First Tri Advice
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2009-04-21 8:58 AM |
Member 127 | Subject: First Tri Advice Hi all - Well, after two years of doing duathlons, I think I might be ready for a tri... at least I hope to be. So I was all geared up to do the Heart of Lakes but it's full... so now my choices are Graniteman or the Chisago Tri... I really want to wait until mid-late July so I have time to swim in the lakes some before the race. Do you guys have recommendations between the two? Also, if you "can" wear a wetsuit, do you? I was thinking if it was warm out and the water was warm, I wouldn't bother with it - is that a bad plan? I do read these boards all the time and it gets me very excited and nervous! Thank you though for all the great information you give. Anyone doing the Winter Begone duathlon Sunday? |
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2009-04-21 9:12 AM in reply to: #2099449 |
Member 47 Chaska, MN | Subject: RE: First Tri Advice Welcome! I'm pretty new myself and I did my first tri last year and had a great time. I did the Chaska Triathlon which is held in July and maybe 10% of the people there wore a wetsuit. I'm planning on doing more races this year but won't be getting a wetsuit due to $$$ and because most of the races I'll be doing are later when the water is warmer. So my novice advice would be to skip it and spend your money on something cooler, like clipless pedals or on the BBQ you'll be thowing all your friends who came to watch! |
2009-04-21 9:38 AM in reply to: #2099449 |
Extreme Veteran 502 Woodbury, | Subject: RE: First Tri Advice Can't speak to Graniteman, but I did Chisago (short course) last year and thought it was one of the best-organized events I've done. It was the largest field of any race I've been a part of, yet the transition area was managed exceptionally well. I definately recommend the event. As to the wetsuit, I say it completely depends on your level of comfort in the water. Chisago, for example, was certainly plenty warm enough to go without, but I still wore mine because it's flotation is a crutch for my crappy-swimmer self. I'm sure I could make it without one, but the stress level would be way higher. If you are a decent swimmer (by that I mean comfort level in crowded/rough water more than speed), probably skip it. I won't be racing without mine anytime soon. |
2009-04-21 9:50 AM in reply to: #2099449 |
Expert 1277 St. Paul, MN | Subject: RE: First Tri Advice Jelly21 - 2009-04-21 8:58 AM Hi all - Well, after two years of doing duathlons, I think I might be ready for a tri... at least I hope to be. So I was all geared up to do the Heart of Lakes but it's full... so now my choices are Graniteman or the Chisago Tri... I really want to wait until mid-late July so I have time to swim in the lakes some before the race. Do you guys have recommendations between the two? Also, if you "can" wear a wetsuit, do you? I was thinking if it was warm out and the water was warm, I wouldn't bother with it - is that a bad plan? I do read these boards all the time and it gets me very excited and nervous! Thank you though for all the great information you give. Anyone doing the Winter Begone duathlon Sunday? It is really easy to get all excited and nervous spending time on these boards and thinking about upcoming races. I haven't done either race, so I can't say much there. I've never had the opportunity to race with a wetsuit as I only just got one last fall. A couple races I did had what seemed like chilly water to me and I survived them. Best advice I can give, is to get in the water before the start of the race. Let your body get over the shock of the cold water to the point where you can breathe without gasping. You might still be cold (even with a wetsuit), but after a few moments you should be able to breathe relatively normally. Just jumping right in and starting to race stinks. It took me nearly half of a swim (in an oly) before my breathing settled down once. I'm sure things would have gone better if I had just done a little acclimation first. |
2009-04-21 10:19 AM in reply to: #2099449 |
Member 127 | Subject: RE: First Tri Advice Thanks a lot for all your suggestions. I'm definitely not comfortable in the water - and even less so with a bunch of people kicking and hitting me... so maybe I'll look into the wetsuit. I know there is a lot of gear info on these boards so I'll look there to start. |
2009-04-21 10:24 AM in reply to: #2099704 |
Expert 2189 Dodge County, MN (out in the corn) | Subject: RE: First Tri Advice Jelly- I'm doing Winter Be Gone this weekend! My husband and I are in for the short course. Are you from the area? |
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2009-04-21 10:30 AM in reply to: #2099449 |
