General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Worst weather race memories? Rss Feed  
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2007-01-10 8:20 AM

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Extreme Veteran
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Northwest Louisiana
Subject: Worst weather race memories?

Okay, I'm probably torturing myself by asking this, but does anyone have race memories that include bad weather? That is, rain specifically or I suppose anything else.

The Houston Marathon is this Sunday and the forecast is not very kind right now. Severe thunderstorms forecasted for Saturday night and Sunday morning. My first tri was canceled due to a thunderstorm (heavy rain with thunder and lightning, but it was a local race) and now I'm traveling to Houston for my first half mary.

Anyway, I just wanted to know how you guys dealt with bad weather.

 

 



2007-01-10 8:26 AM
in reply to: #648805

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Pro
4675
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Wisconsin near the Twin Cities metro
Subject: RE: Worst weather race memories?
Ironman Wisconsin 2006....enough said !!!!
2007-01-10 8:29 AM
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Champion
6931
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Bellingham, Washington
Subject: RE: Worst weather race memories?
Seattle Marathon, rain and cold.
2007-01-10 8:36 AM
in reply to: #648805

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Veteran
132
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Montreal
Subject: RE: Worst weather race memories?
It was 6C and raining for my first half marathon (Mtl 21k) last year.
2007-01-10 8:37 AM
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Runner
Subject: RE: Worst weather race memories?

In HS, I ran the Junior Olympics Nationals XC race.  It was in Rhode Island.  They had torrential rain for 2 days before the race, and it was still raining the day of.  Since I was in the oldest age category, we had about 20 other races that started before us, most of which had the start, and varying parts of their courses, over the same ground.  When our race came up, they had to move our starting position because the ground was no longer usable.  I wore 1" spikes, and still had parts where I was slipping around.  The finish line looked like a swamp, and every footstep kicked mud at somebody (it really sucked to be behind anyone).

That was one of the most fun races ever...........

In terms of dealing with it, you just go and do it.  I've run a 10 mile race in a blizzard.  In the last mile, I couldn't see more than a foot in front of me.  If it's rain, you get wet.  If it's snow, you're cold, and then possibly wet.  Lightning, ya don't race.  You just can't focus on the weather.  If you do, it'll make it all the more miserable.  You go out there and embrace the weather, and think that it's going to affect everyone, and it's better to try to enjoy it and focus on what you can control.

That's all I got.  Sorry if it's not helpful. 

2007-01-10 8:38 AM
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Master
2379
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Alpharetta, GA
Subject: RE: Worst weather race memories?

Haven't done a tri yet, but can offer two cycling-related from last year...first, Six Gap Century/Three Gap Fifty ride in North Georgia...the Gaps are a lot of fun - in dry weather; the Tour de Georgia uses portions of them, including one that's rated HC and another rated Cat 1, for the annual race.  Anyway, this year, approximately 5 miles into the ride, it started raining...the rain continued unabated, pouring at times, for the next 30 miles...climbing in the rain is not too bad, but coming down the backside is a different story.

Second, did my first century in Nov...unfortunately, with all of the nice weather we'd had during the prior week or two, ride day turned out to be cold (30's at the start) and windy (gusts in excess of 20MPH)...it literally felt like we were riding into a headwind the entire ride (w/ the exception of miles 60-80) and miles 83-107 (yes, actual was 100 + 7) were into wind and slight climb pretty much the entire way...tough, but managed to finish.



2007-01-10 8:49 AM
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Expert
1144
100010025
Kansas City, MO
Subject: RE: Worst weather race memories?
A 5k race back in September 2006: 45 and sprinkling rain at the start.  Got about 1/2 a mile in to the race and it just opened up and came down in virtual buckets.  I had a moisture wicking hat on, but it was so pointless, except to keep the rain off my face...except parts of the rain was horizontal.  I had 2 layers on and one was supposed to be waterproof - HA!  Not so much.  We all looked like drowned rats at the finish - good times - placed 2nd in my age group!
2007-01-10 8:50 AM
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Master
1468
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Tampa, Fl
Subject: RE: Worst weather race memories?
2006 St. Anthony's Swim was pretty bad.
After that the race was beutiful.
2007-01-10 8:59 AM
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Pro
4189
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Pittsburgh, my heart is in Glasgow
Subject: RE: Worst weather race memories?
Umm...wow, I've raced in some pretty crappy weather.

