Beach2Battleship Iron Distance Triathlon : Official Thread (Page 9)

Holy frigid temperatures Batman!  Better get some booties for my utility belt.

It really wasn't that bad...actually since the water was in the 60s it felt really nice to get in.

Oh, I so missed the point. I was thinking the water was 45, I have been shivering thinking about it all afternoon. 

No no no!  Water will be mid 60s -- at least a few degrees higher than last year since the event is a few weeks earlier than 2010.  Air temperature at the start will be less than that though.

I wouldn't worry to much about the shoes, I have pretty sensitive dogs and it was not an issue for me in the half last year, and my feet were numb went I first went into the water, 1 minute later it was fine and the run was another non issue, 2 weeks earlier  this year, warmer water temps.

I think it all can change though it not supposed to , Water Temps are slightly warmer this year then in years past.

You might want to check out the Wilmington YMCA thread -- see photo of swim course on page 2 (ah!  I was able to insert it!)

Livestrong191 posted the following in the above mentioned thread:

I have swam the course many times and B2B. Here are a few tips . DO NOT FOLLOW OTHERS in the swim.

Use the current in you favor.

1) when looking out at the start they say swim right and current will take you . Yes it will but will take longer because to fighting the current just to get to the first big buoy. IGNOUR the first buoy.

2) WHen looking out at the start look out dead in the middle of the channel are two triangles on pole(channel makers) on the left before you turn right. SWIM towards those markers. CURRENT super fast.

3) when you get to the right turn swim on the LEFT  towards the GREEN  Channel marker. From there swim straight to seapath . DO not stay right and loop the buoys you can swim anywhere. STAY left and swim straight to seapath. Saves you 5 mins swimming.

Hope it helps

A friend of mine who lives in Wilmington said something similar about the channel markers.

Good info.  Can  you pls clarify your first point though?

Sorry!  The Wilmington YMCA is a sprint that starts at Blockade Runner.  The swim is 1500m.  I don't remember there being a "first buoy" last year but there *was* a first channel marker.  At any rate, the first buoy/channel marker is not relevant for the B2B Half or Full since neither starts at Blockade Runner.

The main thing to remember here is RED GREEN.

Well done! 

Although the run/bike courses look mainly flat there do seem to be a few ascents (bridges, hill in town).  I can't seem to find any info on how high the bridge is.  Anyone know what the max % grades are on the courses? 

These might give you and idea, though I don't think they include exact grades:

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/48598954/

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/49406002

The bridges didn't seem bad to me on the bike. 

On the run, one of the bridges seemed a bit steep and one had open grate which was tough on my feet.  I do not recall if this is the same bridge or not.

The steepest grade on the run was probably the one block on Red Cross Road -- the one block from Front Street to Water Street.  I think that maybe it seemed difficult is that I didn't expect it.  The down (Front to Water) seemed worse to me than the up.  The other hill is from also a block.  It's on Ann Street from Water to Front.  That one did not bother me.

When you get to Wilmington, take a look at Red Cross Road so that it does not surprise you.

Six weeks out. I hope everyone's training is on track and pain free.

Thanks for the info.  My goal is modest (14hrs) but best to be prepared.

My Slice has 52/38 cranks & I like to run 12-23 cassette for close gear spacing.  Sounds like that should be OK for B2B.

Will arrive Weds before race so I'll check out those hills for the run. 

Anyone have bike trouble on the metal grates on the bridge(s)?  I understand organizers mentioned something about that in last yr's booklet.

As alltom1 said, they are referring the the small bridge in Wrightsville.  It is not a problem in the least.  They route you around a funny way way and you are not up to speed then anyway. 

Last year they said something about improved lighting at the pre-race briefing.  Since I did the HIM, I don't know how that turned out.