NYC Triathlon

I'll be there. Not to thrilled about being in either the 2nd or 3rd to last wave. Oh well.

The swim is very very fast.  However..be ready for some serious chop.  The weather was dicey last year the night before and kicked up the chop.  I think it is a big reason many had some serious problems last year.  some people just thought the current would carry them downriver.  That chop leveled the playing field for some. 

If you are looking for the fastest current, stay to the outside (west, toward Jersey).  Also, Do NOT stand up before the exit ramp.  Your feet will dissapear into some pretty heavy sludge.  The best volunteers in the sport are at the exit barge.  Let them yank you out.

a couple of other thoughts from my experience last year.

Gear your bike properly as their is a short hill out of transition.  people were sideways last year in the wrong gear and that created havoc.  If you are decent on your bike, hammer it home after the turn around.  There are a ton of first timers and many people on the bike did not stay right....be super aware.  You may have to ride a bit defensively if you are in the later waves (as i was last year).  The hills on the bike are cake.  The hills in the park on the run can and will bite.  Good idea to run them or at least go see them prior to the race.   The part of CP that this race goes through is most definitely NOT flat.

I loved this race last year.  The run across West 72nd Street into the park is great, as is the finish.  if you are meeting family, I'd suggest meeting somewhere on the UWS outside of the park.  The finish area is a complete cluster F.  They told us last year that there would be an area to call loved ones, and there wasnt. Otherwise, it was A+.

Enjoy the race and good luck!

Theses are all great tips! This is my first time doing this distance and doing the NYC Tri!  I'm so excited for it, I can't wait!!! 

Sounds like the hardest part will be the run or meeting up with family afterwards lol!

Thanks for the insight.

Per the race site: Age Groups/Divisions will be filed as a group onto the Start Barge.  Athletes will enter the water 15 athletes every 20 seconds.

So you just keep swimming to the deck and then someone will help grab you out?  Or I guess you could probably also pull yourself out?

I didn't even think it was shallow enough where you could touch the ground

This is my fourth year and it's a great race.

My suggestions:

1.  Bring a pump and pump your tires race morning not the day before. Every year I've dropped my bike off in transition on Saturday you always hear gun shots aka tires popping and you know that person going to arrive race morning and have to change a flat.

2. It's about a little over a mile walk from transition to the swim start. After you get in the water if your family wants to see you, there is a path along the water they can walk along. I have used white out to make a distinct mark on my swim cap so they know who I am.

3. Do not put your feet down prior to the exit ramp. I did it the first year and it feels like your walking on a 70s shag carpet. Put your feet on the ramp and let the volunteers help you up.

4. After you exit the water there will be a photographer so smile and there are hoses you run under so you can rinse off as you run to transition. The run to transition is far from short so be prepared to run bare foot for a little less then a 1/4 mile for the men. I think the female transition is closer.

5. Easy gear exiting transition for there is a short steep incline leading up to the Henry Hudson so get out of the saddle.

6. The bike is pretty flat until you get close to the GWB it is hilly after that. I think there are 3 catagory 5 climbs. When you go through the tolls and are crossing over the bridge into the bronx take a look to the left it's an amazing view of the Hudson River and Jersey. The Bronx is all up and down hills. When you bare right and start going up you are close to the turn around.

7. It is amazing running up 72nd St. Central park is also hilly and can be humid sometimes but there are plenty of people to encourge you to keep running.

8. The finish is awsome, also don't forget to smile for your finish photo. Stop your watch and forget about looking at it or that will be your finish photo. Forget your time for a minute and just enjoy everything. They have ice cold towels and and a larger replica of an old subway token is your finishers medal. 

9. Enjoy your race and the surroundings.

See everyone there,

Mark 

Question:

I read that we will be receiving a clear bag w our race number on it that can be brought to the swim start and then truck will bring it to the finish.

Why would I want to do that?  I figured I would just come up to the swim put on my wetsuit and go.