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Vancouver World's June 2008
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 2008-04-09 11:16 AM |
Master 1675     Kitchener |  Subject: Vancouver World's June 2008I'm in Ontario and going to race the sprint distance on June 2nd. Is anyone doing this race? Has anyone done the route in the past? I saw the video of the bike route through Stanley Park and it looks nice but there is a hill to climb. Is it difficult? I'm a fairly decent biker for my AG (55+). I have never swam in salt water before. How do you think I will find it? Finally, does anyone know what the run is like? Thanks for any advice you can give. Really looking forward to coming for a visit. Anne  |
| 2008-04-09 11:50 AM in reply to: #1326089 |
Pro 4578 Vancouver, BC | Subject: RE: Vancouver World's June 2008 Hi Anne, A good friend of mine is doing the Olympic course. She didn't qualify on that course that year, but qualified in Kelowna. However I know some people who did the Olympic distance race there last year. Overall, I think they enjoyed it, but the run route was marked incorrectly and I think they ran closer to 14km than to 10km. Hopefully there will be no mistakes this time. I ride in Stanley Park quite frequently. Probably 3-4 times a week and I know the hill you are taking about. It's not that bad really. I don't think you'll have a problem. Swimming in salt water can be easier as you float better. Just try not to drink too much salt. When are you coming out? Will you get a chance to bike the course? The ride around Stanley Park is only 10km, so you could just do that one evening and it shouldn't be a problem and at least you can get a bit familiar with the course. There is an open water swim group that meets Mondays & Thursdays at Kits beach, so you could at least get out for a swim with them too. And like I said, I know some people who will be participating, so if you want to hook up with them beforehand to go over the course, let me know. Jen |
| 2008-04-09 12:56 PM in reply to: #1326089 |
| Vancouver, BC | Subject: RE: Vancouver World's June 2008 I've done the Vancouver Triathlon, where the bike course was the same: http://www.multisportscanada.com/Vancouver.html#course Here is your course: http://www.triathlonvancouver.com/pdfs/maps/ag_sprint_route_tvoc.pd... Bike course: The roads in Stanley park are variable. Overall, the roads are fair to good. Excellent would be freshly paved. I don't train in Stanley park because there are other locations with better roads, but it's OK for a race. The biggest hill isn't that bad. I found a website saying: "Prospect Point is a mere 210 feet (64 m)." In my mind, I thought it was a bit higher, but not much. So essentially that's what you have to climb. By the looks of the course, the run is going to be pretty flat. As for the swim in salt water: Even if you don't drink during a sprint, you'll want to make sure your water bottle has something in it. At least for me, I find going from swim to bike, the salt dries out my mouth. Before the race starts, find the shallowest water you can swim in, then stand up and see how high the water comes to on your legs. When you run into the water, you know you have to be at least that deep before attempting to swim. You also have to take into consideration you'll be diving into the water, so you don't want to bottom out. You'll want to have a wetsuit, I know in September the water if freezing, not sure about June. If you don't own one, you can rent one from Speedtheory in Vancouver. |
| 2008-04-10 6:50 AM in reply to: #1326183 |
| Master 1675 Kitchener | Subject: RE: Vancouver World's June 2008 Hi Jenn, Thanks SO much for all the information. Sounds like you are a really good cyclist! We are flying out on Monday the 2nd, staying with family that night and staying at the Quality hotel on Howe from Tuesday through Sunday. We do plan to ride the route, a few times hopefully; we will do some swimming too. The training plan I'm using leads up to the race but I will have to get Mike Ricci to re-write my final week of training to accommodate flight schedule, etc. Not experienced enough yet to do my own planning. One of my goals for this year is to meet and make some new lifelong friends. Hope you can help. My husband is from BC and we will probably end up retiring there. Have to be somewhere that gives us lots of run, bike, swim opportunities. Anne |
| 2008-04-10 7:02 AM in reply to: #1326338 |
| Master 1675 Kitchener | Subject: RE: Vancouver World's June 2008 Thanks to you as well, for taking the time to provide such valuable info on the race venue. We are staying at Quality hotel on Howe. What other place would you recommend cycling, that might be close to that. We won't have a car. I will definitely remember about drinking the water. I never thought about my mouth getting dry. I'm a little apprehensive about the salt water. I can't even imagine how it will feel. I had a short sleeve wetsuit but did buy a long sleeve a bit ago because someone had told me the water would be VERY cold. Going to have to swim in the pool with it over the next few weeks, because I don't think we can get any OWS done before mid May. Really looking forward to our visit. Plan to spend a week on the Island afterwards. Best Regards, Anne |
