Login required to started new threads

Login required to post replies

Prev Next
Beach2Battleship: How was it?
Quote | Reply
I just wanted to see what some of the participants thought of the innagural B2B. My wife and I volunteered from 6am - midnight and things looked AWESOME! I'm sure those that raced will have some good feedback, but on our end here are the only items we noticed:

1. They need to have a larger changing tent in T1. It looked like many people were changing outside and it was causing some difficulty.

2. Needed a few more water taxis running between downtown and the battleship. With the thousands of supporters that turned out, the lines were deep.

3. Open the race to more participants. Overlaying the half and full was great because you had the feel that the race was bigger, but it was lonely out there at some places. Especially out in Greenfield Park late.

All in all, we had a BLAST out there and the participants we spoke to said the same. Congrats to all who raced/finished!
Last edited by: 2WHEELS of FURY: Nov 3, 08 6:48
Quote Reply
Re: Beach2Battleship: How was it? [2WHEELS of FURY] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
It was fantastic!!!! I LOVED the race, the venue, the course, the volunteers, the pre and post race food, the awards brunch on the riverboat, the battleship and much much more. This is a race that will continue to grow and sell out every year.
Most of all, I loved my time ;) 10:29. 4th in my age group, 23rd overall. I missed third by 2 minutes. Dev is going to be yelling at me about my transitions for sure now. ;)
Seriously folks, do this race. It was awesome.
I'll get my race report up when I get back from the beach next week. :)
Quote Reply
Re: Beach2Battleship: How was it? [2WHEELS of FURY] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
I did the full and thought it was GREAT!! As for feed back.
1. Agree
2. Agree...the 1-2 hour wait to get back was unreal, luckily my wife and I were able to catch and taxi(minivan) back and avoided the long wait.
3. Disagree...keep it small....see drafting thread at IMFL
4. Volunteers were great, thanks for being out there.
5. I was a late finisher and the aid stations,especially in the park, ran out of chicken broth.
All in all, I think Setup Events, Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach put on a fantastic event.

Scott
Quote Reply
Re: Beach2Battleship: How was it? [2WHEELS of FURY] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
I was a spectator since a few friends were competing in the half. Everything was phenomenal with the distinct exception of the return trip on the water taxi. We hit the line at the peak point and waited 2 1/2 hours. However, folks from SetUp were quite apologetic, passing out water and free food.

The feedback from our friends competing is that the race course was great; they repeatedly commented on the paramedics stationed at all railroad crossings who cheered them on after they crossed without incident. The aid stations were well stocked and entertaining.

I can't say enough good things about the volunteers - they were helpful, friendly, and very well informed. I had so much fun cheering on all of the competitors and the day was great up until the enormous water taxi line. Congrats to all of the competitors!
Quote Reply
Re: Beach2Battleship: How was it? [2WHEELS of FURY] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
I did the bike leg for the relay team "Triathonauts." We won the relay (25 teams) in 8:39. My bike split was 4:31:33 which I'm pretty pleased with. It was fastest of all participants for the day.

The swimmer on my team did a great job and I got out on the course with only a few folks to chase down. After 10 miles I was off the front and had a motorcycle escort (riding behind me, not in front) for the remainder of the race. It was the experience of a lifetime to arrive first at T2 at an event like that, complete with motorcycle escort, and hear the announcer telling the crowd that I was the first full-distance participant and hearing them cheer. Wow. A true life-time memory.

Then our runner crushed it and we beat the second place team by almost 2 hours.

For an inaugural event, I thought SetUp did an outstanding job. There were glitches. I'm sure they're aware of them and will address them for next year. They said they'll be sending out a survey.

DAAAAANNNNNGGGGG it was cold at the start. Upper 30s? I had no plans to stop, and I didn't want to cook in 70 degree weather at the end of the ride, so I froze my butt off for hours ... as did we all.

Props to Applenut who was 6th overall.
.

Bob C.

The "science" on any matter can never be settled until every possible variable is taken into account.
Quote Reply
Re: Beach2Battleship: How was it? [2WHEELS of FURY] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
I was standing in transition and a spectator walked over and said, "are you Psycholist?" I said yes. He said he recognized my bike from the photos I've posted here on Slowtwitch. I thought that was funny.

.

Bob C.

The "science" on any matter can never be settled until every possible variable is taken into account.
Quote Reply
Re: Beach2Battleship: How was it? [psycholist] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
Thanks Bob.

I agree that the race was run very well. Tons of volunteers all cheering you on!! The bike and run courses were very nice. Not a stellar performance for me, but anything can happen in a full distance race. It definitely wasn't because of the race organization.

It seriously felt like it was a race that's been going on for years. It's nice to have a great option, that's half the price. I will reccomend this race to anyone that is interested in a full distance race.

I learned a lot about cold weather racing : ) Holy crap I froze to death for the first 40 miles on the bike.

