It is decently run though fairly low-key. Pavement can be very rough in spots, VERY hilly bike course. Run course is up and down as well and the last half-mile is up, up, up. Swim is generally really cold, mid 50s, but really nice little lake and very easy swim to follow. It might be warmer this year because they have moved it a few weeks later, though last year even after an incredibly warm spring the water was still icy cold. Very long transition from the lake up to the bikes so it is best to stash something for your feet to get back up there, they have a spot to leave shoes/sandals.

I would do it again, but it is about the furthest thing from a PR course you can get, so keep that in mind.

I did the olympic two years ago, it is a beautiful spot for a race, very hilly ride and run. The swim is cold because the elevation of that lake and also it is all mountain runoff all spring. Even in August the lake does not hit 70. It is a great race, super well run. Glad they moved it later in the June.

What is the new date for this race?

I just checked....bummer same day at Tupper Lake Half IM, Tremblant 70.3. Syracuse 70.3 is the weekend before. Rev3 Quassy is June 5th so at least that one is a bit removed in time. I've done a lot of riding and running in the Franconia Notch area. Should be a great event.

Avoid.
This is probably the only race that I have ever done that I would honestly never do ever again.
I did the race last year. The bike course is unsafe, borderline dangerous: first mile or so is downhill (steep) with massive frost heaves that run parallel with your tires (so you will get thrown if you catch one). The worst part is on the main road (route 302 i think) where it is a high traffic area with lots of cars and the shoulder of the road is completely eaten up/gravel, so you basically have to ride left of the solid white line (in traffic). Note: 1 racer was air lifted after being hit by a car.
The run was poorly marked and racers got lost. Yes, we should all know the course we are racing, but when the course involves running up and down and through various parking lots, you need more arrows/volunteers pointing the way. As soon as the race directors heard about people getting lost, they sent people/volunteers out to direct racers better.
The directors really tried to run a good race, and they are continuing to try to improve (ex. the move of the date to later in the summer), but until they change the bike course or close the road, I can't recommend.

I've done it twice: the half in the first year and the Olympic in the second. My experiences were both excellent. (I understand and respect other people's different experiences).
- The water was cold but I was always ok with a sleeveless wetsuit and the water was very clear.
- The first descent of the bike is downhill but wasn't that bad in my opinion. It's an open course but that wasn't a problem for me. Because there was a race going on it felt safer than a regular bike ride would be out the same roads, and was always early enough that the traffic was very light.
- The run was completely a closed course on the rec paths. Personally, I didn't find the run routes difficult to follow at all.
- The volunteers were some of the best I've experienced: they all seemed to actually understand racing, unlike the masses of volunteers at huge races where they just need tons of people.

I found it a fun race both times and a terrific value at less than half the cost of a WTC race. I did it as early season "prep" for Timberman and other races. I would recommend it and am thinking of doing it again this summer if the dates work for me.

I don't think the riding is dangerous at all. I ride in that area a lot and it is highly frequented by cyclists. The route 3 climb is one of the best in NH, and it is a WM Fondo route. Certainly the first downhill is nothing like you would be able to experience if you were not from the area. There was plenty of warning about the road condition but if you stayed in the tire lanes it was no problem at all. There were plenty of surfaces to pass people where you could cut across the areas where there were cracks. I don't think I touched the brakes on the first downhill, and I have ridden it only 3-4 times. I had no issues at all on the run.

I have volunteered at WM the last couple of years; this year I will be racing it.

First and foremost: this is definitely not a course to go for a PR. What it is good for, however, is the scenery and the people - I am in Franconia a lot throughout the year (just about every weekend this time of year), and you would be hard-pressed to find a town with nicer folk. Lots of great places for lodging, from small motels to grand resorts to campgrounds, as well.

The swim is what it is: two loops around Echo Lake, and yes, it is some of the coldest waters around (wetsuit mandatory): it is the source of Cannon Mountain's snow making, and thus, receives all of the snow-melt once the temps start rising. It is about the cleanest, clearest water you will ever see, however. There is about a quarter of a mile run from the lake to T1, and it is all up-hill, so just be prepared.