Dead Celebrity 5k this year...poured BUCKETS all day, and then rained harder during the race. Plus it was at night! Interesting race, felt like I was running with cement shoes on.

Connemara International Marathon- my first stand alone half mary in Co. Galway. In traditional Irish form, rained the entire time, from start to finish, but it was a light rain, just pesky. It was great while you were running because the temperature was PERFECT, but for about 5 hrs after the race, I COULD NOT get warm. Feet stayed dry till the last mile, when I got puddled and my shoes got soaked. This was compacted by the fact that there are very few things in the west of Ireland: Hills, sheep, rain....and once a year about 1200 nutters running.

But those, I could take. However, the wind during Pineman 1/2 Iron (sorry...Toyota Challenge at Deer Creek), my first HIM, was the ball buster. The swim was allright, I can deal with white caps. It was unpleasant, yes, but nothing too bad. But the bike was, for me, the worst. It felt like a constant headwind. Also because I don't have a tri bike, I was basically riding with a parachute because I couldn't do aero. I was so. so. so. miserable after the second bike loop. I actually cried on the third loop because I was so frustrated with the wind. The run was just survival after that.

Race reports for the labove:

Dead Celebrity:
http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp...

Connemara:
http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp...

Pineman:
http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp...
2007-01-10 9:08 AM
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Coach
10487
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Boston, MA
Subject: RE: Worst weather race memories?
FL 70.3 and Cancun 70.3 were VERY hot and Mooseman Oly and Timberman 70.3 were VERY wet! (But all were VERY fun... painfully fun 
2007-01-10 9:16 AM
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Elite
2421
2000100100100100
Subject: RE: Worst weather race memories?

Nothing really bad in a race... a few swims with swells so bad that we saw 10-20% DNF rates in the swim alone.  I did have a training ride with headwinds so bad that I couldn't make double-digit MPHs going into... but oh was it awesome when I turned around.

bts



2007-01-10 9:23 AM
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Alpharetta, Georgia
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Worst weather race memories?
One of my races last year it rained almost the whole time. The participants didn't really care (except for the semi-slick roads on the bike leg), but I felt really bad for the spectators. My parent's, grandma and doggie were all completely soaked!

Just be sure to bring dry clothing to change into afterwards and plenty of towels to clean up mud and for the car ride home.

2007-01-10 9:24 AM
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Champion
9407
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Montague Gold Mines, Nova Scotia
Subject: RE: Worst weather race memories?
The Navy Trident's Triathlon (sprint distance with pool swim) and it was raining horizontally - wind speed was at least 25knots and the bike and run were brutal. Also, it was early June and the air temp was around 10C so it was pretty chilly, especially on the bike

However, the race was still a blast and I would do it again in the same conditions in a heartbeat. I didn't do anything differently in terms of clothing but if I was going to be out for any longer I probably would have used weather appropriate clothing.

Beyond that, I made sure to thank all the volunteers as they braved the weather for the entire morning while I was only out in it for around an hour.

