Arrival Time to Liberty

I was going to start a "Who's doing Liberty?" thread but this one will do.....I'm in for the half as well.  Haven't done it since 2008

I second what folks said up above, get there early and good luck

Welcome, Scott!! As Pete said above... some people (namely, Pete) like to get there early so they have their choice of spots (I don't think Liberty has assigned transition spots in the past), get everything set up, warm up a little, then relax and clear the mind prior to the race. I generally show up early for races without assigned spots, but later when it is assigned. Last year at Buffalo I came 30 minutes BEFORE transition officially opened because I had volunteered to set up a tent for my company that was at the race. I was so excited thinking I'd be the only bike in transition... I was wrong. One bike, and sure enough, it was Pete's.

Regarding your bike pace, how did you come up with 14mph average paced? How has your training been, pace- and volume-wise? Are you riding a beach cruiser or other similarly proportioned tank of a bike (which is totally legit, by the way...)? Last year's slowest finisher averaged 15.4 (maybe there were more non-finishers with slower times), but I wouldn't think anyone who has the fitness to swim in the 35:00 range should take 4 hours on the bike.

I'm coming for the half iron relay - I am biking (of course).    So if anyone needs help with set-up, wet suit situating, sunblock application, etc,  I've got time...  I'll be the one wearing bike, not tri, clothes.

So my question about parking/the race site:   I've only done this at the old park.  Assuming I don't need a ton of set-up time, is there any to coming early?  Like, do I end up 3 parking lots away if I am later?   If the parking is decent for all participants, I will probably push the time a bit.

Thanks!

What has the pace been on your long rides?

I've never needed bug spray during a race, but you should put on sun block (at multiple points).  Bug spray in the morning is great, though.

If it rains on the bike, just be careful in the corners and avoid white painted lines on the road.   You will be dirty and wet, yay!   Also, I'd bring glasses with clear lenses just in case. 

Thanks!  We'll see you there. Carrie is my teammate.

Probably more so than any other race I have ever done, the mosquitos in 2012 at this race were the worst! I don't know if its because it was a warmer spring or what, but even the week before in Buffalo just 10 miles away, they weren't nearly as bad. I'd bring the bug spray for sure! Everything is wet everywhere right now, and mosquitos are definitely waking up.

And Eric, that run was indeed miserable. I probably overcooked the bike a little and had my quads cramp up before the first mile marker. To that point, I had never walked (or even dropped pace significantly) during the run of a race, but I spent a decent stretch run-walking. I remember seeing you on the run and could tell it was a tough day. I was really happy to see how well you did at Madison in September!  

Emily, as Eric said, there is a ton of parking really close by. My wife showed up to spectate for the run and had to park a little farther away, but I'm pretty sure most participants were reasonably close.

Looks like 60s to near 70 with chance of T storms for Saturday.  I haven't done a multisport race this year yet, and i'm looking forward to seeing everyone! Good luck!!

One other note: did anyone notice the new bike course? I guess I hadn't even looked until the email came out over the weekend. It doesn't go to Cty 110, then out 15 this year. Rather we will turn off on Cty 92 on the first lap and head down to St Bonifacius, west on 7, then North on Cty 10 to Cty 20/6. We cut back to 92 on Cty 26. Almost reminds me of the stick and two-loop lollipop of the IMMOO course (even an impressive hill or two out there!). 

Shall we start weather watch?  Right now Saturday is calling for 68 and 50% "t-showers".  I think this is better; earlier in the week I think it was 60% "Isolated T-Storms" including the lightning icon.  I just don't want to play the whole lightning, watch and wait game after last week's Minneapolis Marathon debacle.

I don't think long sleeves is crazy.  Good idea, actually... It will be cooler than 60-anything in the morning.

I believe the only weather cancellation/delay issue would be lightning.   They will hold the swim for 30 minutes after spotting lightning.  I know lightning isn't okay on the bike or run either, although I am not sure of the protocol once the race starts.

My hat's off to those of you who finished the Liberty half today!

I started out on the bike but after turning back into the wind/rain around mile 20 I was suffering.   I ultimately decided to skip the second loop and head back and turned in my chip.  I did 37.ish miles and I seriously can't imagine how you guys did the whole course, in addition to the delay plus the swim and run!  My relay partner was mainly there for the swim practice, and I signed up as incentive to get in bike miles, so I just didn't have the drive to suffer through to the run.