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2009-02-13 10:48 PM


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Subject: Pokagon State Park Triathlon : Official Thread
Anybody heading to this event this year? Trying to decide if it's worth the trip from Cleveland. I was going to compete in the Sprint Tri at Ohio State in early May, but just learned it was cancelled.


2009-02-14 8:03 AM
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Muncie, IN
Subject: RE: Pokagon State Park Triathlon : Official Thread
I will likely do it again (did 08 and 07).  It was really cold last year.  In o7, there were probably 25 women doing the Tri and last year there were 5 of us.
2009-02-14 8:37 AM
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Ft. Wayne, IN
Subject: RE: Pokagon State Park Triathlon : Official Thread
This will be my second year, its put on by the local tri club and has a "chilly" lake swim, mix of flat and rolling hills on the bike in open area (if its windy its a little challenging) and the run is completely trail (mulch or grass surface) but its full of short rolling hills mostly in the woods.  Its a very scenic venue in a state park - there is camping in the SP and hotels locally.  Also its very easy to get to right off the main interstates - I80 to I69 - probably just a few hours from you.  Its also on the smaller side, no more than about 100 athletes.  Its a good first race to the season.
2009-02-14 8:53 AM
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Norton Shores, MI
Subject: RE: Pokagon State Park Triathlon : Official Thread
I will be doing this race just based on all the good reviews it has gotten the first (2) years.  I will be traveling from Grand Rapids, MI the morning of.  It should be only 2 hours so not too bad.  I am getting a little antsy to get the season going, and this was the first good event I found.  I see there are 12 BT'ers already signed up!
2009-02-14 3:35 PM
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Northbrook, IL
Subject: RE: Pokagon State Park Triathlon : Official Thread

Looking foward to this race. It's a special qualifer for the AG Nationals in Tuscaloosa this year and got good reviews in all the RR I've read here and elsewhere. Seems to be on the smaller side in terms of participants which is preferable to the Galena race held around the same time. Traveling from Northbrook, IL the night before, so glad to hear that there are a number of near-by hotels.

2009-02-26 4:22 PM
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Subject: RE: Pokagon State Park Triathlon : Official Thread
It's not really that cold once you get going, and the water has been crystal clear. Very nice bike route (except for the strip next to the highway), and a fantastic trail run. It's a tough Oly for a early season race, not one to be taken on without some training.



2009-02-27 9:54 AM
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Muncie, IN
Subject: RE: Pokagon State Park Triathlon : Official Thread

Disasterous experience the first year (not due to race organization) due to 1st OWS,1st wetsuit swim, 60 steps out of the water (cold concrete froze my already cold body), windy bike with weak bike fitness, and I had NEVER EVER run on a trail.

Last year was much better....and I improved my time.

I agree that it is a hard Olympic, but why would anyone desire an "easy" one???

AF

2009-02-27 1:15 PM
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Lafayette, IN
Subject: RE: Pokagon State Park Triathlon : Official Thread

I'm pretty sure I'm going to pull the trigger and sign up for this one.  It will be my first Oly and my first wet suit swim.

Does anyone know if there are rental cabins available at the park?  Some friends and I are thinking about making a whole weekend of this but I'd much rather sleep in a cabin than a tent.

2009-02-27 5:12 PM
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Ft. Wayne, IN
Subject: RE: Pokagon State Park Triathlon : Official Thread
Yes, there are cabins at the base of the tobogan slide at the park.  They are about 1 mile from the race transition area and lake.  I've heard good things about them, there is always the lodge also, see the link.  See you there.
 

http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/inns/potawatomi/about.html
2009-03-06 6:32 AM
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Subject: RE: Pokagon State Park Triathlon : Official Thread
There is a Jellystone campground really close as well and they have cabins also. I did this race in 07 and decided the chilli water just was not for me. Last year my whole family volunteered and had a great time! We are volunteering again this year. We signed up for registration. Hope to see lots of BT folk there!
2009-03-06 7:51 AM
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Subject: RE: Pokagon State Park Triathlon : Official Thread
Yes, I'm in.  It will be cold, but I have a goal time in mind that I want to try to meet.  See everyone there.


