'08 East Cooper Coastal Tri

I just went to watch last year, and there was only one guy there without a wetsuit. I understand that, maybe the year before, it was REALLY cold and there was a mad scramble at the last minute to rent a suit. I'm signed up, and I'll be wearing a wetsuit!

Very cool... I asked around and was told it would be a good idea. I was just nervous, first tri, first time wearing a wet suit, too many firsts, but I found one cheep so hopefully I will have a chance to practice in it.

I'm signed up but no wetsuit yet. I'm new to Charleston, is there any place around that rents suits?

TrySports in Mt. Pleasant rents wetsuits. I think they have a limited number, so make your reservations early.

Anyone who ran this last year... Can you tell us how the road closures work. I am guessing that they are NOT going to close the connector, but they aren't going to keep both lanes open to normal traffic are they?

Well, as I said in an earlier post, I haven't done this tri, but watched last year. I'm doing it this weekend. I do believe they keep both lanes of the connector open. However, the "shoulder" areas on the connector are really very wide, meaning there's plenty space to ride safely. Passing other cyclists might be more of an issue, and I'm not sure how that would work. I could be wrong, and maybe there's more traffic control than I remember.

WELL! What did you all think? I was significantly under prepared for the swim. The size of those swells was impressive. I did much better on the bike and run. Overall had a great time.

It was a good race, with good conditions but that swim was a bit rough trying to get out to that first bouy.

I was the opposite. I was one of the first people out of the water and was than crushed on the bike and run, still new.

I loved it though, this was my first tri and I though it was a blast.

Swim was rough, I was thrown around like a piece of driftwood. I came out about 20 places slower than usual in a race this size but the bike was fantastic and run was pretty good, and I ended up doing pretty well. I just need to work on my run. I was 1st in AG when I got off the bike and then proceeded to watch 2 others from my age group pass me during the run. At least I know what to work on during the summer!

I had practiced swimming there, and practiced running out through swells. So getting out there was not a problem. But I'm a lousy swimmer, and as usual, one of the last folks out of water. Then I got a flat 6 miles into the bike, was already way far back in the pack, and DNFed for the first time ever!

Swim was a good, although frustrating, experience for me. I'll try next year to get my revenge on this course . . . Next up: Gulf Coat Tri half-iron distance on May 10!