Manitou Sprint Triathlon : Official Thread

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2010-04-19 10:55 PM

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Subject: Manitou Sprint Triathlon : Official Thread

Hey everyone!  I have never  done this tri... did my first sprint last season and I'm addicted.  Registered for this one and the Lifetime Fitness Olympic course this year.  Anyone know anything about this tri?  Thanks!!

-Chrissi



2010-04-20 8:00 AM
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Subject: RE: Manitou Sprint Triathlon : Official Thread
Swim is never, ever accurate :p Last year, b/c of low water levels, it was a two loop swim with a REALLY long beach run to transition. (and, oddly, was more accurate than in years past :p)

But other than that, it's a great race. Bike is gentle rollers, decent road surface. Run is flat flat flat, but has a couple of turns as they route you through the neighborhood.

Get there early if you want to park in the lot. It fills up fast, and then you're stuck in neighborhoods several blocks away.
2010-04-21 11:34 AM
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Subject: RE: Manitou Sprint Triathlon : Official Thread
Wife and I are in for this even.  Looking forward to it.
2010-04-21 12:29 PM
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Subject: RE: Manitou Sprint Triathlon : Official Thread
See you all out there! I'm looking forward to the first race of the season.
2010-04-22 7:27 PM
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Subject: RE: Manitou Sprint Triathlon : Official Thread
I have not done the Tri, but I know the area.
White Bear Lake is a shallow lake, but has been very clear in the past.  The area is super flat, so the run for sure, and probably the bike will be flat.  The run is along the lake shore and it is beautiful, but if it's windy it could also be cool.
2010-04-22 7:41 PM
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Subject: RE: Manitou Sprint Triathlon : Official Thread

2010-04-27 9:51 PM
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Subject: RE: Manitou Sprint Triathlon : Official Thread

So with the swim, did they have you run on the beach during the loop (inbetween the first and second lap)???  I'm confused as to how that would work, interesting....

2010-04-28 9:39 AM
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Subject: RE: Manitou Sprint Triathlon : Official Thread
Yup, swim out and around the boats/bouys, come back to shore, get out, run a short bit across the beach, head back out for loop 2.

If the water levels are as low as they were last year, I'd imagine they'll do it again this year. One thing to be aware of--with the water that low, it is really weedy. They come right up to the surface. It can freak some folks out if it catches you unaware, so just know it may happen.

On the upside, shallow water and a freakishly warm spring mean it will probably be nice water temps. I've done it with the water in the low 50s, and that was Not. Fun.

Edited by mmrocker13 2010-04-28 9:41 AM
2010-04-28 10:32 AM
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Subject: RE: Manitou Sprint Triathlon : Official Thread
FYI -- the water is even lower right now than last year.  So unless it rains like crazy I doubt the water level will come up.  Not sure if it is true or not but I have heard the lake is spring fed and the under gound aquifers have to fill up before the lake will.



Edited by BriB 2010-04-28 10:45 AM
2010-04-28 11:10 AM
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Subject: RE: Manitou Sprint Triathlon : Official Thread
I should probably clarify.  The lake is lower now than it was at this time last year.  It was lower in Sept '09 than it is now.  But it is a foot lower right now (March '10) than it was March '09.


Lake levels from the MN DNR Lakefinder website:

82016700,921.24,2009-03-27

82016700,920.21,2010-03-01





 

2010-05-10 2:37 PM
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Subject: RE: Manitou Sprint Triathlon : Official Thread

I rode the bike course this weekend for the first time and my impression is rolling hills and very pretty course.  I'm looking forward to this race.

I have been driving by the lake and it does seem a tad low.  I remember in 1995-6 when the lake was low, but nothing like this.  It's my understanding part of why this lake is especially low is that is has a small watershed for its size, this is a blessing and a curse.  It means it has to rain a lot to fill it up, but it also doesn't drag in as much silt, fertilizer and road snot so it tends to be clearer than other lakes in the area.

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