Eagleman for first Half IM?

I've been a spectator at this race for 3 yrs.  The water is usually choppy with some current.  You have 10 mths to practice swimming.  If I were you, try swimming in a lake, ocean, or at least a 50 meter pool to prepare.  The Choptank river is not an easy swim for someone who is not confident about their swimming ability.

Yes, I would say Eagleman is a good choice for a first 1/2iron. I did E-man in '03 and '04, and was blessed with pretty decent conditions both years. In general, here is what you can expect:

You've got the swim about right. It can be choppy and there can be a current, although I wouldn't call it "nasty"; "persistent" is more like it. In '03 I got careless after the turnaround at the boat, didn't site often enough, and before I knew it I had drifted a fair ways to the east. (This maybe cost me a mnute or so in correction-time.) In '04 I had this experience firmly in mind ----- and still drifted a bit.

For the bike, well, it's very flat. Very, very flat. HOWEVER, the wild card here is the wind, which can be notoriously fierce. In '03 it was present, in '04 hardly so; this year, I hear, it was back in full body. But if you've got a good aero position that you can tuck into, you'll be more or less okay.

The run also is flat, but the wild card for it is sun and heat; there is virtually no shade at all. It is a pure out-and-back, great for viewing the competition. The aid stations are well-enough spaced and very decently stocked.

Eagleman is a great race, and with its traditional Kona spots draws a real strong crowd. Next year it will be part of the 70.3 program, with spots not only for Kona but also IMLP, IMW, and IMF. It should sell out pretty fast, and the site says that registration will open in August or September. Stay tuned!

Other options for you, in PA, are Devilman (www.piranha-sports.com) in southern NJ in mid-May, and Mooseman (www.timbermantri.com) in NH on June 4. I would especially recommend Mooseman, given your self-description as strong on the bike and run. The Mooseman swim is very gentle, held in a calm Newfound Lake in central NH. The bike is rolling/hilly, the run gently rolling with a couple of decent climbs on each of the two out-and-backs. This is one of Keith Jordan's races, and you'll get a huge amount for your money if you do it. Keith holds nothing back for his events, and they are all very memorable. One final option for you, two weeks after Eagleman, would be Tupper Lake, west of Lake Placid, NY. Calm swim venue, rolling/hilly bike, mostly flat run. Really, though, have a good look at Mooseman if you arre a bit nervous about the Eagleman swim. Happy shopping!

Finally, big congrats on a great start to your triathlon career!!!

I am also thinking about Eagleman for my first 1/2 IM.  My biggest concern is also the swim.  I get very seasick and am afraid that the waves will make it difficult.

Hey dodgersmom! Maybe we should both head to New Hampshire for the Mooseman? It sounds pretty awesome!
http://www.timbermantri.com/mooseman.html

Thanks for the input TRIBMAC...
At this point, I do a lake swim about once a wk. But is is pretty calm (Harvey's Lake in northeast PA). My sprint tri was in Seneca Lake and the chops were big. It was pretty unsettling, although with such a short distance I was fine. 1.2 miles is another story...
I will keep your input in mind!

Thanks! I checked out both races. The one in Jersey is the same day as my oldest son's law school graduation so that one is out in 2006. But the Mooseman sounds awesome! I read some race reports about it. The bike climbs sound pretty wicked, but I do quite a bit of climbing here in northeast PA.
Also, I have a sleeveless wetsuit. Would I need a long sleeve in New Hampshire?

Good decision, good decision!

Last year there was a LOT of discussion in the week or two leading up to the race about water temperature, and there was a brisk business in neoprene caps and booties. However, on race day it was actually very fine, maybe mid-60s. I think you'd be okay in a sleeveless, but if it's much colder next year it might be borderline uncomfortable. (A fullsuit makes a GREAT stocking-stuffer!!)