Overall I was very impressed with the race!!! Kudos to Setup and the city of Wilmington.
Quote Reply
Re: Beach2Battleship: How was it? [2WHEELS of FURY] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
I live in NC and couple of my friends raced the B2B.
Take note that swim times are not comparable to any other iron distance race because of the current,salt water and wetsuit.
Also what I heard was bike and run courses are very boring (maybe a good thing no draft) and almost no spectator support on the course.

--------------------------------------------------------
I see obsessed people.
Quote Reply
Re: Beach2Battleship: How was it? [psycholist] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
Actually-it was not from photos but from posts (that said you were on team), the bike, and listening to you talk in transition. I live in Wilmington, but was not racing due to some nagging injuries. FYI-as you know the first swimmer smoked it. It was a mixed team with females on bike and run. The runner is a 3:15ish runner. Unfortunately, on the final bridge of the run, she went down on the draw bridge grating (many here have done same over the years). She will be okay, but ended up in hospital with some pretty nasty facial injuries. One of our best local guys (age group series winner) went down on the Wrightville bridge several weeks ago on his bike--he also ended up in hospital with 40ish stiches in he leg--nasty. Too bad our bridges and railroad crossings are so dangerous for both bikers and runners.

Congrats on the nice ride. I was behind pace car in a run once (small town race with no real runners) and it is a neat experience.
Quote Reply
Re: Beach2Battleship: How was it? [Mantis] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
Did they put carpet down on the metal grates on the bridges?
Quote Reply
Re: Beach2Battleship: How was it? [sue2] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
In Reply To:
Did they put carpet down on the metal grates on the bridges?

They had carpet for the bike portion, still pretty scary crossing it, but not on the run portion.

Scott
Quote Reply
Re: Beach2Battleship: How was it? [Mantis] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
I heard about someone falling on the bridge. And I remember talking with Jen and her saying she had a really good runner. When we saw the results, we wondered what happened. I'm so sorry to hear that. I'd hate to go down on that stuff ... either on running or riding. Incidentally, that carpet was a great idea, but in execution, I don't think it worked out ideally. I wonder what kind of ideas could be generated if they put it to some engineering students to come up with a plan for that next year.

I saw Jen at the finish line and got to tell her I was sorry about taking her escort away. Dang ... the swimmer on her team just flat smoked that thing.

It was nice to meet you.

Bob C.

The "science" on any matter can never be settled until every possible variable is taken into account.
Quote Reply
Re: Beach2Battleship: How was it? [doubleplay] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
Also what I heard was bike and run courses are very boring (maybe a good thing no draft) and almost no spectator support on the course.

I can't speak for the run course, but as for the bike course, I honestly can't imagine how you could have a course cover 112 miles and it be much better. The bridge crossings were an issue. After that, you really have to be looking for something to complain about to take issue with that course. Riding 100+ miles on ANY course gets boring. As for spectator support, there were far more volunteers scattered out and about the courses than there were participants. I have to wonder what your friends were expecting?
Quote Reply
Re: Beach2Battleship: How was it? [psycholist] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
 can't speak for the run course, but as for the bike course, I honestly can't imagine how you could have a course cover 112 miles and it be much better. The bridge crossings were an issue. After that, you really have to be looking for something to complain about to take issue with that course. Riding 100+ miles on ANY course gets boring. As for spectator support, there were far more volunteers scattered out and about the courses than there were participants. I have to wonder what your friends were expecting?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nobody was complaining about the conditions on the course. But everybody I talked to, said the course was void of any kind of spectators and because it was dead flat it was very boring. This is just their observation not complaining.
And NO, riding 100+ miles on any course does not get boring. Some of the Iron distance courses out there are not boring at all.

--------------------------------------------------------
I see obsessed people.
Last edited by: doubleplay: Nov 3, 08 13:47
Quote Reply
Re: Beach2Battleship: How was it? [psycholist] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
Wow - nice ride Bob! Was wondering if you would crack 4:30. Damn fine ride for sure.

____________________________________
Fatigue is biochemical, not biomechanical.
- Andrew Coggan, PhD
Quote Reply
Re: Beach2Battleship: How was it? [psycholist] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
I thought the bike course was nice. As far as the run, Water Street was lined with people when I went throught there the first lap. It was very motivational. The second lap was not as full, but still plenty of people cheering. I need to go to one of these races where there's people over the entire course. Where is this?? Besides IM Germany.
Quote Reply
Re: Beach2Battleship: How was it? [applenutt] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
If want people on the whole run course try IM Swit. I did it 2007 it is FLAT 4 LAP.
Quote Reply
Re: Beach2Battleship: How was it? [2WHEELS of FURY] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
How about a shout to ST'er Mike Coughlin (mcoughlin), second OA in a career best 9:21.

