General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Sudbury vs Hopkinton Rss Feed  
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2009-03-09 2:29 PM

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Subject: Sudbury vs Hopkinton

On the same day....!! Aaaarrrghhh Don't know what to do.

Sudbury is an indoor swim and all 3 legs are shorter but Hopkinton is "the real thing" - well for me it is as it will be my first tri.

What's everyone else doing?

Jon.


2009-03-09 2:45 PM
in reply to: #2006710

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Subject: RE: Sudbury vs Hopkinton

I have done Sudbury twice. It is a good early season race. Not a big fan of the long wait to get into the pool with a race that large. Have never done Hopkinton, so I have no referance point. If it is an outside swim, you realy should have a wetsuit at that time of the year. I will be doing the spring fling in Lowell for my first tri this season. Smaller field, shorter waits to get into the pool. I am a big fan of pool swims for first timers. It takes the "washing machine" fear out of the swim. Either way, good luck.

BTW, just got an e-mail, Sudbury only has 30 spots left, so decide before it is done for you



Edited by Ontherun 2009-03-09 2:46 PM
2009-03-09 2:51 PM
in reply to: #2006710

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Subject: RE: Sudbury vs Hopkinton
My 2 cents..... I think if you have a wetsuit, you should give Hopkington a tri...  My first attempt at competing in a tri was cancelled last Sept (Buzzard's Bay), so the Hop will be my first tri as well.  You will need a wetsuit though.
2009-03-09 2:55 PM
in reply to: #2006710

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Subject: RE: Sudbury vs Hopkinton

Season Opener at Hopkinton will be my first, so take my advice with a grain of salt, but I'd have to say it should mainly come down to cold water+wetsuit+OW swim vs. pool heats. 

The feeling I get is that people like the organization of Max Performance races a little better than FIRM, but I really think your comfort on the swim should be the primary objective.  For me, I love OW swimming, and would prefer the cold to a wall/lap swim.  On the other hand, I know this will mean getting comfortable in a wet suit and potentially even colder swimming in April to prepare for it.

How are you in cold water?  lake swim?  do you have a wet suit?

2009-03-09 2:59 PM
in reply to: #2006710

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Subject: RE: Sudbury vs Hopkinton

Went for a bike this weekend with a couple of other BT'ers and caught some friendly ridicule for going with the pool swim.  I'll be at Sudbury, as I am yet to acquire a full wetsuit and I'm pretty sure an OWS on May 10 would be chilly...nevermind without a wetsuit.  However, i agree with FOH - I've heard good things about Sudbury but if I had a wetsuit when i decided to make the leap for my first race I probably would have gone with the Season Opener. 

After all...it IS called the New England Season Opener!    Either way, good luck.  If you decide on Sudbury, I'll see you there!

2009-03-09 3:10 PM
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Uxbridge
Subject: RE: Sudbury vs Hopkinton

I did the Season Opener last year and had a great time. Yeah the water was COLD in April...and actually on the morning of the race it was chilly. By the time we got off the bike and the sun was out it was beautiful.

Tried to talk  why-not -tri this weekend into joining us...but I guess I wasnt convincing enough LOL.

I swim in Hopkinton alot...I'll be out there by the end of April in my wetsuit with  Red Sock Chick and Friend of Harpoon ( hopefully).LOL Come join us!!!! I am doing the Season Opener as long as the Hop isnt frozen!!!!



2009-03-09 3:59 PM
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Subject: RE: Sudbury vs Hopkinton

The Hop is the only way to go and yes i'll be breaking the ice in April with MAV!!

I think some of the flack we showered on whynot-tri went like this: 'go big or go home', 'if you can't swim with the big dogs stay on the porch', 'you live in NE, if you don't love it leave it', etc - and yes, all in good fun!! 

but SERIOUSLY if you can swim then get in the lake and join the fun - The 'washing machine' is scary but its unavoidable, only postponable....

Title 9 was my first tri last September and its the same course - and it is a great course and yes, MAX does put on a fantastic race! Hope to see you there!

2009-03-09 4:42 PM
in reply to: #2006710

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Subject: RE: Sudbury vs Hopkinton
I was back and forth between the two as well. Personally I like the open water better than a pool. I am going to sign up for the Season Opener in Hopkinton.
I do have a wetsuit but it's not a full. It's a john. Do you all think that will be okay for this race?
This will pretty much be my first. I say that because I have done larger team tri's and adventure races.
2009-03-09 5:02 PM
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Subject: RE: Sudbury vs Hopkinton

TriMDC - 2009-03-09 5:42 PM I do have a wetsuit but it's not a full. It's a john. Do you all think that will be okay for this race? 

well, I'm planning on being wetsuit-free if that makes you feel any better.  How do you do in cold water generally?

