Concord YMCA/Clough State Park Tri

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2010-08-08 11:14 PM

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Subject: Concord YMCA/Clough State Park Tri

Hi all, this is my 2nd post on this site so be kind if this topic has been posted elsewhere (I looked, but didn't see it).

The Concord YMCA / Clough State Park Sprint Tri is about a month away (Sat Sept 11). Incidentally, this will be my very first triathlon. Are there any members who will be running in this race? If so, is there any advice you'd be willing to share with newbies?

I've run a mock tri twice on the course and my goal for the race is 1hr 45m. My best mock so far has been 2:01.30 and I'm hoping training more between now and race day will yield the results I want.

Thanks all!

Link the race website: http://www.concordymca.org/13th-annual-triathlon

2010-08-09 11:03 AM

in reply to: #3030968

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Subject: RE: Concord YMCA/Clough State Park Tri

how hilly is the bike? do you know?

2010-08-09 12:03 PM

in reply to: #3030968

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Subject: RE: Concord YMCA/Clough State Park Tri

The total elevation gain for the bike is 875 ft, not too bad. But 400 ft. is gained in the first 2.8 miles. The majority of that on Mansion Rd. So it's a tough bike in that you have to take on some hills while still recovering from the swim, but once up onto Rt. 13 it's a great ride with some fast downhills. In general, the race is very well organized. This will be my 3rd year.

I will be running this race, but don't know of any other BT members doing it. I'm sure there is lots of advice out here in the forums on how to prepare for your first race. A few points specific to this race.

Get there early (7am) to find parking and to have plenty of time to register, setup transition, and time to absorb everything going on. You'll be waiting around a bit, but it's better than being rushed during your first event.
Bring an extra pair of old running shoes with you down to the swim. The run back from the swim to first transition is about 100 yds on not so smooth terrain.
If you can get a wetsuit for the swim I would recommend wearing one. It's a nice comfort factor for your first race, not to mention it's faster and safer. Lots of info out here on wetsuits.

2010-08-09 12:38 PM

in reply to: #3030968

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Subject: RE: Concord YMCA/Clough State Park Tri

I did it last year as a relay and did the bike leg. I am up in the air about doing it this year since I am doing Reach the Beach the following weekend. 16 minutes faster between now and then is kind of a strectch though for such a short course and this being your first one. It is good to have a goal though, just make sure it is an attainable one. One big thing for the race is that there are no assigned rack spots so I think it it important to get there in time and get a key spot in transition.

2010-08-09 12:47 PM

in reply to: #3031968

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Subject: RE: Concord YMCA/Clough State Park Tri

soxfan2 - 2010-08-09 12:03 PM how hilly is the bike? do you know?

If you have a chance to ride the bike course before the race a couple of times I think you will be in good shape. The hills in the beginning are significant. The ride down Gorham Pond Rd is a blast, and nice road conditions. However, the road leading into and out of the park is in bad shape. Last year they had cones out where there were significant pot holes, maybe they will be able to fix them this year?

2010-08-09 6:29 PM

in reply to: #3031968

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Subject: RE: Concord YMCA/Clough State Park Tri

I've ridden the bike course twice now and I agree with what others said. Getting out of the park is tough and then Mansion Rd is also quite hard (for me anyway). It's on hill after another. Go uphill around a bend and there's another hill to greet you. You can F-L-Y down Gorham Pond Rd (up to 30mph + in spots) and then once back on River Rd it's mostly gentle uphill to the park. The last 1/4 mile is uphill and it's a bit tough as you'll be tired by then.

I second the conditions on the road into the park... BEWARE! It's very, very bumpy and in poor condition. You have to go slow down the hill otherwise you risk popping a tire or losing control, etc.

The run seems a lot longer than three miles but according to the map, it is 3 miles. I'm most nervous about the swim though.

Does anyone know if they block traffic for the bike ride? I really want to use Gorham Pond Rd to make up some serious time, but during my practice rides I couldn't go too fast due to traffic, blind driveways, etc.

2010-08-09 9:59 PM

in reply to: #3030968

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Subject: RE: Concord YMCA/Clough State Park Tri

My suspicion was correct. When I measured the run (according the to map published on the race website) I came up with 3.83 miles,which explains why my run time was a lot longer than usual for 3 miles. Does anyone know if you have to run across the dam on the way back, or, does the run really go as far down Everett Dam Rd as published?