| 2008-04-10 11:23 AM in reply to: #1326089 |
Expert 1110 Pitt Meadows, BC | Subject: RE: Vancouver World's June 2008 Yeah, the long sleeve wetsuit will be good! You'll find you can swim pretty quick in the salt water compared to fresh. As for other biking, if you head over to Burrard Street and take the bridge across to the other side, then follow along Cornwall, Pt Grey Rd and NW Marine Dr. out towards UBC that's some nice riding. It's not too challenging or too busy, you'll probably see other cyclists out there and you get some nice ocean/mountain/city views. Edit: Also, the bike course, after the somewhat hard hill up to Prospect Pt. there's a looooong steady downhill for you to "recover" from! Edited by VanCityJ 2008-04-10 11:24 AM |
| 2008-04-10 11:42 AM in reply to: #1327935 |
Master 1748 Port Moody, BC | Subject: RE: Vancouver World's June 2008 One of my goals for this year is to meet and make some new lifelong friends. Hope you can help. My husband is from BC and we will probably end up retiring there. Have to be somewhere that gives us lots of run, bike, swim opportunities. AnneAnne, i HIGHLY recommend you guys settle down in Pentiction. Closer to the water the better. In a big house. I'll be one of you best and closest friends. Forever. |
 2008-04-10 11:49 AM in reply to: #1328742 |
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| 2008-04-10 11:49 AM in reply to: #1326089 |
| Pro 4578 Vancouver, BC | Subject: RE: Vancouver World's June 2008 Anne, I look forward to meeting you. I live in the West End of Vancouver, so it's pretty close to your hotel. I also live extremely close to Stanley Park which is why I ride there so often. It's really great in the evening because there are hardly any cars (that might change closer to summer), so I find it to be a really good training course. On the weekend, it's busier though. The ride to UBC is really good. There's also a bit harder ride with lots of up and down to Horseshoe Bay. Round trip from your hotel would be about 40km. I think you'll find the BC BTers a really helpful bunch, so feel free to ask us questions anytime. PS - I use a farmer john wetsuit from May - October and I've never had a problem with the cold. Everyones different though. |
| 2008-04-10 2:23 PM in reply to: #1327945 |
| Vancouver, BC | Subject: RE: Vancouver World's June 2008 latestarter - 2008-04-10 5:02 AM We are staying at Quality hotel on Howe. What other place would you recommend cycling, that might be close to that. We won't have a car. You may want to consider staying at the "Best Western Sands By the Sea Hotel" It's super close to Stanley Park. http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&q=1755+Davie+St,+Vancouver,+BC,+Ca... http://www.hotels-vancouver.ca/hotels/Downtown Don't worry about swimming in salt water, it's 2.63% more dense than fresh water, meaning you're going to float better. |
| 2008-04-10 3:30 PM in reply to: #1329174 |
| Vancouver, BC | Subject: RE: Vancouver World's June 2008 Hm, I checked that hotel, seems like there is nothing available (based on the website). Howe isn't bad though, still pretty close, especially by bike. |
| 2008-04-10 5:03 PM in reply to: #1329355 |
| Master 1675 Kitchener | Subject: RE: Vancouver World's June 2008 Thanks for checking. We booked the Quality because we get 'points' for staying there and can use them to book other hotels later this summer. I would have preferred to be closer, but... |
| 2008-05-23 6:46 PM in reply to: #1329542 |
| Vancouver, BC | Subject: RE: Vancouver World's June 2008 Not sure if you're still around, but I found an altitude profile of the bike course. It's not as bad as it's made out to be, but there is still some truth to it. http://www.trithinkingpink.com/ http://bp1.blogger.com/_Hoo47cmPtkU/SDbo2756n5I/AAAAAAAAALg/0EPCEmk... |
| 2008-05-31 5:39 PM in reply to: #1422476 |
| Master 1675 Kitchener | Subject: RE: Vancouver World's June 2008 Yes, I'm still around. Don't know if I feel any better after checking out the profile and the lovely comments. Do you have any idea what it does it ones average speed? Can you make it up on the rest of the course? If I am doing 30km on a flat course and maybe 28 on a hilly course (for Ontario); how much damage do you think it will do to my avg speed? I am a decent hill climber but I may change my tune after this climb. How long would it take an average person to climb? (i.e. not someone whose avg speed is 34-36)? Don't know why I'm asking all these questions. I'll find out for myself on Tuesday. |
| 2008-05-31 8:34 PM in reply to: #1326089 |
| Extreme Veteran 665 Vancouver, British Columbia | Subject: RE: Vancouver World's June 2008 You'll be fine on the hill. Just remember it has a hairpin turn to the right about 3/4 of the way up. Don't get fooled into thinking that what you can see is the top because there's actually just a bit more. But the downhill makes up for it!!!! |
| 2008-06-01 6:50 AM in reply to: #1435789 |
| Master 1675 Kitchener | Subject: RE: Vancouver World's June 2008 Thanks for the encouragement! Can't believe I'll be there tomorrow night. Should be able to get a few rides in beforehand. You BC triathletes seem to be a really active, supportive, and close-knit community. Hope you're all still around in a 2-3 years. |
| 2008-06-01 3:09 PM in reply to: #1436140 |
