Madeira Beach Triathlon

I've done it once, it's put on by the Mad Dogs Tri Club in ST Pete.  It was pretty cool, the bike course was fun, my first "real" downhill on a bridge.   The swim starts out, and the bike's around town, over a few bridges/overpasses.   The run is out on a road and back on the beach.  The year I did it the tide was funky, and so we only had soft sand to run on.    I think it was Renee's first tri! 

It's a popular race.  yeah.  A coupla other BTers are doing this one I believe.  I haven't signed up...

I'm doing Mad Beach too!  I did the race last year, and though it wasn't my best time, I think out of the 15 races I did last year, this one was top 3 in enjoyment.  You'll have a blast!

If you need any pointers on race site stuff, just ask!  They have a great expo there...bring your checkbook!! LOL

http://www.madbeachtriathlon.com/sprint_map.html

I see two bridges that I remember.   Shouldn't be bad, it's not like it's the bridge over Lake Ponchartrain or something (that gives me nightmares....), or the Skyway... (I go out of my way to aviod it).

Morton Plant Mease has three different bridges!  Including the new clearwater bridge!  For IM 70.3, they went over that twice on the bike and four times on the run....  so I went over it four tmies on my mountain bike....  wasn't too bad but down was fun.

The bridges ARE fun going down!!   Not much to deal with though, they're not huge like the bridges in Clearwater. The rest of the course is good though, I had my first ever 22mph average in that race last year, and that was a rather slow bike split as far as the overall race...for me it was awesome.

The water is easy.  Usually warm, and last year it was totally flat, like a long swimming pool.  Check out my race report and you'll see...
http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=46254

This race DID happen a month later last year so you may find a few differences, but I'd venture to say nothing super.

This is always a GREAT race.  Good course, usually pretty hot out, and the sand run is very challenging.

 The only problem is on the bridge that they will sometimes make you dismount and run your bike across the span of the drawbridge....that only will cost you a little time though on an otherwise fast bike course.

The swim is always set up to go with the current, so if the current is strong, it is a great race to PR on the swim.

I am excited for this race.  A whole bunch of people I know are doing it. 

The key to the beach run is to run as close to the water as possible because it is hard. 

After I was done last year I saw people running down the middle of the beach in the loose sand. 

Come out Saturday and meet the famous TRIXIE!  

Hey all.  Hope everyone has a great time at the race this weekend.  Just as a heads up, if you wanna see something funny, come out on Saturday for the Mad Beach Mini.

You will get to see me and the world famous TRIXIE tear it up in a supersprint.  Plus, you can give BunnyRunner your support as well...Terri doesn't get along well with open water, so seeing her race a tri (usually she's a du girl) is a rare thing...so come out and cheer her on!  Plus you'll get to see me and Trix make fools of ourselves.  I'll be wearing a camo swimsuit. 

Q   I'll be wearing a camo swimsuit. 

 

and he does look danm good in it too!

Was wondering if anyone knows if wetsuits are going to be allowed for the sprint on sunday. I am looking at the age group under 84 degree cutoff since i don't plan on being eligible for any awards, so far i have seen 78,82, and 85 so they all over the place.

Have an injury that hurts a lot swimming, so was looking for the extra bouyancy and maybe a little less effort to try and not strain it to much during the swim part. Any little bit may help.