General Discussion Triathlon Talk » IM LOUISVILLE SWIM - GOGGLES - CLEAR OR DARK? Rss Feed  
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2010-08-08 8:48 AM

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Expert
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Johns Creek, Georgia
Subject: IM LOUISVILLE SWIM - GOGGLES - CLEAR OR DARK?
Anyone that has done this swim before, can you advise which is best, clear or dark.  Looks like 2/3 of the swim will be into the sun?  Murky water though, so which do you recommend.

As well, one more question, I have heard there is, is not, was, mayby was, current?  So did you feel it or not?

Thanks for the advice in advance.

H


2010-08-08 12:05 PM
in reply to: #3029878

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Expert
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Subject: RE: IM LOUISVILLE SWIM - GOGGLES - CLEAR OR DARK?
Sure wish someone that has done this race would chime in, inquiring minds would like to know on both questions.
2010-08-08 1:21 PM
in reply to: #3029878

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Subject: RE: IM LOUISVILLE SWIM - GOGGLES - CLEAR OR DARK?
Unless they changed the starting time to 7pm, we will be swimming away from the sun for 2/3, not into it.
2010-08-08 2:04 PM
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Woodstock,GA
Subject: RE: IM LOUISVILLE SWIM - GOGGLES - CLEAR OR DARK?

Take both to the start with you. In '07 I wore my tinted goggles thinking I would be swimming into the sun and would need the tint. What happened was a cloud layer moved in and I ended up having to stop and sight on the buoys. If it is a clear day you need the tint or the sun will blind you.

2010-08-08 2:30 PM
in reply to: #3029878

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Subject: RE: IM LOUISVILLE SWIM - GOGGLES - CLEAR OR DARK?
I did Louisville in 08 and wore clear goggles.  Not sure if it really made a difference with the water clarity because chocolate milk looks brown whether your wear clear goggles or tinted ones.  If I remember correctly the sun never seemed to be in my eyes enough to become an issue, and to be honest there are so many huge landmarks (ie bridges, barges, and downtown structures) that sighting buoys really shouldn't be an issue.  The other 2000 athletes swimming with you seem to help with keeping you on course also .   If I were doing the race again I'd choose clear hands down.  Hope this helps....enjoy the bike course.
2010-08-09 2:40 PM
in reply to: #3029878

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Mooretown, Ontario Canada
Subject: RE: IM LOUISVILLE SWIM - GOGGLES - CLEAR OR DARK?
from the water perspective, it won't matter. You won't see your hand anyway. I wore my blue goggles, which are kind of a comprimise between clear and tint. They worked just fine for me.



2010-08-09 3:35 PM
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NorCal
Subject: RE: IM LOUISVILLE SWIM - GOGGLES - CLEAR OR DARK?
Read my IMKY RR from last year....I mentioned "I should have worn my tinted goggles"
2010-08-09 3:49 PM
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Subject: RE: IM LOUISVILLE SWIM - GOGGLES - CLEAR OR DARK?
No advice on the goggles, but the swim is in the Ohio River which has a current.  Looks like you swim upriver a bit (close to shore, so the current shouldn't be *too* bad) and then downriver twice as far (away from the shore, so you should get a pretty good boost). 
2010-08-09 4:28 PM
in reply to: #3029878

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Subject: RE: IM LOUISVILLE SWIM - GOGGLES - CLEAR OR DARK?
I did the race in 2009. I was undecided if I was going to wear clear or tinted goggles. I decided on tinted and was very happy I did. I was at the back on the line to get in the water though. It took me about 45 minutes after the race started to get in the water. If you are one of the first people in it still might be kind of dark. As far as the current, didn't feel too bad swimming against it. You are protected by the small island and the current isn't too bad. You can feel it a little though when you get in the main channel. When you turn it is a nice little boost. Do the practice swim before the race. In the practice swim I would swim upstream and then just tread water too see the currents speed.
2010-08-11 8:47 AM
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Elite
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Whispering Pines, North Carolina
Subject: RE: IM LOUISVILLE SWIM - GOGGLES - CLEAR OR DARK?
I'm taking both, but will probably use tinted goggles. I can't imagine sighting will be all that hard, given the sheer amount of atheletes in the water and the rather large landmarks around.
2010-08-11 9:24 AM
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Subject: RE: IM LOUISVILLE SWIM - GOGGLES - CLEAR OR DARK?

tri_d00d - 2010-08-11 9:47 AM I'm taking both, but will probably use tinted goggles. I can't imagine sighting will be all that hard, given the sheer amount of atheletes in the water and the rather large landmarks around.

You would be surprised! Although the year that I did it the field was only about half the size as it is now so I did the swim practically alone. From water level the buoys aren't nearly as big as they seem from shore.



2010-08-11 9:32 AM
in reply to: #3036697

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Subject: RE: IM LOUISVILLE SWIM - GOGGLES - CLEAR OR DARK?

You will only need the tinted for the "upstream part" at the beginning.  You swim into the sun, but then at the turn-a-round, it is at your back.  Either would be ok.  I did have a little trouble seeing the turnaround bouy b/c of the sun though.  Last year, I noticed a current during the practice swim on Saturday.  On race day, I didn't notice a current what so ever. 

2010-08-11 11:13 AM
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Elite
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Roswell, GA
Subject: RE: IM LOUISVILLE SWIM - GOGGLES - CLEAR OR DARK?

From the swim course maps it looks like we swim west, go around the island, and then east to the finish.

Is that right?

2010-08-11 12:02 PM
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Subject: RE: IM LOUISVILLE SWIM - GOGGLES - CLEAR OR DARK?

Doug it is actually the opposite...you swim east to start, around the tip of Towhead Island and then back west (with the current..if there is one) back to the Great Lawn for the swim finish. The rising sun out of the east can really be a factor in sighting.

2010-08-11 12:08 PM
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Macon, GA
Subject: RE: IM LOUISVILLE SWIM - GOGGLES - CLEAR OR DARK?
I had tinted goggles last year and was glad to have them after the turn around the island
2010-08-11 3:58 PM
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Elite
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Roswell, GA
Subject: RE: IM LOUISVILLE SWIM - GOGGLES - CLEAR OR DARK?

LOL. Assuming the sun rises in the East, one of you guys has it backwards. 

No worries.  I swim just as poorly into the sun as away from it.



2010-08-12 8:45 AM
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Macon, GA
Subject: RE: IM LOUISVILLE SWIM - GOGGLES - CLEAR OR DARK?
I probably have it backwards - The swim was a blur for me - a slow blur - but nontheless a blur!
2010-08-12 2:05 PM
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Veteran
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Mooretown, Ontario Canada
Subject: RE: IM LOUISVILLE SWIM - GOGGLES - CLEAR OR DARK?
just to clarify, you swim east first (the short leg until the island), then west.
2010-08-14 11:28 AM
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Subject: RE: IM LOUISVILLE SWIM - GOGGLES - CLEAR OR DARK?
Im taking both with me. I am starting with the clear ones and I will put the tinted ones in my shorts. If the sun is too bright, I will change once I make the turn.
2010-08-14 10:43 PM
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Subject: RE: IM LOUISVILLE SWIM - GOGGLES - CLEAR OR DARK?

Last year I wore tinted goggles in the race and I'm glad I did.  I tried my clear goggles at the Gatorade swim practice and it was too bright.

Good luck!

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