2009-03-09 6:06 PM
in reply to: #2006710

Uxbridge
Subject: RE: Sudbury vs Hopkinton
 I finished the swim in 10 minutes. You can do anything for 10 minutes.......Open the season with an OWS!!!!!
2009-03-09 6:48 PM
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Subject: RE: Sudbury vs Hopkinton

mav - 2009-03-09 7:06 PM  I finished the swim in 10 minutes. You can do anything for 10 minutes.......Open the season with an OWS!!!!!

I'm afraid it'll take longer to get the damn thing off than it will to swim.



2009-03-09 7:01 PM
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Subject: RE: Sudbury vs Hopkinton

I will most likely do the season opener, I just have to get around to registering for it.

2009-03-09 7:43 PM
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Uxbridge
Subject: RE: Sudbury vs Hopkinton

Sounds like a BT party in the making.

Mina, just have Pam ready to spray all over and you will slide in and out of it with great ease.Surprised

2009-03-09 7:46 PM
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Subject: RE: Sudbury vs Hopkinton

hey hey hey haha.  Turns out I ended up getting a suit (well at least half of one so far) so I'll be crashing your open water swims in april to regain some of that credibility.  Even though my first race will be in the....POOL...dun dun dun  at least I can train for other races this season.

 

2009-03-09 8:28 PM
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Subject: RE: Sudbury vs Hopkinton
mav - 2009-03-09 8:43 PM

Sounds like a BT party in the making.

Mina, just have Pam ready to spray all over and you will slide in and out of it with great ease.Surprised

Slight hijack here. For what it is worth, please consider body glide instead of pam. From what I learned doing my research on wetsuits, pam will eat away at your suit, shortening it's life. I know some of the suits I tested were over $400 and I would hate to have to replace a good suit early. Now back to your regularly schedualed BT early season thread

2009-03-09 8:44 PM
in reply to: #2006710

Uxbridge
Subject: RE: Sudbury vs Hopkinton
HMMM... my understanding is that because PAM is not petroleum based it is actually safe to use. Petrolueum based products are BAD and can do serious harm.


2009-03-10 2:34 AM
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Subject: RE: Sudbury vs Hopkinton
2009-03-10 9:04 AM
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Subject: RE: Sudbury vs Hopkinton
em73 - 2009-03-09 6:02 PM
 

well, I'm planning on being wetsuit-free if that makes you feel any better.  How do you do in cold water generally?



I am fine in cold water, but I can't even wrap my head around the fact that the res. will not be frozen then. Wet suit free? I thought about that because I too am afraid it will take me longer to pull it off than the time I'll have it on.

I think I'll swim there the week prior and see what my body will be able to take.
2009-03-10 6:20 PM
in reply to: #2006710

Uxbridge
Subject: RE: Sudbury vs Hopkinton
If you have a wetsuit I would suggest wearing it. The temps are pretty cold. If you practice, you can get out of it rather quickly. We will be going out as soon as humanly possible LOL
2009-03-11 10:34 PM
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Subject: RE: Sudbury vs Hopkinton

I'm not doing either, but hope to be at Hopkinton cheering folks on. I am racing two weekends before and need to start focusing on IM training. I'm guessing I'll be doing a long run around Hopkinton.

For me I always pick races with a couple thoughts in mind..how well I think I can do, does it appeal to my strength, what cool BTers will be there. 

I'm not a fan of cold water swimming but the BTers doing Season Opener is very appealing.

I will be up for some ows in April as I'm racing in FL in late April so I'll suck it up and swim when it is cold with you guys.

2009-03-13 4:17 PM
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Subject: RE: Sudbury vs Hopkinton

 for anyone afraid of the C-O-L-D water give props to the guys Kite Surfing in Southie night now!!

 



2009-03-13 4:26 PM
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Subject: RE: Sudbury vs Hopkinton

1) props to them

2) i'd sooo much rather be braving the cold then sitting at work at 5:30 on a friday afternoon   - definitely looking forward to getting out tomorrow!

2009-03-13 4:28 PM
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Subject: RE: Sudbury vs Hopkinton
lets see, props given, and a pink slip from the cops too ( I know, jelousy gets me nowhere)
2009-03-13 4:30 PM
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Subject: RE: Sudbury vs Hopkinton
whynot-tri - 2009-03-13 5:26 PM

1) props to them

2) i'd sooo much rather be braving the cold then sitting at work at 5:30 on a friday afternoon   - definitely looking forward to getting out tomorrow!

 

I know where you are coming from on that one! I am stuck here until 6:00. The countdown is on!

2009-03-17 7:55 PM
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Subject: RE: Sudbury vs Hopkinton

I went to Hopkinton State Park this afternoon to check the water. Of course, it's still cold... but I might try to swim without a wetsuit (once swam in the 52F water, was ok for short periods). That being said, I need a backup plan - where is the best place to rent a wetsuit and, possibly, a bicycle too? I'm a big boy XXL size, live in Medway, so can go to Boston or Providence. Thanks.

 

 

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