Dare To Tri Maple Grove Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic


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Maple Grove, Minnesota
United States
Dare to Dream Events, LLC
Sunny
Total Time = 2h 43m 36s
Overall Rank = 48/167
Age Group = 45-49
Age Group Rank = 6/13
Pre-race routine:

Got up at 4am had PB&J and a glass of Ironman Perform. I wanted to leave early because of the distance from Lakeville to Maple Grove, road construction and parking for the event. Parking is about half a mile away from the event site (an Elementary School) and if you don't get in that parking lot you have to ride a bus from a further parking lot. I was glad I made it early because there was not a lot of parking in the first area. At check in you had to fill out a waiver form which also slowed the process. So my advise is to go early.
Event warmup:

After the pre race briefing (0700) I swam out to the first buoy and back. My wave started at 0748 and the race started at 0730. Once the race started there really is not a place to warm up (swimming).
Swim
  • 30m 6s
  • 1440 meters
  • 02m 05s / 100 meters
Comments:

Lots of wind today with longest segment being directly into the wind. Nice wide course so it was not crowded and easy to navigate around swimmers. Last turn was directly into the sun and you could not see the swim finish. I just swam directly at the sun which was right in line with the finish.
Transition 1
  • 02m 5s
Comments:

A little bit of a run from the beach to T1, short distance on the sand then a path. Very clearly marked so no confusion as where to go. Not sure why, but I got cramps in both legs as I put on my cycling shoes. The transition area is pretty big but I was fortunate to be right by the bike in/out which helped my time a little.
Bike
  • 1h 20m 40s
  • 26.1 miles
  • 19.41 mile/hr
Comments:

When I drove the course I was concerned because it transits several intersections with stop lights. The race director did an excellent job with coordinating with local police to control all of these intersections. There is one section that does not have a shoulder (county Rd 47) but I did not have any problem with traffic in this area. Overall I like the course. The winds were from the south and pretty strong with some sections directly into the wind or a cross wind (majority of the course). The segments with a tail wind were a blast!
Transition 2
  • 00m 38s
Comments:

Good T2 for me. Pay attention to where the run out is prior to the race. There were lot's of volunteers but if you didn't know where the run out is it might take a minute to figure out.
Run
  • 50m 9s
  • 6.23 miles
  • 08m 03s  min/mile
Comments:

Pretty nice course with lots of volunteers and people out in front of their houses cheering you on. Couple of hills as you near the finish area (you get to run them twice on the Oly course). Overall I really enjoyed the run course which was a little protected from all of the wind.
Post race
Warm down:

Lots of water and plenty of the usual bananas, bagels and chocolate chip cookies. They also had a pasta salad but I didn't try any.

Event comments:

Good event that I would do again. Very organized with lots of positive volunteers and local support. Even the local High School Cheerleaders were spread out along the last segment of the bike. I thought the RD did an amazing job for a first event. The three things that would be nice to have differently, is the parking situation (lugging all my stuff with bike a half mile back to the car after the race was less than fun). The waiver at check-in seems like it could have been done differently more clip boards, online prior to the race...It also would be nice to have a swim warm up area still open at the start of the race. Having said that, this is a great race and one to put on your list.




Last updated: 2010-05-11 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:30:06 | 1440 meters | 02m 05s / 100meters
Age Group: 8/13
Overall: 60/167
Performance:
Suit:
Course: Triangular shape with the longest leg after the first turn buoy.
Start type: Wade Plus: Waves
Water temp: 74F / 23C Current:
200M Perf. Remainder:
Breathing: Drafting:
Waves: Navigation:
Rounding:
T1
Time: 02:05
Performance:
Cap removal: Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike:
Jump on bike:
Getting up to speed:
Biking
01:20:40 | 26.1 miles | 19.41 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/13
Overall: 0/167
Performance:
Wind: Strong with gusts
Course: Two rectangular loops connected at one corner. Rolling hills but nothing to steep.
Road: Smooth Dry Cadence:
Turns: Cornering:
Gear changes: Hills:
Race pace: Drinks:
T2
Time: 00:38
Overall:
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike
Racking bike
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
00:50:09 | 06.23 miles | 08m 03s  min/mile
Age Group: 5/13
Overall: 45/167
Performance:
Course: Double loop through a residential neighborhood that is around Weaver Lake.
Keeping cool Drinking
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall:
Mental exertion [1-5]
Physical exertion [1-5]
Good race?
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 4