Last year was a non wetsuit swim. It was, in my opinion, one of the tougher half swim courses I've done. There was quite a bit of chop from the wind, and my time certainly reflected it. All in all I enjoyed the race though. Raleigh was a great city.

Yeah the chop after the first turn came out of no where, right where that cold pocket of water was. Be prepared for it to be HOT.

thanks for the info - appreciate it. I figured it would pretty warm for NC in June.

i ll be in Baltimore for a conference on Raleigh race week so i decided to register for the 70.3. I will drive from Baltimore to Raleigh on Thursday and I am looking for some routes to get some cycling in the race week. Baltimore-Washington area, anybody coming from there?
I will be arriving from Switzerland the week before the race

I did it last year and just signed up yesterday for this year. It's the best HIM race I've done (not that I've done many). Swim was choppy, bike was fun and I was never bored, and the run was difficult/hot (no shade, rolling hills, hard to keep a rhythm going). It's a fun town and I had a blast last year. Can't wait to go back....

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It's been non-wetsuit the past couple of years. The slow swim times reflect that the course is a bit long. Also, I had to swim through and around thousands of slower swimmers.

That said, I think the bike course is awesome and the run course is also great. With this year's very warm winter, I'm anticipating Raleigh being very, very hot (hotter than it already has been historically).

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wovebike.com | Wove on instagram

would you go with a disc wheel?
I ll travel from far and I think i will carry my training wheels and rent the disc on site, super9 zipp with 808 in front. what do you think? also if you are from the area please pm me i need to know where I can go riding the race week

Yes. Run a disc.

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As a raleigh resident I use this race now as the official welcome to summer weather. Past few years it's been mild, then race week weather is 15* hotter. Good luck to everyone racing this year!

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Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II

There are very few safe routes to ride from downtown Raleigh - you will likely have to drive out to Jordan Lake to get reasonably quiet roads.

Check out the CBC group rides from Holly Springs for some routes, and there was also a similar thread about a year ago.

Anyone know how close this race is to selling out?

Probably not very close based on the fact that they are trying to get people to sign up by offering a special medal if you do the 2 NC 70.3s this year.

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Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

I signed up about 2 weeks ago. I've never registered so late. I guess everyone is scared of the heat.

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I've done every year of Raleigh 70.3 and I'm def afraid of the heat. I can't say which was worse the first year or last year. Probably the first year (2013) was worse if you consider that double loop near the Art Museum (on the run). I'm tempted to keep the string alive but I'm on the fence......

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Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

Come and race with me!

I'm out of shape and it's going to be so hot but this is my favorite race!

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Make Inside Out Sports your next online tri shop! http://www.insideoutsports.com/

I recently signed up for a volunteer job just so I was committed to something else beside racing that day. The heat kills me and life just not allow for proper preparation for a 70.3 in any climate zone.

I'll make a decision after White Lake Half on Saturday. Supposed to be upper 80s, so I'm ready to suffer.

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Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

I need to do White Lake Half again one day. It's such a great race

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Make Inside Out Sports your next online tri shop! http://www.insideoutsports.com/

Steve, I am hoping to do this one too, pending my hip injury. It looks like a fun course in a great city.

Jack

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"Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." T.S. Elliot | Cycle2Tri.com
Sponsors: SciCon | | Every Man Jack

This will be my 6th time. Only doing it because they promised new pavement. I'll let you know how that goes......

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Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

The race did not sell out last year

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Not surprising. The 2014 race (second year) was much nicer than the first. Weather was more enjoyable & the change in run course. Then you had the non wetsuit 3rd year. So not surprising that last year didn't sell out and then last year was non wetsuit & so hot/humid on the run.

A little off topic, but a friend and I were just discussing that right now you can still sign up for Raleigh, Augusta & NC 70.3 (formerly B2B Half).

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Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

I've volunteered for it every year and, the first year, our run aid station was on the loop by the art museum. That was definitely the hottest one in my opinion.

That said, my pea sized brain must not have a good recollection of how miserable that heat can be cuz I've signed up to race it this year. See you guys out there!

Cheers,

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thechromedome
http://www.favoritefinishlines.blogspot.com
http://www.cupcakecartel.org
My 20% off code for 2018 FS Series races: tricred18
"there are no drafters in heaven" - C Bonner

If you are looking for riding around Baltimore that week, the roads west of the city are VERY nice. A little west of Towson, 15-20 minute drive. I spent a week there and could not believe how beautiful and quiet the roads were. More hills than you would imagine.

3 weeks to the race day
would you guess a non-wetsuit?

Yes. Water temp was reported as being 71 degrees on Wednesday. I have no doubt it will be non wetsuit.

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Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

do you have any suggestion where to go riding for 20-50miles during the race week? I will have a rental car and staying downtown. I can drive somewhere if needed. probably not good to start riding from down Raleigh

Why not pick up the race course from beaver creek rd up to (not including) Lake Wheeler? Those are all country roads that don't see heavy traffic during the day.

Water temp is showing 77 degrees as of today.

Saw some comments on facebook about the high level of Jordan lake and the possibility of flooding near transition. Anyone have any first hand knowledge or specifics? Looks like tomorrow will rain a bunch more and then a few dry days until some more rain saturday and sunday.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to the fun on that run....... can't wait....

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Yes.....that run.... fun!!!

ETA: Pink? maybe. You decide.

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Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

Flooding is gone. Jordan lake was warm with a swimskin last week.

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Did Pinehurst last week water temp there was 81..haven't heard anything about flooding, have a friend up there fishing now, I am just south by Fort Bragg, if I hear anything I will update

The run was really demanding the first year....then they made it easier. Not much to it now.

I have finished Raleigh 70.3 every year it has existed (I will not be racing this Year, however). You're right, the first year was brutal. It is easier now, but it is really the heat & humidity that makes that run tough. More so than the topography.

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Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

What was the run course the first year?

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Someone local could probably describe better......but basically we ran from transition to a park, with a bunch of turns to get to the park and then we did loops around the park. No shade, several steep climbs...then back to transition on fried legs.

http://www.mapmyrun.com/...ullscreen/128830125/

I just remember the turn around seemed to never ever...ever come into sight that day.

I'm local. That run was legendary. Now it's....boring and easier.

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1st year you ran all the way to the art museum and that is a bitch of a hill, with I think firefighters were hosing off people at the loop turn around.


Based on weather this week I give it 80% wetsuit legal.

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Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II

Yes we had to run up the hill Brooks described and run two loops of which 80% was in the blazing sun. Luckily the fireman were there with a large hose. My wife said they arrived about 15 minutes before I came around for the first time. The present run course is not easy but not hard either. The climb to the turnaround is deceiving especially the second time around. But it is extremely easy to the first years course.

