MedExpress Mountaineer Triathlon - Olympic Distance

I was really stoked to see that weather report.  I hope it holds up. 

It should be a great day to race.

Peace,
Brian #485 (Ok, I am a little excited about this being my first OLY)

2011

NEW TRANSITION SITE-near the amphitheater

NEW ish SWIM COURSE-no more marina start, no more beaching yourself near the bridge/exit, no more hill to transition. Start/exit off the corner of ampitheater lot

NEW RUN COURSE-opposite direction, towards marilla park

NEW FINISH LINE-from the trail past transition to an angle finish between the ampitheather and restrooms/bus station building under the overpass

And if you didnt already know--NEW DATE-June 26th

Best of luck training!

oops-posted this in Sprint Official Thread: still applies.

I signed up -again- pre-course changes.

I'm a little disappointed.

Laps in the Mon river-REALLY?!

Mon county not fixing the rail trail slide-Up 6th street and up Mon blvd, down mon blvd and on the way back in up mon blvd and down onto 6th street. Viewing the coliseum will be nice and hopefully the downhill will be nice but-REALLY?!

New transition area-Weather permitting this'll be nice-I hope there isnt much congestion since its all on the same day, with laps in the river and muiltiple distances within the same transition area.

New run course-ah well basically the same-likely more shaded too.

This is a home (visit) race for me so I'm excited.

Best of luck to all racers, Thanks ahead of time to the volunteers, I'll talk and meet with anyone, new friends or old at the finish line!

I'm not at all familiar with Motown.  What do you make of the post-landslide course changes?

http://www.mountaineertriathlon.com/news/35-landslides-course-change

I'm doing the Half.  But it looks like it's pretty much the same course.  I read that the run was super hilly but on the website it says a new flat course.  Anyone know which it is?  And how hilly is the bike?  I checked out the map, but I can't really tell.

I'm super excited for this race.  I've never been to Morgantown.  I hear good things!

Christy

Glad to hear that you're signed up for the race -- it should be a good one.  Is this your first HIM?

As for the course, I'm only in Morgantown like once or twice a year, so I can't really say for sure how flat or hilly it is.  I do know that the entire run course is on Deckers Creek Trail, which is paved, flat, and provides some shade.  I can't say much about the bike -- the course profile they put on the website doesn't look so bad, but I feel like those things are often misleading.

Good luck!

Daniel

did you get the PM I sent you?

Got it and replied.  Thanks

Thanks!  This is my first HIM. I'm super excited.  I'm sure I'll be getting sick to my stomach nervous in the next few days.  Glad to hear the run is flat.  I'll cross my fingers the bike isn't too crazy.

Have a great race!

Christy

Looks like they changed the course again. 

http://www.mountaineertriathlon.com/details  (click on the course map, updated 6/20).

So what do you think, Frank?  Good change, bad change?  Is the course harder now?  Some of those hills on the elevation profile look, uh, steep.

In any event, whatever the course, I'm pumped up to race!

Those look like some big hills!  I'm questioning my gears.  Hope I have enough.

Christy

My bike has 12-25 gearing on the front and 50/34 on the front. Think I'll be ok?  Someone suggested I get a 11-28 cassette for this race.  Any thoughts?  You seem to be the go to guy for this race .

I'm doing the half.  If you're still around at 2, I'll say hi.

Christy

I've biked Rt 73 South of Morgantown toward Fairmont many times.  There are several hills on that road.  It will be much hillier than a typical triathlon course; more like a cycling race.  The first hill on Rt 73 that starts uphill just after you go under the Interstate (about where the "W" is if you look at the new course map) is looooong and grinding with a false peak.  You think you can see the top, but when you get there you realize it keeps going up for about another mile.  Be prepared!  The last hill before the Olympic turnaround is also a grinder.  I think bike times on this course will be several minutes slower on average than the other course.  The good news is at least the run course is flat. :-)

Good luck to everyone participating!  I'm sorry to be missing it (but happy that I'll be at the beach on vacation!).

Thanks for the analysis.  It looks like you're describing the hill at about the 3.5 mile marker.  Not looking forward to that one -- close to 2 miles of climbing, and steep!  Mentally, I find the prospect of a flat run comforting.  I'm just not sure my legs will care at that point!

Those look like some big hills!  I'm questioning my gears.  Hope I have enough.

Christy

Youll be fine!

Spin to win right? There will be flat rollers too-I plan to drive this once I get into town to really get a feel for it. Yeah I said drive-Im not riding it twice-okok out and back once.

The weather looks PER FECT for the race!

Has anyone heard/read anything about bottle exchange-there was on last years-but with ALL these changes, Im looking out now.

Ill be at the expo on Saturday prolly midday.

We train HARD to race for fun!!!!!

Anyone from the area know of a good place for dinner?  I'm staying at the Waterfront Place Hotel.  I really have no idea where that is or what's around it.  Just looking for a low key place to get some good food and beer to help me sleep .

Christy

The Wharf is pretty good, and I seem to remember the same about Oliverio's. They're both within walking distance of the hotel. I think I remember that the Wharf has outdoor seating that overlooks the rail trail and the river. If you go downtown, a little further away, Madeline's, across from Hotel Morgan is always really good.

Depends on what you normally do-and what you like. being a college town theres PLENTY of choices and the waterfront is literally 2 block walk to downtown.

Waterfront has a great menu and the "ratpack lounge" . Wings Ole -nice mexican spot is on the way downtown. DP dough is a calzone place on high street. Theres like 2-3 pizza places real close to waterfront and all deliver there within walking distance is Casa and man is that some good pizza. Subway is on high street as well. Black bear burritos is on high, good food pretty sure they serve beer there.

As for beer well like I said college town-2x #1 party school at that. Theres plenty of sports bars. Sports page on high street, theres a new good place up on pleasant I forget the name but everything on the menu has to do with WVU-PRT/football/coaches etc. good eats and drinks.

BW3--buffalo wild wings-is a great beraded chicken/chicken wing and beer place. great wall china chinese is on high street. down the street from wings ole and waterfron is THE BREW PUB-nice food and in house brewery. I think the marina has a resturant in it-never been. If yuo want some hoighty toighty night and food-CAfe bachus is at the end of high street near waterfront.

Oliverios is a FANTASTIC resturant. IT WILL be busy-its a walk down the "rail trail" behind waterfront maybe 1/4 mile. Italian food, wine/beer. Wife sould say crabcakes are to die for, I say the diablo chicken pasta dish is (not that Im eating THAT before a race)

Hmmm-thats alot, but you were kinda vague and-- low key-nah not really gonna happen (unless your at waterfront/cafe bachus/Oliverios). Small area.

Depends on your drive in theres plenty of spots off the interstate too-Cheddars/REdlobster/Olive garden

I'd love to hear where you choose too!

Thanks. We will be there Saturday night and Sunday night, so we'll be able to try a couple.  Not sure I can agree on the best crabcake...I'm from Baltimore. 

The Waterfront Place Hotel is just a couple of blocks from downtown (High St. area).  There are plenty of options if you just go wander around there.  I will reiterate two options already mentioned.  The Brew Pub (aka Morgantown Brewing Company, 1291 University Ave) has good food and a fine selection of beer.  Black Bear Burritos (132 Pleasant St) is a hippy joint with vegetarian options that serves good food and beer.  You can find menus for both online by googling their name.  Neither of them should be too terribly busy. 

Oliverio's is good Italian food and only a block from the hotel, but it'll be busy on a Saturday night and I don't think they take reservations.  Personally, I prefer another Italian restaurant, Puglioni's (1137 Van Voorhis Rd), but it's a short drive from the hotel--you can't just walk there.