St. Anthony's Triathlon : Official Thread (Page 3)

I wouldn't pass wetsuit for anything!!!

Just signed up as well in the novice group.  Not sure on the technial details of "novice" classification.  I haven't done a Tri yet, but I will be doing the Ft Desoto sprint 2 weeks prior to this event.  So as my first Tri season and first Oly, I'm going "novice".  Not like I'm going to blow away the field

Being a fellow noob here, just curious if the wetsuits provide that much better of a swim experience/times or does it just feel that way?  Keep in mind this is coming from someone (albeit quite a few years until just recently) grew up a competitive swimmer and totally comfortable in the water.  But that's in the pool, so maybe wetsuits in open water are the key to why so many prefer them for racing (even with the increased headache at T1)? 

Thanks!

The first time I ever tried a swim (not surfing, etc) was the day before St. Anthony's last year.

I am also a swimmer and had the same questions you have today. The difference is huge!!! The difference is so big, that's the reason for the race organizers for trying their best to make this race wetsuit legal, because, specially with the rough  water conditions typical of this race, it is much safer for the average swimmer to have the advantage of the buoyancy  of the wetsuit. It will make your swim more efficient and I would say... enjoyable.   So, particularly as a novice, if you have the chance to wear a wetsuit, my opinion is to wear one.

Would you race on a mountain bike when everybody else has a tri-bike?

Good luck, you will love this race!

I am doing this race. Have one tri under my belt and have been a runner for a long time. I have an awesome ride so I do pretty well on the bike. Worried about the swim a little since I am from Missouri and not only is there no ocean to practice in, the lakes are still too cold even with wetsuit to get in.I am in the mentor program and Michael is wonderful to put me at ease-somewhat. I am a complete worry-wart.

I have one full sleeve wetsuit and one sleeveless. (Farmer Johns- that is what my brother-in -law calls them - he gave it to me) Any suggestions on which one?

Are the waters really rough? I am not worried about drowning, just finishing in the alloted time.

AWould love to talk to others doing this race. Any body else from Missouri doing this race?

Jan

Just looked at your log -- you realize you log you stregnth minutes as hours, that's why your bar graphs look so crazy.

w/r/t the swim -- based on your training paces you'll make the cutoff -- no problem.  I'm bringing both my full sleeve and sleeveless suits down.  The water is going to be wicked warm and a fullsleeve may be too hot.

I would suggest just making sure you start in the back of the swim pack. As this race is the regional qualifier for Nationals you will get some people who go out really hard. Make sure you take your time and get into your own rhythm.

If you park in neighborhood to the west north west of T1, you won't have an issue at 5am.  Most of those crazy streets are narrow, 1 way, cobblestone roads.  Make sure you check for no parking signs when you get out of your car.  On race morning the 10 minute walk will do you good. I have been to so many different events downtown and parking is the last thing on my mind.  No reason to pay to park either.  Trust me , if you can do St. A's the walking from your car won't kill you.

Bike check in is on Saturday, a real good time to scout out parking, when your not in a hurry and looking foward to chcek in and the expo.

Im driving in from Largo should anyone staying on the outskirts, needs a ride in on Sunday Morning.

You should have grabbed it and ran like crazy. Best eating fish ever made IMHO.