Toyota Challenge at Deer Creek - Mini (Olympic) : Official Thread

I am still debating between the sprint and the olympic, and even maybe the olympic aquabike. According to the website, the sprint and olympic swim is exactly the same, is that true?

That's probably true since that was the case at the Great Buckeye Challenge.

The course was set so that HIM swim was 2 loops. The Sprint and the Mini athletes both did one loop.

JC

From looking at HFP web page they look to be the same.

pretty much the same style swim. same long uphill run too;-)

Thanks for letting me know I have another long run after I am already panting like a dog from the swim. So how will the ride be compared to the Buckeye Challenge?

unless there is a hurricane, the ride will be a walk in the park compared to buckeye.

look at 1-2mph faster

Yes!  The swim for the Oly and the Sprint is the same.  One loop for those distances and two loops for the Half.

For the run you go across the top of the dam.

FYI - the section across the dam is on grass. It's usually kind of long grass. Be mentally prepared for it. On bad days, I have felt like each little blade of grass was pushing back against me. Maybe just do a little running on grass beforehand. I always run on trails or the road, so it was hard for me.

Anyone who has done Deercreek before have thoughts on what the water temp will be?  Someone (was hasn't done it before) told me they expected it to be 53F.  That seems pretty cold to me.

thanks.

Oh heavens, no. It will not be 53. Good gracious. Water like that can make you hypothermic.
I think it will probably be low 70s, although it has been a cool summer. Maybe high 60s?

I did just find some fishing site that estimates the current temp at 58, but it is based on an algorithm, not actual temperature-taking.

I did a tri in Northern Lake Michigan in late September several years back and encountered 52-degree water. But that is a much larger and deeper lake, and farther north. I have no desire to repeat that experience.

I swam in alum creek last sunday with no wet suit and the water was comfortable. We have had some cool nights but hot days and little rain. I am sure this lake, located 40 miles south of Alum, will be just fine in one week. Avg air temps on sep 27: 54-71. ten-day out forecast 55-67 60% rain.I will be doing the half IM without wetsuit, riding with a jersey unless the temp at start is in the 60's then shirtless. I'll remove the jersey for the run unless it is sunny and hot I will prob throw on a tech shirt.sockless for the ride with ventless shoe inserts unless in the high 60's then vented inserts. not sure if I am doing socks or not on the run - not temp dependent just a comfort issue.

Thanks - I haven't signed up yet and was contemplating skipping if it really was going to be in the 50s.  I'm back in now.

Edited by cscottjr 2009-09-18 11:01 AM

Ok, does anyone know how far it is from the lodge at Deer Creek park to the beach.  We're staying at the inn and I'm trying not to make the wife and small children wake up early just to drop me off.  If it's not too far I was going to ride over with what I needed.  Any ideas?


 

Re: water temp, my husband called the deer creek state park and they said the water temp was 78.6-that sounds pretty high to me, so they may have just been wanting to get him off the phone. I hope it is not too cold, I don't have a wetsuit.

I just checked on Google Earth and it's 7 miles.



TO EVERYONE STAYING IN CAMPGROUND OR LODGE:
When driving to the beach, when you get out to the main road, it will say to turn LEFT to the beach. Do not do that. Going around the lake to the left is about twice as far as going to the right. I don't know if they are trying to decrease traffic through the farms to the right, or what, but going to the right is much shorter. Turn right, then turn right at the big farm with the grain elevators and silos (Deer Creek Road). Follow the road around to the left, past the road to the boat ramp (the one we run down) and turn right where Deer Creek Road ends. You will see the beach entrance on your right.

To all concerned about water temp (like me) today when Deer Creek was called, they gave my husband a better number-72 degrees. FYI

Thanks for the temp update. 72 degrees sounds good to me.

72 works for me

Also the thunderstorms that were in the forecast when I checked yesterday have now been moved to Saturday.
Sunday is supposed to be clear.

FYI, anyone who is camping before the race: We are going to be in Site 1
(David tri's and me)
so come by and say hello!