Square Lake Long Course (Page 2)

Carl,

The bike course is full of more rollers and false flats than Chisago. The turn from onto Olinda, to 97, then to 95 (and a long stretch of 95 as well) is pretty fast. The course leaving the park is all the way to 4 is rolling.

The run is much harder than Chisago. It is more exposed, all blacktop and undulating. 

So, I was supposed to be signed up for the short course after they had to cancel the Du @ the Dam. 

Then I emailed Randy to ask if I could hold my reservation for something next year, I wanted to do something else on Saturday.

Never heard from him, not on the participant list.  I wonder if I get to do another race next year?  Or not?  Oh, the mysteries.

What you folks gonna wear on the bike when it's 55F and you're wet and going at least 20mph. The wind chill factor will probably bring temperature down to at least 45F. Gonna be shaking in my tri suit. How about gloves. After the bike, I know I won't feel my feet for at least 1.5 miles.

Shoe (toe) covers are a must.  If not, you won't feel your toes till mile 3 of the run!

I enjoyed the race a lot - wow - you could hardly ask for better weather conditions, and the swim and bike courses were fantastic.  That was my favorite local long-course bike route yet.  The run was pretty punishing, but hey, it could've been worse...  I will definitely be back for this long course in 2013!

And it was awesome to meet some BTers out there - I'm typically flying solo at races, but my GF was able to come cheer at this one, and Mom even showed up (she's a cousin of Randy's wife) , so I apologize I wasn't able to socialize more - I'm normally cooler about that, I promise

I'm grateful to have some faces to go against names now, so I look forward to more race-day hook-ups next year.  Congrats to all the finishers!

Cheers, Chris

Finished with my HIM PR 5:43:30 in a tough course! Great weather overall. I nailed the nutrition part almost perfectly. No GI or cramping issues. Average swim. Good bike. Good run. The run course is toughest in all races I've done. Hills after hills and then some more. My quads are shot now.
Gonna try to get in IMWI '13 next.

Good to see Pete, Ryan, and Dan. Everyone had a good race time.
Big thanks to all volunteers especially Anne. Great cheering there.

I hope you get into IMWI!

It was great seeing all of you and a perfect day for racing. Now it's time to relax a bit and enjoy some fall riding/running.

Pete, we've never met but I recognized the beard when you passed me while observing on the corner of Hwy 4 and Manning.

leapdog,  yep that was me you yelled at, after i went by on the corner......  Barely saw you when i turned around. 

Also No results yet.   man.   not that i expect mine to be up.....   as near as i can figure off my garmin the distance was good for the swim.  it took me around 27 minutes......  but my garmin also said i swam 2.36 miles.  the curly Q map is quite hilarious.

This was my first ever tri!  What a great day.  I think my finish time was somewhere around 6:20.  Were the distances totally off?  My cateye registered 55.25 for the bike leg and my Garmin was off by about a mile on the run?  Is that possible? 

Felt good on every part and made an effort to stay hydrated and fueled and not overdo it.  Overall a great experience.  Nothing at all like running a marathon in terms of crowd and course support.  People were much friendlier than in a marathon. I was so impressed by all the "way to go" and "good job"  comments along the run leg from other participants.  The water support volunteers were very sweet. 

So, I signed up for IMWI 2013!  OMG what have I done?  I have a year to prepare.  I'm halfway there, right?  Back to the pool bright and early tomorrow morning!

Results are up now.

http://www.frontrunnerusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/squarelakelongresults121.txt

My bike odometer shows the same distance 55.25. More than advertised 54. Swim is 1.2 and run is 13.1.

What's the deal with that little hill in the park???
And the big downhill run and sharp turn to finish line???

When I climbed the last hill to the park, I was so happy to cross the highway and enter it and sprint down to the finish line. When I entered I did not see the finish line and can't find it at all. So I continued on down the road and up this little fricking hill and it almost drop me to walking paces there. Finally came up that little hill and still can't see the finish line. Guess I have to go some more. Then the big downhill pounding some more hurt to my quads. Came down fast and put on the brakes to do a right sharp turn to finish line. Whats da deal? Pete you didn't warn me about this man.

I had the swim at 1.25, bike at 54.5, and run at 12.8. They advertise 1.2, 54 and 13, so they were pretty close this year.

I cannot tell you how stoked I was to see the turnaround at 10k on my watch. I did not want to run up that hill. I think I cried a little. 

sorry man.  I totally meant to warn you.  but then i forgot.......  that part sucked SOOOO much last year, when i did no know it was going to end that way.......  when you are mentally done or think you are close it sucks to have to go another couple tenths of a mile.......