Deer Creek Triathlon - Sprint : Official Thread (Page 3)

If you want some cold water swim training then race Tri for Joe. The water was in the mid 50's last year. That was a little chilly but bearable

Anybody know the water temp at Alum Creek? I need to get in some OWS before the race.

If this is directed at me I'd say anything above 70 I will be without a wetsuit. Not because I'm trying to be a stud but because my A race this year is a non wetsuit legal race. I want to get used to not wearing one while racing in OW.
Anything below 70 and I might reconsider.

since your big race is in the ohio river I have the Miamisburg sewage treament plant not far from my house. They have plenty of open water pools that help you get acclimated to the Ohio river swimming conditions. No dead bodies or tires that I know of though so will have to supply those yourself.

Quick question about this race. Do I need to purchase a race belt for my race number or do they do the ink on your arm?

 

They will bodymark your arm and leg at this one. I don't know if they will have run bib #'s though. The last several HFP races I've done they have not. But a race belt is always a good investment. It'll be the cheapest piece of equipment you'll buy for this sport.

Ok perfect I know I keep asking dumb questions but I would rather be safe than sorry....  Water temp is still pretty cold..... 59

No such thing as dumb questions on here.  This is Beginner Triathlete afterall.    I'm with you:  59 is freezing!

Just registered for the race and the entire series package today.  This will be my first tri, can't wait!!!!  Hope to see many of you there.

Congrats on registering.  Sometimes that can be half the battle.

So I've been slack on the training due to work (Texas) so I thought I wasn't going to sign up.

Too late!  I already did!  So I guess I have to HTFU and start getting some miles in!  See  you all on the 7th!

Na, 59 is pretty cold. 32 is freezing.

K-read, if you think you're going to be cold then by all means, rent a wetsuit. There is still 3.5 weeks till the race, you should be able to get it in time.

Well I just found out the my aunt has a shortie that would fit me so I might wear that....  Because I cant see the temp raising that much in 3.5 weeks....

Should I try and get some swims in with the suit? I would feel kinda weird wearing a wetsuit at the Y 

Suuuuurrrrrre, if you want to be all scientific about it...

Hi, I signed up for this race a few days ago. This will be my first race ever. I just kind of signed up on a whim. Doing a tri has been something I wanted to do a few years ago, when I was in better shape, but only nowam I able to actually have the time to do one. I'm doing the sprint distance, and I signed up for the Mountain Bike division. Am I supposed to get something in the mail that has all the information I need for this race? I'm kind of in the dark here, this being my first race and all. I have no idea what to bring, where to go, etc.

Also, can someone give me an idea of the competition that'll be there? I'm completely new to this, so I have no idea what kind of pace I need to hold. I just did a 10K bike ride, which I did at about 80% pace to simulate being tired after the swim and it took me 56 minutes. Afterwards I didn't do any running, but I bet I could have knocked a 5K out in at least under 30 minutes. As far as swimming goes, I have no idea. I haven't swam in anything since about 2003, but back then I did quite a lot of water polo and stuff like that so I'm confident I can at least finish without stopping. With this in mind, can I expect to finish in nothing other than dead last, or do I have a chance at competing?

Welcome. You're at the beginning of a fun journey into the world of triathlon. This is your first race, don't worry about competeing. Just worry about completing.
In answer to your questions:
You won't get anything in the mail. Get to the venue two hours before the start of the race and pick up your packet. DO NOT breeze in 15 minutes before the start and expect to be ready. There is too much to do race morning, exp since this is your first. There will be a number of items in your packet, go back to your car and sort it out there. If you have questions ask someone. Most of us triathletes are very nice folks.

A few points about your training. Get in the pool. Like tomorrow. You need to get at least several thousand yards in between now and June 6. This is an open water swim (OWS). It is very different than swimming in a pool where you can grab onto the side or stand up if you get tired. You'll be swimming around other people. They will be kicking you, swimming over you, smacking you. If you have not been in the water in 5 years you will be in a world of hurt come race morning. If you have access to OW, even better, just be safe. Swim with a buddy, just like at camp.
A 10K bike ride in one hour is pretty slow. That's just over a 6 MPH pace. Are you sure of the distance you did?
Running after biking is a whole different animal then just going for a run. Your legs are already tired. They've been going around in circles for an hour or more. Now you're asking them to hold your body weight and move you forward. After your next ride go out and run for 8-10 minutes. You'll see what I mean.
Again, your only competition at the race is the course and yourself. No one else. They don't matter. On your next race they might, but not this one.
I suggest reading the Miami University thread. There were alot of first timers who did that race. Alot of the questions I'm sure you have are answered there. Good luck.

ah thanks for the info. I live like 2 hours drive away so that mean I have to leave at 4AM!! Oh well. The bike ride I did today was 10K out, then 10K back. So 20K total, same as the race. And that includes a few stoplights and such.

I found the results for 2008's race. It seems my one hour bike time will put me at the end of the pack. Are most of those times for people on road bikes? Whats an average time for a mountain biker? Does it not make much difference?

And on the swimming thing, theres just no where for me to practice swimming. My local swimming pool doesn't open until June 9th, and there aren't any indoor pools around here either. I wish I could get into the water before the race, but I don't think it will happen.

One more thing I forgot: What should I wear? Am I supposed to wear the same thing for all three events? My tentative plan is to buy a pair of those swimming/biking shorts marketed at triathlon athletes and wearing just them for the swim, and then just adding a t-shirt and running shoes for the biking part, and then the same for the run. Does this sound all right? What do people normally do?

I think your clothing strategy sounds fine, I usually wear either the "jammers" style swim shorts (like cycling shorts with no pad) or a tri specific short with a quick drying pad.  Then when you get out of the water put on your shirt and shoes and go.

Mountain bike will be slower, indeed.  Don't know what an average time would be for a mountain bike but the upright position gives a lot of wind resistance on the road.  If you could put slick tires on the mountain bike that would help as well, because on the road you get a lot of rolling resistance from the knobby tires.

Don't worry about getting up at 4am, a lot of these races are out a ways, and besides you won't get much sleep the night before a race anyway

Yep, that's the way to do it. Perfect.

I'll be riding the route, slowly, on Saturday before the race if anyone wants to join me for a scouting ride.  I'm flexable on time. Let me know.

I will be down there Friday. We are getting a cabin. So Sat I want to go through the course.

I'm hoping to get there Sat.  Don't where I'm staying though,haven't thought it all out yet.

Just a little over a week before this race.  Just wondering who else will be attanding this race.  Would like to meet as many of you as possible as this will also be my first ever tri!

With that being said I'm making a role call:

Who's in?

I am

I'm in for the Olympic Distance. I love this race. Flat and fast!