This year you will be running through a construction zone for most of the back half of the loop.

Looking at the Army Corp Jordan Lake temp readings and it's steadily held 77*. With expected rains over next few days, I think they'll be able to "find" cold water. Or shall I say, it's not impossible like in years past where water temp has been a legit 80-81 and they had to find cold water. 1/2 a degree isn't much of a stretch, and if it rains more this week, that'll drop temps.

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Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II

I don't know anything about this course. I signed up because a buddy told me to do it with him and my brother lives 20 minutes from Raleigh. Sounds like a non-current swim, hilly bike and hilly run. What strengths does this course play too? Sounds like you need to be a solid athlete all around.

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http://www.sfuelsgolonger.com

I would agree with this. It's a tough fun race. The back end of the bike course is hilly and the run is hot. It's my favorite race though! As a local, it's always fun hearing about how hot it is in Raleigh every year by the people who are out of town. I remember talking to two people from up north last year and they were just devastated by the heat.

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Make Inside Out Sports your next online tri shop! http://www.insideoutsports.com/

If your super-power is......you don't melt in humid heat......you'll excel.

This course is fantastic for people who can suffer. People wilt on the run in past because of the heat. The run will have no shade but it looks like it's going to rain so that'll be less of issue. I think the key to the run is that it's not flat and it's surprisingly more elevation change than you realize. And it's also a run where you simply see a mile ahead the whole time. So it kinda grinds on you. To me it's a run where you think it's "flattish" and then when down you think "that was harder then I expected".

Raleigh I would call a "fair" course in that it's not easy. I think it plays to strength athletes who can handle the "hills" (I know if you come from elevation it'll be less hilly etc) and back it up w a strong run.

Past 3 years this race has been shredded by heat. This year it's looking to rain on race day, and I also think it legitly can be wetsuit legal without "fudging" too much of the water temps.

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Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II

So i can safely leave my wetsuit in texas when i come to NC?

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2024: Bevoman, Galveston, Alcatraz, Marble Falls, Santa Cruz

Spectated and/or volunteered every year and melted. Was planning to do the same this year until M2M was canceled 2 weeks at which point I came home and registered to race. (Pretty nice that it was still open) I'm prepared to suffer and not confident there will be rain or clouds no matter what the forecast says today.

No. Raleigh is always undecided until race day morning. I always bring my wetsuit and swim skin to every IM 70.3 Raleigh race.

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Make Inside Out Sports your next online tri shop! http://www.insideoutsports.com/

Weather report is showing storms this afternoon and then little rain until race day. Though Sunday looks like mostly a pm thunderstorm.

Should be close. I may end up just going swimskin either way.

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Not sure I would call the bike course hilly. It's rollers IMO. I don't need to use my small chain ring on this course with a 53/11-23.

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This.

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Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

I would bring in, low 60s at night and the rain might make it a wetsuit race this year. A first since the inaugural year.

Wetsuit packed now.

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2024: Bevoman, Galveston, Alcatraz, Marble Falls, Santa Cruz

If it's a wetsuit legal I'm going to wear a swimskin and Blueseventy's Core shorts.

Not true. 1st 2 years were wetsuit legal.

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Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

almost left mine at home! glad I packed it, now.

OK, for those in the later waves like myself, what's you strategy for swimming through/around the throngs/thousands of swimmers ahead of us? I did this swim in 2015 and where I'm typically a 24-26min swimmer, I was at 30min due to the challenge of having so many swimmers already on the course.

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wovebike.com | Wove on instagram

Ok, correction to my post, the first two years were.

Swim over them

that takes a lot of energy, especially when they fight back... remember, it's not just several swimmers, it's thousands of slow swimmers ahead of us.

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wovebike.com | Wove on instagram

In all seriousness, I start to the far right and swim inward towards the first turn bouy, swim outside the line, over shoot the second by about 25-30 meters and swim inward towards the finish, seems to work for me, I start more so in the middle time frame.

same as always just swim over and around them :-( I start 7:52am so in same boat, anticipating 3-5 min slower then normal.

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2024: Bevoman, Galveston, Alcatraz, Marble Falls, Santa Cruz

What's the shortest distance between two points?

A straight line. Do that.

Learn to thread the needle. You can actually avoid swimming over a lot of people just by finding the smallest gaps and shooting through there. Always be looking ahead for gaps when you are coming up on people. Yeah you will probably bump them a bit but it's a lot better than completely swimming over top of them. If there's no gap, I've actually dove down and swam underwater to get past them.

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blog

Swim out to the sides of the traffic and make your own lane.

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Yes and the second year was truly wetsuit legal. First year-???

I still remember talking to Laura Bennett at the awards when the announcer spoke about her using her wetsuit...."you used a wetsuit"....she was like yeah it was wetsuit legal...I laughed as it even close to wetsuit legal temp as the day before IM announced water temp of 83....I truly got a kick out of that person finding "cold" water.

(I don't go to the swim to watch because of the logistical nightmare it is w no parking and shuttle not leaving until final swimmer out of water)

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Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II

The first year the water was significantly cooler in the area of the second turn buoy.

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Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

Significantly cooler to the other hot areas. First year was a push. But I admire the person who found the spot to put the thermometer in and take the reading.

Yep - this is going to be a slow swim! I always tell myself, though, that if I have a problem with it, go pro!

Went out here in Belmont, NC pre T-storm in some 90 degree near 100% humidity for some run pace work and I'll say that if race day during the run has those conditions, it's going to be tough!

I'm curious how roll down will go for 70.3 WC's. Previous years for the 35-39 AG, sub 4:26 high makes the top two. Any thoughts for why it could be different this year? How far did roll down go in Chattanooga?

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wovebike.com | Wove on instagram

Sundays forecast is now only 20% chance of rain.

I'm going to say this won't be wetsuit legal, but I'll probably bring it anyway.

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That's because everyone pisses right before the second turn buoy.

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Don't drown. Don't crash. Don't walk.

Damn, I was looking forward to running in the rain. I prefer no wetsuit though I will bring it just in case.

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http://www.sfuelsgolonger.com

Is it time to pack already?? Damn...

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"Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." T.S. Elliot | Cycle2Tri.com
Sponsors: SciCon | | Every Man Jack

yep!

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2024: Bevoman, Galveston, Alcatraz, Marble Falls, Santa Cruz

Haha. I love driving 10 minutes to the buses on race day morning.

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Don't forget the correct outfits!! Don't be like Loehr Loehr.

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blog

"Optimistic" folks at the pool this morning in Raleigh swimming in their wetsuits, you can tell it is almost race day!

This take me more time then packing race stuff!

