Steelhead 70.3 Triathlon : Official Thread (Page 3)

Everyone psyched up yet?!!!  

I emailed the organizers and they haven't answered.  I haven't been able to find any info on this.  Last year I went with a group and they dropped/picked me up close to the park.  This year I'm using the shuttle they provide in the AM to get there.  But I didn't see any info in the schedule re: taking folks back to Whirlpool business park.   Anyone knows how we can get back?

Most people did last year.  I'd recommend you practice OWS before next weekend with it.  GOOD LUCK on your first!!

My wife has spectated the past two years at Steelhead.  She told me that compared to other races, this one was particularly tough for viewing locations.  Having said that, here is what she did:

Watch the swim from the beach near transition.  You'll only see the last few hundred meters of the swim as the course heads down Lake Michigan north/south, but from the beach, spectators can line the sides of the path from the water to transition.  After you exit the water, she can watch you in transition out to the bike.

The bike:  this is the tricky one.  The course is one large loop, and most of it is miles away from Jean Klock park.  If she's not afraid of driving rural roads and crossing the course several times, your wife can get to the furthest parts of the bike course.  But it's not ideal.  My wife actually watched from the Whirlpool corporate campus, which is up Rt 63 a few miles north of Jean Klock Park.  You can see the racers at approx mile 50 of the bike.

The run:  if she chooses to watch the last portion of the bike from the Whirpool campus, she'll be positioned well to see you multiple times on the run.  Most of the run course is contained within this campus, and if she goes to approx mile marker 5, she can watch the end of the bike as well as the run.

The problem with this plan is if she stays to see you on the second loop of the run (approx mile 10), it will be tough to make it back to the park to see you at the finish line.  Parking is a bit rough near Jean Klock park.  If you'd like her to see you at the finish, tell her to leave the run course after you pass her at mile 5.

Hope this helps.

Steve 

Water temps are looking perfect too:

http://www.coastwatch.msu.edu/michigan/m52.html

Just checked the weather and it is showing 30% chance of rain.  Hopefully it clears out quickly.  Have fun everyone!

the Whirpool business center where athletes are shuttled to the park in the morning.  But you can't ride the shuttle with your bike.  Are you raking it the day before?  If not, you may have to park at WP and ride to the park.  It's like 1-2 miles away from the business ctr.  Check the athlete's guide.  I left mine at work.

GOOD LUCK!!!

YEEEEEEES!!!!

I grew up in a tropical island and was caught up in one when I was a child.  Absolutely TERRIFYING!!!

There were two rip c related deaths in the last week in MI.  I will be shocked if they don't cancel the swim.  And if they don't, I'm turning in my chip!    I did the race last year so I guess it won't be that unethical to wear this year's t-shirt. LOL

It does happen.  It happened at New Orleans this year.

RC are very dangerous.  Even the kayaks can be swept away.  And the worst part is that some RCs are not visible at the eye level (i.e. from the beach.) 

I don't know on that one.  IMO, if that happens and you finish the event you're still a HIM.  I'm sure many others would agree.   

I might have to get that sticker!  Thanks for the heads up.

Here is the link:

http://www.cafepress.com/+691_sticker_oval,282376688