General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Lake Norman YMCA Rss Feed  
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2008-08-21 8:11 PM

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Master
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Chapel Hill, NC
Subject: Lake Norman YMCA
Who all is doing Lake Norman? If you are going, do you have a BT shirt that they'll be wearing? I am a little burned out of racing so am on the fence about actually doing this race. Can anybody think of a great reason why I should not miss it?


2008-08-21 9:02 PM
in reply to: #1620108

Extreme Veteran
710
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Wilmington, NC
Subject: RE: Lake Norman YMCA
Are you already signed up? I just checked the www.setupevents.com we and it looks like there was a waiting list...these events sell out FAST!!
2008-08-21 9:10 PM
in reply to: #1620108

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Master
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Chapel Hill, NC
Subject: RE: Lake Norman YMCA
Yes, I am signed up. It sold out in 16 minutes and I was one of the lucky few. My friend, who I did the race last year with, did not make it in...so I'm just not motivated to get up at the crack of dawn to drive three hours to this race.
2008-08-21 9:15 PM
in reply to: #1620108

Extreme Veteran
710
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Wilmington, NC
Subject: RE: Lake Norman YMCA
I'm racing this weekend...I've never done this race so I am not really what I am up for. This will be my first race since I crashed my bike and fractured my shoulder back in May...it's going to be a test to see if I really am ready for my half ironman which is in 24 days from now! Yikes!!
2008-08-21 9:26 PM
in reply to: #1620108

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Master
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Chapel Hill, NC
Subject: RE: Lake Norman YMCA
Sorry to hear about your bike incident. Hope all is well now.

I did this race last year. The swim was very calm, with an in water start. There is a bit of a long hike on cement (200 yards??) from the swim exit to T1. Not nice for the feet!

The bike course was hilly, and longer than a sprint. That's always a plus for me. If you aren't used to hills, this bike course will feel hard.

The run was mostly flat, but some "false flats" which can drag you down if you are expecting totally flat! No shade on the run, so I remember being hot. The gave out cold wet towels at the finish line, which was wonderful.

This race is big, compared to most races I do anyway, so the transition area is huge. Make sure you have something bright to mark your spot!

Oh, and I remember having to park really far away and ride my bike into the race site. So, make sure you have a backpack or something.

It's a great race, but it's not really more spectacular than other races I have done, so I don't get why it sells out in 16 minutes!

Edited by keyone 2008-08-21 9:31 PM
2008-08-22 6:07 AM
in reply to: #1620108

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Veteran
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Kinston, NC
Subject: RE: Lake Norman YMCA

cause it's in (near) Charlotte.  All the people from there sign up because its close. 

 Have fun.  You could always stay home and race with William and I in Hillsborough



2008-08-22 6:29 AM
in reply to: #1620108

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Master
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Chapel Hill, NC
Subject: RE: Lake Norman YMCA
spot - good luck at the Splex race!

If I do go (leaning slightly toward going), I'll be wearing a white running hat with this logo on it ...just got the hat free



And this red tshirt post race:





Edited by keyone 2008-08-22 6:32 AM
2008-08-22 7:24 AM
in reply to: #1620108

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Veteran
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Wilmington, NC
Gold member
Subject: RE: Lake Norman YMCA
I'll be there, did this race last year and liked it, except for the hot swim. I'll be wearing a red/black Wilmington YMCA tri top, just look for the guy complaining about the hills
2008-08-22 8:36 AM
in reply to: #1620108


108
100
Subject: RE: Lake Norman YMCA

Lets see...  Reasons to do the race:

  • You have already paid and too late to get a refund and let someone else take your spot
  • Weather should be great (or as good as you can hope for in August!)
  • Its the "big" sprint race here in Charlotte so lots of energy and excitement
  • You will get into the spirit of it once you get to the race site and see the lake and transition area and people all getting their stuff set up
  • And as I had seen someone else post -- the training is the hard part, the race is the reward!

OK, I am excited for tomorrow!!

 

2008-08-22 9:04 AM
in reply to: #1620108

Extreme Veteran
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Charlotte,NC
Subject: RE: Lake Norman YMCA
I'll play the devil's advocate

Reasons not to do this race:

-Very crowded and warm swim in not very clear water
-Bike course with a lot of traffic and too many beginners and drafting
-Hot and humid run with no shade
-Overall terrible weather
-You are burned out from racing and training


Whatever your decision GOOD LUCK



2008-08-22 9:06 AM
in reply to: #1620108

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Member
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Deutschland
Subject: RE: Lake Norman YMCA

I'm in. 

The weather could be a reason to do it...  Should be a good 10-15 degrees cooler than last year.  I think the water temperature is a litte lower as well.

Don't know about anyone else, but I almost heaved after the warm bathtub swim last year.



2008-08-22 9:20 AM
in reply to: #1620891


108
100
Subject: RE: Lake Norman YMCA

OK, I am all for devil's advocate, but I am going to disagree on a couple points:

1.  Weather -- tomorrow's temps during race times are expected to range from 66 to 71 degrees F.  This is cool for this time of year.  And if you sign up for a race in August, don't you expect some heat and humidity?