Member 127 | Subject: RE: First Tri Advice No - we live in Minneapolis, but I don't mind driving an hour for a fun race! My husband and I did this race last year too. This year another friend of ours is doing it too I hope we have better weather than last year!! I love doing duathlons... hopefully this year I'll graduate!!! |
2009-04-21 10:41 AM in reply to: #2099704 |
Extreme Veteran 502 Woodbury, | Subject: RE: First Tri Advice Jelly21 - 2009-04-21 10:19 AM Thanks a lot for all your suggestions. I'm definitely not comfortable in the water - and even less so with a bunch of people kicking and hitting me... so maybe I'll look into the wetsuit. I know there is a lot of gear info on these boards so I'll look there to start. I have a Neosport sleeveless that I got for $100, which seems to work fine, but I have nothing to compare it to. I think Xterra is pretty well regarded and I know they are having a bit of a sale right now (sleeveless for $125 here, also good price on a full suit, methinks) |
2009-04-21 1:03 PM in reply to: #2099773 |
Champion 10018 , Minnesota | Subject: RE: First Tri Advice I'm the same, I would wear the wet suit just for the flotation help. I love mine! I picked up a Q Roo Ultrajohn (sleeveless) at Gear West a few years ago. It was an okay price for what I could find without ordering something online. A lot of folks have ProMotion suits around here and I hear good things. You order and ship remotely, but they seem to be helpful with sizing questions, etc. I've never done either of the tris you asked about, but I am signed up for Graniteman this year. I would probably be inclined to pick based on location and date. If either date was fine, then pick whichever is closest. Nothing sucks worse than adding a long drive to an already early/stressful morning. I thought I would have a heart attack driving to Minneman for my first tri. Just get signed up before it's too late! |
2009-04-21 1:26 PM in reply to: #2099449 |
Elite 3687 | Subject: RE: First Tri Advice I have done both the sprint and the half at Chisago. Enjoy the venue and am doing the half again this year. Would reccomend binging your own TP for the porta biffs. Just saying. |
2009-04-21 2:09 PM in reply to: #2100315 |
Extreme Veteran 502 Woodbury, | Subject: RE: First Tri Advice mndiver - 2009-04-21 1:26 PM ... Would reccomend recommend [edited for spelling, shocker!] binging your own TP for the porta biffs. Just saying. HIM racers are in the water before the sprint people, and there are like 15 waves of sprinters. So, if you forget TP you'll have plenty of time to 'borrow' Bryan's transition towel if you need to. Just sayin'... |
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2009-04-21 2:18 PM in reply to: #2100486 |
Champion 10018 , Minnesota | Subject: RE: First Tri Advice You bothered to correct recommend but not "binging"? (sorry Bryan!) Johnny Bee - 2009-04-21 2:09 PM mndiver - 2009-04-21 1:26 PM ... Would reccomend recommend [edited for spelling, shocker!] binging your own TP for the porta biffs. Just saying. HIM racers are in the water before the sprint people, and there are like 15 waves of sprinters. So, if you forget TP you'll have plenty of time to 'borrow' Bryan's transition towel if you need to. Just sayin'... |
2009-04-21 2:23 PM in reply to: #2099449 |
Elite 3687 | Subject: RE: First Tri Advice Do you people ever get bored correcting my spelling? Because, and I really mean this, I have no plans on getting any better at it. Plus you all suck. |
2009-04-21 2:36 PM in reply to: #2100553 |
Extreme Veteran 502 Woodbury, | Subject: RE: First Tri Advice mndiver - 2009-04-21 2:23 PM Do you people ever get bored correcting my spelling? Because, and I really mean this, I have no plans on getting any better at it. Plus you all suck. Good catch, Emily. Bryan - I honestly can't say whether I'll get bored with it. I mean, it certainly hasn't become less entertaining so far. Way to stick to your guns, though! |
2009-04-21 9:50 PM in reply to: #2100553 |
Veteran 191 Minnetonka, MN | Subject: RE: First Tri Advice mndiver - 2009-04-21 2:23 PM Do you people ever get bored correcting my spelling? Because, and I really mean this, I have no plans on getting any better at it. Plus you all suck. is it bad that i found no spelling mistakes, im terrible as well so you will see no corrections from me! |
2009-04-21 9:59 PM in reply to: #2100533 |
Pro 4541 A farming town in MN | Subject: RE: First Tri Advice BikerGrrrl - 2009-04-21 2:18 PM You bothered to correct recommend but not "binging"? (sorry Bryan!) Johnny Bee - 2009-04-21 2:09 PM mndiver - 2009-04-21 1:26 PM ... Would reccomend recommend [edited for spelling, shocker!] binging your own TP for the porta biffs. Just saying. HIM racers are in the water before the sprint people, and there are like 15 waves of sprinters. So, if you forget TP you'll have plenty of time to 'borrow' Bryan's transition towel if you need to. Just sayin'... Tougf corwd tonigth... |
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