I don't have any personal experience answers for you since I'll be doing this race for the first time too. I did talk to a friend of mine and he sent me some tips, pointers and notes that I'll cut and paste right here for you:
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"1. Lake Stevens is very warm. The first year I was in the race, the lake was almost pee warm. Be well-hydrated going in. Most people were still wearing full wetsuits. If you own a short sleeve one you might as well wear it.
2. Be early. The second time I raced it, I got there kinda late. T1 gets closed after the pros start swimming because they don't want people wandering around the transition area. Give yourself adequate time to get your transition set up.
3. The bike course is hill, but mostly rolling hills. There's also at least 2 GREAT downhills. The first one is followed by a long, gradual downhill so that you can really rock out. The second has a left turn at the bottom followed shortly by a sharp right turn as you get on the last stretch of road into Lake Stevens. Since the course is 2 loops you get to do all the hills twice.
It's very shady on most of the bike course. However, if it's hot out, you'll get much more dehydrated than you might think. There will be fluids at about the mid-point of the bike loop and right near T1/T2. This means you'll get 3 chances to get fluids. Plan accordingly based on your personal needs.
4. The run course is challenging. It's a 2-loop course sort of lollipop shaped. The sucker part of the lollipop has a gradual rise on the way out with a corresponding drop coming back. The stick of the lollipop has you going over a modest hill twice.
Much of the run course is in full sun so it can be very hot. There are adequate water stops, but, again, use your personal needs to make your plan.
5. I think your plan to ride the bike course is a good one. That will help eliminate any surprises that you might otherwise encounter. There are short, steep sections that you climb in funny places and a longer, more intimidating climb about 2/3 of the way around the loop. Also, you'll be more comfortable on the descents and know where/when you can let it run and where you might want to be conservative.
Mentally, I found that the section along Lake Stevens back into town to feel much longer than it actually is. Having this in your head will be helpful.
Driving to Lake Stevens is also weird. Just going there will allow you to scope out the lay of the land. A block or 2 from transition is a parking lot for some public building
(I forget what kind
) in which you can park if you get there sufficiently early. Otherwise, parking is kind of scattered. Since you check in your bike the day before, you'll not be able to ride into transition on race morning but will have to walk, so parking a distance away can affect your schedule."
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Hope that helps somewhat. My wife and I are going to be staying in Everett on the Saturday night. I think she said the Days Inn, which is about 5 miles away from the Holiday Inn where the packet pickup and athlete meetings are held. It looks like the bike drop off is on Saturday at the transition area.
If anyone else has anything to add, please do. I'm feeling the nerves starting to kick in. :-
)
Russ
Edited by Rugbyruss 2009-08-04 4:11 PM