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2024: Bevoman, Galveston, Alcatraz, Marble Falls, Santa Cruz

Hi, I was out at Seaforth recreation area last night, around the corner from the swim site. Water temp felt closer to 80 degrees. It's possible they'll still find it wetsuit legal with some cooler evenings in the forecast.

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Marty Gaal, CSCS
One Step Beyond Coaching
Triangle Open Water Swim Series | Old School Aquathon Series
Powerstroke� Freestyle Technique DVD

It's very possible. But with temps in the mid 80s the next few days, I just don't see it happening. The weather appears similar to last year and it wasn't wetsuit legal. At this point I'd be surprised if it ends up wetsuit legal. Crazier things have happened before though.

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blog

Yes earlier I was making my wetsuit prediction based on what I thought would be rain in the forecast (like last night they were predicting rain/storms but nothing materialized). With it getting much warmer, it's going to be very very like 80% non wetsuit, 20% wetsuit.

Good luck to all you crazies who come suffer in the Raleigh heat! Hope this race moves 3 weeks back so that it's a mid May time frame. Would be much better for everyone involved. But this may be the last one, atleast with current contract i believe!

Be safe and enjoy it out there!

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Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II

Yep. I live 1.5 hrs away.....and I'd do it every year if they took your advice. As is, I've never done it.

oh god, this is going to be hot

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wovebike.com | Wove on instagram

What website is that?

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blog

weatherunderground. thing is, the predicted temp is now 4 degrees higher than yesterday. 80 degrees in Belmont, NC right now feels oppressive with the humidity. There being less chance of t-storms is good, as the wave of heat & humidity that precedes these t-storms can be unbearable.

For me, this is going to be a race of conservation: 280w (4w/kg) bike, 280w run (via stryd; ~6:50min pace), EFS Pro carrying a bottle on the run and just trying to qualify for Chattanooga

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wovebike.com | Wove on instagram

My buddy lives in raleigh and he tells me every year, this race is always the hottest day of the year (at least up until that day) no matter what the forecast says.

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I agree with that

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Well, seeing how it is approaching 88 in Raleigh as I type this and it was 90 on Tuesday, I'm very much hoping your friend's prediction is wrong!

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wovebike.com | Wove on instagram

I heard a rumor that it's going to be moved to early May. Take it for what it's worth, though, just a rumor.

I'm looking forward to race day. The hotter, the better.

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What I do: http://app.strava.com/athletes/345699

darn NC local!

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wovebike.com | Wove on instagram

It will certainly help us local guys!

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Coming from Florida, I hope it will feel "cool" at least compared to what we've been dealing with for the last month or so.

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blog

IIRC, it has been established that WTC prefers 5 year agreements for 140.6 races & 3 year contracts for 70.3 races. If that is true, this is year 5 for Raleigh, so at least the 2018 race should be safe.

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Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

To be honest, we really haven't had too many hot and muggy days yet this year. There's been a few, but not enough for real heat acclamation. I'm just hoping to crumble a little less than some of the other guys.

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What I do: http://app.strava.com/athletes/345699

I went online to confirm the qualifying slot fee needed at the time of claiming the slot, but couldn't find that information anywhere for 70.3WC's. I remember it being $400, but wanted to confirm. Anyone have a link with this information? Thanks

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wovebike.com | Wove on instagram

I want to say it's 425. I think it's in the athlete guide.

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Thanks!

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wovebike.com | Wove on instagram

arriving in Raleigh tomorrow morning
can I swim at this lake on sat morning?
i would try also to go for a ride from there on the course, is it safe?

I live in Greenville and just saw on WITN prediction for here is high of 88 and feels like of 95. Gonna be a sufferfest. Guess I'll break out my antique arm coolers and watch the Emilio tip vid on how to put them on in T1 (since the last time I did I put them on inside out).

Cheers,

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thechromedome
http://www.favoritefinishlines.blogspot.com
http://www.cupcakecartel.org
My 20% off code for 2018 FS Series races: tricred18
"there are no drafters in heaven" - C Bonner

I'm curious about this as well

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wovebike.com | Wove on instagram

Safe?

Yes but be aware there is zero shoulder on the roads around jordan lake. Biggest issue will be boat traffic driven by suvs driving 8 mph over speed limit swinging curves. But it's very very popular cycling area and a route my athletes will be using sat AM at 7:30 for 45 mile ride (non raleigh 70.3 athletes).

We did have an bike/car collision there 2 weeks ago on a Sunday w inattentive driver. Cyclist was *ok* (no major injuries), so just be smart and safe as best as you can.

But we ride those roads a lot and I've not had too many issues.

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Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II

Thanks! I should have specified that I was curious about the swimming on Saturday at the race site during bike drop off

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wovebike.com | Wove on instagram

I'm pretty sure they have a "no swimming" rule during bike drop off, or at least that's been the rule in past years. That being said, I've seen people in the water each year.

Go to beaver creek entrance and swim there. Never be that guy.

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Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II

In previous years they haven't allowed swimming on Saturday. You can ride from T1 out onto the course. There's usually a pretty good amount of people that to. The first road you leave on from T1 is a 2 lane road with no much traffic. Then you can ride out on the 4 lane highway (forgot the name) but traffic typically isn't bad on Saturday.

Except that you are going to have 2,000 to 2,500 athletes trying to drop off their bikes on Saturday.

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Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

This is probably the best suggestion...or Seaforth. Both are on Jordan Lake near the race course. Seaforth would be best if you then wanted to ride part of the course. Then again, Beaver Creek is also on the course, but you would avoid the sketchy part of the course on Hwy 55.

The weather feels awesome here. Hope it's like this tomorrow.

Edit, I mean Sunday

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http://www.sfuelsgolonger.com

Good point.

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http://www.sfuelsgolonger.com

you mean Poplar point on Google maps?
cant find beaver creek entrance but i think you mean Poplar

A lot of people swim at Ebenezer Church and Seaforth. I'm not sure that Popular Point has a beach access.

Note that there us a per car fee to enter.

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Janyne

At the briefing today he said Google Jordon Lake beaches for lots of swimming areas plus there were swimming areas along the way to T1.

Water temp was 80.6 this morning at 6:30am and 82.6 at 11:30 this afternoon. Per athletes briefing.

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http://www.sfuelsgolonger.com

Just like Texas weather!

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2024: Bevoman, Galveston, Alcatraz, Marble Falls, Santa Cruz

Is anyone bringing wetsuit based on the temps provided at athlete briefing?

82.5 degrees on sat

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2024: Bevoman, Galveston, Alcatraz, Marble Falls, Santa Cruz

I noticed Luke McKenzie on the start list. Anyone give him a chance to podium? It seems like that last few faces I've seen him start ended in DNF.
He was 2nd in Kona a few years back but seemed to have struggled since then.

