Beach2Battleship Iron Distance Triathlon : Official Thread (Page 16)

Ignore that one.  That site is clearly run by fools!  Find a better forecast and believe that one :-)

The current one from Accuweather doesn't look bad.

Mostly sunny with a high of 61 and a low of 36.  Winds NW at 15 mph.  NW winds are good.  That pushes us back on 421.  From mile 71ish we are on 421!

If you ride with power, the wind is completely irrelevant. Obviously speeds will slow into a headwind, but if you are riding with an idea of what sort of power you should average you just need to stick to that wattage and not worry about the wind. Same thing with HR as your metric.

It is a bit demoralizing to ride into the wind for hours on end, but if there is wind everyone has to deal with it. If the wind is a headwind initially, don't try to focus on speed or you will pay for it at end of the ride and on the run.

If I had my pick I would go with tailwind coming in. 

Agree the goal should be riding same power regardless of wind conditions, and just accept that wind will hurt your overall time.  All else being equal (e.g. ave power, aerodynamics), wind will decrease overall speed since more time is spent riding upwind (slower) vs downwind (faster).  This article estimates that a 10mph wind will increase time by 5-7% on an flat out & back course: 

homepage.eircom.net/~Swordsccpics/Aerodynamics.pdf

Or run different wind condition scenarios on AC's site here:

http://www.analyticcycling.com/DiffEqWindCourse_Page.html

And since I am not a perfect bike handler, I expend some effort controlling the bike in gusty cross winds. 

did my bike and run as expected and I felt super good!!!!!

Now is all about relaxing and recovering as much as I can

Tri bike is getting boxed up today and I'm shipping it out tomorrow. I'll be riding the roadie for the next ten days or so before the race.

We're getting close!!

DW & I are driving so I'll have my Slice until race day.  Still messin' with wireless cyclocomputer set-up, although that's just a BU for my Garmin. Everything else is GTG.

I'm still looking for a race entry.  If anyone knows anyone who is out, please contact me.  I will be in Wilmington from Friday morning on.  I'm offering a cash contribution you may give to your favorite charity.  I will be very responsible with your number.  

Bill

[email protected]

Any thoughts on max water temp for neoprene swim cap? This is my first cold water (and salt water) OWS. Water temp is currently 73 degrees - seems borderline.

Also, can someone link me to the bike elevation map for the Half (else Full)... would like to see how flat is "flat."  

Many thanks. 

http://www.mapmyride.com/s/routes/view/bike-ride-map/north-carolina/wilmington/1490114

That is what I found on mapmyride, a little elevation but not much at all

I would say that certainly qualifies as flat

JB....I swam The Half last year in 63 degree's without one my feet and face were the only thing cold and that didn't last long, so my thought is you don't need it. I also scuba dive and don't wear a hood unless it's below 70, and your not trying to exert any energy down at dept.

That said I am going back to the beach again this weekend, I'll post an update Monday.

Still looking to see if anyone want to swim the course ( Saturday) we will have race type current around 1pm

the booties are useful for the run from the swim to T1

no they don't... u need to get the right size!

I am usually L or XL for shoes/socks but I bought M booties They should fit fairly tight or else they are going to be full of water while you swim (kind of like a wetsuit)!

You wore gloves during the race?  Last time I checked gloves were illegal in USAT events.  Booties are legal upon the RD's discretion, but I didn't think you could use gloves.

I did an OWS yesterday and my friend and I estimated the water being around 60 degrees or a little less.  I wore a neoprene cap, but no booties.  Besides the initial shock and when I was waiting for my face to numb up during the first 100-200 yards, I was fine and had no problem taking off my wetsuit/functioning after the swim.  However, my friend, who didn't wear a neoprene cap, just 2 regular caps, called it quits after 1 loop (I did 2).

Everybody is different.  Your size is often a factor, but some people can function fine under colder conditions while others can't.  The best recommendation I have is to try to simulate the race conditions before the race if possible.  That way you should have a good idea as to how your body is going to respond on race day.

Also, on race day, I highly recommend you get wet before the start and get your face in the water, especially if its cold.  You want to try to get your body acclimated before the race starts.

Did you go for tri booties, or something from a dive shop?  I've heard dive stuff holds up better (i.e. for running on asphalt).

BTW- Water temp @ Wrightsville Beach NOAA buoy has been 72.7-73.4 F past 24hrs.  I may be a tough old Michigander, but that doesn't have me rushing out to get hood/booties/gloves.  Last 2 OWS's I've been fine in just my sleeveless & latex cap for >1hr in 74 & 70 F water.

And +1 on face-planting the water for acclimatization just prior to swim start.  Helps me a lot- esp when I can't get in a practice swim.