Portage Lakes Triathlon - Olympic Course : Official Thread

I think I am going to do this! I live in Pittsburgh but have family in Akron. I was planning to do the TriRock Gettysburg in October but just found out it was cancelled and was looking for a late season race.

Has anyone done this before? From what I've seen it looks like a good, well organized race. I'm just in my first season of triathlon so I don't have much to compare to---did Philly Oly in June and am doing Pittsburgh Oly next weekend. Seems like this race is a lot smaller. I hope I'm not the very last person to finish!

Hello everyone:

I ran this race last year....here is my race report: You'll have to click and paste into your browser (sorry).

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=227624

I hope your training is going well.  I started really really late this year....I've been doing home remodeling projects full time (plus I work at night which makes life tough anyway).  I've got alot of work ahead of me and serious dieting to do better than last years race.  Hopefully in a few weeks I'll be feeling stronger.

Dan

it is still early for registration.   I find a huge increase in sign ups to an HFP race two weeks prior.  just keep checking prior to signing up.

Adam

Does anyone get Portage bike course profile?

I would like to try it before, but the driving is too long...

wondering the same thing......hills? 

Hello everyone:

I rode the course a couple of times last week.  They changed the bike course from last year and it is more hilly...very tough.  Elevation is aprox. 540 feet for each loop.  Last year I averaged 18.5 mph and finished the Oly bike leg in 1:16:00.  During practice last week It took me 1:39:00 averaging 15.03 pace.  I spoke with another experienced participant and he agreed.....more hilly and tougher than last year.  Note: it is slightly longer also this year  24.8 miles vs. 23.5 miles.  Take it for what it's worth (traffic, lights, cars, new course etc....).  Race day is different.  Bottom line is that everyone's times should be slower than last year (unless they made substantial gains).  I got a year older myself.  See you on Sunday and have a great race!

Hello everyone!

Just signed up for this tri, as I was supposed to do Nation's on Sunday but they had to cancel the swim :/  It will be my first Olympic distance so I'm nervous but excited!

Does anyone know what the deal is with transition-- i.e. do they close it off at a certain time? I will be driving in from Warren and want to give myself plenty of time.

And any idea about water temp?  I have a wetsuit, but have only worn it once so would prefer to do without.

Thanks in advance!

thanks for the info! See you there!

Don't worry we all did a first Oly once, and as you see we all survived, sorta.

AFAIK, the HFP races are not very strict on closing transition area. My last race with them I was the last one to leave the transition area when first wave was already in the water. You just have to be in time to pick up your race packet and the chip. Once they start the race they activate all timing mats, just avoid to go through them. I climbed over the fence.

You have about an hour drive, I believe you don't need to get up too early, you'll be fine.

As for the wetsuite..... I would use mine anytime it is allowed, it seems I have an easier swim in it. but this is personal

You brought up the hills on the new bike course, then the cold water .

I hope the run course nice and flat 

Bike course was my weak point too. I just could not catch my breath after swim!!! I rolled-in at about 8th mile or so. My time was 1:21:03 with average 18.4, but my goal was 20 mph

I think it could be better if I would know the course ahead of the time. But on Sunday it took me first loop to get it.

Anyway, the weather was perfect! Water was really good, and the run was smooth.