As for the climbs, the only two to really reckon with are at the north end of Newfound Lake; these are preceded by a few miles of rollers, a few of them sharp. The first of the noryth-end climbs is the toughest, steep but not terribly long. The second one leads up to the turn south down the east side of the lake, and it is longer but more gradual. For much of the way down the east side of the lake, however, it is in fact downhill, so it's great for catching your breath from those early efforts. Partway down the east side the course heads west for a ways into a headland, and this is also a gradual climb. The course then hen comes out on the main road and continues to descend into Bristol. At Bristol it turns west and is a long very gradual climb for about 5 miles, but this doesn't hurt at all. The rest of the route is rollers and flats back to t-zone. And the course then repeats itself. For what it's worth, I did the course the three years it was the international distance Granite Ledges, and even though I knew the course well I found that first steep climb very tough on the second loop of Mooseman half. BUT --- I live in flatlands and you live in the PA hills, so you'll almost certainly handle it better than I did!

Congrats on your son....but isn't it awful when their affairs get in the way of our races? Our daughter is graduating from Hamilton College on May 21, the same day as Columbia Triathlon, which I have done the last three years. This year, however, my race was messed up by two flats, so I DEARLY want to return and avenge that day. I guess I wait until '07, alas and woe....

I did the Eagleman for my first 1/2 IM last year. The swim was great...little chop/current and the water temp was fine. The bike was hot and windy and the run was very hot.
Check out my race report for full details.
I definately suggest it!!!

I did a search for your race report and I can't locate it...Can you post the link?

Are you coming from a strong swimming background? Your positive attitude toward the Choptank River is great to hear...

Thanks for the course review...VERY helpful!

yeah, I've had my share of race schedule conflicts...Our "hometown" International tri (Wilkes Barre Triathlon) was to be my first Oly Distance. Well, as it turned out, it was the wkend of our oldest son's wedding! lol I thought about still doing the race (day after the wedding) until I got
"the look" from my husband! Instead, my other son and I headed to VA for a race in July.

I looked into this and I think I'll probably sign up for the Sprint - I don't think I'll be ready for a 1/2 Ironman at that point. NH is nice in August, although it can get pretty hot in the sun.

I think that a lot of BTers want to do this race, so the first person to see that it is open for registration, please post the info. I think this race will fill up fast.

Ernie

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp...

Here is the link for my race report. Swimming is definately my strongest of the three so, maybe that's why I have the positive attitude. From some of my friends that also did the race (who aren't as comfortable in the water) didn't have any issues.

You said you're from near Wilkes-Barre? Where exactly? I grew up and lived in Forty Fort until I was 22.

Thanks! Your report was a huge help! I am definitely on board for the Eagleman. It's good to know that some of your friends who are less fishlike thought the swim was manageable!
My second oldest son is a triathlete and he will compete too...

I live south of Wilkes Barre in the Conyngham Valley. Small world!

And I taught at Wyo Sem in Kingston for a couple years in the mid-80s!

Get Out, Steve! My husband is an alum... I work at MMI Prep in the counseling dept and I coach XC there...

I ain't lyin', Scout! I was there from '83-'85, living in Swetland Hall. In fact, my daughter - the one whose graduation will keep me from doing Columbia - was born there (well, W-B General, or whatever its name is), and you can only imagine how thrilled the young ladies of the dorm were to have an infant in their midst!

Steve, that is too cool... Sem is now one of our major competitors in XC... Are you a teacher now?

Yup. After Sem I taught for a couple of years in Texas, and then we moved here, eastern Ontario. I'm now beginning my 18th year at Ahkwesahsne Mohawk School, an all-native elementary school on the Akwesasne Reserve near Massena, New York. Grade Five is my gig, and while it might seem to be a leap going from bigger kids to littler kids, it no longer works that way -- quite sadly, the attitudes that used to surface in mid-teens now rear their heads in kids half that age. It's really very sobering.

They have opened registration for the 06 Eagleman. Here's the link:

http://www.tricolumbia.org/registration/?racename=2&indr=

Race is June 11, 2006

Ernie

Thanks Ernie!

I'm in...

Anyone else having trouble getting into the site to register?  Been trying off and on this evening and can't get into the site.

Finally able to get into site and register.  I'm in.

I'm in too. We should have a nice contigent of BTers.

Ernie