I have not ridden the full course, but I am familiar with the roads it runs on. Like most of our roads in NH, they get pretty beat up from our winters. 18 (Profile Road) at the start is about the worst of it: steep descent and a bit rough, but really an average road for around here. 116 (Easton Road) is a great ride, lots of nice rollers along it, with a couple small climbs, and the pavement is good, but not a lot of shoulder. 112 and the climb isn't bad, again it has a better shoulder, but not much for a breakdown lane. The route out to 302 and back Route 3 I am not as familiar with, but those are state maintained highways and are generally better roads (but that is a gross over-generalization in NH, so do not take it as gospel).

The run route I am very familiar with: it utilizes all of the bike/snowmobile trails around Echo Lake and the Franconia Notch State Park, and most of it is paved. Nice and wide, a lot of shade, a bunch of rollers, and not a ton of elevation gain. The only true down-side that I see is that it is a 3-loop run. But, you have some good volunteers on the run course, and a lot of aide stations manned by the some amazing people! (Note: that is where we always are, and while I will not be at an aide station this year, my girlfriend and her kids will be once again. Say Hi and Thanks, cause they really enjoy it!)

The management has had some ups and downs, from what I have seen, but they are doing their very best to iron out the kinks, as this is a relatively new race (year #4). And they seem to genuinely care for the racers, not just collecting your fees, and have been committed to providing an enjoyable race for all participants.

As a side note: I have heard some rumors that there is supposed to be some road resurfacing this Spring along the bike course, but have NO confirmation of this info nor as to where on the course it may be taking place.

Bottom Line: If you're looking to challenge yourself a bit, and race a fun event, this is one that I would very much recommend. If, however, you are looking to PR at a Half, avoid it like the plague!

Hope this helps!
- Jeff

Bumping this thread to see if anyone has more recent experience and updates on this race.
Now 5 years after this thread started I am curious to get general thoughts on the course, race day experience, management etc. etc.

I was signed up for TInman in Tupper lake, with that canceled I registered for White Mountains since it is the same weekend and still in the northeast at least.

There is more recent tread from 2019 https://forum.slowtwitch.com/...Tri_-_6/23_P6660033/

I did it as well, you can read my opinion there.

This year I'm registered for IMMT 70.3 on the same day, but if it's not happening, I'll to the White Mountains again. It's run by Millenium Running, they're able to execute events during pandemic

So not much has changed from my above post 5 years ago, except transition is all right in the Echo Lake parking lot.

3 Mile Hill was resurfaced a few years back, but just a top coat and judging by how rough it was last weekend... it ought to be lovely come race day! Haha! But, that's NH for ya!

The course will take a lot out of you: super cold water on the swim, about 3600' of gain, and a moderately hilly run (about 55' per mile, but it seems like it's all in that last half mile!).

Management is really good, they've gotten a lot of things figured out and truly do a very good job. Food is... meh but good to base out for the apres race beers!

There's more info in the other thread that got linked, but feel free to ask any specific questions and I'll answer what I can. I'll be there - one way or another...
- Jeff

Just registered for this for 2021 (Olympic Dist) - will be my 2nd race of the year after Harvest Tri in Wareham MA

Normally it conflicts with Cohasset Tri which I prefer to race for a couple reasons, but Cohasset was postponed to 2022

I noticed that the 2021 Olympic distance run course that is posted has been extended to be a proper 10km, as opposed to the 4.4 mi (7km) stated on signup (and what I assume was used in past years) Anyone have any insights into this?

Also curious about bike/wheel selection. I ran both my bikes through Bestbikesplit and it still favored the heavier tri bike vs the lightweight climbing bike by a couple minutes.
I have a couple different wheelsets and disc wheels to pick between so I'm curious what will help me get the best time but also not be terrible on the climb and descent portion. Bike is a P3.

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Clubs/Affiliations: The Rippers / Charles River Wheelers / Cambridge Sports Union

It has some climbs for sure, but the tri bike is definitely going to be faster.

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Dimond Bikes Superfan

I do: they (FNSP) are worried about trail useage, as last year was the busiest that they have ever been. The good news: it may be longer, but a bit easier, little less elevation gain but still will be a nice run. Except the finish... that's still gonna hurt!


The route out 116 is where the tri bike will really help. Still a little climbing (can't get away from it up there) but 116 has some great rollers that is one of my favorite routes period!

