Stoneman Sprint Triathlon

2008-03-31 1:02 PM

Expert

1694

Illinois

Subject: Stoneman Sprint Triathlon

I just signed up for this race, it will be my first triathlon. Anyone else out there?

rthomas

2008-03-31 3:35 PM

in reply to: #1305198

Veteran

149

Lincoln, IL

Subject: RE: Stoneman Sprint Triathlon

I ran it last year, a good race, a little disorganized. I'll be running the IronAbe Oly this year. You'll enjoy it, its a small, friendly race. make sure you drive the bike course early on, it is country roads with traffic, pot holes and some nasty loose gravel on the road's shoulder. I saw a girl wreck in lose gravel last year, it was bad. Also, be careful exiting the water, the boat ramp has rather sharp angled steps on it, I broke my toe coming out of the water, made the bike and run loads of fun.

All in all, still a good race.

2008-03-31 4:07 PM

in reply to: #1305709

Expert

1694

Illinois

Subject: RE: Stoneman Sprint Triathlon

Thanks for the tips. A broken toe sounds pretty nasty, especially in those murky waters.

I wonder if the bike course is similar to the Capital City Biathlon, which is May 31. There was some loose gravel on that too. My plan for this first tri is just to stay out of the way as much as possible and treat it as a learning experience.

2008-03-31 4:10 PM

in reply to: #1305709

Veteran

171

Springfield, Illinois

Subject: RE: Stoneman Sprint Triathlon

Yikes! A broken toe?! And loose gravel? Didn't they let you ride on the asphalt? or wasn't there enough room that you had to get onto the shoulder too? Just wondering as I thought they didn't close the road to all traffic and they are pretty narrow country roads.

wardoatri

2008-03-31 4:25 PM

in reply to: #1305198

Member

Springfield, IL

Subject: RE: Stoneman Sprint Triathlon

Hello,

Planning on doing the Sprint, but there is a small chance that I'll do the Oly.

Edited by wardoatri 2008-03-31 4:27 PM

rthomas

2008-03-31 5:04 PM

in reply to: #1305198

Veteran

149

Lincoln, IL

Subject: RE: Stoneman Sprint Triathlon

Sorry, let me clarify. It was country roads with soft and gravel shoulders. Most of the ride reminded me of the roads I ride on every week, ancient black top, with lose shoulders. The crash took place where the Iron Abe riders split from the Stoneman riders. A broad left hand turn, the outside of which had loose gravel, that's where she ate it. Nasty stuff.
As far as the toe went, ya, it was fun, but to be honest I didn't notice it until after I finished. Thank God for the gift of adrenaline!

2008-04-01 4:55 AM

in reply to: #1305893

Veteran

171

Springfield, Illinois

Subject: RE: Stoneman Sprint Triathlon

Hey Wardoatri,

I see you are in Springfield! Maybe we could do some training together? I'm looking for a bike group for weekend rides to start out. The weather should be turning any time now. Do you have a group you train with now? Have you done triathlons before?

2008-04-01 7:04 AM

in reply to: #1305198

Master

2020

Subject: RE: Stoneman Sprint Triathlon

I will be doing the race again this year. Even though its small, I am still pretty excited for it.

2008-04-01 7:16 AM

in reply to: #1307184

Veteran

171

Springfield, Illinois

Subject: RE: Stoneman Sprint Triathlon

jhouse4, are you in the area too? Could always use some tips, being a newbie to tris. How long have you been doing triathlons?

2008-04-01 9:33 AM

in reply to: #1305198

Expert

1694

Illinois

Subject: RE: Stoneman Sprint Triathlon

Jenni - that is a great idea.

2008-04-01 10:21 AM

in reply to: #1307207

Master

2020

Subject: RE: Stoneman Sprint Triathlon

I have been doing them since 1993... So 15 years!

I am in Chatham/Springfield a couple times a month I live in the Chicago area the remainder of the time. When I am in town, I generally ride since it is pretty unsafe to ride by my house and the only other alternative is a gravel path.