| Vancouver, BC | Subject: RE: Vancouver World's June 2008 Assuming conditions are normal, I think you will expect a 5% drop in speed compared with a straight flat course. So, if you're usually 28-30 kph on a flat course then you will probably expect to be around 26 - 28 kph. Just my estimate though. Edited by meepx2 2008-06-01 3:14 PM |
| 2008-06-02 12:04 PM in reply to: #1326089 |
| Pro 4578 Vancouver, BC | Subject: RE: Vancouver World's June 2008 Hey Anne - You'll be fine. PM me if you want to ride it together. Stanley Park is less than a 5 minute ride from my house, so I can go there all the time. |
| 2008-06-06 5:55 PM in reply to: #1326089 |
| Extreme Veteran 361 Kelowna, BC | Subject: RE: Vancouver World's June 2008 I've got a friend doing the Oly tomorrow. She said they've shortened the swim to 900m now. Vancouver chills leave top triathletes hypothermic Last Updated: Friday, June 6, 2008 | 4:57 PM ET Comments3Recommend3 CBC News Some of the world's top athletes had to seek medical attention after competing in what may have been the coldest swim in World Championship Triathlon history in downtown Vancouver. The preliminary sprint distance race kicked off early Friday morning in unseasonably cool weather when about 600 competitors — lashed by wind and rain — hit the 11-degree water for a 750-metre swim in English Bay. Then, with the air temperature hovering around eight degrees, the athletes jumped on their bikes for a 20-kilometre ride followed by a five-kilometre run through Stanley Park wearing only light Lycra triathlon suits. That's when things really got chilly, according to Jeff Hayne, one of the dozens of athletes shivering under a reflective Mylar blanket in the medical tent after the race. ""It was about as cold as I have done in Canada... even Fort McMurray 12 years ago wasn't this cold. To get out and get on a fast downhill is what really got you in a bad spot. [During] the run, you finally warm up a little bit," said Hayne. Dr. Sam Gutman said it was controlled mayhem in the medical tents at the finish line where many athletes collapsed from hypothermia. Ambulances had to be used to warm up the athletes because the warming tents were too cold. It got close to the point where it was not safe to continue the event, said Gutman. "The muscles don't work properly... [Athletes] get very cold. They get cramps. They get nauseated. They get confused…their level of consciousness will change, so they tend to push themselves harder. So, they can get themselves into trouble very quickly," he said. The real test will be Sunday when three times the number of athletes will participate in the main event, said Gutman, and if temperatures dip any lower, organizers may have to reconsider plans for the event, he said. The forecast for Sunday is a mix of sun and cloud with 40-per-cent chance of showers, a low of 10 degrees and high of 16. |
| 2008-06-06 6:25 PM in reply to: #1450869 |
| Elite 3290 Oliver, BC, "Wine Capital of Canada" | Subject: RE: Vancouver World's June 2008 Wow, thanks for the up date. I've got a couple of buddies doing the Oly tomorrow. One of them (like me) absolutely hates cold races. |
| 2008-06-06 7:36 PM in reply to: #1450892 |
| Master 1675 Kitchener | Subject: RE: Vancouver World's June 2008 Hey all you wonderful BC triathletes. How come the sun is out NOW!!!! It was a brutal race, but on a positive note I am still walking and didn't come in last. I'm not the fastest swimmer - takes about 19-20 min to swim 750 - today took 43 minutes and I knew it wasn't good as I was coming into 2nd beach and my body was cold inside the wetsuit. Transition normally takes 1'30" - was over 7 minutes. My bike ended up with an avg speed of 24.7. Disappointed but took it pretty slow because they had us paranoid about crashing. Bike to run transition was over 5 minutes and is usually about 1:00. Ran with a bad case of tendonitis that came on last Thursday but managed to limp over the finish line and be carried into the medical tent. At least the cold water and the cold ride numbed my foot which allowed me to finish the run. Have I made enough excuses yet? Don't know who was doing all the cheering but there were many, many supportive people helping to keep me going. |
| 2008-06-06 8:02 PM in reply to: #1326089 |
| Extreme Veteran 361 Kelowna, BC | Subject: RE: Vancouver World's June 2008 Wow latestarter - I'm impressed! I don't think I could have even gotten INTO the water... |
| 2008-06-06 9:09 PM in reply to: #1450969 |
| Elite 3290 Oliver, BC, "Wine Capital of Canada" | Subject: RE: Vancouver World's June 2008 Just remember one thing. You made it to the Worlds! That's way more than any of us can brag about. Unfortunately the conditions were brutal but you finished. Be proud. You are great! |
| 2008-06-07 3:34 PM in reply to: #1326089 |
| Extreme Veteran 361 Kelowna, BC | Subject: RE: Vancouver World's June 2008 My friend's race ended up as a duathlon. (most of the AG'ers did). She came in 28th in her AG - Yay! |
| 2008-06-07 7:52 PM in reply to: #1451554 |
| Elite 3290 Oliver, BC, "Wine Capital of Canada" | Subject: RE: Vancouver World's June 2008 Good for her! Considering the conditions and the caliber of the athletes that's pretty darn good! |
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