Greenfield Lightlife Triathlon : Official Thread

Oh man I was planning on this race because I have heard awesome things about it. Unfortunately now I have other plans.

I'm in...last race before IM Canada.

We just booked a room at the Hampton.

I'm totally bummed I will be on vacation for this race this year. I did this last year and loved EVERYTHING about it. It's a GREAT race for spectators (4 loop bike) - my family had a blast.

Too bad you guys wont be able to make it.  The weather is shaping up quite nicely. 

Kathy, I dont what your night before meal is, but instead of going to the 99 across the parking lot of your hotel, I would like to recommend Hope and Olive or the People's Pint in downtown Gfld.  Thai Blue Ginger and Mesa Verde are excellent too, but I'm not sure if Thai or Mexican food is best before a race.

Looking forward to Sunday!

P.S. There's still room if people are still on the fence.  You can register on Saturday night from 4-6 at the event site as well as active.com

We went to an amazing pub/burger joint in downtown - it was REALLY good and a fun place. It was the first time I was in Greenfield and thought it was very cute.

Chris,

Thanks for the tips....

Which place serves the most healthy type food?

How will I recognize you? I have a red Kuota bike with Zipp wheels. Not sure what I'll be wearing maybe my IM Lake Placid tri top or a red Oomph top. I'll be there Saturday for packet pick up with  my 3 daughters 10-14 and husband.

Is it odd the website has all 2008 racer information on it?

Do you know how many aid stations are on the 7.2 mile run?

Both are great and offer healthy, locally grown produce and meat.  But I would say Peoples Pint will take a slight lead over Hope and Olive.  Here's a link to PP's website which includes their philosophy, composting, recycling methods, little waste and they're really into bike commuting too.  Just note:  they DO NOT take credit cards, cash only.  There is an ATM (machine) across the street though.

They keep the results up for a year.  My guess is they keep it together so you don't have to go to coolrunning.com to check last years results.   Doesn't take up that much room.  I kind of like it and wish others did it to.  just so I dont have to go to cr.

I cant remember specifically how many water stops, I know of two, which are close to the 1/2 point on the loop, right before the bridge.  There's also one on top of the climb after the bridge and possibly another one.  The bike loop and the 7.2 loop are the same except for 1 detour, which may have the other water station.

My bike is a silver Motobecane Mirage Pro.  I will wear a blue, white w/ black bottom Desoto one piece, but will probably be wearing a snowboarding Tshirt during set up.  I drive a Jeep Wrangler and its got 1/2 half of a kayak rack on the front - hopefully the top will be down.  I'll also be there on Saturday for p/u and will most likely get there early on Sunday for a good parking spot.  I'll also keep an eye out for you. 

How's the Bike? Hilly? I wish the swim was longer but oh well, can't wait. Should be fun!

Kathy, The People's Pint is what I was talking about. This place was awesome. It's not very big though - we had a bit of a wait for a table, then dinner took quite a while. So either go early, or be patient.

Re: the question about hills on the bike. In a word, yes. It's hilly, but in a very manageable and fun way. Right out of transition there is a longish, moderate climb. Enough to get your attention. A bit later you are directed to go through a VERY small, one lane covered bridge (have to go through single file, and you really do have to go slow - it's a wooden slat bridge), and then you hit a beast of a climb - incredibly steep, with I think 2 switchbacky-feeling turns in it. If you are prepared for it, it's doable - you just get into the proper gear, stand up, and work it. It's over before you know it. Longer than Devil Hill at Mooseman for certain, but similar steepness, plus the turns in it. Once you reach the top, you are done with hills - you can really hammer the back 1/2 of the course. Don't forget it's a 4 loop bike - I'd suggest being conservative the first loop to check it out, then figure out your strategy for the remaining loops.

The run is essentially the bike loop, so you get the long climb out of transition, plus the covered bridge, wicked climb on the run as well. I don't think I saw anyone running up the beasty hill - it was covered with walkers. I felt like I could hike it faster than I could run it.

Damn, just talking about it is getting me all jazzed up. I loved this course!!!

I created a route for it so you can see the elevation graph.  Here's the link so you don't have to search.  Michelle pretty much hit it right on the head.  Also, there s/b a bottle exchange on the first hill after the transition area.

To get you motivated to go up the hill after the covered bridge, Bob usually has a PA w/ music and words of encouragement.

Yes, he does a great job!!!!! He had a great music selection - it was fun seeing him there each loop.

My mom is in the hospital in MN with some heart issues waiting for some procedures. Depending on how things go I may not make the race.

Elevation graph with map is helpful thanks!

Thanks, I actually don't mind running hills, I guess you get use to them living in VT for 4 years. Thanks for all the help, you guys rule. This is my second tri, I did littleton two weeks ago and loved it!!! The bike takes some getting use, I loved the swims and the runs...well are tough after biking. Thanks again.

Wow, it's amazing to have race talk concerning "my" neck of the woods.  I went to two of the triathlon trainings held at the site this summer but never did the run for the Sprint.  Does the sprint course also go up the "beasty" hill?  I tried driving it in my car today and actually go lost...hopefully that won't happen on Sunday!  This will be the first race that my family and friends will see me in!  I have done two sprint tri's this year.  One was with Kathy.

On that note, I'll be thinking of you and your family Kathy.  I hope you can make it and I hope all is well.

I'm doing the longer race, what about the rest of you?

ratherbesnowboarding you are doing the sprint?

I am doing the Sprint.  At first, I wanted to to the Oly, but I didnt progress in my swimming like I wanted to.  I know I could get through it, but I decided that I would rather see how far I've come in a year.  The '08 Greenfield Tri was my first, I volunteered in '07.

The Sprint run is relatively flat.  You go up the small hill, that you just rode your bike down.  Its not that long at all, but there are a lot of false flats.  The total climb is less than 100'  w/ the first climb taking up most of that.  You go down Plain Road, which is the right fork, go about a mile, and take a left onto Meadow Lane, take a left at the end of the road onto Colrain Road and then your back on the bike course to the finish.

Swim is canceled so that adds a twist. My family wants to go watch from the nasty hill...trying to figure out logistically how to get them there and back for the finish.

Did I hear no swim this year? Drats. Bad water conditions or something? How did everyone like the bike/run?