  

Awesome race Steve. Never met you but saw your result.

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http://www.sfuelsgolonger.com

Holy smokes it pays to go to rolldown! I had a crap race and finished 20th AG. Actually I got what I trained for. But it rolled in 45-49 M to 21st! Hell yeah, I took it!

Cheers,

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thechromedome
http://www.favoritefinishlines.blogspot.com
http://www.cupcakecartel.org
My 20% off code for 2018 FS Series races: tricred18
"there are no drafters in heaven" - C Bonner

Also, I heard at roll down there was a dude that had a mechanical on the bike 9 miles from the run transition. He ran it in. In clip-in shoes. Beat the bike cutoff time by 1 minute and then ran 13.1 in that heat. That's just pure awesomeness right there!

Cheers,

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thechromedome
http://www.favoritefinishlines.blogspot.com
http://www.cupcakecartel.org
My 20% off code for 2018 FS Series races: tricred18
"there are no drafters in heaven" - C Bonner

Bruce,

You are correct.....it does pay to go to roll down. For whatever reason, Raleigh is notorious for having the slots roll deep. Twice I have gone to roll down and my AG (male 40-44) has been a case of "anyone here want to go to worlds"?

I once even saw a F45-49 slot not get taken and roll to a different AG.

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Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

Thank you for the kind words. It was a fun day and good experience to get out there and race.

Did you race? If so, how did you do?

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I heard that - that's nuts! Herbert needs to track him down for an interview, seriously craziness.

I also got one of these deep roll downs. Great work out there today. It was hot, but good!

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wovebike.com | Wove on instagram

I did. Should have done great but got my chain jammed between frame and small ring and mile 20-21. I tried to pedal it out but jammed it deep in the front then tried back spinning but only jammed it deep in the back too. Eventually after calming down and letting my head clear I got it pulled out but had to stay in big ring rest of the way. My rear 10 speed gearing isn't great for climbing and I killed my weak bike legs. A 1:52 run was all I had in me. Maybe I will come back next year after training in the Clermont hills. It's an awesome roller coaster bike course and the swim was warm but I enjoyed it. I thought they did a great job organizing everything.

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http://www.sfuelsgolonger.com

I think Raleigh is one of the fairest courses on the circuit. The swim is usually warm and inexplicably slow. The bike course has just enough rollers to make it honest. And the run is always hot, hot, hot.

By the way, the front of the age group packs just keeps getting better and better at this race. The evolution of the times of those making the AG podiums says to me that the players have found this event. Congrats to all that did the event and most importantly thanks to the organizers and volunteers. Great work.

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What I do: http://app.strava.com/athletes/345699

Sorry to hear about your misfortune.

Like the above poster said, the course is very honest and I think most are surprised/shocked by it (more the swim and run).

The race is really well ran even with the point to point logistics. The volunteers were awesome with getting all the bags back to downtown and everyone on the run course was fantastic.

I do wish the race would start a little earlier. I think there's a enough sunlight for a 6:30-6:40 start which would be good to have less people suffering in the heat. But I think the race is restricted to a 7am iirc. Thought I remember reading the town/city wouldn't let them start any sooner or something like that.

Congrats to everyone that suffered through.

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blog

Dude...you F'ing crushed it, awesome job!!! One of my favorite races too, always an unpredictable day in Raleigh.

If they would move the race a few weeks earlier in the year, I would be back every year. As it is, way too much suffering on the run for a 200lbs dude.

But, the volunteers were great, in fact everyone in town was really awesome all weekend. The course was great too, just so damn hot.

I escorted the third place male on the run yesterday. I went through two bottles just doing that and he ran a 1:21. My Garmin picked up the ambient heat on Hillsborough Street at 97 at 10:50 am. I gave this race my old baseball try but three bad experiences due to the heat finally taught me that this race is not for me. Congrats to the people who did it. Few weeks earlier and I would be back again.

Always pays to go to rolldown! I was 17th in M35-39 but it rolled all the way to me. I am not entirely sure I feel like I "earned" it but I took the slot anyway since my name was called out!

He posted on the Pathetic Triathletes Group on Facebook. Name is Aaron Joe. What a great attitude. I tagged Herbert to see if he'd interview.

Cheers,

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thechromedome
http://www.favoritefinishlines.blogspot.com
http://www.cupcakecartel.org
My 20% off code for 2018 FS Series races: tricred18
"there are no drafters in heaven" - C Bonner

Interesting discussion opened up between the wife and I just now. She volunteered at Run Aid Station 3. They noticed that the biker that lead first place pro would ride ahead and call out the order and items that he wanted. The pros without a lead biker didn't get that. Is that fair? Does it matter? This happens at small races too and even my tired old wrinkled self has experienced it. Reward for getting to T2 first or not fair to other athletes?

Cheers,

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thechromedome
http://www.favoritefinishlines.blogspot.com
http://www.cupcakecartel.org
My 20% off code for 2018 FS Series races: tricred18
"there are no drafters in heaven" - C Bonner

Fair or not, I thought the new protocol was for the biker to ride behind the pro?

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Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

I'd say definitely not fair considering the difficulties I had at several aid stations getting what I needed. I'd simple call out what I was looking for and would typically get blank stares or people handing me cups without saying what they had. At least once I asked for ice and was told I had to go to the cooler and get it for myself - they don't hand out ice. Bullshit. So based on that, I'd say any extra communication with the aid stations prior to running through would be advantageous, though no idea how much difference it might make in realty. I was simply frustrated more than anything. I've never had that sort of experience at a race before.

I walked through every aid station to ensure I stayed cool and while I saw this at one aid station, when I came back through, they had gone back to handing out ice and said that while they had been told to make people get it themselves, they wanted to do better. I was super impressed all around - had 3-4 cups of ice, 3-4 cups of water at every aid station and I never over heated on a blistering hot day. I'm sorry to hear about your experience.

Looking forward to the hot summer to kick in here in the mountains so I can acclimate for Chattanooga, and I'm looking forward to the weeks ahead to get in shape so I can race and not merely finish!

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wovebike.com | Wove on instagram

Having volunteered at the Raleigh 70.3 numerous times in multiple capacities including this year, I'll tell you that IM gives the volunteers little to no instruction sometimes. Many of the volunteers are just kids. Given them a break.

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Don't drown. Don't crash. Don't walk.

He's being "that guy"

That was very likely my wife that told you that. :) If it makes you feel better she did the same to me! Ouch!

