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2010-05-12 2:40 PM

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Champion
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, Minnesota
Bronze member
Subject: Liberty Triathlon

I heard this is now full. Waiting list is started and early waiters "have a good chance of getting in." If you were waiting to sign up - decide soon!

I'll be there for my 3rd run at the Oly.  Hoping for a big PR!



2010-05-13 7:32 AM
in reply to: #2854591

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Expert
1091
1000252525
St. Paul, MN
Subject: RE: Liberty Triathlon
I'll be there hoping for a PR on the Oly course too! But if that's to happen, I need to get on my bike...

My wife will be doing the half, so I'll be parked out there all day cheering. Should be fun!!
2010-05-13 7:34 AM
in reply to: #2854591

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Veteran
561
5002525
Arden Hills, MN
Subject: RE: Liberty Triathlon
My wife and I are doing the half again.   I would gladly take the same weather we had last year.  Just sayin..

2010-05-13 8:14 AM
in reply to: #2854591

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Extreme Veteran
574
5002525
Eden Prairie, MN, Minnesota
Subject: RE: Liberty Triathlon
I'm in for the half.  The county roads 'out west' are the closest thing I have to a home course.  I'm hoping to pace myself better and improve my run compared to Square Lake last September.
2010-05-13 8:21 AM
in reply to: #2854591

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Expert
1059
10002525
Lakeville, MN
Subject: RE: Liberty Triathlon
I am in for the Oly, and hope to better my Oly time SIGNIFICANTLY!
2010-05-13 9:21 AM
in reply to: #2855673

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Champion
10018
50005000
, Minnesota
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Liberty Triathlon

DB - 2010-05-13 7:34 AM I would gladly take the same weather we had last year.  Just sayin..

No doubt!  In particular a calm, windless morning until I'm out of the water.  I think I'd rather have a headwind on the bike than a choppy lake.  I hope that doesn't jinx us.



2010-05-13 9:49 AM
in reply to: #2854591

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Pro
4541
2000200050025
A farming town in MN
Subject: RE: Liberty Triathlon

Registered for Liberty, but the State Track Meet is the same day.  Waiting to find out which events my daughter may qualify for and when they are scheduled.

Otherwise, have been training half-heartedly for the half-iron, knowing that my daughter's events may most likely occur around 10am (last year's event time).  Cannot do a half in 2 hours!

2010-05-13 10:40 PM
in reply to: #2854591


5

Subject: RE: Liberty Triathlon
I must have been one of the last ones to sign up for the Half.  This will be my first HIM....and suggestions, hints, or recommendations from those that have done this race before would be greatly appreciated.  Looks like great weather this weekend for some long training!
2010-05-14 12:38 PM
in reply to: #2858059

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Veteran
561
5002525
Arden Hills, MN
Subject: RE: Liberty Triathlon
stroblm - 2010-05-13 10:40 PM I must have been one of the last ones to sign up for the Half.  This will be my first HIM....and suggestions, hints, or recommendations from those that have done this race before would be greatly appreciated.  Looks like great weather this weekend for some long training!


My only recommendations:

- The bike is hilly so you have to be very careful with your pacing.  This was my first HIM last year and I pushed the bike way too hard and ended up shuffling through most of the run.

- The run is a bit lonely so be prepared to self motivate.  Long stretches with just you and the path....and if we're lucky a blazing hot sun


2010-05-14 1:18 PM
in reply to: #2859263

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Pro
4541
2000200050025
A farming town in MN
Subject: RE: Liberty Triathlon
DB - 2010-05-14 12:38 PM
stroblm - 2010-05-13 10:40 PM I must have been one of the last ones to sign up for the Half.  This will be my first HIM....and suggestions, hints, or recommendations from those that have done this race before would be greatly appreciated.  Looks like great weather this weekend for some long training!


My only recommendations:

- The bike is hilly so you have to be very careful with your pacing.  This was my first HIM last year and I pushed the bike way too hard and ended up shuffling through most of the run.

- The run is a bit lonely so be prepared to self motivate.  Long stretches with just you and the path....and if we're lucky a blazing hot sun




x2.  Stay relaxed and focused during the swim.  Watch your HR on the 'big' hill.  FORCE yourself to eat/drink during the bike.
 
Don't know if I had a huge energy deficit from the bike, but I experienced the shufflefest during the run.  Body told my legs they were not going to continue running. 
2010-05-15 9:21 AM
in reply to: #2854591

Member
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2525
mankato
Subject: RE: Liberty Triathlon
That I know of theres five of us in the half iron from Mankato multisport going.


