Los Angeles Triathlon

LA is my volunteer race--third year.

BTW, just got a newsletter from the RD, and it mentions a couple of changes for this year:

• "This year's swim is only slightly different by moving the start about 50 yards north of last year to separate the start and finish just a bit."
• "The bike course is changed, starting at approximately mile 11.  The changes in using Alvarado and more of 6th Street are very positive and add a new dimension to the course dynamic.  The final 5 miles will remain almost exactly the same as the past.  The new Sprint course will be just over 19 miles and the Olympic course remains at 40k."
• "new T2 across from STAPLES Center that will be a large rectangular shape and ingress and egress for a smooth and large transition area."
• "The finish will be spectacular on Chick Hearn Court.  This will be the stadium affect and spectator friendly venue we have been anticipating for several years." 

Sounds like mostly for the better, I remember a lot of people griping about the swim start/finish problems last year.  But 19 miles--that's a pretty bike-y sprint...

Looking forward to this one. It will be my first Oly. Any logistical advice from people who have done this one before ...

Logistics are definitely an important consideration, since the bike leg is point-to-point.

I had some observations based on volunteering at last year's race that I preserved for posterity in a race report (LINK).  

Some of the other reports may have additional info on staging the two separate transition areas, transportation back to the start, etc.--I've never seen any of the T2/finish area, always been at start/T1.

BTW, I'm told by the RD staff that chip issue will probably be the morning of the race again, not at the expo the day before, but I'm pretty sure you still need to go to the expo to pick up your bib and other registration stuff.  As I recall, the RD was pretty explicit last year about "NO RACE DAY PACKET PICKUP," but there were still a few who showed up and were pretty disappointed when they couldn't race.

**DOUBLE POST**

I'm in for the Olympic, excited to racing on the west coast.

I'm flying in (from NY) on the 4th, and staying until the 8th. Haven't been to Los Angeles in quite a few years - so I'm very much looking forward to this.

I have done the sprint and the Oly and have volunteered at T2.  Packet pickup is required the day before because you have to turn in your run shoes so they can put them at your T2 spot (even if you wear the same shoes for run/bike, you have to go the day before). Check the T2 map carefully since you won't be able to see T2 till you get off your bike.

Make sure you put on the right shoes!  I have seen a few runners in the wrong shoes (last year I watched two guys trade in the middle of the course...) and a few who ran barefoot because they couldn't find their shoes, but for the most part the volunteers do a great job getting everything in the right place.

The ocean has been flat all summer but typically on race day we get hit with a massive storm somewhere south and big waves.  The current typically runs north, but not always -- get in and warm up so you can figure out where to aim for the first buoy and for the exit. 

On the bike, review the course map -- invariably some Oly racers miss a turnaround and follow the sprint course; the extra mileage is in a different place this year but still review the map in advance and don't rely on the volunteers to guide you correctly. 

On the run, the big hill is a challenge, so keep your stride short and keep running.  And smile for the photographers who are at the top by Disney Hall, for the people cheering for you (me), and just because you are having fun!  Hope you have a great race!

Thanks for the advice everyone. Just to clarify. In T1 you pile all your swim stuff in a bag that is sent to the finish, do you need your bike stuff in a bag or do you get to lay it out in transition? T2 you'll pick up a bag and drop off your Bike stuff? Do I need to plan to cram all my bike stuff in a bag (minus the bike of course) in T2?

This will be the first point to point race I've ever done and I don't want to end up without some of my gear.

You'll get to lay out your own T1 on Sunday morning before the start just like you normally would.  Only difference is that you need to make sure all your stuff is packed up and ready to be transported to the finish area before you leave T1 on your bike.

I am in!

 Words of advice for your gear bag...

GET THE MOST OBNOXIOUS LOOKING BAG!  DON'T USE A BLACK BAG!  YOU WILL NEVER FIND IT!  They take all of your T1 Gear and throw it into big piles at the finish line. 

If you don't have an obnoxious looking bag, perhaps tying colorful tags to it for easier identification!

You can take your bike on the shuttle. Website says, "You can take your bike on the shuttle and purchase tickets for those not participating in the race." I have done it (in reverse -- from downtown to the start), and everyone else on the bus also had a bike. It's very easy, so don't worry about that. Have fun at the race!

ETA:  Today's the last day to buy shuttle tickets! 

I figure it would be wise to purchase a shuttle ticket, even if I don't end up using it (20 dollar insurance), being I haven't worked any of the race logistics out.

 Where can I buy one? I looked on active and didn't come up with much.

Depends how early you want to get up  at .  You need to allow some time (~45mins) to park at Staples and get the bus to Venice  and set up your  first   transition area.   But then you can head home  once you pick up  your award  or get a massage after  at the ceremony..  Otherwise  you can sleep in a little more and  sit in a bus afterwards around midday when you tired rather than head home  and sit in the pool with a cold brew .   I prefer option 1 myself .

I Just signed up and am  doing the sprint .   Expected wave start around  8:30 am .  

I  recommend   heading over to see the Pros set up and Complete the Swim and do  their  First transition.