Got the Nerve? Triathlon : Official Thread

This is a good first open water swim race.  It is well run, and benefits a good cause.

If you're concerned about the swim, and only being able to do a few ows with your wetsuit before the race, you might want to consider doing the Hempfield Tri for Life in mid April for your first race, then follow it up with GTN.

Hempfield is another well run race, but it's a pool swim, so it eliminates the intimidation factor of the ows.  Doing this race first will allow you to focus more on the other aspects of racing, such as transitions and pacing without the additional stress of the ows.  Then, do GTN a month later, and you know what to expect with the rest of the race, so you can focus some more attention on executing the swim portion.

Most people are fine with just a wetsuit (preferably a full sleeve).  With only a 500 yd swim, the cooler water isn't as large of an issue as it would be in an Oly.

Thanks.

Got any tips on how to get in the water a week or two ahead of time for a little OWS practice?!?

I am hoping for someplace closer to me (in chester county) but Blue Marsh is "Plan B."

When do you think the water in Blue Marsh is swimmable, assuming I have a sleeveless wetsuit??  I am guessing late April.

For those of you who live in the area...

I am interested in heading out to ride the bike course and run the run course once or twice over the next couple of months, so that I am familiar with it.

Is that reasonable and do-able?  Or are the roads too busy and/or the run route on restricted/private property??

p.s. I am still looking for an OWS option besides Blue Marsh but so far nothing has panned out

There are group rides that are being put on by Got The Nerve to show people the bike course:

March: 25th at 11AM

April: 1, 14, 22, 28 at 11AM

May: 6, 12 at 11AM

They meet at the post office parking lot in Mt. Gretna.

The roads are not too busy and it is a great area to go for a bike ride but it can be tricky if you are unfamiliar with the area or course.  I hope to see you at one or more of the rides!

Thanks for the tip and I had heard about this.

However my schedule is probably not going to fit any of these (possibly April 1st but even that is unlikely).

I will probably have to print out the map/cue sheet and DIY it.

Any comments on the run route??  Is it public domain or private property?

Doug

Most of the run is on the rail-to-trail behind the pizza shop.  The transition area (at the lake) is private property everything else is on the road or trail so that is public.  Best thing to do is to park at the post office (you are NOT allowed to park at the lake) and then bike to where transition is, check it out (Transition usually takes place where the solar panels are).  Ride the course, put the bike back in the car and then run down to the rail-to trail and run out about 1.5 miles and then back to the lake to get a feel for the run.  Hope that's a help!

BIG help.  Thanks!

Doug

5stones...I will have to look at my schedule but I am thinking closer to the event, maybe late April?

I will update this post and/or send you a PM with details.  I would be happy to have company.

For cycling I generally ride approx 19 MPH and for running I generally run 8 minute miles.  Willing to ramp it up or down a bit if necessary for a friend.  

Doug

Yes, you will be fine, these rides are geared to beginners, it has been a no drop ride--we wait for everyone at the tops of the climbs, and make sure everyone is doing ok along the way.  I really hope to see you at one (or more)!

There's only a little more than 2 weeks to go!

Who's ready to race?!

Very much hoping to beat last year's time and really hoping to make a certain goal time I have in my head.  Can't wait!

Me too!

First time!

Heading to Blue Marsh this weekend for a little OWS practice.  Will also try to ride the bike course of GTN the following weekend so there won't be too many surprises.

Any words of wisdom to a first-timer??