Phily Tri - Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon - Olympic : Official Thread (Page 2)

I was a volunteer for this race for the past two years, this is my first time actually doing it. It seems highly organized and very safety conscious, and I am extremely excited about finally getting to participate as an athlete. Thanks to all those involved.

I'm doing both the Oly and Sprint bike course today with friends, should have a better feel for the hills once that's done! But I bike through Manyunk and Conshohocken quite a lot, and run Lemon Hill(ugh!), so I am sure it's just short and somewhat steep.

OK, back from the course preview. I am doing the sprint (second one), but stuck with my friends to do both sprint and Oly. So keep in mind my report will reflect the level of training I have so far. We had to do some of the course in reverse because the streets are one-way, and there were a couple spots on the Olympic course you simply can't do without the road being closed.

The sprint course does not have any major hills by my standards. I thought the hardest part was the ramp at Strawberry Mansion where you cross over the Schuylkill. The other climbs were pretty moderate. There are a couple sharp turns where I can see it would get a bit crowded, especially as people pass on the right, which I was told happens. I was able to get aero on West River Drive on the way out and back before crossing the river. I like this course.

The Olympic course is more challenging and does have some tougher climbs. Lemon Hill is short and steep. The area past Memorial Hall is wet and there is always some debris in the road. I was told is where most of the crashes happen. There are multiple sharp turns on both sides of the river once you get off West River Drive.

Enjoy!

The Philly Sprint last year was my first Tri, and the Olympic this year will be my first Oly. (I've done a number of sprints inbetween.)

I really liked the Sprint bike course last year. I thought it had a good mix of flats and some hilly parts that you had to think about a bit. I find really long out-and-back courses to be terminally boring.  Having a good number of people on the course, and a varied course, makes it much more interesting and fun (for me). 

The Run last year was the painful part. Just a plain out and back on the asphalt, it was brutally hot, and mostly unshaded.  But again, the number of people on the course made it a little more interesting for me. People to look at, people to pass (and get passed by.)  I liked it.

See some of you guys there!

For the folks that have participated in the past, how does the bottle exchange work on the bike?  Do they give you a full sized bottle? I suppose if they do, you discard your own water bottle prior to grabbing one.  This is my first Oly and never encountered a bottle exchange on the bike. Thanks!

Safe race to all

There's a bottle exchange? I did the Oly once and have no recollection of a bottle exchange.

usually full size bottles and..

From the athlete guide:

There is 1 water bottle exchange station on the bike course, offering Gatorade Endurance edge bottles and water bottles. You will pass the bottle exchange twice, first at roughly mile 1.5 and second at roughly mile 14 – it will be on the right hand side on Chamounix Road. Please discard all empty bike bottles and trash in the immediate vicinity of these stations. This will make our clean-up efforts much easier. Discarded bottles or gear will not be returned to the Transition area.

I've never been in a race with a bottle exchange, is it easy to do, or tricky?

I would think if I could just carry my own extra bottle, and not have to slow down and get mixed in with other riders also getting bottles, that I would save more time that way.

Being that this race is so well attended (euphemism for 'crowded'), the water stops on the run are often crowded and slow. I can't imagine that a bottle exchange is easy to use, or fast. But I really have no experience with it, so feedback is appreciated.

Also, I'm considering bringing my small nolan handheld bottle for the run portion. That way I don't have to get into the mix at the water stops, and can drink slow sips along the way.  But it's one more thing to pick up at transition. Thoughts?

This is my first longer distance race, up from sprints, so I'm trying to figure out the nuances of increased distance and time.

Lastly, the 5 day forecast looks absolutely perfect on Sunday. Some clouds, with the high in the low 80's.  Far cry from last year's mid 90's (I did the sprint, and it was HOT by the time I got to the run.)

Best of luck and have a safe race.

I'm doing the sprint on Saturday. It's my second one, I did Hammonton in May. This is my home turf, I live by the Art Museum. Weather Saturday doesn't look as good.

I volunteered last year and the weather was horrible. Not to mention the terrible thing that happened at the sprint. The Oly was just plain brutal without the swim.

Is everyone monitoring the River temp?  It is hanging right around the wetsuit cut off.

Water Temp: 77 oF | 25 oC

http://www.phillyrivercast.org/

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/pa/nwis/uv?cb_00010=on&format=gif_default&period=5&site_no=01474500

I have to stop, I'm checking every couple hours. I do NOT want to swim in the Schuylkill without a wetsuit.I will likely wear it no mater what, not like I'm winning any awards.

Weather looks excellent for both days, no rain and low 65, high 82. No deadly heat like last year!

I'm heading down to Bicycle Therapy to get my rear wheel trued, fixed, or replaced. I hit a pothole hard on Monday and noticed a wobble yesterday. Guys there are great, called last night and they said if I get there when they open they will fix whatever needs to be fixed while I wait. Nothing like a quality LBS, so I thought I'd give them a plug.

I hate the days before a race, too wired and neurotic.

I'm not familiar with this swim but the times look pretty short. Is this usually a pretty strong helping current?

I sort of guage the suit decision more off the times than what the distance is in river swims.

Just wondering.

Depends on rain and water flow. It's fairly low right now, 1160 cfs, so I doubt there is much of a current. The Oly swim course does run downstream so I'm sure it helps a bit. The sprint is a loop, so no net effect.

Good luck to everyone tomorrow!

Quick question for anyone who has done this event or watched.  I was thinking of coming to cheer on and watch and wanted to ride the bike there.  Is it gonna be OK to basically go up West River or will there be issues with detours and things.

Is there a known, safe route to get there by bike?

Thanks and again, good luck!

I plan to ride down early tomorrow to watch the swim and maybe a bit of the bike.  depending upon the time you get there you will be able to head down MLK/West River from the Falls Bridge into the city.  not if bike already started though

I was gonna watch from the east side of the river.

good luck to everyone doing this race. 

peace

mf

The sidewalk around the entire loop (WRD and Kelly Drive) will be open to all and passable.  In years past I have been running while the tri is still going on.  I actually planned on taking a ride up the drive as well.

G'luck to all this weekend, have safe race! 

Got my race packet this afternoon. What's with the bright pink caps for the guys in my AG?? Or did they realize I was such a slow swimmer it makes it easier for people to point and laugh??

Night

Phillyrivercast showed the temp at 77 this morning, and 79 now.  Where did they end for the official temp?  Wetsuits allowed for competition?

Will the decision be made again tomorrow for the Oly?