Have fun

Shane
2007-01-10 9:54 AM
in reply to: #648936

Champion
6539
5000100050025
South Jersey
Subject: RE: Worst weather race memories?
This past summer, I spectated a race (couldn't race due to injury) as a tropical storm was heading out of town (no lightening so I guess we were safe). The torrential rain and high winds were crazy. A lot of people didn't show up on race day, but quite a few did (including a few hard-core BTers - thegomer, kleinrider, dare2trimom, mattwilley, and IM). In all honesty, racing in those conditions would have been so much more fun than just standing out there & doing nothing in those conditions. Especially because through the rain and wind, no one could even hear me cheering for them . Fortunately, the rain really died down in time for the awards ceremony. I regret to admit that I didn't stick around for the ceremony because I was wet and freezing.
2007-01-10 10:05 AM
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Expert
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Subject: RE: Worst weather race memories?
My 1st Tri was in the rain from start to finish and majority was in heavy down pour. It didn't bother me too much, slowed down the bike and the run was on trails so very muddy. I guess it didn't sway me any as I am still going strong
2007-01-10 10:05 AM
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Master
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Subject: RE: Worst weather race memories?
Feel free to read all of the IM Wisconsin race reports up on this site.


2007-01-10 10:30 AM
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Got Wahoo?
5423
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San Antonio
Subject: RE: Worst weather race memories?

The hail was somewhat problimatic in this 10 mile trail run.

 

Funnest race ever!!!!!!!!!!!!





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2007-01-10 10:43 AM
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Supersonicus Idioticus
2439
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Thunder Bay, ON
Subject: RE: Worst weather race memories?
Mountain bike race: 7-9ÂșC rain and wind, the camp was in an open meadow, the track was slippery, and I put too many layers of clothing on so I was burnin hot during the race.
2007-01-10 11:09 AM
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Master
1265
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CT
Subject: RE: Worst weather race memories?
It rained torrentially all through my first half marathon in Hartford-October 2005. Was soaked before it even got started. The good news is that it wasnt too cold so just had to deal with being wet which really is a non issue if you are dressed properly.

Edited by stumfossil 2007-01-10 11:10 AM
2007-01-10 11:51 AM
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Subject: ...
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2007-01-10 12:33 PM
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Expert
760
5001001002525
Mt. Morris, IL
Subject: RE: Worst weather race memories?

Birkierunner - 2007-01-10 7:26 AM Ironman Wisconsin 2006....enough said !!!!

I agree that was horrible (I don't know if I ever broke a sweat), but 2005 Spirit of Racine when it was a heat index in 100's and then windy on the bike the DNF rate was amazing.   I don't like to be cold and wet all day, but I think I would take that over the extrem heat and humidity!



2007-01-10 1:06 PM
in reply to: #649310

Pro
4675
20002000500100252525
Wisconsin near the Twin Cities metro
Subject: RE: Worst weather race memories?
nccgrap - 2007-01-10 12:33 PM

Birkierunner - 2007-01-10 7:26 AM Ironman Wisconsin 2006....enough said !!!!

I agree that was horrible (I don't know if I ever broke a sweat), but 2005 Spirit of Racine when it was a heat index in 100's and then windy on the bike the DNF rate was amazing.   I don't like to be cold and wet all day, but I think I would take that over the extrem heat and humidity!

I remember that day in 2005 very well.  I was up doing the inaugural Door County Triathlon the same day as Racine and it was my first ever tri.  Man, it was hot that day.

2007-01-10 2:04 PM
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Official BT Coach
2210
2000100100
Englewood, CO
Subject: RE: Worst weather race memories?

I've got 2!

Last year at chilly cheeks duathlon start. -12 F.

Wildflower 04"  San Luis Obispo reports the temps hit 108 by mid day.

2007-01-10 2:09 PM
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Science Nerd
28760
50005000500050005000200010005001001002525
Redwood City, California
Subject: RE: Worst weather race memories?
Last year during the Richmond Sprint Tri, it was about 30F when I was putting the bike on the car before sunset.  I think it was a balmy 40 when I got out of the pool and ran barefoot out to the transition area.  At least I thought to pack a jacket, but my legs and fingers felt like they were getting frostbite during the run.  I don't think I warmed up for quite awhile after that one.
2007-01-10 2:36 PM
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Expert
997
500100100100100252525
Littleton, CO
Subject: RE: Worst weather race memories?

Steamboat Springs, CO Oly - It was 37F at the start of the swim, in August. The bike warmed up to 40F.  I had to no jacket, no gloves, no pants. It was cold...bitter cold.

 

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