Steelhead 2011 (Page 2)

Ah, I've got this one. My buddy and I rode from our cars one year. I had a backpack, everything stayed put like it should have. He had an athletic bag, or transition bag of some sort AND a pump (why is a great question), but ended up having the bag swing around and get caught in the front wheel, launching him. He started and finished, but his wrist was jacked.

You just gotta be super careful not to ride with so much gear it puts you at risk. Or have practiced it, weird as that sounds....

A lot!  Usually the have each AG go off in there own wave and if there are a lot of people in one particular AG, the will split the AG based on last name.  Last year, my AG (25-29) was split, and I was the last wave to go off.  There is usually 5-10mins between waves.  There is no specific order for start times and they seem to change from year to year.  I can't seem to find the starts waves from 2010.

Steelhead is my A race this year. I'm beginning to think about nutrition and plan to use Hammer Perpeteum and Endurolytes on the bike. I'll likely use on-course nutrition for the run and wondered if anyone could tell me what they use for liquid other than water. I've heard it's either Gatorade Perform or PowerBar Ironman.

Thanks

PowerBar Ironman Perform.  All the nutrition on the course is by PowerBar.

Q

 Hello I am new to TRI, and Steelhead will be my first tri, I am an experienced cyclist and runner but swimming is my concern. I have a question how deep is the swimming course and how far from shore?

Also what swimming training program should I follow 3x/week? Any tips on the swimming portion?

Thanks for any input.

Steelhead will be your first ever triathlon?!  I'd encourage you to sign up for at least 1 if not 2 sprint tri's before Steelhead.  Going from zero to HIM (half ironman) is huge.  Individually you might be fine in each of the disciplines, but putting them all together back to back is a whole 'nother beast.  Additionally you've got the two transitions to deal with.  Getting a few sprints under your belt first will help you with this.  I did Steelhead in my first year of triathlon too, but I also did 3 sprints prior to the HIM and let me tell you, it was an eye opener. 

As for the swim, its a point to point course.  Depending on the direction of the current the swim will either start out 1.2 miles south of Jean Klock park, or 1.2 miles north.  Its a beach start and you swim out about 100yds, then straight down the beach.  The depth at that point is approx 12'.  You can see the bottom the whole way - its nice and clear.  Regarding a plan, you might want to look for some plans here on BT.  If you've never done an open water swim before, you'll want to get out to a local lake with some friends (don't do it alone) and get in as much practice as you can.  If you're in the Metro area, there's a group of us who go out to Island Lake almost every week to swim at either Spring Mill Pond or Trout Lake.  One of the biggest challenges with an open water swim is sighting and making sure you're going straight.  If swimming is a weak point with you, then I think what I'd suggest focusing on is just your endurance and making sure you can finish the swim portion under the cutoff.

Good luck to you!

Eric:

I really appreciate your advice, thanks a lot!

When & what time do you go to Island Lake?

Thanks

Felix

Felix - there are no set times right now.  A little later in the season we'll be picking a standard day (its been on Thur the last few years) to meet at around 5:30-6pm to both swim and ride.  In the meantime, just keep an eye on the postings here in BT.  There's always someone doing something.  In fact, Mike Woods just posted something for this Saturday.  If there's a time that you want to head out, then post it here and you're likely to  get some takers to meet up with you.  I happen to live right next to Kensington so its pretty easy for me to get out even at the last minute as long as I don't have something else going on.

Less than 4 weeks to go!!!

I wish they'd go ahead and release the Athlete Guide so I can read through it.

I'm getting super excited as this is my first HIM :-)