Suggestions for second ever sprint tri before season ends

there are lots of sprints out there - including lake ones as well.  as for ocean swim - consider http://JSTRICLUB.org - for a very nominal membership fee you can participate in up to 4 ocean swims PER WEEK - sometimes even more - with the jstri crew.  I learned a lot about open water swimming practicing with them first in the river and then the ocean this summer.   They also pride themselves in training starters (like me) and if you let them know you are coming you will likely get some special attention on the swims.

 The ones you mention would be fine.  War at the Shore seems like lots of fun.

Between now and next July - there are probably between 50 and 100 triathlons within relatively near proximity that you can look for.  Some triathlon sites are:

http://www.lin-mark.com/race/details.asp?race_id=688

http://dqtridu.com

there are other sites as well . . .

Thanks, I did check it out but I am not ready for 18 miles on the bike through rolling terrain. I definitely trained for flat bike ride and am looking for something similar to the NJ State terrain,  Clinton, NJ is definitely not it. 

I did just find a triathlon in Hightstown NJ at the end of September (same day as the Jerseryman) that I am seriously considering since it is a lake swim and definitely local for me.  It would give me another year to help my knee heal more and  to prep for ocean swims and hillier courses to broaden my choices for next year.  http://hightstown-skatepark.org/Triathlon.html and it is USAT sanctioned.

That's cool Bob.  Yeah, and I agree about the nasty tasting water but I also thought that of Lake Mercer but I think a big part of that is because we are not normally allowed to swim in those lakes and Lake Mercer was not all that bad.  No, I did not taste the water intentionally but did end up with a little bit in my mouth at one point or another.    I do realize this is the first and probably will not be as organized as a race that CGI puts on but might definitely be worth checking out because it is so local.  It would give me more time to practice ocean swims this summer and get more comfortable for next summer.  I haven't even been to the shore yet this year, crazy right?

Do you think I will need a wetsuit for Peddie Lake in late September?

Another option for a small race is in Pt. Pleasant in Sept.

http://www.point-foundation.org/files/Triathlon_form_2008.pdf

I did this last year as my first tri ever and it was very well run. Great novice race, I will probably do it again this year.

How far are you willing to travel?

CGI has the North East MD race on Aug 17th (Sprint and Oly) with spots open.

I thought about it and would love to do another CGI race, Michele and Larry are amazing, but unfortunately I already have plans for that weekend.

Randi, here are a few examples:

War at the Shore - it's totally flat

Point Pleasant Treasure Island - still totally flat

Buckman and Skylands in early September... a bit hillier but the most perfect water you can find (at Buckman you can see the bottom at 20 feet). 

I'm doing the endless summer tri at LBI on September 21st.  This was actually the first tri I registered for and intended it to be my first race, but then didn't want to wait until September and signed up for the NJ State tri as well.

I'm also a bit nervous about the ocean swim.  Last year, the first year of the event, the swim was in the bay - which is very lake-like and shallow.  This year they're switching to the ocean and it'll be a 200 yard out and back (400 yards alltogether).   The bike and run courses are very flat.

Note that the lin-mark, which timed the course for NJ state tri, are organizing endless summer, and they're promoting it at the NJ state results page.  Last year it sold out and it probably will again this year.

Thanks Chris.  The War at the Shore is one on my list, I found the Point Pleasant one but cannot find any details or place to register yet which bothers me.  Wish I could view route maps or even the cost to register.   I did check out Buckman but don't think I am ready for the 1/2 mile swim  or the "A beautiful on road course will challenge the cyclist along rolling, country roads.  This course has a net elevation gain of 1,374.7 and a loss of 1,333.0 with a total distance of 17 miles."  Skylands is also 1/2mile swim and 14 miles.  Flat and 12 miles still challenges me (hehe).   

Here is my short list in no particular order.  They each have their pros and cons.  I just need to decide which one to do:

John,

It is funny you posted this because I had decided yesterday after weighing pros and cons of all the races on my short list.  I had decided to do the Hightstown one over the War at the Shore for two reasons - it is close to home and the biggest pro was that this race is a lake swim vs an ocean swim. 

Before deciding, I had commented to my husband about all the turns and had to rethink my decision after seeing your post.  So, I called the race director whose number is listed on the website and talked to him for close to 20 minutes.  While the course is not entirely closed to traffic,  they do plan to have volunteers at every turn directing the bikes.  The sections where there are bikers and runners will be closed to traffic.  He did say they had biked the course a few times on Sunday morning and came across very few cars.  They will also be restricting parking on the roads during the race which avoids having to go around parked cars. 

I still think I am going to give it a shot and hope for the best. I plan on riding the course a few times between now and the race so that I am comfortable riding it and know where the turns are.

Now I know to plan several races for the season, was afraid to do that until I knew whether I enjoyed triathlons.  Now I know.