2010-08-10 5:55 AM

in reply to: #3033162

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Subject: RE: Concord YMCA/Clough State Park Tri

L1011 - 2010-08-09 7:29 PM I've ridden the bike course twice now and I agree with what others said. Getting out of the park is tough and then Mansion Rd is also quite hard (for me anyway). It's on hill after another. Go uphill around a bend and there's another hill to greet you. You can F-L-Y down Gorham Pond Rd (up to 30mph + in spots) and then once back on River Rd it's mostly gentle uphill to the park. The last 1/4 mile is uphill and it's a bit tough as you'll be tired by then.

I second the conditions on the road into the park... BEWARE! It's very, very bumpy and in poor condition. You have to go slow down the hill otherwise you risk popping a tire or losing control, etc.

The run seems a lot longer than three miles but according to the map, it is 3 miles. I'm most nervous about the swim though.

Does anyone know if they block traffic for the bike ride? I really want to use Gorham Pond Rd to make up some serious time, but during my practice rides I couldn't go too fast due to traffic, blind driveways, etc.

They do not block traffic. You have to be prepared for traffic.

2010-08-11 11:57 AM

in reply to: #3033505

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Subject: RE: Concord YMCA/Clough State Park Tri

L1011 - 2010-08-09 10:59 PM My suspicion was correct. When I measured the run (according the to map published on the race website) I came up with 3.83 miles,which explains why my run time was a lot longer than usual for 3 miles. Does anyone know if you have to run across the dam on the way back, or, does the run really go as far down Everett Dam Rd as published?

I just checked this year's run course and it is the same as last year. The run goes down Everett Dam Rd a bit (to the bottom of the hill) then back up, across the dam, then back, and finally down into the park again. According to the Google Map link the run is clocked at 2.95 miles.

http://map.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=100931576885113888038.00048b340758d92993c59&ll=43.06538,-71.63985&spn=0.087788,0.145912&z=12&source=embed

2010-08-11 12:17 PM

in reply to: #3037205

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Subject: RE: Concord YMCA/Clough State Park Tri

NHWinters - 2010-08-11 12:57 PM
I just checked this year's run course and it is the same as last year. The run goes down Everett Dam Rd a bit (to the bottom of the hill) then back up, across the dam, then back, and finally down into the park again. According to the Google Map link the run is clocked at 2.95 miles.

http://map.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=100931576885113888038.00048b340758d92993c59&ll=43.06538,-71.63985&spn=0.087788,0.145912&z=12&source=embed

Correct, but when I measured the exact same run course on Google maps, I came up with 3.83 miles, not 2.95. When I ran two mock tri's of that course, my run time was a lot longer than my usual 3 mile time. The run just felt longer than 3 miles and when I measured it, I came up with a 3.83 miles.

2010-08-11 10:20 PM

in reply to: #3037269

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Subject: RE: Concord YMCA/Clough State Park Tri

Can someone explain the run portion in detail or edit the google map link with better descriptions because I am in total agreement with L1011 that it is much longer than described.
Thanks.

2010-08-12 2:23 PM

in reply to: #3030968

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Subject: RE: Concord YMCA/Clough State Park Tri

If you live in NH, you probably get enough climbing in during your normal week that you have nothing to worry about... :-)

Mansion Rd. has a steady gradient, so it's not that bad of a climb. Just start out in the small ring and spin up the first climb... after that you can pretty much stay in the big ring for the rest of the ride.

2010-08-12 8:41 PM

in reply to: #3040293

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Subject: RE: Concord YMCA/Clough State Park Tri

audiojan - 2010-08-12 3:23 PM If you live in NH, you probably get enough climbing in during your normal week that you have nothing to worry about... :-) Mansion Rd. has a steady gradient, so it's not that bad of a climb. Just start out in the small ring and spin up the first climb... after that you can pretty much stay in the big ring for the rest of the ride.

Hi AudioJan... thx for the tip! I've since ridden this course again and I'm getting much better at it. The ride out of the park itself and Mansion Rd are the hardest parts of the bike ride.

I'm really looking forward to this Tri.. can't wait!

2010-08-13 6:37 AM

in reply to: #3030968

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Subject: RE: Concord YMCA/Clough State Park Tri

Not a problem. My wife's doing this tri (and then we're doing a 5mile race that afternoon... yes, she's crazy!).

2010-08-15 9:28 PM

in reply to: #3038640

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Subject: RE: Concord YMCA/Clough State Park Tri

ntristi - 2010-08-11 11:20 PM Can someone explain the run portion in detail or edit the google map link with better descriptions because I am in total agreement with L1011 that it is much longer than described.
Thanks.