Our tri team runs aid station 3 before the turnaround. Ironman folks always tell the volunteers not to offer up the ice at Raleigh which is just crazy. I'm glad they eventually said screw it and started serving it up.

Cheers,

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thechromedome
http://www.favoritefinishlines.blogspot.com
http://www.cupcakecartel.org
My 20% off code for 2018 FS Series races: tricred18
"there are no drafters in heaven" - C Bonner

I escorted the third place pro. I rode behind him or slightly to the side 90% of the time. The only times I went ahead was at the turn around and around the start/finish in case a person stepped out into the way. Hillsborough Street was a ghost town except for near Cup of Joe. We did not say a word to each other until mile 11.5 when he realized he was not catching second and was safe in third. Then he started to talk a little and responded to the preacher at the bell tower. I was told by one of the ironman officials not to do anything to give them an advantage. I will say I was not with the other lead bikers when I talked to the Ironman official so I do not know what was said the bikers. He was more concerned about me taking someone off course. You would need to try to lead someone off of the Raleigh course.

I worked an aid station last year and one of the issues I saw was at shift change. When you are setting up there is time for instruction. But at shift change everything is happening on the fly and instruction time is minimal.

I had the exact opposite experience. Everyone at the run aid stations was awesome. They were calling out what they had, including ice, and sometime ice water. When I would call out what I was looking for someone always stepped forward with exactly what I needed. I could not have been more impressed with the volunteers.

That said my age group started at 7:4x and I am a shit swimmer, so by the time I got to the run it was after 10:30 and maybe some of early difficulties were worked out by then.

Steve,

Great race Sunday. After that time on that course, we better see you racing Pro next year. haha

For sure, I work for "another" race company and try to instruct volunteers best I can. They do the best they can and often are completely green. Experienced volunteers are the best! Some races are harder than others with volunteers no showing, cancelling, etc., depends on the location and time of year. Some races we have waiting list for volunteers, others we take what we can get and make it work.

The logistics of a race in its entirety is something you just don't appreciate until you're on the other side. For our halves and Olys we for sure do ice, Gatorade and water... plus other misc. items for halves.

I was the captain of Run Aid Station #3. It was my fourth year being the captain. I started racing triathlons before aerobars, I'm old, I understand.

I was instructed by Ironman personnel NOT to hand out ice. I was told to bring a cooler from home and put ice in that and let the athletes grab their own ice. Those were my instructions. My response to Ironman personnel was that their brand is considered to be the premier brand for triathlons, that the folks racing were paying big bucks to race and that it was going to be dang hot and that we should be handing out ice. They said no. I complied and brought two coolers from home. I instructed the volunteers to do what I was instructed to do - ice in the cooler at the end.

After getting yelled at for not having ice to give, we broke 'the rules' and started handing out ice. It was the right thing to do. I apologize to those front of the pack age-groupers who didn't get ice, it was likely on your first lap. After the race I again expressed to Ironman personnel that they need to reconsider their stance on ice at aid stations.

If there is an athlete's survey, let them know.

It's strange to hear they told you not to hand out ice. I think I remember not getting any ice on the first lap. On my second lap all aid stations had ice in cups. Why wouldn't they want you to hand out ice in cups?

I thought this race was incredibly well supported from a volunteer and aid station perspective. My last pass through aid station 1 (IE at mile 12) was the only time I had an issue and that was mostly because I was trying to run fast through it while so many were walking slowly through the station.

Thank you to ALL volunteers for helping make that day go so smoothly.

A big thanks to you and your whole team at the aid station. Seriously.... you guys were awesome.

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blog

I appreciate volunteers like yourself!

As to why, you'd have to ask them. Maybe they budget enough cups per aid station for x amount of Gatorade/water and don't want to add more cups for ice? I just can't think of a good reason otherwise... ice is relatively inexpensive and readily available. Drop a few big coolers per aid station full of ice and you've got enough to make cold Gatorade, water and cups of ice for a large event. I worked an Oly this past weekend with around 600 athletes on a two loop course. Athletes didn't go through 10 bags of ice at each of the three aid stations total... 2 of which they hit four times. It was a bit cooler but the resources to make ice cups aren't really that over the top.

Outside of that I'd much rather having a volunteer doling out ice in cups than letting 1000 people dip their hand into a cooler, then dumping it in their jersey, water bottle.... mouth.

I was told the same thing about ice from one of the other aid station captains.

It certainly wasn't for a shortage of ice. We were spectating at about 3PM when a guy in one of those 4 wheel utility vehicles drove by with bags and bags of ice and asked if we wanted one for our cooler. He said that they told him to deliver ice to the aid stations and the aid stations said they didn't need them.

Not sure of the logic behind the ice. Maybe it's hard to keep since the coolers in the trucks don't have electricity.

We did run out of ice. In the truck, we had two of those ice coolers like you see at a convenience store packed full of ice at the beginning of the day. We ran out of ice around 3:00pm. In year's past they have delivered extra ice during the day on those four wheelers you see on the course. In year's past we also only had one cooler of ice in our truck.

We had plenty of cups, we had cups left over after the race.

We also ran out of sponges, even after 'recycling' some of them.

Interesting. As I was in line to get my morning clothes bag, maybe 1:30pm or so, there was a semi trailer with at least 4 pallets of ice that the IronMan crew was unloading with a pallet jack and putting on to the 4 wheeler. It certainly didn't seem that there was a shortage of ice.

As far as why they would say not hand out ice, I can think of two theories. One, in the past they have run out of ice at many races, maybe they think people will take less ice and it will last longer if volunteers don't hand it out? The other is the cup theory, whether it has to do with cost, numbers, environmental impacts of all the trash, or some combination of the three who knows. For $300 you certainly hope its not them being cheap.

We observed the "recycling" and were intrigued. Was that standard operating procedure or did you guys improvise?

We just picked up the clean looking sponges off the pavement, re-dunked them in the trashcan with the others and 'recycled' them. If not, we would have run out of sponges before lunch. I don't advise drinking out of them!

In the couple time I have volunteered (IMLP) it has been standard practice. there just are not enough to throw them away.

Think twice about wiping your face with them. :)

Thank you Joe!

At this point, I have no plans to race pro.

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blog

I would pick up a sponge(s) at one aid station, tuck it in my suit and hand it back at the next aid station. Rinse and repeat.

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What I do: http://app.strava.com/athletes/345699

I figured it was common knowledge that the sponges were re-used. I certainly wouldn't drink from them but they sure feel good tucked into a suit. I don't care it was already used by someone else, we are all already so filthy it really doesn't matter.

