O'Fallon Tri

This will be my first of many triathlons, at least I hope...I've fallen in love with all the training and the bricks.   I started out just getting in shape and dropped 30 pounds and figured I wanted a goal.   Since I workout at Renaud I figured alligator creek triathlon sounds like a winner.   I've been training in general for about 4 months but really hardcore training for about 9 weeks now.   I have biked the 18 mile course 3 times.   I find the best time to go is @ 5am on saturday morning.   Not a single car has ever gone the same direction as me until that last stretch on the service road back...and even then it was no more than 5 cars total.

This last time out I also set the trip odometer in the car and drove the running course.  I marked where the 1 mile and 2 mile markers would be...1 mile was close to a hydrant at the bottom of Thoreau Blvd.   The 2nd mile was at the peak of St. Gemma Drive by the electric junction box on the right.    I don't have a gps watch so these will be markers for me so i can look at my time on my basic stop watch so i can check my pace.

I suggest you bike it at least once and run it at least once.   I feel a lot more confident on what to expect and mentally prepare during the race so i know what is coming up and how i should perform and when.  The hardest hill part of the race is definitely on Hoff Rd.    You have rolling hills and then you are passing thru some sort of corn fields on each side and you cross a bridge and there is a slight hill and then a bit more serious hill that takes all your momentum and then there she is...the stair stepper of hills...I have to set my bike on the highest ratio(hope my noob terminology is right) and still get off my seat and pedal as if i'm climbing a ladder.   You hardly go anywhere...whoever lives at that house on the right will get a great show that morning watching people try to make it up that hill.

I'm currently riding on a GT ZR3000 that is blue and white and I usually have on a blue shirt with black biker shorts if you plan on going out on saturday mornings...i might see you.   I find it is a great course to just practice on and it is close to my house.  I think I may try a double loop and make it 36 miles this saturday, but saying is a lot easier than doing.     I also have been doing it all on flat pedals.   I went ahead and ordered clipless pedals and shoes and I'm looking forward to see if my times increase.  Right now I'm right around 1:04:00 for the bike...I'll see if the clipless make much difference when they finally arrive...hopefully this week.    

Good luck all!

Ken M.

Oh yeah, trains.   I have heard them but have never had them in front of me on early saturday morning.   I looked on the net to see if there was a train schedule around but couldn't find any.   I may go to that train 'house' there by the track, close to alligator creek, and see if i can get some info.   Supposedly there is a guy there by 6am in the mornings during the week, I think.   If anyone has any info about the trains, that would be a big help.   The only place i see the train cross is during the bike course and it is in two places....Elaine Drive(about halfway), and Hancock Drive(right before you turn on mexico/service road to head back).