within the heart of Maybury State Park. Join us as we traverse the rolling hills and expansive wetlands of Maybury! Have you ever experienced the joy - and frustration - of recognizing that something beautiful was hiding in plain sight? Maybe you finally realized that an old friend from your school years also constituted your ideal romantic partner. You serendipitously dropped into that one coffee shop that you’ve commuted right past for years, only for daily stops at said coffee shop to evolve into a staple of your workweek. You finally launched that business venture based on your natural gifts and interests. Or maybe you sat down and had a conversation with that one relative that you never thought you could form a strong bond with - and years later you’re practically joined at the hip. Detroit’s outdoors, in the aggregate, represent another “hidden in plain sight” opportunity. For us at Expedition Detroit, the scales from our recreationist eyes didn’t largely fall until the pandemic shut off the valve to the rest of the outdoor world. Especially during the spring of 2020, the only places available to explore were our immediate surroundings: the parks, rivers, forests, and lakes that most of us have rarely visited despite such places being “home.” For me personally, Maybury State Park had been hiding in plain sight for 13 pre-pandemic years. From my childhood home, you can clearly see the headlamps of mountain bikers riding at night along the park’s far-eastern trails. Owls, hawks, and even the occasional coyote could easily venture into our backyard from the sanctuary of the park. World-class experiences on some of the Detroit region’s best kept trails were a mere stone’s throw away. If this article serves one purpose, we hope that it will inspire you to explore that local trailhead that you may pass by on a daily basis but have yet to hike, run, or bike. And don’t lose any sleep if there is such a trail in your life - just like that hypothetical coffee shop or hometown sweetheart, I’m happy to report that Maybury’s trails have become a staple in my outdoor livelihood. It’s an honor to share one of our favorite parks and trails with you now. MEET MAYBURY STATE PARK

In the wake of the Detroit Lions' most exciting - and heart wrenching - season in a generation, we're reflecting back on 5 key takeaways that Detroit's outdoor community can learn from this historic football team. #OnePride "This is it - our whole season depends on this play." I said those words audibly from Section 212C at Ford Field on January 28th. I was on my feet, along with tens of thousands of fellow diehard fans, cheering on the Detroit Lions' playoff hopes until our voices dissipated. Ironically, our yells would have zero tangible effect on that particular play - our boys were playing 2,419.5 miles away in Santa Clara, California. But there we were - The Pride - gathered to watch Goff and the offense try to convert on one final 4th down gamble to keep our Super Bowl dreams alive. The ball's snapped. The cheers give way to bated anticipation. Goff's pass is thrown towards ace receiver Amon Ra St. Brown. The ball hits the ground. Incomplete . This season - this glorious, division championship winning, 3 points away from the Super Bowl, unforgettable season - is now, in all material respects, over . Fans started pouring out of Ford Field nearly as soon as the big screens broadcasted that incompletion. I couldn't join them. I had to stay in my seat, cheering the Lions on until the clock struck 0:00. Maybe it was due to my memory of being in that same building when our team came back against the Chicago Bears in dramatic fashion. Maybe it was the fact that the "Conference Championship" banner was located directly in my line of vision, taunting me with one remaining solitary space. Maybe I simply couldn't accept that these were the final seconds that I would watch this team play until September. Ultimately, I stayed because I fell in love with this particular Detroit Lions team over the last two seasons. Beyond finally bringing winning football back to Detroit, the 2022-2023 Detroit Lions initiated a cultural phenomenon that I had never witnessed in my 30+ years of being a Detroit sports fan. A ripple effect that permeated far beyond the confines of Ford Field, the City of Detroit, or all of Michigan. We all witnessed it. From the Honolulu Blue-lit buildings to the "Go Lions!" messages posted on church placards, " JA-RED GOFF! " chants breaking out at high school cheerleading matches to media graphics showing the whole country rooting for us, our One Pride grew exponentially this season. I've had friends from Colorado and Mississippi reach out to me asking about how it felt to be here, during this particular season, rooting for this exceptional team. And once the heartbreak from our loss started to subside ( still grappling with it TBH ), I was finally able to answer: " Unforgettable ." As Detroit-based recreationists, we place our region's outdoor sports and endeavors over every other genre of recreation - including our beloved professional clubs. In that vein, as we at Expedition Detroit have processed this unforgettable Detroit Lions season from our outdoor lens, we zeroed in on these 5 key takeaways for cementing the legacy of this historic season into the culture of our outdoor community .

Part triathlon training guide, part misadventure story, here are the "dos" and "don'ts" of competing in one of the most challenging, rigorous, and rewarding racing events that the outdoor world has ever concocted: the Triathlon . "Ohhhh my friend! Did you sign up yet?? " I blankly stared at the text from my buddy Eric for a few seconds, knowing that my response would have to be "Yep!" despite, indeed, not signing up yet. To his credit, Eric had texted me about the sprint triathlon race several weeks prior, but I had been caught up in a little life event called "launching Expedition Detroit." I detest lying - even well-intentioned, harmless little ones - so I quickly registered for the race and shot back a confirmative text with a clear conscience. We had just signed up for Running Fit’s final “T-Rex Triathlon” event for last August - a sprint race consisting of a 0.5 mile swim, 12.4 mile bike, and 3.1 mile run. As any longtime reader of this platform is well aware of, we at Expedition Detroit are outspoken supporters of Running Fit’s races. So it didn’t take much for Eric to twist my arm into signing up three days before race day . With Running Fit kicking off their 2023 "T-Rex Triathlon" season next Wednesday, May 31st, with the Stegosaurus Triathlon and Duathlon at Island Lake Recreation Area , we wanted to share this personal tale and educational article for all first-time triathletes diving head first into their new sport. Hopefully this article will catch you before you repeat our misguided approach to our race... How NOT to Complete a Triathlon - A Personal Tale