The volunteers are instructed to stay behind the athletes and they are not supposed to go ahead and "place an order" with an aid station. The reality is that some follow the rules others not. Staying behind the rider is a relatively new rule/directive, I believe 2015. Regardless there is little an athlete can do, you aren't going to be "rude" to a volunteer and dismiss them, but having a volunteer in front can certainly be helpful.

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This has been the "policy" for quite sometime now. Maybe 2015 in NA??? Regardless it is a pretty frequent question that comes up in the pro meeting, ie. ~"will there be ice". The standard line back is: ~"Ice is for cooling product"

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stevej,

I was a distant 2nd to you in the 30-34 AG (#humblebrag - is that still a # in 2017?) Anyways, very impressive race. I felt like the bike course was faster than the impressions I got from others who raced in prior years. What did you think overall about your day? Your swim/bike combo was crazy fast and I'm sure you probably had more to give on the run, but didn't need to push it.

There was a volunteer at your aid station who went above and beyond. On my way back after the turnaround on my first lap I was grabbing everything I could drink as I went through. One girl at the end of the station wasn't paying attention and completely dropped the cups as I went to grab them. It happens. I kept running and this guy chased me down with two cups of water and told me he saw the cups get dropped and wondered if I needed more water. A huge thank you goes out to him and all the volunteers.

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_____________________________________________________
Instagram | Team Kiwami North America

I might be wrong, but that sounds like something Oldgeezer himself wudda done!

Cheers,

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thechromedome
http://www.favoritefinishlines.blogspot.com
http://www.cupcakecartel.org
My 20% off code for 2018 FS Series races: tricred18
"there are no drafters in heaven" - C Bonner

Thanks man.

I don't think the bike course is wicked fast but it's not slow either. It's an honest bike course that keeps you on your toes (and it's my favorite so far). I just think in general people have this misconception about the bike course going into it if they haven't done it before. They then hit some of those hills in the back half and it throws them off. They work a little too hard on the hills and then are hit hard in the face with that run.

I was very happy with the day and kinda surprised how the day unfolded. I honestly didn't have the most ideal prep for the race (12 days off training for my wedding/honeymoon at the end of April/early may), so there was a bit unknown of how things would go. The heat/humidity in florida had also kicked up in early May. Running was becoming extremely difficult and I couldn't hit any of my key training runs that I hit a few weeks earlier for FL 70.3. I signed up for the race just for the race experience. I still think I'm new to 70.3's and I'm just trying to learn everything I can at this point.

I felt the swim was a bit easier than last year. Last year, you were hit with a bunch of chop right as you made the turn at the first turn buoy. This year, the chop came about half way on the back stretch. I still have no idea where it came from and I got mixed up with a bunch of folks right as we hit the chop which was difficult to maneuver. I did notice that a lot of people seemed to be swimming way wide which just adds distance/time to your swim. I planned to ride hard and just forget there was a run afterward. I rode the first few miles pretty hard as I felt good and wanted to get out of the park/masses as fast as possible. Within the first few miles, I noticed I was near the FOP guys in the 35-39 AG. I honestly didn't expect that and some of those guys I didn't expect to see until late in the bike or not on the bike at all. My power ended up a bit lower than I really wanted it to be but I was very happy with the bike split. I do think there was maybe 1-2 minutes left out there but that is easy for me to say now. I thought I was in trouble the first 2 miles on the run as I thought I was already working too hard. My hr worked on the bike but mysteriously it wasn't working on the run. I like to use hr to gauge my effort and especially for dealing with heat. I ended up settling in (got my rpe/hr down) and trying to keep things steady and save something for the 2nd loop. I folded on the run last year and had nothing left on the 2nd loop so I wanted to make sure that didn't happen again. I had a really slow mile 7 which I'm actually kinda mad about right now. I got too comfortable and should have been pushing the pace. I typically hit a wall around miles 9-10 but it never happened which was surprising. I didn't know it at the time, but I ran to the front of the AG race (I didn't know it until they said I was the first AGer across the finish). I thought it was hot out there but it was manageable for me (benefit to living in south florida). Sponges, water.... rinse, repeat. I do think I had a 1:23-1:24 in me. I said before the race if I ran 1:24-1:26 I would be happy with that. Overall I was very pleased and it was a big confidence booster going forward with 70.3 worlds coming up in 3 months.

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blog

You and Steve both crushed it out there Sunday! Steve caught me by the end of swim, made up 6-7 min. I am very jealous of that swim time. Congrats guys......Bruce welcome back to WTC racing!

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2024: Bevoman, Galveston, Alcatraz, Marble Falls, Santa Cruz

Is there much out of the saddle climbing on the bike?

No. You could ride the whole bike without ever getting out of the saddle. I'm sure your back would hate it but its possible. I ran an 11-23 with a 53/39 and never shifted to the small chain ring.

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blog

Okay, I will be running an 11-25 with a 52/36. Would you mind sharing your power file so that I could get an idea of how you attacked the course?

Swim Waves


Is it standard to have...in theory...the slowest swim waves go right after the pros followed by the faster swim waves?

I think the RD tries to rearrange AGs from year to year. This would prevent any AG from being penalized year after year.

For example, I've raced this event 4 times. If I was racing this year, I would start in the 4th AG wave (6th wave overall). I have typically started much further back in this event.

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Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

Wave 15 here. Us Yankees are going to bake in that afternoon sun.

"Wave 15 here. Us Yankees are going to bake in that afternoon sun. "

Yikes! I've started late, but not THAT late!

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Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

Wave 15.. HOOOOO Boy!

It is what it is...

But, M30-34 is usually the fastest age group...I think. When you have them that far back...it just think it could cause issues on the bike...

...at least there will be a ton of carrots along the way...I just hope we are not going to be called for drafting as opposed to a blocking penalty going the other way.

Best way to view the situation, but definitely going to be passing lots of people on bike and run.
Now, if we can only get a wetsuit legal swim!

I am somewhat with you there. If its going to be WSL I want the water to be about 68 degrees.

Overheating is a real thing.

Wave 6.

I will try to locate the right side of the road on the bike. Please say “hi” when all you young ‘ens come screaming by.

Wave 5 here. SO many people are going to be swimming past me. I'll try to stay out of the way.

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Don't drown. Don't crash. Don't walk.

Non wetsuit swim. I really like the course. I hope is super hot/windy. Sorry but Ironman has to stop looking to make easy courses. Good luck.

Almost a week out!

First time doing this course, so I have nothing to compare 2018 course to for years past. Any experienced advice you all feel like sharing and tips/tricks?

Stay cool at the aid stations by grabbing ice and putting it in your chest. Throw cold water over your head. It's going to be hot. I've done the race every year since 2013.

