Deer Creek Triathlon - Sprint : Official Thread (Page 2)

I'm not sure where you are in your swim training currently, but you've basically got 6 weeks.  Just start getting in that pool a good 3 times a week and you'll be amazed by what you can do in that time.  Worse comes to worse, you can backstroke.  I did that my first tri, an OWS.

I almost prefer the OWS tri to a pool, just because you don't have to turn as much. 

I'm actually volunteering for this tri.  I don't know what my post is, they just told me to be there at 6:00 a.m.

Rockin'. Thanks for volunteering, Lora.

I wouldn't worry about a wetsuit unless you're 98lbs and get cold very easily. I will not be wearing mine. Last year for this race it was about 90*. I don't remember the water being esp. cold.

Right now a fishing website has Deercreek est. mean temp at 53 degrees. It will start warming up pretty quick this weekend and by Race Day in June it will be low to mid 70's. At first it might seem a little chilly but after you get in for a few min. it feels nice and while you are racing it feels real good.

I registered today for this race.

Woo hoo!

I was beyond nervous when I was registering.... I had butterflies in my stomach.... lol

I rode this bike course yesterday. I noticed a few things.
-It's really windy there. The last time I rode the course (Toyota Tri, last year) and yesterday the wind was pretty bad along Egypt Pike Rd, the first rd you turn on out of the park. Be perpared to get in aero right away and keep the HR high for the first few miles.
-Dick Rd is chip-and-seal, narrow and fast. I had a crosswind. I also joined the yellow socks brigade on Dick Rd. (go figure)
-Locust Grove is the best spot on the course to make up some time. It's mostly flat and provided me a tail wind. I decided to really push it and see how fast I could go. I hit 30mph. There is one spot along Locust Grove that goes up and crosses another road. Be careful here if you're riding at top speed.
-The first major hill of the course is on Crownover. You go down a really nice downhill first. Then, just about the time all the free speed you've gotten is gone, you hit the uphill. If you were able to make up the hills at Miami then this one should not be a problem.  It is just as steep but not as long.
-The second hill of note is on Egypt Pike. First you go down a long, twisty downhill on Crownover, then you have to slow down and make a left turn onto Egypt Pike and start climbing. I think this is probably the most dangerous turn of the course. In years past they have had police there. Pay attention and be careful. Once you get to the top of this hill the wind hits you in the face again. The nice thing is that if you're doing the sprint you have about a mile of the bike course left. If you're doing the oly you have another lap.

Ok sweet. Thanks for the update..... Doesnt seem to bad....

I did a Bike run brick this weekend and thought I was going to die.... Any Suggestions? 

I pulled this statement from your logs. The caps are yours, the bold I added.





Edited by David tri's 2009-04-27 5:26 PM

lol thanks. Yea I know I need to be doing more of them to get my legs. But that was the weirdest thing I have done... felt like I had ridden a horse for 100 miles....

Thanks for the suggestions.... I am getting excited about this race. Do you know if there is a cut-off on the swim? 

Ok So I just checked the water temp for Deer Creek Lake, and yea it is 60 degrees. DO we think it is going to warm up any between now and then?

The forecast doesn't look great for warm sunny days to heat the lake up. My question is will they still run the race if the water is that cold? 

Not to sound like a wuss but man that is pretty cold water.... 

Yeah, they'll run it. It'll warm up a few degrees b't now and then. After a few minutes you'll go numb and won't feel it anymore anyway.

Wow ok. Looks like I might be needing a wetsuit..... Dont know where to get one or if I can afford one.....


Do you think it will be around 70's for the race? Water Temp 

You can rent them. Google wetsuit rental.

Or...

Save yourself the cash and go to one of the state parks with a beach a few times before the race and swim in the water a few minutes to get used to it. It will help you HTFU. 70* really is not that cold once you get in and get swimming. My 4 year old daughter played in the water at Deer Creek over the weekend. She didn't complain once.

x2 on what Dave said. you will get used to it and 90%+ it will be in the 70's by race day. There is still well over a month and the lake does warm up quickly.

It should be about 70 by 6/7. You don't need it for a sprint unless you are uneasy with the swim. Run has no/little shade. I am in for Oly this year.

Sleeveless wetsuit would be more than enough.  Any thoughts?

I personally enjoy the boyancy that allows me not to waste anything on my legs.  At least as for as training goes as this will be my first tri.

Now i have never swam without a wetsuit. Is swimming with a wetsuit like swimming with a pull buoy as far as how it keeps you afloat? and easier to swim.
 

I've done a couple of training swims with my wetsuit and will tell you it is very much like using a pull buoy, maybe better.  I won't swim without one unless its not legal for the race.

Web site says the water temp is now up to 60 degrees F. It's warming up nicely.

I have been watching it and it has been at 60 for about a week now... I am still thinking a wetsuit for this race...

Now will you wear a wet suit if the temp is that low? To me that is pretty cold.... My local pool the heater was broke and it was 72 and it was frigid.....