Pittsburgh Triathlon : Official Thread

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2009-07-03 5:15 AM

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Subject: Pittsburgh Triathlon : Official Thread

Hi all,

I signed up to do this race (my first Oly). Who else is signed up? What can anyone tell me about it? What's the course like? Will I be able to finish?? I know the race was not wetsuit legal last year, but has it been before? Any info would be appreciated!

Karen

2009-07-04 9:32 PM

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon : Official Thread

Search under Race Report I think there are a few out there. I believe the bike course kind of sucked.

2009-07-06 3:32 PM

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon : Official Thread

The problem with the bike course last year was that the road (HOV lanes on the Parkway North) was still under construction, and was only opened for the race. This meant there was a lot of debris all over the lanes that wasn't blown off to the sides. There were a lot of flats. I'm hoping that won't be the case this year.

As far as the course goes - It's a fast swim because 1/3 is upstream, and 2/3 downstream. The bike is two loops on the HOV lanes basically from Heinz Field up to the end of them at the Perrysville Exit. So it's basically 5 miles uphill, 5 down, 5 up, and 5 back down again (with some flat parts in between around the stadiums). The run couldn't be any flatter. It's right along the Allegheny River, out and back. The surface is concrete for just a little bit, but mainly crushed limestone and some hard packed dirt.

I'll map the course out and post it later this week.

2009-07-06 4:43 PM

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon : Official Thread

I can tell you that the run shouldn't be too bad. I used to bike that trail semi-regularly and I just ran a 10k that used almost the same course. The trail is flat as a pancake, like willie05 said. Some of the surfaces on the packed dirt and crushed limestone segments might be a little rutted/potholey, but you shouldn't have too bad of a time.

My husband and I are volunteering at this tri -- maybe we'll see you! Good luck and have fun

2009-07-07 4:56 PM

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon : Official Thread

I did the race last year and I'm doing it again this year. Hopefully the bike course will be free of debris. Aside from the bike course, it is a fast course. Train some hills and get comfortable going fast downhill. Good Luck!

2009-07-08 9:51 PM

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon : Official Thread

How's the uphill? I am doing the sprint (so just once up and down). I am getting kind of nervous about climbing for 6 miles straight. Hoping my legs don't give out. I have been training, but this is going to be my first race and it still makes me nervous.

2009-07-08 10:36 PM

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon : Official Thread

Hey All!

This is my very first race of any kind. I have been training for a long time but never raced before. I am so excited. I have 2 days to register still and not sure if I should do the OLY or the sprint? Any advice? I live in Pgh and have been on the hov lane recently, its better then last year but still bumpy.

Dont worry about the climb, its honestly not bad. Good luck to everyone, I cannot wait!!!

2009-07-13 4:04 PM

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon : Official Thread

Couple things - here's the map of the race that flying monkey did: http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/training/map.asp?routeid=99563

Just looked up the river temp, and up at Kitanning the river is 75 (further downstream the Ohio is also 75). Getting close, but if it doesn't get too hot the next week and half, then it may stay wetsuit legal.

2009-07-14 7:11 AM

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon : Official Thread

I wanted to add something else about the swim exit. I'm mentioning this because it was obvious that many did not think about this during the race.

The swim is counter-clockwise, which means you'll be going downstream right in the center of the river. So to get to the exit, you have to swim across half the width of the river as it's pushing you downstream.

Be sure to swim towards a point at an angle way to the right of the exit, and let the river push you to the exit.

You'll save yourself a lot of effort!

As I was doing this last year, I saw a lot of people going downstream and then trying to fight the current as they were circling back up towards the exit.

2009-07-14 9:26 AM

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon : Official Thread

Wow, that looks like a lot of climbing on the bike!! I thought I was training well, but that sounds crazy! Is it really awful? Thanks for the tip about the swim exit! I'll make sure to aim far right!!

2009-07-14 1:17 PM

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon : Official Thread

gadgetlaw - 2009-07-14 10:26 AM Wow, that looks like a lot of climbing on the bike!! I thought I was training well, but that sounds crazy! Is it really awful? Thanks for the tip about the swim exit! I'll make sure to aim far right!!

You'll feel it, but it's a gradual hill - nothing like that 1 mile hill at Jackie Kallal. With a nice steady effort, you'll be fine.

2009-07-15 7:53 PM

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon : Official Thread

Thanks for the comparison - I was going to ask you!

Are transition spots assigned or do I need to get there super early to get a good one?

2009-07-16 8:56 AM

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon : Official Thread

gadgetlaw - 2009-07-15 8:53 PM Thanks for the comparison - I was going to ask you!