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Make Inside Out Sports your next online tri shop! http://www.insideoutsports.com/

I talked to a guy last night when at the pool. He mentioned that he will be carrying ziplock bags with him to fill with water and ice at the aid stations on the run.

That's a bit much. The run will be shaded. The old course was just nasty hot.

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Make Inside Out Sports your next online tri shop! http://www.insideoutsports.com/

Appreciate it! Any tips for bike?

Don't over bike the first 40 miles. The last 16 are hilly.

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Make Inside Out Sports your next online tri shop! http://www.insideoutsports.com/

Are they going to put us on the greenway, and if so is that the part where it's a mother of a climb?

The bike course climbing is on Lake Wheeler as you head back into downtown Raleigh. It's tough. There is another hill that is steep as you get through Holly Springs.

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Make Inside Out Sports your next online tri shop! http://www.insideoutsports.com/

I'm sorry. I should have clarified. I meant on the run. I'm okay with the bike course. I actually like those climbs at the end.

I've only ran on part of the run course. The elevation map doesn't look bad. It should be a fast run.

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Make Inside Out Sports your next online tri shop! http://www.insideoutsports.com/

Yes to greenway...no to any "mother of all climbs" on the run. It's going to be rolly and tight and not much fun though. I don't think it's going to be a fast run course by any means, and imo much slower than what past Raleigh run courses were that went down the main road.....except I think there will be more shade because several sections of the greenway have a lot of tree overgrowth, almost a very "mossy" feel to it.

I had Bryan do a run on it last week for final race prep. It's not really going to be a fun course. To me this is sorta putting Raleigh 70.3 out of it's misery with this course. Imo not going to be a fun day on the run, I just think they are totally "finding miles" the best they can. To be fair there is a lot of construction on the previous run area, so I get it.

I just think it's kinda mind boggling what that venue has now become.

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Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II

what % would you say is on the greenway?

If you look at the map, "Rocky Branch Trail" is the greenway. Hunt Drive is false flat uphill 2 lane road going away from the greenway. If I'm correct, if you look at the map, the greenway runs all along "Western Blvd"...Although if yall cross Western Blvd, I'm not sure how they'll keep that open, so maybe just maybe yall can run on that road and not all the greenway but based on the maps, it looks like it's accessing Rocky Branch which is the greenway.

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Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II

you are making this sound worse and worse. wave 15 swim...bike through everyone until the climbs. Off the bike and trying to run mid to low 6 min pace...but probably wont be able to because there will be so many people in the way on a narrow course?

Welcome to Raleigh!

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Make Inside Out Sports your next online tri shop! http://www.insideoutsports.com/

Sounds right. But you forgot to mention how hot it will be. And the wind usually gets worse as the day goes on.

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Don't drown. Don't crash. Don't walk.

I dont think it'll be that bad, I just think it's kinda crazy what has become of this event. It's actually a damn good/fair course, just chicken shit ending, that's all.

But pointing out that the run is going to be for likely majority on parts of what a 8 foot wide greenway. Whether you have to dodge and weave I guess will depend on when and where you are on the course (of course it's a 2 lap run so yeah....).

I don't think it'll be that bad, what it's *only* got less than 2k people signed up for it. That's a ghost town for IM standards I think.

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Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II

yeah, from a high of 1900 in 14/15 to 1400 last year. I'd be surprised if there's more than that this year.

According to Sports Stats:

1780 participants in 2013
1978 participants in 2014
2156 participants in 2015
1732 participants in 2016
1750 participants in 2017

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Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

oh cool. I was going by my favorite website The Obsessed Triathlete.

No problem! I raced the first 4 years. Kind of sad that I missed last year and will miss this year. I hope the race goes out on a high note!

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Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

I’m out, Kidney infection somehow, I have a 3 night resveration for the Marriott City Center, Friday-Monday, if anyone is looking for a room with the locked in rate message me and we can transfer the resveration.

It's looking like this will by my first non-wetsuit 70.3 swim. Whats the procedure here, just swim in tri-suit?

Some will say use a swimskin, others will not. There's probably a million threads on here, or maybe 3-4. Personally I use a swimskin because it keeps everything tight and you don't have that possible parachute effect you might get with a trisuit.

Where are y’all finding the corresponding waves to age group?

Athlete guide

http://www.ironman.com/~/media/fd33557185344d109efe1d63c1993f70/swim%20wave%2070%203%20raleigh%205%201%2018.pdf

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Don't drown. Don't crash. Don't walk.

Ah thanks I missed that. Wave 20 god damnit I’m gonna bake out there.

If you catch me, I will be the guy in the YogiTriathlete kit and headband (pretty unique design with bring green on black), tell me to get my ass moving.

Will do! I guess the upside is I’ll have plenty of carrots to chase, even if I do get roasted by the end of it.

To you and all the others on the course, as usual I will be out there with the rest of our tri team working run aid station 3 to suit your nutrition and hydration needs! We will have music to pump you up, smack talk or something nice to say depending on if your ego looks feeble or not, and whatever Ironman has boxed up for us to serve you. I think I heard this year the special is spam.

Ice has always been an issue. They tell us every year to refrain from offering. I’ve been on the serving and receiving end of this at Raleigh 70.3 (my own wife who volunteered last year refused me ice when I asked for it - ouch!) and my message to our volunteers this year will be SCREW what Ironman staff say, we will be serving ice dammit.

Can’t have you guys falling out at our aid station. It’s far too much work to pick up all the damn cups to add on scraping your overheated body off the asphalt. :)

Good luck to all you folks racing. I hope the final Raleigh 70.3 is a good one!

Cheers,

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thechromedome
http://www.favoritefinishlines.blogspot.com
http://www.cupcakecartel.org
My 20% off code for 2018 FS Series races: tricred18
"there are no drafters in heaven" - C Bonner

You rock! Thank you, thank you, thank you so very much for volunteering to help each and every one of us!

...any chance you will have something vegan for a snack for us plant based triathletes? ;)

But really, we cannot thank you enough for volunteering your time...and for the ICE!!!!

We will offer regular ice AND vegan ice this year! :)

Cheers,

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thechromedome
http://www.favoritefinishlines.blogspot.com
http://www.cupcakecartel.org
My 20% off code for 2018 FS Series races: tricred18
"there are no drafters in heaven" - C Bonner

I'm feeling saucy. Put me down for both.

Bruce & the Tricredibles will hook you up!

I know for a fact there are people who would have never finished in 2013 without the help of Bruce and his crew (myself included)!

Im now going to go curl up in the fetal position and cry a little. Just the thought of 2013......oh my!

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Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

Chance that it will be wetsuit legal?

