Patriot's Half : Official Thread

I just signed-up today!  If I remember, it is pretty darn flat I'm using it as a tune-up for IMLP  

Which Patriot do you mean?

I know there are two Patriot HIMs...one in MA in June and one around Virgina somewhere in the fall.

Kip is doing Patriot in Williamsburg with me this September.

Kip is doing Patriot in Williamsburg with me this September.  Yes, it's a relatively flat course.

I assume the brackish water means salt and fresh mixed???? Should I swim in saltwater never swam in salt water other than visits to the beach beating around not really swimming, and yes it is the one in Williamsburg Va.

Yep, and it's nasty stuff....then add in the oil from the larger boats and it's downright disgusting.  Of course if there's a lot of rain race week there's horrible contaminants coming downstream too....yeah, fun mental picture of swimming in a cesspool now!!

Sounds like I should practice at the waste water treatment plant instead of trying to find a salt water swim

The bike has a few rollers and between 10-30 there are a few false flats. I've ridden the course a bunch and the road is a bit rough. Hope the plan to continue the run course from last year. Was on the VA Capital bike trail, mosty paved trail with a small stint throught the woods on a gravel trail. Lovely shade!! JAmes is pretty nasty to swim in but the early swim start keeps it pretty smooth. I got WAY off course last year due to sighting issues with the sun and then the current. I'm really looking forward to the race this year!

I think I am going to do this race. Prefect name on a day to remember 

I'm in for the aquabike but no run due to foot injury. Looking forward to it.

I'm in too.  Looks like I get to meet Kip.

I did the pre-race clinic that Endorphin offered last weekend.  We swam where the swim is held and rode the bike course and ran the run course.  I can't wait to race!  It looks like a fast course.

Cool... weather looks to be reasonably nice at this point.  Can't wait, buttoning up some things today, room booked, got my workout stuff planned for the week... really looking forward to it.  Most importantly I'm feeling good going into it, just need to wrap my mind around tapering.  My first "long" race, so I think coming into rested is a little more important that say a sprint/Oly.   

Anyone have any bike course data, like what sort of climbing is involved over the length of the course.... 100ft, 500ft, etc.?  Just wondering.   

According to my Garmin, the total climbing was 683 ft, but the min. elevation was -10ft and the max was 153 ft. so it really is darn close to flat.  There is a bridge that you go up and over twice, and  a bit of a false flat when you turn off of Rt. 5.  There were a couple of other really short slightly steep spots, but nothing to really consider a hill.  Most everything would be classified as a slight rise or fall.  My guess is that a head wind coming back on Rt. 5 is the more likely challenge.

So looking forward to this race but I'll be glad when it's over. Really wished I could come out and do the clinic last weekend but darn work got in the way. Since I live right around the corner I get to practice the course alot!! Did notice the other day that the run had changed a bit from last year.

so looking forward to this race, (will be my first 1/2 iron event),  had a great training weekend....... 5 days and counting, will be great gauge of where I need to get to for the B2B (full) on 11/13, anyone else going to the event in Novemeber?

Thanks for that... sounds like a pretty flat course and should be fast provided the wind works with us.