North Shore Triathlon : Official Thread

I'm in. I'll be the one walking aroubnd like a zombie

Count me in as well! Should be a smaller race and easier to hook up. I've never done this race and have never been to this park before so we'll have to pick a meeting place in the blind unless someone else has been there before.

Mike ~ don't tell me you have to work the night before!?

Sam ~ yea, I have no clue either but hopefully someone (^^^) does!?

Thanks for making me check, the race is on a Sunday! That means I'm off the night before, hurrah!

If this race is at the beach park near Dillingham Airfield, it's a very small park. It shouldn't be too hard to spot people. I'll have on my brand spankin' new BT tri top.

Small you say?  Are you kidding?!  I drove out there today to check it out and see exactly where it is.  If I was in the right place, there isn't ANYTHING that even lets you know you're in the Mokuleia Beach Park and there's about 10 parking spots.
As for being off the night before, at least you won't be a total zombie, huh?!

Edited by Happychick 2009-05-25 2:14 AM

Will water be available on the run?  If so, will there only be one station at the halfway point?

I'm sure there is water on the run. I haven't done a race here yet that didn't. I'm sure there will probably be water at transition and probably at the 1/2 way point (that seems to be the norm for all of the 3 mile legs here). Don't quote me on it since this will be the first time I've done this particular race. Anyone else have experience with this course?

Are there any other newbies doing a triathlon for the first time at the North Shore Triathlon event?

This will be my first triathlon and I am getting nervous!!!  I am 52 and not very fast.  I just want to be able to finish!

I have only been in only one running event in the past and that was a couple weeks ago in the Jamba Juice Banana Man 5K.  I am a complete newb who started this stuff late in life.

Btw, I will be easy to find... I will be bringing up the rear!

This will be my third year doing the North Shore Tri.  In fact three years ago this was my very first Tri, where I was bit by the bug and haven't stopped since.  It is a perfect starter tri.  The swim is a little tricky, don't swim too far outside the buoys because you'll find yourself in some pretty shallow reef.  After the swim you have to run about 200 yds through some deep sand, just bear through it, you'll see a lot of people walking.  The bike is flat into a light wind for the first half and riding with the wind the second half.  The run is also completely flat with an aid station (water and gatorade) at the turn around point.  All in all it's a great tri and I'm definitely looking forward to it.  

Cameron, thanks for the info...I'm just hoping that I was in the right place when I went to scope it out!

As for newbies, this will be my 1st and I'm sure we will be joined by many other 1st timers!  I feel a lot more relaxed about this than I did the Hono tri (du)...for some reason the transitions scared me to death (I worry waaaaay too much!) but having been thru it once with my bike I feel a lot better!  Plus, I'm not out to set any records or anything so just having fun is my main goal...well, that AND not drowning!

BTW, I will have family and friends there so I will have a camera for those of us that want to take part in picture time!

Edited by Happychick 2009-05-29 6:38 PM

The swim looks tricky for sure. I went out there last week to swim around and had a hard time finding a path through the reef.  I was so nervous about running into something that it made me lift my head to look forward more while swimming. (Made my neck sore). It almost turned into a snorkeling trip.

I went out there last week to swim around and had a hard time finding a path through the reef"

Come next Sunday that should be an easy fix... Just slow down and follow the huge pack in front.

Works for me every time. =)

Actually... checking a tide chart for Haleiwa...

Whoops!

Low Tide (-0.16 ft.) at 6:34 AM

Could be tough! You heard it here first... =)

I wouldn't worry about the swim too much.  It will be well marked with a couple of buoys .  I know that a lot of people that the turns wide to avoid a lot of the crowdedness at the turns.  You can do that just don't go too far outside, like I did last year.  I ended up crawling with my hands trying to get off of the shallow reef.  I even had to back-track a little and in the end my swim time was terrible.  Also when you are running from the water to T1, watch out for rocks and reef in the sand.  I really think the swim is the trickiest part of the whole race so once you get on your bike you should be good to go.  BTW don't forget to bring a bucket with some water so you can rinse your feet off after running through the sand, before the bike.  All in all it's a perfect first timers race.  Like I said this was my first tri back in 2007, and I've been hooked ever since.  Good luck everyone, I'll see you there, 
-Cameron 

Follow the pack is always a great rule of thumb that's for sure. Works for me too. Be careful of the reefs though and lifting that head. Unfortunate but true lesson I learned the hard way last year at the Firecracker Tri...I lifted my head as someone cut in front of me and his heel caught me in the gut. As the head goes up, the feet go down. As a result, I kicked a rock in the shallow water at Barber's and broke my 4th toe on my right foot. Its tough but you can finish the swim and even do the bike (I did both), but you won't get far on the run (I got about 300 yds down the road and had to pull out).

Not trying to scare anyone, just food for thought and a word to the wise when swimming these shallow water courses.

Looking forward to our group photo after the race if everyone is still interested.

I raced this course last year and I didnt even notice the shallow water.  I did however almost poop myself when a seaturtle went under me.  Im down for the pic though, we could meet up where you come up from the water to the trans area.  its a pretty small area.

The photo location sounds like a good idea to me. What time sounds good for everyone?

Dangit...I just posted this (somewhat similar) question on the other thread...helps if I read this one first, huh?!

Best of Luck to everyone tomorrow! See you on the course!

Never decided on a time for the photo. Race starts at 6 am, you all know you're target paces and goal finish times. When do you all think it'll be safe to meet? 8?

Edited by fxobert 2009-06-06 2:22 PM

I put it in the other thread, but I think I missed this one. I am #160.

Good luck and have fun everyone!!

I will check back later for those of you that are picking up your packet today ~ that way we'll have a good idea of how many to expect for the photo.  Speaking of which, 8 sounds good to me!

I'll pick up my packet after work today. Not sure if 8 is gonna be a good time for a decent picture though. I'm gonna look pretty haggard after trying to keep up with Michelle

I picked up my packet after work. My number is 74. Hope to meet everyone tomorrow.

See everyone around 8 then! Good luck!