Are transition spots assigned or do I need to get there super early to get a good one?

They've been assigned the last two years.

2009-07-16 11:46 AM

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon : Official Thread

This will be my first tri. Doing the sprint and my goal is to finish strong. I haven't been training in the AM, and now I realize that maybe an issue. Any thought as to what if anything I should do at this point? Also, is a wet suit recommended? Anyone up for a river swim this weekend. I figured it would be good to get in there and see what it is like. Shoot me an email if interested.

Thanks,

Mike

2009-07-17 2:15 PM

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon : Official Thread

FYI To everyone, looks like they have changed the course going to the HOV and coming back from it for the bike... at least that's what it looks like from the latest course map up on the Piranha web site.

2009-07-20 5:55 AM

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon : Official Thread

Does anyone know when they make the wetsuit determination? Night before or morning of? From what I understand temps have been too warm the last two years to green light the suits, but this is the coolest July I can remember so maybe there is a shot.

2009-07-20 9:43 AM

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon : Official Thread

markbh4 - 2009-07-17 3:15 PM FYI To everyone, looks like they have changed the course going to the HOV and coming back from it for the bike... at least that's what it looks like from the latest course map up on the Piranha web site.

Thanks for that heads up, I wouldn't have looked if you didn't mention that. Just saw the new layout, and the trip around Heinz Field is gone, probably due to the casino construction. A lot more turns now, and the Olympic course must be about a mile shorter.

I don't know when they'll make the determination for the wetsuits. But I wouldn't be surprised if they make an announcement during Saturday afternoon's expo. If it's too warm then, it will still be too warm the next morning.

2009-07-21 9:37 PM

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon : Official Thread

I wonder how organized it will be. I understand that they did not have the sprint last year, so the race has basically doubled. It appears that there may be over 700 people on the course at one time.

2009-07-22 11:31 AM

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon : Official Thread

willie05 - 2009-07-20 10:43 AM

markbh4 - 2009-07-17 3:15 PM FYI To everyone, looks like they have changed the course going to the HOV and coming back from it for the bike... at least that's what it looks like from the latest course map up on the Piranha web site.

Thanks for that heads up, I wouldn't have looked if you didn't mention that. Just saw the new layout, and the trip around Heinz Field is gone, probably due to the casino construction. A lot more turns now, and the Olympic course must be about a mile shorter.

I'm thinking ~~Arby's~~ the subway, actually. A bunch of intersections along Lacock/Reedsdale between the stadiums & at Allegheny are torn up, with Allegheny being possibly the worst.

I'd update the map, but BT makes it damn near impossible. (I can't add or delete points mid-leg, and even if I "clear" the map, the points won't go away.) I may re-do it over on mapmyride if I have time.

2009-07-22 3:28 PM

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon : Official Thread

An updated course map (International only, so far) is up at MMR: http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/us/PA/Pittsburgh/104124829179485089

I have to emphasize that while this route is again based on the information Piranha provides on the website, I am in no way connected to Piranha and have received no special information from them; this map is unofficial. While the map is believed to be reasonably accurate, I make absolutely no guarantees. Certain information, the run turnaround and swim course in particular, is my guess and is approximate.

2009-07-24 1:27 PM

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon : Official Thread

Is everyone ready to race?? Any word on the current water temp??

2009-07-25 4:48 PM

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon : Official Thread

i heard 71 today at the expo .. wet suits are legal according to Race Staff that we asked ....

Best of luck to everyone! Remember, have fun, be supportive of each other, push each other, and remember, "If it was easy, everyone would do it!"

See you out there in the morning!!

Brad (#415)

Edited by bradpitt93 2009-07-25 4:48 PM

2009-07-25 8:46 PM

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25	Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon : Official Thread Good luck everyone!!! Mike #368 My Race Log

2009-07-26 1:21 PM

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon : Official Thread

Great event today!! Weather held out for the most part (except during some of the Ride) but overall a great day!! Congrats to everyone for taking on the challenge today.... Hope you are all proud of the effort you put forth and the accomplishment, enjoy it......

It was my first Sprint and i can't wait for the next one..... see you all training around town!!!

Brad (#415)

2009-07-27 1:15 PM

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon : Official Thread

Overall great race - that rain really pelted me hard the first time down the HOV lanes!

What was the deal with the food though? Was there any at the end of the Sprint? I saw the line for Chipotle, but the food tent had some orange drink, and those terrible baked chips. Very poor.

Hope everyone had a great day!

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