White Lake Half : Official Thread

I've done it the past two years and the one thing I can say is that its usually HOT HOT HOT. The past two years its been over 95 degrees so I've been taking Lava Salts. Other than that its flat as a pancake so you're typical training should be just fine.

The swim is in as clear a lake as you might ever swim in, sandy bottom, you can see the bottom the whole way. It is almost always wetsuit legal even though it is in May. Last year water temp was 75 degrees which is typical. The bike and run are pancake flat. The road coming in has a stretch of around 12-15 miles which is really bumpy and bad. Prepare for that. Wind and heat can be issues. The weather is very unpredictable that time of year. The ave. high is 79 but we never seem to get so lucky. Bring some cooler temps with you! Plan on it being very humid. Just know you will need to drink much more water than where you are now. It is a rural area so dont plan on much fan support other than around transition area, finish line, etc. Biking mileage will depend on you but definitely dont need to worry about hill work. :-) It is a well run race. Good Luck!

I just signed up to do this race for my first HIM.  Is anyone out there doing it this year?

I'm still deciding.  For some reason after all this time I still can't forget about how HOT the run was and there was zero shade. I'm not sure if I want to put myself through that again this year- I really don't tolerate the heat very well.

However, since I live in Raleigh the race is close and cheap so it makes sense to do it.  But I can't decide yet.

I am crossing my fingers that the heat won't be so bad this year!?! 

Agree on all that has been said.  My biggest shock was again the heat in t2.  I came off the bike feeling good but was amazed how hot it was once the wind was off me from the speed of the bike.  My plan this year is to drink twice as much and decrease my bike effort to "easy".  I was slammed at mile 4 on the run then walk run walk, walk, walk, run.  Awesome race though.  Have your race plan together if it is hot.  Swim was awesome.  I saw so much cool stuff n the lake floor (disney toys, toy cars, etc from kids dropping toys out of boats in the lake.  Do not want to have a better plan to avoid the post race drain from last year.

I am in.  I'm thinking the chances are above 50% that wetsuits will not be legal.  The way the calendar falls this year, White Lake Half is on the same weekend that White Lake Half #2 was last year.  From what I can tell, in 2010 wetsuits were legal for the first weekend and not legal for the second weekend.  I'm preparing for the heat, but hoping for mild weather.

It is a hot run.  Drink lots.  Run is on side of a highway for the most of it not fun.

Set Up Events is looking for adult volunteers for both White Lake weekends.  You can get some swag and discounted entry into future races if anyone is interested.

Agree with all said so far.  Use the aid stations on the run!  They have ice water and towels! lol.  I'm venturing to guess it will be wetsuit legal this year.  The water temp is currently 68, and WL #1 is only 18 days away.  I know it warms quickly, but they would have to have a heat wave next week to raise it that much.  And based on the history, last years #2 was the first time it was not wetsuit legal, I believe. 

And hopefully they will not run out of ice on the run this year.   Lets all keep our fingers crossed for decent temps.  Not sure I can handle another 93 degree half marathon.

Oh and this year, I'm training in the middle of the afternoon, hottest time of day I can get!