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John Hollenhorst
St Pete Beach

it was over 80* this morning when we swam at Jordan about 1.5 miles from the course. But also remember a few years ago the day before they were saying it was like 81 or 82 and then 16 hours later it was below threshold level (78 at that time).

I would say 70% no wetsuit.

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Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this! I’ll be on the lookout for ya!

THANK YOU! i'll thank you in person out there next week!

Drink up at the last aid station when completing the second loop. It is a long way to finish, uphill and exposed to the sun.

You're awesome sir and much appreciated! Now, if you can get some spicy BBQ chops out there with fried green tomatoes, then I will have an excuse for the "DNF"!
Otherwise, I'll blame it on ice!
Cheers!

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"Discipline is the highest of all virtues. Only so may strength and desire be counterbalanced and the endeavors of man bear fruit."
Nikos Kazantzakis, The Rock Garden

“Final” Raleigh 70.3???

I checked the thread and was unable to find if this is speculation or confirmed? What is the rationale? WTC being WTC? Declining participation? City issues?

Yes. This is the final Raleigh 70.3....WTC issued a press release. Im sure there is more than 1 factor but city issues is definitely one of them. Raleigh city council voted to limit the number of times streets could be closed per year.

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Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

I signed up for this race because I heard good things about Raleigh and wanted to check it out as a potential future relocation option.

I can't say I have the best impression so far: http://abc11.com/...s-on-bikes-/3531418/

what? you mean this?



i must say, a pretty ingenious hack, by a guy (if you're a detective, and you're looking for the perp) is pretty good at programming highway signs, and whose hot GF left him and his beer gut for a triathlete.

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Dan Empfield
aka Slowman

does anyone know how to get "assholes on bikes" screen printed onto trisuits, like soon, within a couple days.

Call andre at kiwami or emilio at desoto

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Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

Comments on this article posted on the station's FB page are as expected - https://www.facebook.com/ABC11/

One of the gems:

Brian Porter We have too many of those dumb yuppie races and marathons every weekend during the Spring

"An NCDOT spokesperson said the signs do not belong to their agency. ABC11 reached out to the Ironman organization to see if the signs belonged to them.

The signs have since been fixed."


I love the plausible deniability, and yes I'm sure Ironman would this directly insult their patrons ha.


Coming in from Nebraska this isn't a new sentiment, still looking forward to this race.

That’s complete BS by the state of NC. Not their signs? Oh yeah cus they’ll let anyone put out big ass flashing signs without them knowing or aware. What a complete joke.

And to everyone coming in, I’m sorry. Makes us like like Shit.

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Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II

Does it matter whose sign it is?

It's not surprising, if you follow the news on Road.cc they have something like this posted almost weekly from over in the UK.

I guess evolution hasn't taken care of ignorance yet.

My thing is, a lot of these rural country road people fancy themselves as "Christians" that would die for their rights for a gun or to not sell a gay person a wedding cake or the rights of an unborn child. But as soon as it involves taking a single minute of attentive driving to prevent deaths, all that morality disappears.

Also, the childish nature of their dissent is pretty telling. Most of the bike community seeks change through advocacy with representatives for lanes, design, and enforcement.

The other side smokes people out with diesel trucks and tries to taunt or kill people on the road.

Such such Christ like behavior there.

No all this means is IM can’t wait to get fuck out of here. This community can’t get out of its own way. I do find it funny that the state is saying it’s not it’s sign but video of a state employee working on it.

But yes it doesn’t matter, my community just looks like a bunch of backassward idiots. IM is counting down the days til it’s not “their” problem anymore.

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Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II

I ventured over there to see the comments for a split second and just as I thought. So instead of replying I just left that alone. You can't fix stupid.

Raleigh has a lot of running and cycling events. Slowly, the redneck morons are fading away. Don't let it discourage you. Raleigh loves triathlon.

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Make Inside Out Sports your next online tri shop! http://www.insideoutsports.com/

The irony is incredible.

Thanks Bryan. Def keep that in mind. The in laws live in Raleigh which is one of the reasons I'm coming up to do the race. Are you doing the race?

I'm not sure I'd venture out on the roads on a bike in Raleigh, but I do love the incredible trail system that's in the metro area, minus the fact that there's hardly any bathrooms! LOL

Yep, I've raced it since 2013. I'll be there!

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Make Inside Out Sports your next online tri shop! http://www.insideoutsports.com/

Awesome. Look for me on the run course running in a Flash running shirt. I'm wearing it for a buddy of mine that I met at the race in Raleigh last year (he wore a flash top at his triathlon races) and was killed by a driver a few weeks later on a bike ride.

No, the DOT said it wasn't their sign (like the NCDOT would proactively do anything). It's definitely a state/county owned sign though, WTVD just did not go through all of the state agencies to figure our who's it was (or look at it to read who it belonged to).

From my time working with race management DOT and town have required us to rent signs and notify the public by other means. Sign could have been rented from third party. Also, in the video I saw, it looked like a park ranger’s truck. Could not fully see the logo on the door, but it looked like a park logo.

Saw another post that said the bike course had tacks/spikes on the course... Don't forget to pack your extra tube!

Some of these North Carolinians are real gems huh?

Can you link the post?

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Make Inside Out Sports your next online tri shop! http://www.insideoutsports.com/

I dont know if that was a very weird incident, as I don't remember actually much issues during the actual event over 5 previous years. I think 1 car got on the "closed" part of some road a few years back, but race day has traditionally gone off very smoothly for the athletes.

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Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II

Sure thing. Saw it on reddit:
https://www.reddit.com/..._looks_like/dzsqbd1/

People around here are idiots but most of the city loves being fit and active. The rednecks are out away from the city where the course is.

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Make Inside Out Sports your next online tri shop! http://www.insideoutsports.com/

Of course. It's like that in every city.

Looking forward to the event, weather should be ideal! Assuming if the rain stays away.

It looks like the weather forecast has changed to a typical Raleigh 70.3 day.

Good luck to everyone out there!

Bryan,

Is there anyone over at in and out that can help me tomorrow with etap? My shifters aren’t working

Yes! Inside out sports can help. Give them a call tomorrow. They open at 10 am

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Make Inside Out Sports your next online tri shop! http://www.insideoutsports.com/

Went to the volunteer captains meeting the other night. The run aid stations are going to be chaotic just because of the way the course is designed, so I apologize in advance. We’ll figure it out tho!

Looking forward to tomorrow! Good luck to all you athletes!

Cheers,

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thechromedome
http://www.favoritefinishlines.blogspot.com
http://www.cupcakecartel.org
My 20% off code for 2018 FS Series races: tricred18
"there are no drafters in heaven" - C Bonner

Well I want to thank you again for being out there and I’ll look forward to saying hello tomorrow! THANK YOU!