2009-03-06 1:47 PM
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Subject: RE: Pokagon State Park Triathlon : Official Thread
I'm thinking about racing the Du to see what kind of shape the legs are in!
2009-03-06 4:09 PM
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Lafayette, IN
Subject: RE: Pokagon State Park Triathlon : Official Thread
To all you folks that have raced it before - it sounds like the water is going to be cold.  Too cold for a sleeveless wetsuit?
2009-03-06 5:21 PM
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Ft. Wayne, IN
Subject: RE: Pokagon State Park Triathlon : Official Thread
All depends on you.  I did a sleeveless last year and guess what, I am currently shopping for a full wetsuit.  Now keep in mind my wetsuit is 4 yrs old and is getting worn, but the temp at this lake "inspired" me FWIW.  It was "about" 60 deg last year, is it too cold for you? 
2009-03-06 6:12 PM
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Muncie, IN
Subject: RE: Pokagon State Park Triathlon : Official Thread

And it was 53 the week before....I remember because I was freaked out about it....62 was cold the year before (2007) and I was sure you can't swim in 53 degree water.

I lived.  Smile

2009-03-10 8:59 PM
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Lafayette, IN
Subject: RE: Pokagon State Park Triathlon : Official Thread

I'm a little worried because  I've never swam in a wetsuit.  I was thinking the sleeveless would be a little less to get used to.  Plus, I don't think I'll be doing any other races where it will be that cold or even cold enough for a wetsuit at all.  Decisions, decisions. 

I'm planning on getting the suit in the near future so hopefully I'll find somewhere to give it a go before race day.  There isn't really anywhere in Lafayette to get OWS practice.



2009-04-03 6:16 PM
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Subject: RE: Pokagon State Park Triathlon : Official Thread

I wore mine twice in the pool....yes, I probably looked "different", but I really don't care.  (Rinsed it out well afterwards).

2009-04-11 6:24 PM
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Subject: RE: Pokagon State Park Triathlon : Official Thread
I did it last year in a full sleeve, and this year I'm going to go with a sleeveless, with an under armour shirt. Did the sleeveless/UA combo in colder water than Pokagon and it worked out fine. Actually felt that I was overheating a little in the full sleeve, but it was the arm restriction that really bugged me, and I had a nice suit. Get a thermal cap to wear under your swim cap, and put your face in the water before the start of the race. The first cold shock will take your breath away. I worried about the cold for months before the race, even set the tub temp to 55 to see what it was like......COLD! Actually, once in the water, and definitely after the start, really never thought about the cold again.

2009-05-07 7:56 AM
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Subject: RE: Pokagon State Park Triathlon : Official Thread

For those of you that did this race last year - did you wear a long sleeve or pullover coat out of T1 due to the cold water and air temps?  The air is probably gonna be low 50s by the time we jump on the bike so I was thinking about it and wanted to run it by - any thoughts?

2009-05-07 9:40 AM
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Subject: RE: Pokagon State Park Triathlon : Official Thread
No, I put on a long sleeve tech shirt for the bike because I get cold easily, but between swim exit and transition there are 60 concrete steps you have to run up.....not time to put on clothes at the water's edge.

2009-05-10 8:50 PM
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Subject: RE: Pokagon State Park Triathlon : Official Thread
Air temps look like the 70's this week. The swim is actually in a shallow section of the lake so the water temp may not be too bad.



2009-05-11 6:46 AM
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Subject: RE: Pokagon State Park Triathlon : Official Thread
I signed up for the DU! I'm hoping there's at least a few others that are signed up for the Duathlon.
2009-05-11 7:28 AM
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Subject: RE: Pokagon State Park Triathlon : Official Thread

The pond in my backyard is 61 right now - think I am going to take a dip with the wetsuit to get acclimated - I am sure the frost advisory last night did not help things but not supposed to get below 50 at night the rest of the week.

2009-05-11 10:04 AM
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Muncie, IN
Subject: RE: Pokagon State Park Triathlon : Official Thread
There were a decent number of women last year, but once the guys started the swim, there were FIVE of us left standing on the beach!!  All the other women were there for the Du.  I'm headed up Friday.
2009-05-12 5:35 AM
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Fort Wayne, IN
Subject: RE: Pokagon State Park Triathlon : Official Thread
The forecast is now for scattered thunderstorms and a low of 46.  At least we won't have much chance of getting overheated.
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