2.  "Too many beginners" -- there are beginners but there are far more experienced triathletes showing up.  And in theory, the beginners will register as novices and start last, so shouldn't be in your way.

But I will give you the points about warm water temps.  Just be glad we don't swim closer to the nuclear power plant where they put their cooling water back in the lake.  It feels like a hot tub there!

And good point -- if you are feeling burned out -- stay home and save up your energy for the next race!

2008-08-22 9:48 AM
in reply to: #1620108

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Expert
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Charlotte, NC
Subject: RE: Lake Norman YMCA

Last year's swim was ridiculously hot....I'm hoping for cooler temps this year.  I'm local so I'm a little biased but I like this race.  The tougher bike favors me a little because I'm a stronger cyclist than runner so it evens the playing field for me some.  Should be a good event.  Look forward to seeing everyone out there.

 Eric

2008-08-22 9:50 AM
in reply to: #1620108

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Master
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Chapel Hill, NC
Subject: RE: Lake Norman YMCA
Thanks for the pros and cons. That made me smile.

OK, I'm in. Just got back from a short run where I stopped every 1/2 mile to stretch. The tightness in my glutes and hams from all my hard training the past two weeks is now manageable. I can actually touch my toes again!

My goal: beat last year's swim time by 1 minute and get a sub 50 bike split. For the run: only as fast as my tight a$$ (literally) will allow. What's everyone else's goal?

I don't recall the swim being really hot. I think probably the lake I train OWS in was just as hot last year so I didn't notice anything different. (I forgot how hot it was last summer!) My lake is quite cool now, so maybe tomorrow will be cool, too.

So, anybody have a BT shirt?


Edited by keyone 2008-08-22 9:55 AM
2008-08-22 11:58 AM
in reply to: #1620108

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Master
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Chapel Hill, NC
Subject: RE: Lake Norman YMCA
I guess I am also figuratively a tight a$$ ...

I wanted to know the exact bike mileage, so I mapped it out. It is 16.8 miles. You can see the map with elevation here. 1000 feet of climbing
http://veloroutes.org/bikemaps/?route=19820

Oh, and I re-read my old race report and had noted that the sun is directly in your eyes after the turn around during the swim, so wear tinted goggles if you have them.

PS: anybody know the mileage on the bike course? I remember they changed the bike course last year. The setup site says 30k in the upper left, but the bike description says 17. The course maps say 16.8 miles (with a note that the old course was 17.6 miles). BT's event listing says 18.64 miles.

Edited by keyone 2008-08-22 12:04 PM
2008-08-22 12:18 PM
in reply to: #1620108

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Subject: RE: Lake Norman YMCA

I as lucky enough to get in on the wait list. I'll be there and I'll be hard to miss, 6'4" 250 pounds.

 I'm working on my weight so come cheer me on.

 

Cajor



2008-08-22 12:58 PM
in reply to: #1620108

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Extreme Veteran
537
50025
Davidson, NC
Subject: RE: Lake Norman YMCA

I don't head out of town this way frequently, but the last few times I've gone out East Rocky River the road condition has been really crappy.  Lot's of potholes.  Watch out for those, and especially watch out for the person in front of you to suddenly dart around since the result of that is often a lot worse than a flat....

 

2008-08-22 6:58 PM
in reply to: #1620108

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Charlotte
Subject: RE: Lake Norman YMCA

keyone, glad you decided to make it.  It's going to be a beautiful day for a race!  If I don't spot you in your cool new t-shirt then I'll look for you on the podium.

 

2008-08-22 10:16 PM
in reply to: #1620955

Extreme Veteran
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Charlotte,NC
Subject: RE: Lake Norman YMCA
NC Runner - 2008-08-22 10:20 AM

OK, I am all for devil's advocate, but I am going to disagree on a couple points:

1.  Weather -- tomorrow's temps during race times are expected to range from 66 to 71 degrees F.  This is cool for this time of year.  And if you sign up for a race in August, don't you expect some heat and humidity?

2.  "Too many beginners" -- there are beginners but there are far more experienced triathletes showing up.  And in theory, the beginners will register as novices and start last, so shouldn't be in your way.

But I will give you the points about warm water temps.  Just be glad we don't swim closer to the nuclear power plant where they put their cooling water back in the lake.  It feels like a hot tub there!

And good point -- if you are feeling burned out -- stay home and save up your energy for the next race!



NC runner:
Let's talk about weather after the race. I don't know if you are racing but that run course at 9 am will be HOT!!!! As far as signing up races in August...been there done that and I don't race in Summer anymore because I personally think it is unhealthy if you are trying to give %100.
Good Luck everyone who are racing.

2008-08-26 10:12 AM
in reply to: #1620108

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Master
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Lake Norman, NC
Subject: RE: Lake Norman YMCA

I got killed with the Set-Up tech problems in January and I never got in for LNYMCA.  Couldn;t get in on the wait-list either.  Sucks too considering that I live a mere 10 miles away.  This is the first time in almost 10 years that I haven't done it.

 

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