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Door County Tri - a few questions

 
   
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triscooteremu

Jul 18, 12 13:56

Post #1 of 7 (319 views)
Door County Tri - a few questions Quote | Reply
With the weather somewhat resembling last year's or even warmer, has anyone gone swim skin? I think the water was 74 last I saw. Its 80 over here in Michigan City (NW IN) on Lake Michigan.

Unsure if I should go 404s (I ride a 650) or throw on the disc cover, is this a course that favors going with/without a disc? I also saw the winds have been around 10-15 but I dont see that much of a problem. It is my second time using the disc for a race so I am unsure how much hills actually defeats the purpose of bringing the disc.

Good luck to all. Its going to be a hot one.
Scooter
Long Beach, IN

I've gone crazy, couldn't you tell.


triscooteremu

Jul 18, 12 13:57

Post #2 of 7 (314 views)
Re: Door County Tri - a few questions [triscooteremu] [In reply to] Quote | Reply
Also, is there a lot of shade on the run? I remember a lot of trees back in the day when I went up there but had to ask.
Scooter
Long Beach, IN

I've gone crazy, couldn't you tell.


running2far

Jul 18, 12 14:01

Post #3 of 7 (310 views)
Re: Door County Tri - a few questions [triscooteremu] [In reply to] Quote | Reply
Disc

There is some shade throughout the run with the exception of the last 3-4 miles of the once you climb the last run hill, its wide open then.


triscooteremu

Jul 18, 12 14:03

Post #4 of 7 (303 views)
Re: Door County Tri - a few questions [running2far] [In reply to] Quote | Reply
Thanks!

Swim ?
Scooter
Long Beach, IN

I've gone crazy, couldn't you tell.


Irate_Irishman

Jul 18, 12 14:46

Post #5 of 7 (274 views)
Re: Door County Tri - a few questions [triscooteremu] [In reply to] Quote | Reply
I am going short sleeve wetsuit assuming it stays legal. Zipp 404's...because well, it's all I have.

Love how the RD is handling the expected heat. Sounds like they are ramping up the resources and they are all in on making the event as safe and worthwhile as possible. Everything I have heard about the race has been how well organized and run it is. Athlete communication so far has been excellent. I believe i saw one email telling athletes to put our big boy (and big girl) pants on and be prepared for the heat. Although I do wish they would start earlier. Looking forward to a great event.


Mark M

Jul 18, 12 14:51

Post #6 of 7 (267 views)
Re: Door County Tri - a few questions [triscooteremu] [In reply to] Quote | Reply
I have done the sprint every year since the race began and I have done both a swim and bike portion of the HIM relay a few times the last few years, once they moved the two races to seperate days. The sprint bike leg is full blown aero-disc/deep front/aero helmet/everything. The course has a few rises on an 18 mile out and back, but no matter wind direction, it tends to be fast. The run on the sprint is all wide open to the sun and usually pretty warm.

For the HIM bike, a disc wouldn't be unreasonable depending on what your goals are, but by personal preference I have used 404's as there are some technical corners in a few spots and some sneaky climbing that comes as the bike goes on, though it starts and finishes with the flat-ish miles of the sprint. The start of the HIM run is also quite wide open to the sun, goes through some middle miles of semi-shade, which includes a good sized climb, and then finishes...after an even tougher climb... into wide open sunshine in the last miles of the run.

Over the years the swim has presented all sorts of conditions, but wetsuits have always been legal, even necessary for the the HIM course. I have heard that the water is warmer in the bay this year, and while anything is possible, I still can't imagine it would be a no-wetsuit swim. I actually enjoy swimming without a wetsuit for the longer stuff if the conditions are tolerable, and I used the BlueSeventy swimskin suit in the past when it was still legal. If you want to be competitive or are looking for a PR, a full wetsuit is obviously the way to go.

While I am looking to try and go hard on Saturday in the sprint, I am doing the swim/bike combo on Sunday for "training" and am bringing my DeSoto ITU suit to swim in just in case the water is warmer than usual.

Good luck. It is EASILY one of the best produced races around.


(This post was edited by Mark M on Jul 18, 12 15:01)


Am00re34

Jul 18, 12 15:10

Post #7 of 7 (255 views)
Re: Door County Tri - a few questions [Mark M] [In reply to] Quote | Reply
I did the DC HIM last year when the temps were in the upper 90's with heat index's breaking triple digits. This year it is supposed to be in the low to mid 80's so it will not be nearly as hot. BUT it will still be warm. This is one of the best organized races I have ever done and you will not be disappointed.
I wore a wetsuit last year (sleeveless) and was fine temp-wise. This year the water is a little warmer than last year due to our hot summer, but I am wearing my full wet-suit. You are swimming in Lake Michigan so temps can change quickly. In addition, it could be a little choppy as there is expected to be a little wind (6-12mph). The bike is not all that difficult. It is mostly flat with a few rolling hills near mile 35-40. Now to the comments about it being technical is a little of an exaggeration. You do go through some subdivisions where you have curvy roads and there is some 90 degree turns when you get near the ½ way point. The majority of the run is along roads which have trees on both sides however if you are running at noon you will have no overhead coverage. Before or after noon you will get some comfort depending on what side of the road you run on. There is a decent side hill around mile 6-7 which is covered by trees. Then at mile 9 you have to go up a HUGE hill which takes you up to the top of the bluff (hence the name “you can’t bluff the bluff”). Once you are on the bluff there is NO tree coverage.
If you have any questions/concerns just send me a PM. I’ve done this race before and it is probably the best run race I’ve ever done (including IM events).