ADPi-athlon: A Unique Triathlon Challenge : Official Thread (Page 2)

I want to get some thoughts on doing this event as my first tri. The only thing is I'm running the Oak Barrel Half the day before. I'm signed up for Mach Tenn in June but really want my first one to be a bit shorter just to see what a triathlon is like.

Perhaps I'm just being anxious. I would appreciate feedback though.

There is also the GJCC on May 29th if you do not want to conflict with your half marathon. not sure when the Mach Tenn is though. GJCC is also a sprint tri.

GJCC is the weekend just prior to Mach Tenn.  I'm doing both of those.  Haven't decided on ADPi yet.

I'm going to also do the GJCC.  What is the Mach Tenn?  I am planning on Memphis in May the weekend after GJCC. That was a fun race last year (was also my first).  They moved the location this year to Tunica at the Harrah's casino, and i guess the course is super flat and fast this year.

edit...ok, Memphis in May is the weekend before GJCC..never mind..... but any info on Mach Tenn?

Mach Tenn is in Tullahoma.  Great race.  Lots of turnout and good talent, much of which drives up from Alabama.  It fills up, so register early.

http://www.machtenn.org/triathlon/default.htm

From what I hear the Oak Barrell is a tough race, especially with all the hills. I'm not sure I would want my first tri experience to be the day after a grueling event like that.

I would agree with others. Wait until the GJCC to do your first tri. 3 years ago I did the GJCC as my first tri and then I did the Mach Tenn 10 days later. It worked out well and the GJCC isn't long enough to hurt your performance in the Mach Tenn. It actually serves as a great warm up.

The 1000 yard swim is in a lake so there is no help from the current. It is a time trial start. Most years it is wetsuit legal.

The bike is 16 (1/2?) miles. No huge hills, but several rollers.

The 4 mile run is pretty much all rollers except for a 1/2 mile on each side of the turn around.

This event is very well run and lots of fun.

Last year was not wetsuit legal.  I think it was 80 degrees.  The year before it was wetsuit legal, but was still in the upper 70s and would have been fine without one.

My guess is that the water temp on race day will always be in that neighborhood and will be fine for people that don't have wetsuits.  However, you will be 1:30+ faster with a wetsuit, so people who have them like to use them.

I've completed the Mach Tenn twice. Once in a "shorty" that I bought at Sam's Club for $30 or $40. It wasn't a true swim wetsuit. It's really more of a skiing wetsuit so it didn't help as much.

The next year it was too warm and was not wetsuit legal.

If you can swim 1000 yards in the open water it really doesn't matter. With the race being in June the water should be warm enough to swim without a wetsuit. You will be at a disadvantage over those who do have a wetsuit since they will be faster. Quite frankly, if I do the Mach Tenn (and I probably will) I will swim without a wetsuit or I will swim with that "shorty" and I will be competing against my previous times, not against others. If a podium finish is important to you then you should get a wetsuit to give you the same advantage others will have.

Thanks.  I just can't justify spending a lot of money on a wetsuit that I may use once a year.

BTW....did we ever finalize where we can meet up at the ADPi-tri? After the event, why don't we just meet at the entrance to the rec center and to help identify one another, what about writing a big "BT" on our upper right arms.  Just a thought....

BT on upper right arm is a good idea.  I'll be in orange and blue FLUID, so I'll be easy to pick out.

What AG is everyone racing for ADP?  I'm 45 - 49.  A guy I swim with is 50 - 55 (who is also doing it again this year, won his AG last year) and has his swim time @ 4:30.  Yep, and he can flat do it too.  Sheesh!

Yep, will be in Endurance Colors unless my X3 gear is in..I think with Terry and I next to eachother we'll be easy to spot..

musicman21, swim is well spaced so you get a good swim in, warm pool. was a bit cool on the ride last year, we'll see what this year brings.. bike course has rollers, nothing major on it, main stretch is on an open road so watch for traffic (especially when crossing to make the U-turn unless they changed that this year). Run is (or was) very flat.

need to get my zoots out for a spin soon.. been a bit since I ran in them.

see you guys in a week or so.

i'll be in the 30-34 AG....

i'll try to get the BT thing on the upper arm

See you all there

Another 25-29 here. I'll probably be passing out shortly after Chris. So in advance please step lightly around the comatose bodies.

Thanks for the input. Oak Barrel is tough. There is a nice size hill at about mile 4.

I believe I will wait until the GJCC. But I may show up to watch this one to get an idea what a tri is like.