I think we're just going to have to accept the run for what it is; a challenge! I've adjusted my training by running 4 miles regularly (with some hills) to help adapt to race day.

My goal is to run the entire race in 1hr 45mins. I'm anxious for this race...can't wait!

Edited by L1011 2010-08-15 9:28 PM

2010-08-17 3:55 PM

in reply to: #3030968

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Subject: RE: Concord YMCA/Clough State Park Tri

Getting some practice in on the actual course is a great start. I did this race last year and will be doing it again this year...assuming it isn't sold out, I still need to sign up. Last year was my first tri season, and thought the bike was tough, it took a lot out of me.

Definitely some fast downhills, I hit my pr speed of 44.5mph on one of the hills. It was cold and rainy last year, but it seemed to be a really well run event; I'm looking forward to doing it again.

2010-08-18 8:36 AM

in reply to: #3030968

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Subject: RE: Concord YMCA/Clough State Park Tri

I wouldn't concern myself with the run distance. Last year's run is still the best 5K run I've ever had. So, no way is it longer than 3.1 miles. By the way, they do a great job with the post race food.

2010-08-20 9:16 AM

in reply to: #3030968

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Subject: RE: Concord YMCA/Clough State Park Tri

If the run course is the same as last year, I also didn't think it was any longer than a 5K. My time was consistent with other 5K times, if it was longer then I guess I did better than I thought.

I made it official and just signed up for this years race!

2010-09-07 12:14 PM

in reply to: #3054425

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Subject: RE: Concord YMCA/Clough State Park Tri

I received an email from the race director this morning and it gave details of the run. The mistake I made when calculating the run was the assumption we had to cross the dam twice, which is not the case. Once you get to the top of the path leading up to the dam, you take a left and head towards Clough State Park Road for a brief 3/10 mile run down the hill and back up the hill. Once you come back up the hill, you then run to the end of the dam and back to the transition area.

I was really impressed with some of the times posted by last year's contestants. The winner of the swim had a time of 10:39, which is almost twice as fast as I can swim 1/2 mile.

This is my first Tri so I'll just be happy to finish the race in under 2 hours (but I'm shooting for 1:45.00). See you at the race.

Edited by L1011 2010-09-07 12:17 PM

2010-09-09 7:27 AM

in reply to: #3030968

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Subject: RE: Concord YMCA/Clough State Park Tri

I decided at the last minute to do this race this year. This will be my last tri of the season and then it will be some running races and some cyclocross. As much as I wanted to do the race a Wallis Sands at the end of the month it is the same day as Sucker Brook Cross. This should be a good time.

2010-09-11 8:55 PM

in reply to: #3030968

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Subject: RE: Concord YMCA/Clough State Park Tri

Great race today!! I met some great people who were so gracious in giving this newbie some much-needed advice (like when I racked my bike and forgot to put it in first gear!). What a great feeling it was to finish my first Tri. The swim was brutal for me (I could not catch my breath at all) but otherwise I absolutely loved it and am already looking forward to my next Tri.

Results are here --> http://www.coolrunning.com/results/10/nh/Sep11_YMCATr_set1.shtml.

Edited by L1011 2010-09-11 8:57 PM

2010-09-13 7:37 AM

in reply to: #3093167

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Subject: RE: Concord YMCA/Clough State Park Tri

The weather turned out great, the course was fun, and the food.....well that was mostly eaten by my youngest son. I will be back next year.

2010-09-13 8:39 AM

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Subject: RE: Concord YMCA/Clough State Park Tri

Once again a fun and well organized race. Hopefully I'll be back again next year.

2010-09-14 7:31 AM

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Subject: RE: Concord YMCA/Clough State Park Tri

This was my first Triathlon and I thought it was great! The weather was perfect... it was well organized... and everyone was very friendly and supportive. Like L1011, I was hoping to complete it in less than 2 hrs. I finished with a time of 1:44:30! I learned some great lessons... Swimming in an open water race is waaaay different than training/practicing because of the flailing limbs and waves. You can't simulate that!

Question... There were several photographers out on the course. Does anyone know if those pictures are published somewhere or put up for sale?

2010-09-14 4:17 PM

in reply to: #3097143

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Subject: RE: Concord YMCA/Clough State Park Tri

Congrats Woodie on completing your first Tri. You ran the Tri in the time I wanted. I was all the way up at 1h56m.

I too was wondering about the photographers. I saw at least three different photographers and they were taking pics of all the racers.

Edited by L1011 2010-09-14 4:20 PM

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