General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Interesting wave start...comfort wave Rss Feed  
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2008-09-23 9:05 PM

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Subject: Interesting wave start...comfort wave
For my sprint on Sunday, there are 4 sprint waves.  I qualify for the first one which is M/F elites and males 39 and younger (how I qualify).  However, wave 4 is a "comfort wave" for anyone not wanting to start with any of the other waves.  I found that an interesting choice, but I believe I'll still go with my wave, as I am planning a 20 minute swim for .6 mile (964 yards).  It's a MOP time, but from my one and only sprint, I found going around potentially slower swimmers the most taxing part.  It's a nice perk though, for those who don't want to "fight" the strongest swimmers.


2008-09-23 9:18 PM
in reply to: #1692049

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Master
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Subject: RE: Interesting wave start...comfort wave
Sounds like a great race-day option!
2008-09-23 9:19 PM
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Subject: RE: Interesting wave start...comfort wave
Interesting concept and sounds like a very beginner friendly race.  Kudos to the RD for that!
2008-09-23 9:38 PM
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Elite
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Subject: RE: Interesting wave start...comfort wave
That's a terrific idea - I'd be on it in a heartbeat.
2008-09-23 9:46 PM
in reply to: #1692049

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Master
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Subject: RE: Interesting wave start...comfort wave
I am stuck in that first wave for same reason. 1st race I was in 1st timers last wave and loved it. Only benefit of first wave is not standing on the beach thinking too much, not enough time!
2008-09-24 1:39 PM
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Subject: RE: Interesting wave start...comfort wave
not being a strong swimmer yet, i would love the comfort wave start


2008-09-24 2:00 PM
in reply to: #1692049

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Master
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Subject: RE: Interesting wave start...comfort wave
The last race I did, the RD designated a comfort wave a week out from the race. It seems like a great idea for people who are not comfortable in the water.
A good amt. of people opted for it.
2008-09-24 2:26 PM
in reply to: #1692049

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Alpharetta, Georgia
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Subject: RE: Interesting wave start...comfort wave
They added one of those at the OKC Redman 70.3 last weekend.
2008-09-24 2:29 PM
in reply to: #1692049

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Subject: RE: Interesting wave start...comfort wave
That's awesome.  I wish they had something like that around here.
2008-09-24 2:31 PM
in reply to: #1693778

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Subject: RE: Interesting wave start...comfort wave

So if you go for that wave, does it then DQ you from placing in your AG or overall??

I know in non-wetsuit legal swims they will sometimes allow them if you want them but you are just not eligible for placings.

It is a great idea in some ways for those not comfortable with the swim, but bad in others because you have just compounded the problem by putting all the people not necessarily comfortable in the water in the first place in one big group.  May be a little sketchy!

2008-09-24 2:55 PM
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Subject: RE: Interesting wave start...comfort wave
Daremo - 2008-09-24 3:31 PM

So if you go for that wave, does it then DQ you from placing in your AG or overall??

I know in non-wetsuit legal swims they will sometimes allow them if you want them but you are just not eligible for placings.

It is a great idea in some ways for those not comfortable with the swim, but bad in others because you have just compounded the problem by putting all the people not necessarily comfortable in the water in the first place in one big group.  May be a little sketchy!

There is nothing in the race packet which says you are DQ'd for starting in that wave.  They have the comfort wave for both the Sprint and HIM distance racers.  There are 198 sprint participants, with 52 in my wave, not counting elites, so it won't be too crowded no matter what.  Water temp will be a toasty just wetsuit legal 74 too.    Should be fun.

I understand the sketchy part though.  However, I bet the observers watch that wave a little more carefully. 

 



2008-09-24 3:02 PM
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Subject: RE: Interesting wave start...comfort wave

I'd have to say, in my first HIM (and first tri in 14 years) I probably would have gone for that wave if it was available.

I'm used to it now, and even though I'm still MOP/BOP in the water, it is not because I am not comfortable ..... it is because I am just slow in an OWS.

