Catfish Triathlon

clarification...it's on July 20th in Harrisburg, PA....

Yes, it will be my first.  4 weeks and counting....getting excited...and nervous

You'll do great! Nerves are you friend..makes you train harder...

I've done two Sprint tri's this year and my weakness has been the OWS so I'm headed up to H-burg this week to visit family and hopefully going to Gifford Pinchot State Park in York County for an open water swim training event. 6:30 P.M. on Tues July 1st. found it here on BT website.

Phil

Not from Philly (did used to live on S. 10th right below South St. for a short while back in the early '90's) but from Harrisburg itself. Catfish will be my first tri. Practically in my backyard since the bike leg will be going up and down Front St. which is a block from where I live. Especially psyched since a rather close friend has committed to doing this event also.

Just have to hope the Susquehanna River will cooperate. It has been know to be rather shallow in time of drought, which shouldn't be a problem with the rain we've been having, and hopefully the water is being frequently checked for bacteria levels. It has been closed to swimming in the past due to ecoli. I prefer not to have the sh*ts when I do my second tri in Boiling Springs in August.

there is a race also aug 10th

Hello everyone!

I wanted to do the Catfish as my first triathlon last year (2007), but for a variety of reasons, I never committed. This year, it’s all paid for.

I haven’t posted to this site in a LONG time, but I have been hanging around at times.

I am extremely nervous about the whole thing. I’m sure that I will finish the race, but I don’t want to make a complete idiot of myself.

I’m a 42 year old male, so I’m sure that the group I’m in has a bunch of great experienced athletes – just my luck.

Well, good luck everyone! I’m happy to know that there are others on here that will be at the Catfish.

holy e*coli batman! I hadn't heard that. let's hope it cleans up by this Sunday!

Anyone know where the race packet pickup is Sunday morn? I'm coming up from Philly the night before and it doesn't say on the website....

I just checked out the Harrisburg City website. Apparently the beach is back open - the levels of e-coli are back under the levels.

Since this is my 1st triathlon, I have SO many questions - where do we go when we first get there, where is the transition area, where is the start/finish line, where does my wife "hang out"?

How's everything going with you?

Good to hear about the e-coli. That makes me feel a bit better. Nothing like swimming in bacteria to make your day.

As for the actual race and transition areas details I would check the race website. There is a (poorly) executed map. It appears that we will be starting the swim on the north side of city island and placing our footwear (re: flip flops or whatever) into a bag to be brought back to the transition area. (You'll set up your transition area first w/ your bike shoes, running shoes, etc..the footwear is just for the walk to the swim entry)

The swim goes w/ the current (yeah!) from one end of city island to the other. Exiting the water we'll hit the transition area and bike across the bridge and down front street to the fort where it appears we'll turn around and go right back (this is good..it's FLAT!). Once we hit the City Island transition area it appears to be two laps around the north end of city island...not a full 5k, but appears to be close.

That's what I know. Again, the website seems to have maps, etc. I'm not picking up my packet until Sun morning and I guess that will be on city island as well. The website isn't exactly full of info..I plan on getting there real early just to be sure. Say, 5:00 or so.

If you want some help setting up a transition area or just want to chat before the race, I'll be wearing a Philly Triathalon running hat and most likely a yellow 'livestrong' shirt...hard to miss.
Just come over and introduce yourself!

Oh, and I think the bride could probably watch from just about anywhere..my family is staying in Philly but my mom/dad live in the area so I'm dragging my dad along for my support team.

Phil

I will keep an eye open to see if I see you. Thanks.

I'm getting nervous because I don't want to make a complete idiot of myself. I know that I started this to see if I can do it, but there are those times in the back of my mind that there are a lot of people that will blow me away. I don't want to get embarrased out there.

It's all about having a good time. None of us are 'olympic' athletes anyway so just enjoy the ride....

Trust me, you won't make an idiot of yourself.....and yes, there will be folks faster but again, there always will be...I do them for the personal satisfaction and fitness..I also like to compete against myself and each race has brought something different so far.

You'll do great!

Phil

Hey, it's my first tri also. Did the Pinchot Du in May, survived the hill on the bike, didn't puke, would have gotten a 3rd place ribbon for my age group, but they didn't use the 12/31 USAT cut off date when figuring out the places immeditely after the event, though I was listed as 3rd when the results were posted online. Oh, well.

There will be other first-timers, I'm sure, and there will be those with lots of experience. I know results from past catfish tri's are posted online if you want to see how others have done in the past.

You will either, (1) not make a complete idiot of yourself, or, (2) you will make a complete idiot of yourself, with others like myself, whereas the idiotness will cancel itself out and you will be 'normal'. How's that for a well analyzed synopsis?

I hope I get to see/meet all of you on Sunday. Here's a picture. Look for this idiot and come say hello, and good luck to all (especially myself).







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The Catfish website states that we can pick up our "packet" on Saturday between 2 and 5:30, but it doesn't state WHERE.

Does anybody know where we pick up the packets?

Thanks!

Paul

If I had to venture a guess, something might be set up at or near the pavillion that is adjacent to Commerce Bank Park. But if not, the place isn't so big that we can't find where the packets are being distributed. There will probably be signs, warm bodies, or both pointing the way.

I'm sure we'll find the packets...I'm not in until Sunday morning so I'll be the guy wandering around in a yellow 'livestrong' shirt and Philly Tri run hat. jus tap me on the shoulder and tell me to get out of your way.

I'm sure the bike ride is going to be fast...it's all flat. Can't wait. no hills is a good thing.

Good luck to all! Weather looks good.

Thanks for all the info everyone!

By the way, I will be in the 40-44 year old age group - I'm right in the middle - 42, soon to be 43.

what is the date of this race there is also a race aug 10th

This Sunday, Aug 20th. Appears to be the same course as the Harrisburg Tri on Aug 10th.

Good luck to all!

make that JULY 20th

Thanks!

Getting extremely excited and nervous right now.