It'll be a little weird not coming up Rt. 3 at all this year, but that climb back up 3-Mile Hill will burn most legs worse than Rt. 3 ever thought of being able to! Millenium had been toying with changing the bike courses so that everyone could do the KOM on the same hill, and although I cannot find anything specific on it, it looks like they've been able to getthat done.

The only thing you'll really have to worry about as far as wheel choices go is how windy and from which direction it's blowing that day: I've had my front wheel just about blown out from under me on 3-Mile Hill on my road bike (stock Aelous rims), so can get a tad hairy. Also, the winter did the surface no favors; I'd recommend a pre-ride if possible (if I can finish up some things I'll be headed that way for a ride this weekend).

If you need any info - on the course, where to stay, where to eat, what else to do, etc. - feel free to ask!

Oh - and look me up come race day, I'll buy ya a beer!
- Jeff

I'm racing the half iron distance at White Mountain for the first time this year. Does the bike really have 4700 feet of gain like the map my ride gps file says? I'm looking forward to it, but sheesh that is hilly!

Wait, they changed it this year so we have to ride back UP that nasty hill we always rode straight down out of T1? Yikes.

Well, if it makes you feel any better... I tested that hill out for an Everesting attempt and decided it wasn’t steep enough. But it is one of the longer/steeper climbs around.

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Dimond Bikes Superfan

Sorta - you cut back off 116 up Wells Rd (which is a lot of fun! But... maybe not by that point...) and then up. But, every distance has to do it, should should be kinda fun...

Make sure you got water bottles locked in tight! I can't remember how many I picked up a few years ago when I had volunteered... gotta love NH roads! ...

Looks to be 4300' bythe course map. Hard to say. I'd had the old course at 3600' but don't remember what they had it as.

With the half distance, I'm not familiar with the new loop, but it certainly looks like a killer! Sucks, as I think my bike fitness would be good for that course, but I can't run that far yet (bad ankle sprain over the winter). Maybe I'll try to ride it before the race and see how it is...

Thanks for all this really insightful info, Jeff! If anything, I should be the one buying you a beer, given how helpful you are! But regardless happy to meet up with any ST users who happen to be around after the race.

I am going to practice doing some hill repeats on the full TT setup to get a bit more comfortable with longer and steeper climbs on that bike. Not overcooking it prior to the run will be the goal. Climbing is *typically* where I excel as a road cyclist, but most of my TT efforts so far have been on flat-ish courses.

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Clubs/Affiliations: The Rippers / Charles River Wheelers / Cambridge Sports Union

Well I'm extra glad for this thread because honestly I had no idea that the course was completely changed. I've raced here a few times and thought I knew exactly what I was getting into, but apparently not! Aside from the swim it looks like almost an entirely different race. I didn't realize it was possible to make it that much more difficult but looks like that is exactly what is happening. Not that I don't ride hills all the time but this is going to be a tough one for sure.

Also glad I am on this forum as I too assumed it was the same course as before. . .yikes!

And to the person who may not want to run the full distance, may I point out that there is an aqua bike category? This old lady's knees have long given out, so this category allows me to still train and stay fit, but not need knee replacements!

Jeff--thank you for all the intel. I'll see you at check-in!

--Meg

Thanks for the heads up, the Olympic course is totally different too. Longer bike and run. The bike is 6 miles longer and the run is a full 10k.

Heads up all they changed the Olympic bike for a second time from the last post - this time its more of a figure 8 without the steep climb at the end, and it went back to 24 miles vs 28. Not sure why they are doing this. I was about to plan a pre-ride and I checked again and I am glad I did.

endosch2 wrote:

Heads up all they changed the Olympic bike for a second time from the last post - this time its more of a figure 8 without the steep climb at the end, and it went back to 24 miles vs 28. Not sure why they are doing this. I was about to plan a pre-ride and I checked again and I am glad I did.

Hah! Thanks for the update, I had been getting (morbidly) excited for that epic grind to the finish but this might help out with the run a bit. Seems like a similar overall elevation gain on the final climb, just over a longer distance and less steep ascent. 4.5 miles at ~3.5% vs 2mi at 8%

I also noticed the run has also been shortened about a mile for the oly course.

Set this up on Veloviewer for anyone who wants a preview of the new route.

White Mountains 2021 Olympic Bike Route:
https://veloviewer.com/routes/2838459547876022694

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Clubs/Affiliations: The Rippers / Charles River Wheelers / Cambridge Sports Union

Looks like the course changed again?

