Buzzards Bay Sprint Tri 2008

I'm thinking about doing this one or the 9/5 Hyannis so any thoughts on which would be better for a 2nd race newbie would be appreciated

First one is the Greenfield Litelife sprint 8/3.  I volunteered last year w/ my Kiwanis club and become inspired to get in the game.

 Sorry to bump an old thread, but I am hoping this is my first too.  I'm working hard towards it, and I think I'll be good.

I just signed up for this one today!  I know nothing about it other than it'll be my third this season, and I'm excited to be able to fit one more in!    Good luck to all the newbies!  You'll have an absolute blast! Max Performance organizes a good race!

I'm all signed up, too!

Title 9 was my first last weekend. Max did such a great job that its going to take a lot for me NOT to do all of their races

Weather permitting I'll be checking out the course this weekend and will report back ~

Best username EVER.

oh i know about the hike - I'll be going from Southie! 

If you have a bike rack we could go together (the jetta only fits one bike comfortably - ) or we could just swim, maybe run???

if anyone wants to team-up PM me!!

Just entered!

Coming from Rhode Island and will not have a chance to run or ride the course. Any thoughs??

Reconnaissance is not my middle name but here’s what I got:

If you want to swim follow the tide charts!!  I knew I’d be a couple of hours late from high tide but that made all the difference– I walked nearly a mile from shore and still only got thigh high – I tried for a while but grabbing sand on every stoke was no fun… If I hadn’t been alone I probably would have kept trying to find deeper water but…oh well.  Oh and my #1 suggestion is to buy cheap flip-flops or have someone to take them from you for the walk to down to the water – the rocks and shells were killer!!

So off I went on the bike; there’s a small hill coming out of the park then a rolling rolling rolling very flat course; lots of farms, a few cows, horses and goats. I’m pleased to say very few cars!  This was a very different experience for me because I’ve been riding hills to prepare for Title 9 – and the nice thing about riding up big hills is the ride DOWN – there were no opportunities to ‘recover’ on this route.  It’s just a long steady push!

My legs were pretty beat – an hour ride is longer than my norm and added to that was the 2 miles out and back thru the water – so I didn’t run.  Like I said there is a small hill coming out of the park, then the run is out and back; pretty flat.

Hope this helps – let me know if you have other questions and see ya all in 14 days!!

I was out there today and had the same issues as RedSox-very low water.  The bike is a pretty nice ride if you're used to riding with lots of cars around like I am as there were few on the roads at mid afternoon.  

 See you all there, we'll have a blast!

I will be wearing a wetsuit. You would be pretty surprised at how quick the water gets cold toward the end of September!

Wetsuit = free speed!

The Max Performance peeps recommend a wetsuit for first timers - just for the added speed and safety - I just love that I float!!

I'd rather be faster in the water and slower in transition than the reverse - I'll have mine on that's for sure!!

I've never worn a wet suit before and if I enter, this tri it would be my first. 

How tough would it be to swim this in just a tri-suit and no wetsuit?  The last open water swim I did was in Salem in early August and I was warm within a minute of swimming (bathing suit only - no tri suit) and glad I didn't wear a wet suit.  Have folks done the swim portion without a wet suit in previous years?  Would I be crazy to do that?

Edit: RedSoxChick - I saw your comment about suggested suits for first timers... swimming is my strongest sport.  Even though I've done very little open water, I don't think I need the wet suit for buoyancy or speed... just worried about the water temp!

Well, here's what it says on the Max website, so I don't think it will be awful without one (though I do understand the benefits certainly): 

 Swim Course

The point to point swim takes place in the secluded cove at Demarest Lloyd State Park covering 1/3 of a mile. The temperature at the end of September will be close to 70’, so wetsuits will be optional.

 The only wetsuit I own is a pretty thick one that I bought for surfing in CA in 55 degree water... I don't think I want anything to do with that.  I suppose I could go up to Arlington and rent one from Quad Multisports, but that would be a hassle and so I'm thinking I'll just tough it out and hope I don't freeze.  (Am I crazy?  Hope not.)  All of my training has been in the open water, so I'm hoping I at least have that as a bit of an advantage.  Headed out to go swim and bike now with this nice weather we're having!  Yippee!

Oh, just saw this email from the Max peeps... I guess you probably all got it too.  Hmmm... what to do?!

 Here's an important Swim Update

Interesting, monkeytri! I think 70° is fine for me (not terribly brisk once you get going)... just a little scary if there's a chance it may be approaching 65 by the end of the month.

I was trying to find some race photos from last year to see if anyone in the field was without a wet suit on the start, and all I found was this blogger talking about the race last year and counting jellyfish.  Ack!  I'm starting to consider that wet suit a little more now.

Here's an update:  The swim will likely be at high tide so it is possible that the water will NOT be very low.  As for the wetsuit, it's going to be a gametime descision for me.  I love the buoyancy but if the air temp is the same or colder than the water temp I may forego it as I wouldn't want to go from really warm with the wetsuit to really cold when I take it off.    If you don't own one and like triathlons or ocean swimming you should get one anyway and now is a good time to get some late season deals (I paid $160.00 w/free shipping and I like the suit).   With a water temp of 65-70 you won't be cold when  it is likely the air temp will be colder.   For a beginner, like myself, the added buoyancy and protection is nice to have when things get dicey.