2008-09-24 3:05 PM
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Subject: RE: Interesting wave start...comfort wave

the first tri I did all the waves were self-seeded.  It worked surprisingly well - about 100 athletes per wave and it seemed to sort out very well.  I was MOP in the 3rd wave and there wasn't a lot of passing.

Second tri (last Sunday) was seeded by AG with 'elites' going first.  The wave behind mine (Athena/Clydesdales) ended up swimming past more than 50% of our wave.  Lots more passing in this race.

 I prefer the self-seeded.

2008-09-24 3:12 PM
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Subject: RE: Interesting wave start...comfort wave
Comfort wave initially sounded good to me but after doing 4 races now, I have found I like to be further up and deal with some crowding and fast people. For me personally it is easier to have someone start to swim over me, then have to go around , than it is for me to start in the very back and have to navigate around slower swimmers. I started in the back for one race and found myself having to look up frequently to pick and chose open spots to pass people. Now I am sure the fast swimmers wouldn't like me doing that, but it is difficult to gauge how to seed myself before a swim.
2008-09-24 3:20 PM
in reply to: #1693936

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Subject: RE: Interesting wave start...comfort wave

Rad-Onc PA - 2008-09-24 4:12 PM Comfort wave initially sounded good to me but after doing 4 races now, I have found I like to be further up and deal with some crowding and fast people. For me personally it is easier to have someone start to swim over me, then have to go around , than it is for me to start in the very back and have to navigate around slower swimmers. I started in the back for one race and found myself having to look up frequently to pick and chose open spots to pass people. Now I am sure the fast swimmers wouldn't like me doing that, but it is difficult to gauge how to seed myself before a swim.

x2 That's the main reason I planned on staying with the front group.  At my first tri I had to stop and breaststroke a couple of times, as I figured out ways to get around people.  In addition, I get to try and pace better, as last time I started so far in the back I was passing people on the bike portion thinking I was doing WAY better than I actually was.  At least starting in the front I'll know every person that passes me is just me losing another spot.  I'm not fast, but I still compete like I am. 

 

 

2008-09-25 2:49 PM
in reply to: #1693954

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Subject: RE: Interesting wave start...comfort wave
kagoscuba - 2008-09-24 4:20 PM

I'm not fast, but I still compete like I am. 

 

 




That sentence wraps up my personal outlook on every race I enter... Well said!


2008-09-25 7:54 PM
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Subject: RE: Interesting wave start...comfort wave
I've seen "First-timers waves" at other races. Sounds like they've just extended it to anyone who wants to be part of it. I know that being in a first timer wave DQ's you from AG placings, I have to assume it works the same way here.

2008-09-26 10:41 AM
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Subject: RE: Interesting wave start...comfort wave
It's bad enough that people have mysteriously changed their vocabulary from saying '1/2 Ironman' to '70.3' for IM trade-marked events.....but PLEASE lets not start to call every HALF IRONMAN distance triathlon a 70.3.

What's next, if the Boston Marathon changes it's name to the Boston 26.2 are we all going to start saying I'm going to run the Chicago 26.2 or maybe the Philly 13.1?!?

Sorry, rant over

lisac957 - 2008-09-24 2:26 PM

They added one of those at the OKC Redman 70.3 last weekend.
2008-09-26 2:11 PM
in reply to: #1698571

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Subject: RE: Interesting wave start...comfort wave
Sub10IM - 2008-09-26 10:41 AM

It's bad enough that people have mysteriously changed their vocabulary from saying '1/2 Ironman' to '70.3' for IM trade-marked events.....but PLEASE lets not start to call every HALF IRONMAN distance triathlon a 70.3.

What's next, if the Boston Marathon changes it's name to the Boston 26.2 are we all going to start saying I'm going to run the Chicago 26.2 or maybe the Philly 13.1?!?

Sorry, rant over

lisac957 - 2008-09-24 2:26 PM

They added one of those at the OKC Redman 70.3 last weekend.


as long as it gets the point across, who give a flip....imo a very unnecessary rant....elitist one might say....
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