HITS Triathlon Series: Ocala - Olympic Course : Official Thread

Hey TrkHilo2K,

Please let us know how this race goes.  Won't be doing this particular race in 2012 becuase I'm doing a local Sarasota HIM on that weekend (Gator 1/2).  However, I'm very interested in doing one of the Florida HITS series races in 2013.  My hope is they will still be a series in 2013.

Thanks.

You bet!  look for my race report a few days after the event.  

My understanding is that the organizers have been running tris for several years now and I am counting on their experiences to make this a SUPER enjoyable event.

Lake is less buoyant.. usually dark where u don't see beyond your elbow.  it takes more effort to move in a lake but then you dont have to deal with the waves

Scheduled to do oly on Saturday.  Went to the park on Wed to swim a little.  Not sure what the water temp was, but had my wetsuit on; seemed about right.  Checked out the run route.  Was a little suprised to find it was on a "trail" and not asphalt.  At first I was a little concerned, but took a easy run on the path and it was very nice.  Some sun, mostly shaded; trail was sandy but mostly firm.

Getting excited for my first Oly!

Buck - thanks for the post, useful info

I assume the buck part has nothing to do with buckeye so I will not be offended - LOL   My employer's HQs are in Dublin so I am constantly bombarded with buckeye fan mail.  LLOL 

Yes, the buck is short for buckeye (as in OSU! Class of '87).  Try not to be over the top about it though; but we did win last night!  OH-IO!  Live in Ohio; worked out this tri as part of a vaction my wife and I are o

I did the OLY : 3hr 20 min

Had the blast of my life!  Especially that loose sand trail. 

jaelinfunk - 2012-03-23 7:13 PM I'm racing the open

Congratulations on your win!   Why race the open?  Per your profile pic you seem to have the right gear so I will assume your an experienced triathlete...  Just curious...  

Had a really nice time racing on Saturday also.  Finished the Oly in 3:05, was shooting for 3, but still happy.  The only problem areas for me was my swim, which needs a lot of work, and the time I almost crashed the bike while trying to get a bottle out of the cage.  I thought the park was a really nice location for a race.

Wish the half and full racers this morning the best!

Wow, we were close; less than a minute.  I think the trail would have been better if it were a little harder.  I ran the "other" trails that we supposed to use for the race on Wednesday, and I think they had less soft sand; more firm.  I think it caused the run times to be a little slower.  The scenery and the shade were a nice change from running on an asphalt road, however.

Well I have my first race of the season in, best of luck to all of you on the rest of your year.

i agree with the comments on the soft sand...  I must have been a mile behind all of you in the run, I ws wearing my fishhawk tri club top and was shuffling all that sand (DIMMIT)   

I have been used to being a midpack swimmer but this time, I was 3rd or 4th last out of the water.  waddaya'll say we start swimming again?  I know i need to.   

After the dust settled (literally) I was happy with finishing.  I didn't drown, rode 19.7 mph and shuffled at just below 12 min/mi pace...  

The venue was great for a race like this... would have liked a bit of a heads up on how far from everything else it is, so that we could plan accordingly.  

  -Olman

Awesome - good, no - GREAT! for you

I think it was a great even too, so if we want these folks to keep coming back to our backyards its time to move up to Sprints and pay the fair share.  

Where do you live?  BT is a great beginers forum and so is training with a club.  check out the Tri Fed webpage for a club near you and join them.  

I love this sport and will always.  

I also stayed at the Homewood.  That would be my one big issue with last weekend's race.  That said, now I know about the other hotels in the area (not the motel across the entrance to the parK!!!) where I can stay next year, some seem real friendly and giving that well known Southern Comfort lacking in most of Fl but present in Ocala.  Heck, even the sandy trail, which no denying-sucked while I was shuffling thru it , makes me a better athlete.  

I am coming back for more punishment next year.

Did anyone here do the HIM or Full IM?  I am curious!   Also, I look for post my race comments real soon.  Add yours, I want to hear about everyone else's experiences!