2010-05-16 10:42 PM
in reply to: #2859263


5

Subject: RE: Liberty Triathlon
Thanks alot....I have heard that from a few people now...so I will have to try and control the competitive juices, and be smart.  I rode a smooth 38 this weekend with a couple of people...what a gorgeous weekend.
2010-05-17 7:20 AM
in reply to: #2859263

New user
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Subject: RE: Liberty Triathlon
DB - 2010-05-14 12:38 PM
stroblm - 2010-05-13 10:40 PM I must have been one of the last ones to sign up for the Half.  This will be my first HIM....and suggestions, hints, or recommendations from those that have done this race before would be greatly appreciated.  Looks like great weather this weekend for some long training!


My only recommendations:

- The bike is hilly so you have to be very careful with your pacing.  This was my first HIM last year and I pushed the bike way too hard and ended up shuffling through most of the run.

- The run is a bit lonely so be prepared to self motivate.  Long stretches with just you and the path....and if we're lucky a blazing hot sun





Is the second half of the bike a lot more hilly than the first half?  The reason I ask is because the first half which is the same as the Olympic course is not that hilly.  It has rolling hills but it is still very fast. 

I am doing the half this year.  Thanks for any info.
2010-05-17 8:28 AM
in reply to: #2854591

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Member
269
1001002525
Minneapolis, MN
Subject: RE: Liberty Triathlon
I am fairly certain the first half of the 1/2 IM bike is just the olympic bike course, then you do the olympic bike course again but modify the end of the loop.
2010-05-17 8:31 AM
in reply to: #2854591

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Expert
1059
10002525
Lakeville, MN
Subject: RE: Liberty Triathlon
From what I have heard, the 2 loops on the back side of the bike course are where the majority of the hills are at, and the Olymipic bike course is not that bad. Looking at the previous results, I would think that it should be too bad for those doing the olympic, but the HIM will have a hillier ride


2010-05-17 8:54 AM
in reply to: #2862743

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Champion
10018
50005000
, Minnesota
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Liberty Triathlon

You do the Oly bike twice but add an additional small 3rd loop.  There are a few very good hills on the Oly,  the biggest being the one near the end.  At about mile 22ish, the Oly then goes West to finish and the half turns East and starts the extra bit down 24.  That hill (Homestead trail) is so steep I've seen many get off their bikes to walk up it.  So if you don't think that's bad, then the rest of the course will be a breeze!  I do think the gradual incline east on 24, right after the groups split, is a long tough hill.  But IMHO the majority of the hills are on the shared loop.

I guess what I am trying to say is that the Oly course is anything but flat...    But maybe that's just me.

Edit:  Does the half do the two Oly loops first, all of the way through, and then the right turn onto 24 at the end?  If so, the only stretch that the half does on its own is the stretch on 24 between Homestead and Hunter.





(himbike.jpg)



Attachments
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himbike.jpg (21KB - 18 downloads)


2010-05-17 10:24 AM
in reply to: #2862816

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New user
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Subject: RE: Liberty Triathlon
BikerGrrrl - 2010-05-17 8:54 AM

Edit:  Does the half do the two Oly loops first, all of the way through, and then the right turn onto 24 at the end?  If so, the only stretch that the half does on its own is the stretch on 24 between Homestead and Hunter.



You're correct.  The out and back on 24 is at the end of the bike for the half.  Homestead is steep (I would guess somewhere in the 10-12% range), but its only a couple hundred yards long.  It's also the only climb on the course where you need to get out of the saddle.

Having done the Liberty half twice and training on those roads regularly, the best way I can describe that course is "annoying".  Not that its a bad course, but you're constantly either ascending, descending or turning.  There are very few flat straight stretches.  Make sure your derailluers are working proplerly, because you'll be shifting often.

It's not a PR type course by any means.  All of the elevation changes and turns take a toll on your average speed.  Just as an example, I did two halves last year, Liberty and Pigman.  Liberty was basically ideal weather conditions, a bit of a breeze kicked up at the end but nothing out of the ordinary.  Pigman was like the weather apocalypse -- 40+ mph gusts and heavy rain, guys crashing all over the place (including me), a ton of DNFs.  I'm actually surprised they didn't cancel the race.  My bike split was 3 minutes faster at Pigman than Liberty.
2010-05-17 10:35 AM
in reply to: #2862581

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Veteran
561
5002525
Arden Hills, MN
Subject: RE: Liberty Triathlon
price22 - 2010-05-17 7:20 AM
DB - 2010-05-14 12:38 PM
stroblm - 2010-05-13 10:40 PM I must have been one of the last ones to sign up for the Half.  This will be my first HIM....and suggestions, hints, or recommendations from those that have done this race before would be greatly appreciated.  Looks like great weather this weekend for some long training!


My only recommendations:

- The bike is hilly so you have to be very careful with your pacing.  This was my first HIM last year and I pushed the bike way too hard and ended up shuffling through most of the run.