I also swim at Eisenhower on Sunday afternoons when I am there.

wardoatri

2008-04-01 12:27 PM

in reply to: #1307122

Member

Springfield, IL

Subject: RE: Stoneman Sprint Triathlon

This will be my 1st tri. RIght now all my training is at FitClub. However, I should start getting some emails from a group that ride quite offten. I'll keep you posted as soon as they get started.

2008-04-04 6:39 AM

in reply to: #1308154

Veteran

171

Springfield, Illinois

Subject: RE: Stoneman Sprint Triathlon

Wardoatri,

I've also been thinking about switching to the Oly distance. I think my eyes are bigger than my swimming abilities right now, though.

2008-04-04 7:51 AM

in reply to: #1305198

Master

2020

Subject: RE: Stoneman Sprint Triathlon

Speaking of the swim... Any of you from Springfield know if they caught the albino python that was in the lake last summer? Not to scare anyone but I was just thinking about that the other day.

2008-04-04 8:14 AM

in reply to: #1305198

Veteran

171

Springfield, Illinois

Subject: RE: Stoneman Sprint Triathlon

Yes they caught it. But not before it layed its eggs. I hear they lay round 1,000 eggs at a shot.

2008-04-04 8:18 AM

in reply to: #1305198

Veteran

171

Springfield, Illinois

Subject: RE: Stoneman Sprint Triathlon

You might want to start practicing swimming with a knife sheath stapped to your thigh. Get your anti-venom shot. I don't know whats worse, dying slowly from the poisonous bite, or being dragged under by the leg and drowning.Well, if that doesn't get ya, the lepto will!

2008-04-04 9:37 AM

in reply to: #1315059

Master

2020

Subject: RE: Stoneman Sprint Triathlon

really?

2008-04-04 9:38 AM

in reply to: #1305198

Expert

1694

Illinois

Subject: RE: Stoneman Sprint Triathlon

I am more afraid of touching the muckity muck at the bottom of the lake than the python. Blech...

2008-04-04 9:41 AM

in reply to: #1315370

Master

2020

Subject: RE: Stoneman Sprint Triathlon

They put that outdoor carpeting down part of the boat dock and when the carpet ends, it’s concrete. You will be fine just watch out for rocks.

2008-04-04 9:45 AM

in reply to: #1315364

Veteran

171

Springfield, Illinois

Subject: RE: Stoneman Sprint Triathlon

About the snake? Yup, it's true! I got the inside track right next to me at work. I was just kidding about the lepto. That is supposed to be gone. Don't quote me tho, and you might want to get your health/life insurance squared away....

2008-04-04 9:49 AM

in reply to: #1305198

Master

2020

Subject: RE: Stoneman Sprint Triathlon

The lepto does not scare me as much as snakes do! I hate snakes. I did the Ironhorse the year of the lepto outbreak and came away free and clear. I am not worried about it at all.

2008-04-04 9:57 AM

in reply to: #1315411

Veteran

171

Springfield, Illinois

Subject: RE: Stoneman Sprint Triathlon

Snakes swim pretty fast, don't they? And if there are a GANG of them out there now...hmmm.

2008-04-04 10:01 AM

in reply to: #1305198

Master

2020

Subject: RE: Stoneman Sprint Triathlon

2008-04-04 10:11 AM

in reply to: #1315454

Veteran

171

Springfield, Illinois

Subject: RE: Stoneman Sprint Triathlon

Hey, it would be something you could tell your grandkids about....outswimming a gang of albino pythons!

2008-04-04 10:24 AM

in reply to: #1305198

Expert

1694

Illinois

Subject: RE: Stoneman Sprint Triathlon

Oooh, like the scene in Lonesome Dove (that old Western series) where the cowboys are crossing the flooded river and one falls into the water and ends up floating into a writhing ball of water mocasins (not footwear).

Just remember, that big snake is more scared of you then you are of him/her.

At least Lake Springfield does not have the dreaded Candiru fish. Google it if necessary.