Kinetic Half : Official Thread

The run from the swim to the bike is not too long however there is a slight grade uphill and I've seen people come out of the water, stand up straight and find themselves suddenly dizzy.

The bike course was new last year.  The loop part of the "lollipop" had one section that was mostly flat to downhill and another section that had a couple of rollers that gradually climbed.  It was wet last year so the times may be deceptive if you check out various race reports.

The run is three loops and includes a climb out of transition that is about .9 miles long.  I don't think it is all that terrible.  Sure it is uphill and it feels like it lasts forever, but really I think too much is made of it by most commenters.  There are a couple of hundred meters just before the end of each loop that are on an asphalt trail through woods that are downhill.  This can be tricky when you are fatigued -- damp surface, short sight lines, potentially passing or being passed by people turning on the burners to get to the finish line.

The race is very well supported.  I've done it several times.

Thanks Klassman

I'm signed up again this year! 

I did this race as a prep race for IMCDA last year and it worked well, although I used it as a long catered training day mostly.  I am doing it for a prep race for IM LP this year. 

I was dizzy out of the swim just as klassman says, it was the first time I was dizzy off a swim, but I also pushed harder than normal, so I didn't think about the hill causing it as well, so that is good input for me, thanks.

2 Questions for the Klassman.

I'm trying to talk myself into B2B this year. I finished SM in 2010 and had just enough fuel left to crawl to the ice cream line.

• Do you think getting to SM fitness level and adjusting pace for distance/time a flat-lander IM is doable? 
• Would you compare Kinetic to Savageman to B2B or coastal IM?

Thanks,

Tim

I'm not sure that I'm the best source of guidance here.  I've never done a full Ironman race.  To your first question, I think that if you can handle Savageman, you are in the range of an Ironman.  Obviously, as you state, there are major differences and the biggest one to me is the number of hours out on the course.  A body just behaves differently after 10, 12, 14 hours than after 5, 6 or 7 hours.

A few ideas:

• On the Savageman discussion here at BT, I've seen several people say that the raced trashed their body more than an Ironman.
• I do not believe there is any way to ride Savageman conservatively.  No matter how you set up your bike -- compact, 27, granny gear whatever -- there are too many back to back steep climbs.  Everyone comes off the bike feeling a bit wobbly.  Ride hard, ride easy...either way, those 55 miles are the business end of a workout.
• Early on the 2012 Ironman Lake Placid thread here at BT, I asked how the course for Kinetic Half compared to Ironman Lake Placid.  Granted, IMLP is in the Adirondacks and Kinetic is in Virginia.  But, if memory serves, the answer was something like if Kinetic is a 5 on a ten point scale, IMLP is a 10.
• All of that said, I think you can certainly handle a flat Ironman.  The key is to get your head around riding a steady -- and if necessary -- slower pace so that you can finish the run well.
• RE: Comparisons.  I've never seen the course at B2B although I'd love to do it sometime.  And, I don't really compare Savageman to anything.  I think it is a bit ridiculous.  Yost went out to a mountainous county and then strung together the toughest climbs that he could find.  Then the two-loop run course probably only has about .75 miles that can be called flat.  The run course is just as challenging although overlooked among all the talk about the Wall in Westernport.  I do it with friends and we make a weekend of it.  It is not like any other race.

From what I've read and learned from others, the most important thing about talking yourself into it is to simply declare, I'm going to do it.  Everything else will fall into place.  You are certainly capable.  Do you want to?  If not, don't lose sleep over it...pick a different schedule and have fun with other races.  I think it is silly that some people equate IM distance with the "ultimate" of the sport.  Look at Andy Potts and how awesome he is at Olympic.  Sorry for the lack of structure here, I was rambling a bit.

I don't have an elevation gain number, but really, I'm a wuss when it comes to hills on the bike and I can do this course. As others have mentioned, some rollers, also false flat on the backside of the lollipop. Getting started up that hill on the bike out of T1 could be the hardest part.  ;-)

It's a great spring race.

Klassman-I like what you said about declare it. In the recesses of my brain I guess I knew it but when you put it out there (in public) you have to do it. The other thing that rang clear...other than SM being ridiculous is the amount of hours on the course. Planning for 12+ is a different realm.

I'm picking up what others are putting down on pacing the bike. Yesterday I read the "Don't eat the paste" article on Trifuel. It talks about controlling the bike..  http://www.trifuel.com/training/triathlon-training/the-endurance-nation-four-keys-to-ironman-execution I found it on Slowtitch...its probably buried in threads on BT and ST a million times but its a good one.

IMLP looks like a tough one. I wonder what the vertical is. Heard it was hot last year. Sounds like a great venue.

I'm looking forward to Kinetic. MDFAHY, TriBee and Klassman...thanks for talking me off the ledge..

14 WEEKS!!

How's everyone's training progressing? I just got back in the pool this week, I had to take a couple of weeks off because I tweeked my shoulder.  Totally wiped out today, but I got my run in to stay on plan. 

(QUOTE]mdfahy - 2012-02-03 8:02 PM

14 WEEKS!!

How's everyone's training progressing? I just got back in the pool this week, I had to take a couple of weeks off because I tweeked my shoulder.  Totally wiped out today, but I got my run in to stay on plan. 

You're the man dude. I was worried it might be kinda bad.

I realized today that I won't be racing.  I'll email organizers tonight to see if I can switch to the Olympic on Sunday.  My daughter has her first communion on Saturday...I'm not sure if I've been thinking for three months that the race was on Sunday or the sacrament was on Sunday...but either way I screwed up.

I'm bummed out.  This was going to be my "tune up" before my first Ironman in July and I don't think I can find another local HIM in the right time-frame.

Bottom line: I've done this race several times and always been impressed with the people and the course.  You should have a great time.  Good luck to all!

Spot-on username.Taking care of your daughter before your HIM. You are the Klassman...

Klassman--

The Monticello Half in Charlottesville is the weekend before (May 6). maybe that would work for you? Here's a link:

http://www.charlottesvillemultisports.com/CMS/Monticelloman_Tri.html

Email Setup. I'm sure they'll work with you. Hope it all works out for you.

I'm heading to Lake Anna this weekend to ride/run the course and was wondering if anyone had info on swimming in the lake. I see the 'swimming area' isn't actual open for the season yet but do people swim in this lake on a regular basis?

Haven't been there in years but as I recall its home to boaters, kayaks, swimmers and drunkards...my last time in the water there was 20 years ago..it was warm, appeared clean but definitely doesn't have the deep visibility of a NE PA lake...

Wow you must be serious.  Your going to ride and run the course before hand?! While your out there check this place out:

http://bbqex.com/

That is...if you like killer BBQ.