Galveston 5150 (5i50) - Sept 23 2012

They had to move the date away from the Austin 70.3.  That was monumentally stupid of them to do the 5150 race in Galveston the same day as the 70.3 in Austin.

I wonder how registrations are going this year.  This year's date is a week before the Houston Tri so I think it will struggle again.

That's what I'm seeing. Galveston Bay North Jetty Buoy is reporting water temps between 82 and 85 degrees over the past 24 hour period. Doesn't look like it will drop below 80 for race day.

Another noob question... I know they give you a timing chip for the race, but do they provide the little band/strap as well, or do I need to bring my own? Are there other popular ways of securing the chip to your person during the race?

Interesting data from the two closest buoys in the bay. While the North Jetty Buoy has dropped to 80 degrees for the water temp, the Eagle Point Buoy (only 10 miles north at San Leon) is down to 72 degrees. I wonder if the Eagle Point Buoy is more representative of the water temp we can expect on the back side of the island since the North Jetty Buoy is at the mouth of the ship channel and would actually be GOM water temps instead of Galveston Bay water temps.

Yep - looks good. NNE wind forecasted but only 5-7mph. Website said the sprint sold out. All of my swim training has been in a pool - pretty nervous / excited. I want a good swim (meaning relaxed / straight / not spent at the end) but not having a line under me to follow is going to be new for me. The bike is my strong event, and I know I'll survive the run. Just want to set a good tone for the day in the water.

If you can get a short open water swim in before Sunday, it might help take some of the edge off.  If you don't already know, there's two places I'm aware of:  288 lake (288lake.net), and Twin Lakes in Manvel (http://www.twinlakesscubapark.com/).

I haven't been to Twin Lakes in a while, but I hear it has improved from the past.  I usually go to 288 lake which is nice, but with the drought over the past year, the water level has fallen, and the vegetation growth is a little out of control.  Still it is a very popular place.  I'll probably get out there at some point this week.  If you are a member of HRTC, you get in for free on Fridays from 3:30 - 6:00pm.

Good luck!

Thanks again for the info! I'd be interested in joining a group out there at some time in the
future.

I'm on the SE side - right on the water. There is a little beach right next to the Houston Yacht Club
where I have seen people in the water. Also, Sylvan Beach is just a couple of minutes north... you're probably right - I should get out there. All of my open water experience has been tropical / excellent visibility, and the lack of visibility is making me nervous. I know it's not rational, but the unknown
below me is intimidating just the same. I should have worked with a group beforehand. I guess watching shark-week reruns wasn’t a good idea either. LOL  I’ve actually been in the water with reef
sharks and as long as I’m down face to face with them, I’m quite comfortable and not intimidated. Bobbing around on the surface is a different story, and on the surface with zero visibility feels like a worse idea. Statistically, I know I’m safe… but in a group of 100, I’m even safer.

Sylvan Beach is a good location.  Good race there in June.  Get used to the murky water if you're going to race around here.  Galveston, Kemah, the lakes around town, IMTX, all places you're lucky if you can see your hand when you start your pull.  LOL.

Weather Underground has buoy info for Galveston Bay here:

http://www.wunderground.com/MAR/GM/335.html

Individual buoy temps are on the right - the two closest are North Jetty and Eagle Point. But it looks like Eagle Point is significantly off from the other bay temps - the data might be erroneous. They update every 6 minutes. Looks like race time temp (8am) is still around 81 all over the bay.

http://www.wunderground.com/MAR/txm.html  :  Click on the dots to link to the individual buoy info and you can see the entire day's record.

Yes.

The 5150 (and the 70.3) course is mostly SW down the Seawall and NE back up the Seawall.

Well... 48 hours out from what I hope is just the first of many Triathlons over many years. I've  stuffed all the training I can into the last 9 weeks (yes, it was a last minute impulsive decision) and have been quite surprised at the results - especially in my running. (Not that it is by any means fast, but that I am injury free, and for the most part nothing really even hurts that much. Still carrying an extra 25 pounds - I figured my joints would suffer but I feel great.) I'm actually feeling a little bit of a letdown already that the training is over (for this event) and am wondering where and when my next race will be. Hopefully that excitement will be reinforced by a successful race and will remain long after this one is over.