Let's see the RR Michael!
Quote Reply
Re: Beach2Battleship: How was it? [rroof] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
Thanks RR. My only frustration with the race was that they had the mileage on the course mis-marked. When I passed the sign that said 100 miles I looked at my time and concluded I'd missed any chance at making 4:30. I didn't back off, but I didn't press, either. I just kept my steady pace. But then I was getting into town and thinking something wasn't right. By the time I realized how close I really was and DID start to push for the line, there wasn't enough course left. I'd say the 100 mile marker was mis-placed by several miles. All the mileage markers throughout the course were wrong. A small detail, but I do think it affected me. I'd really have loved to break 4:30 and if I'd known where I really was on the clock when I passed the REAL 100 mile point, I'd have turned myself inside out. (I ride with just a little Cateye Strada and I set it to show me time, figuring I can get all the mileage info I need from the course markings. I hate to touch the computer when I'm riding 'cuz I've accidentally reset it a time or two in the past. So I was relying on those mileage markers. Lesson learned.)

On the flip side, I was ready to be off the bike and the end came sooner than the signage led me to expect. Silver lining.

Ever have one of those days where you nailed the wardrobe for the conditions, carried just the right amount of stuff ... no more and no less than you needed, the bike worked perfectly, the feet didn't start to hurt like they sometimes do, the taint didn't start to hurt like it always does, etc. This was one of those days. And I was faithful to my taper plan and honored it. That paid off. (I usually cheat 'cuz I need an endorphin fix or get frantic that I'm losing something. Another lesson learned.)
Quote Reply
Re: Beach2Battleship: How was it? [M~] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
Congrats on the great finish...all the hard work is paying off.
Enjoy some time off
Andrew

C'mon legs run faster!
Being fast on a crappy bike is cool
Fueled by Guinness, Tuborg, Anchor Steam and Creemore Springs
Quote Reply
Re: Beach2Battleship: How was it? [psycholist] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
In Reply To:
Also what I heard was bike and run courses are very boring (maybe a good thing no draft) and almost no spectator support on the course.

After that, you really have to be looking for something to complain about to take issue with that course.

I think that's an adequate description of doubleplay.

There were certainly some stretches of the run course where the only folks you would have seen were at the aid stations, but you could say that about IMFL as well. Come to think of it, the bike is about the same too. You're out in the sticks and there's nobody there. I kinda like it that way, but everyone is different.



A redder shade of neck on a whiter shade of trash
Quote Reply
Re: Beach2Battleship: How was it? [kkoole] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
How about a shout to ST'er Mike Coughlin (mcoughlin), second OA in a career best 9:21.

I was standing there when he came over the line. He was so excited and he looked like he could go hop in the river and start another one. Stark contrast to the other finishers just before and after him who took one step across the finish line and dropped like a bag of sand. (Not that I blame them.)


Mike ... it just dawned on me ... that was you I was talking with just as the boat was docking, wasn't it? I'm sorry if I was distracted, but I had a commitment to be somewhere and I thought that was a 2 hour cruise, not three. So please forgive me if I seemed less-than-present in the conversation. A hearty congratulations to you. It was a real inspiration to watch the way you crossed that line. I hope we meet again when I'm not in a hurry.
Quote Reply
Re: Beach2Battleship: How was it? [2WHEELS of FURY] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
This was my second iron distance race (also did Canada) and would highly recommend it. The swim is incredible- in terms of water quality, location and the push you get from the incoming tide. If you are a decent swimmer, you can absolutely smoke the swim. I did 1:03 at Canada and 50min here. Bike is flat and pretty boring- probably similar to IMF. A good thing is that it is a single loop and things get pretty spread out. I was in up front-ish (top 10%) and saw no drafting. USAT officials were out and made several passes. Run course is awesome and challening- goes over several of the bridges feeding into downtown Wilmington- providing a nice view of downtown and part is around a nice park with little to no traffic (2 loops). I'd recommend staying at the Hilton downtown which is right across the river from the finish. Downtown Wilmington has a good vibe and is a fun place to hang out. Definitely a fast 'destination' type race- which IMHO was as fun as Canada (and I never thought I would say that!)
Quote Reply
Re: Beach2Battleship: How was it? [2WHEELS of FURY] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
We had a blast. My friend did the 1/2, which was her first and came away with a very positive experience. Only thing that could have been better was the covering on bridge #2, she said it felt like she was on ice as the covering was very slippery. She wondered if no covering would have been better.

Yes more water taxis to get people out of the finish area would have been better, but even Jeremy was driving up and down the line offering people water so can't complain much.

And a big thank you for all the volunteers. You did a great job.

See you all next year.
Andy
Quote Reply
Re: Beach2Battleship: How was it? [psycholist] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
you're right the mile marker started off at 20 miles being off 1.4 and then at 80 miles it was off by 4 and at the 100 mile mark it was off almost exactly 5 miles. I was comparing it to my gps and other riders, but it worked out at the end, but it drove me nuts psychologically. It was a great race though and run extremely well for it's first year. It was my 4th full distance. I saw zero drafting on the bike course and the officials seemed to be everywhere and if anyone was slightly within 4 bikes they'd slow down and I think that got the point across since it was USAT rules and you wouldn't know if you got a 6 minute penalty until the end. So I think it was a really clean race if anyone is sick of the pelotons this would be a good race to do. I also agree about the carpet slipping around like ice on the bridges. I would think just putting plywood down would be the easiest or rubber under the carpet so it doesnt slide around. I'll do it again next year.
Quote Reply

Prev Next