Deer Creek Sept 23

The road conditions are usually always a little rough - not smooth asphalt, more the spray tar and rock variety.  Defintely what you see out in the "country", some people do not like this.  It is relatively flat, but there are a couple of decent hills.  I would drive the bike course if you can the day before and give you a better idea.   The police coverage at major road intersections is usually very good.

This race was COLD last year, so make sure you check the weather before you leave and bring the right mix of clothing - defintely a jacket for the early morning.   I can almost guarantee it will wetsuit legal.   I would also bring a flashlight or two for early morning set up, there is not lights in the parking lot that is used for trasition set up.

Hope this helps.

Kristin

I am not sure what race you are doing..... I have only done the shorter races and it was a gradual climb.   Someone that has done Oly in the past might be able to help with the "hill" portion.

oh definitly on the wetsuit   Im more than certain it will be wetsuit legal

I am going to take a drive down and drive the bike course, I will post my thoughts after I get a chance to go there for anyone else thats never been there.  I was going to go swim, but not sure if I will have time to do all that before race day.

I live rurally, so totally used to the tar chip roads thankfully. 

I'm doing the sprint tri it will be my 4th one this year, my husband is doing his first duathlon- 

Are you racing this one?!?!?!

Nope.  I get to run for the first time in months on Monday.  Totally exciting. :/

Couple questions for anyone who has done the half IM.  I am vaguely familiar with the course at DC, I did the sprint there a few years ago.  Is it feasible to live off the course as far as nutrition, or should I plan on packing some things.  I saw what they provide on the website but was unsure how it works.  Do they give you water bottles, or do you stop and fill your own? 

Any other suggestions on gear and strategies would be welcomed as well.  This is my first half and I'm terrified about the potential of a dnf. 

I think this is the first Half at Deer Creek, so I don't know all the details. Another Half I did was Buckeye Challenge. They have one water station on the bike course,  and the course was two laps, you could get water twice. Last time they give away the bottles. Another year you had to stop to fill it up. I would stop and get the bottle, not just slow it down. I have seen some dropped bottles on the ground , so be careful. The Deer Creek will have three laps, so you can fill water three times. 

I did not use their water because I have one Profile Design water system between aerobars and two bottles behind my saddle. On a hot day it was enough. 

I am not sure if they have any food on the bike course, I took all my gels with me. 3 or 4 is good. But you need to know what do you need to intake. 

Do not worry about your first Half We all been there. I would personally suggest to take it easy, save yourself, do not run for the time. Bike is especially important, it is easy to overspend yourself on the bike leg and be unable to run. To me personally swim+bike takes from 1/4 to 1/2 of my energy, the running takes another half of the race.

I didn't think the cutoff times were very generous, considering the race doesn't start until 9 a.m.

I think 4:30 is a reasonable time for people to still be out there.

David tri's and I are heading down now and camping whereever there is space in the campground. Look for a bit white Class C motorhome with a USAT sticker in the back window. We'll probably be sitting out with our guitars tonight.

See y'all there!