- The run is a bit lonely so be prepared to self motivate.  Long stretches with just you and the path....and if we're lucky a blazing hot sun





Is the second half of the bike a lot more hilly than the first half?  The reason I ask is because the first half which is the same as the Olympic course is not that hilly.  It has rolling hills but it is still very fast. 

I am doing the half this year.  Thanks for any info.


To me the entire thing is hilly but as others have said, it's all a matter of perspective.  My normal training grounds include large portions of the turtleman course and if I ride that for 2 hours I get maybe 300 feet of climbing....so I'm used to flat. 

I think Giant's annoying comment is spot on.  These aren't huge hills but you're either going up or down pretty much the entire ride.

2010-05-17 10:44 AM
in reply to: #2863147

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Champion
10742
5000500050010010025
Ames, IA
Subject: RE: Liberty Triathlon
Giant Tortoise - 2010-05-17 10:24 AM
BikerGrrrl - 2010-05-17 8:54 AM

Edit:  Does the half do the two Oly loops first, all of the way through, and then the right turn onto 24 at the end?  If so, the only stretch that the half does on its own is the stretch on 24 between Homestead and Hunter.



You're correct.  The out and back on 24 is at the end of the bike for the half.  Homestead is steep (I would guess somewhere in the 10-12% range), but its only a couple hundred yards long.  It's also the only climb on the course where you need to get out of the saddle.

Having done the Liberty half twice and training on those roads regularly, the best way I can describe that course is "annoying".  Not that its a bad course, but you're constantly either ascending, descending or turning.  There are very few flat straight stretches.  Make sure your derailluers are working proplerly, because you'll be shifting often.

It's not a PR type course by any means.  All of the elevation changes and turns take a toll on your average speed.  Just as an example, I did two halves last year, Liberty and Pigman.  Liberty was basically ideal weather conditions, a bit of a breeze kicked up at the end but nothing out of the ordinary.  Pigman was like the weather apocalypse -- 40+ mph gusts and heavy rain, guys crashing all over the place (including me), a ton of DNFs.  I'm actually surprised they didn't cancel the race.  My bike split was 3 minutes faster at Pigman than Liberty.


Impressive that you managed a faster bike split at Pigman.  I did both as well and was 16 minutes slower at Pigman due to that nasty weather.

I'll actually be coming up to tackle Liberty again this year.  Should be fun!
2010-06-07 10:08 PM
in reply to: #2854591

Veteran
249
10010025
Subject: RE: Liberty Triathlon
The weather is looking pretty terrible. Hopefully it changes.
2010-06-08 8:12 AM
in reply to: #2854591

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Expert
1059
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Lakeville, MN
Subject: RE: Liberty Triathlon
There is only a 40% chance of rain sat, and winds are @ 11mph....I am sure it will change, but with any luck, the 40% rain will happen after we are off the course!


2010-06-08 8:18 AM
in reply to: #2907192

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Veteran
561
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Arden Hills, MN
Subject: RE: Liberty Triathlon
Yeah, forecast is looking a bit iffy.  I don't mind a little rain as long as it's not a repeat of turtleman last year with terrantial rains, wall clouds, etc. 

2010-06-08 8:37 AM
in reply to: #2907678

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Champion
10018
50005000
, Minnesota
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Liberty Triathlon

I'd REALLY like to see the rain on the run.  And overcast is always nice.  My concern is the forecast of "hot and humid", like the kind of day when you're just hoping for rain.  Ick!  I am not looking forward to it being a hot day...

At least I'll be done by 11 or so, you guys doing the half aren't as lucky.

Although, I will say that the first half finishers usually come in not far behind me  

2010-06-08 9:30 AM
in reply to: #2907751

Extreme Veteran
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Minneapolis
Subject: RE: Liberty Triathlon
I wouldn't mind rain on the run either, but after this year's 100-mile MN Ironman sogfest, I've had my fill of biking in the rain for next several seasons...  I'd love it if it simply stayed overcast with no rain anywhere close...

See y'all out there!

Cheers, Chris

2010-06-08 11:05 AM
in reply to: #2854591

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Extreme Veteran
574
5002525
Eden Prairie, MN, Minnesota
Subject: RE: Liberty Triathlon
As much as I disliked the rain at the Ironman ride, the wind was what killed it for me.

On Saturday, I'll tolerate a little rain (so long as my running shoes don't get too squishy), just as long as the wind behaves itself for the bike.

In a perfect world the temps would stay in the mid-60s with overcast skies and a 5-10mph breeze.  Then again, in a perfect world I would average 27mph on the bike, pull in 5:30 splits on the run and not have to worry about finishing before the awards ceremony was done.  *sigh*
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