Steelhead 70.3

Bottom line...it's a good race for a first timer. Plusses include:

• Swim with the current, no matter which way the current's flowing.
• Not much chop in the swim
• Fairly easy bike course...not too many hills
• Flat run course
• Well supported in every aspect; very professionally run

The only reason(s) I could think of that wouldn't be a perfect first-time experience:

• It can be hot
• There's not much shade on the run course
• Event size...there will be 2000 people there
• Not a huge expo
• Not much shade at the finish
• Bring something cool for the family to do; Klock state park doesn't have much, and forget getting your car out.  
• Parking is a long way away (like > .5mi)

Bottom line: I think you'd be hard pressed to find a better first time HIM. Check out my race reports, plus others on the race nexus, and you'll hear firsthand some of the accounts of the race. I think you'll find them overwhelmingly positive. Go for it.

I did it last year and probably will be back this year. Great race, my only complaints are the afore metioned one road in and parking fiasco and the bike course was  a log jam at times.

Outside of that, great venue, very nice swim and definately well run.

I did the race last year for my first HIM.  The race venue and swim are really nice (great beach location).  I was in the 2nd to last wave (only relays were after me) and while I got to pass quite a few people, no major issues with bike traffic or drafting (keep in mind I'm not too fast).

I put the routes on BT's Route Tracker.

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/training/map.asp?routeid=18155

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/training/map.asp?routeid=19470

There are some good threads from last year describing the course. 

Steelhead bike course - can anyone describe?

Steelhead 70.3

Also, see my race report.

This will be my 3rd time at Steelhead and I agree with the posts that it is an excellent choice for a first 1/2 IM. However, my understanding is that portion of the lake can be very rough at times. The last couple of years have been an easy swim, but there is no guarantee that it will be like that this year.

I'll be doing this one as well for my 1st H.I. as well this year.

This will be my third year doing steelhead.  I Like the course; swim is nice, bike is scenic with some rolling hills, run course is okay.  Can be hot and traffic in morning can be a mess.  I would suggest parking in town and walk the bridge to the race or get a room at silver beach hotel(clarion) and you can walk from there.   Pre and post race food is decent.  Expo is set up at the beach but they only have a handful of shops. 

Its a nice town to spend the weekend with the family.    

I signed up!

Was going to do Racine again, but changed my mind... would rather try something a little different.

See you all there!

The last two years, the swim has been just about perfect, very little wind/waves and water temp around 70-72, but you're talking about Lake Michigan.  If the winds come in, it can blow lots of cold water in and you're dealing with 65F water.  Are you willing to chance 30-60 minutes in water that cold?  For the last 2 years, 10-20% of the participants went without wetsuits. 

(What size wetsuit would you need?  I'm not racing this year and could possibly loan you mine if it's the right size.)

Last year, they actually had a place dedicated for them.  You could also rent them just to stay in.  E-mail the RD.

Yes. If it's wetsuit legal, be in one.

I am not a  meteorologist or anything but my recalection is the lake getting near or possiblity above 80 in the Holland and Grand Haven areas growing up. It all depends on the wind direction. I know it can turn over in about 4 hours or so and change 10 degrees pretty quickly.

Hmm- I never considered Steelhead would not be wetsuit legal----but then again, I did my first HIM in Austin last year with no wetsuit....after almost all my training was in a wetsuit.  Boy was that fun!  I swim in the other side of Lake Michigan reguarly in the summer, and only in late June/August do I go without the wetsuit.  I just get cold easy.

My advice---train some without the wetsuit....just in case! 

Has anyone heard how many have signed up so far?

I most likely will end up doing this one, I just haven't planned anything concrete after IMCDA yet.