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2006-07-28 7:35 PM

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Subject: Pittsburgh Triathlon
Alrighty lets get this ball rolling!! Who do we have out there doing this race?? What are you goals for it? and have you done this race last year and might be able to provide some insite on what to expect!

Shanks


2006-07-29 8:30 PM
in reply to: #496685

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon
I'm doing this race!!

I don't have any real goals other than to do my best and just finish. I'd like to beat my time from last year, but due to circumstances beyond my control my training got very set back this year so just completing will make me happy.

I will say the race is good, but the bike part is very different. Overall, I enjoy it. And you get beer at the end! yay!
2006-07-29 8:48 PM
in reply to: #497155

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon
This will be my first Oly so I am just looking to finish with a decent time.

What is different about the bike ride? Is it all up hill going out and downhill back?

What about the current during the swim?

Any tips on the course would be greatly appreciated.
2006-07-30 4:51 PM
in reply to: #497170

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon
bmacdona - 2006-07-29 9:48 PM

This will be my first Oly so I am just looking to finish with a decent time.
What is different about the bike ride? Is it all up hill going out and downhill back?
What about the current during the swim?
Any tips on the course would be greatly appreciated.


The bike is 2 loops that mainly consist of the HOV lane of 279. There are cars whizzing by you (don't worry, there is a cement barrier on either side so the cars won't get into the lanes). Its also a loooooong uphill (about 5 miles) with a tiny down at the end and then you turn around to go back (yay long downhill!) and do it again after wrapping around the football stadium. The road condition is also pretty rough and there are mounds of pavement where they've patched holes. It can sometimes have lots of debris on it as well. Last year at the turnaround point on the HOV lane they had someone handing out extra water bottles so you could grab that if you needed it.

I didn't really notice much of the current for the swim though there is usually a small chop to it from the boats elsewhere along the river. There's a kind of long uphill run from the swim to get to transition.

The run is long and hilly and on a mix of pavement and packed dirt/limestone trails and I believe on stone sidewalk too. There are plenty of water stations but definitely long lengths of no spectators or anything so it can get a little lonely at times. Oh, they also only had water at the stations so if you want to drink anything else I'd bring it along.

I enjoyed it last year despite being a bit overheated from the humidity. I think this year I'll bring my own water bottle with some sports drink during the run given how humid its been lately and how bad water is at rehydrating.

Wow, that was really long. Hope it answered your questions! Post your # when you get it and I'll keep an eye out for you on Sunday!
2006-07-30 7:29 PM
in reply to: #496685

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon
Thanks for the update. I was afraid the outbound was all uphill, so I guess go hard uphill and then you can rest for the 5 mi downhill.
2006-08-02 10:01 PM
in reply to: #496685

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon
booo for uphills, oh well just crush the downhill! Did you guys want to meet up at all at the pre-race meeting on Sat to say what's up?

Shanks


2006-08-03 9:04 AM
in reply to: #500977

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon
Shanks - 2006-08-02 11:01 PM

booo for uphills, oh well just crush the downhill! Did you guys want to meet up at all at the pre-race meeting on Sat to say what's up?

Shanks


I won't be able to make the pre-race meeting. Maybe we can meet at a certain time before the race on Sunday to get a BT photo?
2006-08-03 8:51 PM
in reply to: #496685

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon
Perhaps 10min before the pre race meeing, so 6:50am...any suggestions on where to meet?

Shanks
2006-08-04 8:29 AM
in reply to: #501943

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon
Sounds good. I'm trying to remember some landmarks in the area for a good meeting point but I can't think of any right now. I'll check it out during packet pick-up tomorrow and we can see if there are any good spots then. Right now I'm thinking near the water somewhere since it'll be less crowded there.

~ Annette
2006-08-04 4:44 PM
in reply to: #496685

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon
WOOHOO!! I'm so excited about this! I've volunteered for the past 2 years, and this is my first time running it . The run should be nice, that trail is shaded for the most part. I'm almost 100% that it won't be wetsuit legal, so be prepared.
My goals are 1) have fun 2) 17+Mph av. on bike, 3) sub 10 minute/mile run, 4) maybe place. My AG is a lot larger in this one than my previous races. Anyone else racing F20-24?

And I'm down for BT meetup/Photo op. I'll be wearing sorority letters like usual (Tau Delta (T and a Triangle)). I'm going to try to get my packet tomorrow at noon since I work at the Y downtown at 1.

Edited by phoenixazul 2006-08-04 4:46 PM
2006-08-04 6:57 PM
in reply to: #496685

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon
How about meeting at the tip of the triangular grassy patch in the lower right hand corner of this image?

http://www.pps.org/graphics/gpp/north_shore_pittsburgh_east_lawn_xl...

See you all then.


2006-08-04 9:01 PM
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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon
phoenixazul - 2006-08-04 5:44 PM

WOOHOO!! I'm so excited about this! I've volunteered for the past 2 years, and this is my first time running it . The run should be nice, that trail is shaded for the most part. I'm almost 100% that it won't be wetsuit legal, so be prepared.
My goals are 1) have fun 2) 17+Mph av. on bike, 3) sub 10 minute/mile run, 4) maybe place. My AG is a lot larger in this one than my previous races. Anyone else racing F20-24?

And I'm down for BT meetup/Photo op. I'll be wearing sorority letters like usual (Tau Delta (T and a Triangle)). I'm going to try to get my packet tomorrow at noon since I work at the Y downtown at 1.


Woo Hoo good luck Phoenixazul! That's awesome that you've watched it the past two years and are now doing it!!

Blast! I was hoping to get to use my new wetsuit, but alas. I'll be sporting a WVU Tri Club shirt for pre/post race and an Orca Tri-suit dark blue/light blue/ white color.

I'm not setting goals per leg since my last ones were way off minus the run. I'm just gonna go hardcore and hope for the best. I'm doing M20-24 and will hopefully get top 1/2 of the AG.

Shanks
2006-08-05 8:54 AM
in reply to: #496685

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon
Actually...I may be wrong! According to the US Army corp of engineers, water temp is abuot 77.4! We may squeak in those wet suits. I used this site when I was coaching rowing (incidentally, at the rowing association where the run turn around is, which is why I know that trail so well).

http://wmw.lrp.usace.army.mil/current/wa.html (Scroll down to Acmetonia)
2006-08-05 5:26 PM
in reply to: #496685

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon
Alright so 6:50 on that grassy patch with stairs going into the water...good luck on finding it!

See ya there!

Shanks
2006-08-05 8:40 PM
in reply to: #496685

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon
I'm number 157 as well.
2006-08-05 10:04 PM
in reply to: #496685

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon
I'm 190 and wearing black shorts and a black pirate shirt. I hope I find you all--my sister is going to take a pic of us all!

Good luck!! :D Lets kick butt!


2006-08-06 2:16 AM
in reply to: #496685

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon
I'm 327

Shanks
2006-08-06 7:12 PM
in reply to: #496685

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Subject: RE: Pittsburgh Triathlon
Good race everyone...but MAN there was some serious drafting violations, myself included...there was almost no way to be legal or pass safely.
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