I'm seeing the run course for the half is now 5 loops of a 2.6 mile loop.

Looks like the bike is back down under 4000 feet of gain.

Does anyone know about bike aid for this race? It says Gatorade will be at the two stations, does that mean Gatorade endurance or regular Gatorade formula??

In 2019 it was two aid stations on the bike. One at the top of the KOM and another later on around mile 40ish if memory serves (this one was shared with the Olympic course). Water and regular Gatorade at both (not endurance). Can’t comment on the new course. Good luck!

Yeah, looks like they're finalizing some course stuff.

I'll find out what I can here in a minute...

Not a lot of info just yet. I'll see if I hear anything out of the pre-race meeting(s) this week.

I'd plan for straight Gatorade, though.

Thanks!
I actually emailed them and heard back, it is classic Gatorade unfortunately

I'll be headed up on Friday morning, gonna do a shake-out ride and swim at some point. Anyone that wants to join in, just lemme know.
.
Will probably have a beer at some point, as well - you're welcome to join in Friday and/or Saturday...

If anyone has an emergency, lemme know - if I don't have it, I either know someone who does or they know someone who does.

Can't wait to get back to it!!
- Jeff

Thanks for the insights in this thread. Amazed the course has changed... 4+ times now for 2021?

I’m not mad, of course I want the best experience I’m sure these changes are being made based on safety...road conditions ... and things of that nature. it’s just kind of funny because each time there is a new course published I’m downloading it and uploading it to various other sites including Strava, Garmin, and BestBike split and my race strategy has changed every single time since.

This latest revision of the Olympic is definitely the least “difficult” of all the prior versions, at least on paper anyways. Quite a long, very gradual climb instead of putting all the elevation in the last couple miles.

I’ve actually gone ahead and dedicated an entirely ‘unique’ bike set up for this race. Of course this was based on thinking the climbs would be a little bit more killer- but nonetheless I’m looking forward to it and excited to see how it all works out.

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Clubs/Affiliations: The Rippers / Charles River Wheelers / Cambridge Sports Union

Bah! You're over thinking it! Even if 3-Mile Hill was still how the bike ended, it isn't *that* bad. Not great, mind you, but not horrible: I'd ridden it the last 3 Sundays (I worked on the house and did nothing this weekend... I'm not really happy about it), and really it's worse going down (not as bad as it's been in the past, but... it ain't great).

What's been giving me fits on the climbs, though, are the damn bears! And last week was a cub by himself - can't understand why I PR'd that climb...

That last climb - the KOM - is still a doozy, just a bit more relaxed. But it'll all be a great time, good to get out there and hammer with everyone, and great to see a bunch of the volunteers! (Honey says, Be nice to the chick at the finish line! - it'll be her, and I'd recommend not pissing her off! Haha...)

But seriously, I am really excited, even though probably a bit undertrained (that's how I apparently like to race...), but it's gonna be fun!
- Jeff

Haha, I just got into town, wrapping up a 2k mile drive from Texas. Is it normal to hear nothing from Millenium before events? Funny, I drive all this way and never even thought about it until I got here.

I'm going to try swimming in Forest Lake this week. I hope my wetsuit is enough, but there might be some emergency cold weather gear being purchased this week! There any place near Littleton or is mail order/overnight shipping my only hope if it comes to that?

You can go around by mount Washington and down into Conway (or up and over the Kangamangus to Conway) and there is an REI and LLBean as well as other misc stores/outlets. Either drive is beautiful but it won't be a quick 15 min trek.

Cold weather gear??
The forecast I'm seeing is low of 61 degrees with highs in the 80s

You'll be overnighting anything you need, no tri shops in Littleton.

But what do you think you might need? At worst, you may need to double up swim caps. Echo is cold, but the snow has been off Cannon now for a good three weeks! Haha... seriously, double caps shojld be the only thing you need.

As for anything bike related, go right to the Littleton Bike Shop, believe the owner's name is Dave? (Seems like everyone's name is Dave up there...) They are the bike sponsor for the race, and they're good people, they'll take care of you.

For run stuff... not really sure. There's stuff in Conway, and I think Lincoln, or there's a Runner's Alley down in Concord.

But just reply here if you need something - I can give you my number and set you up if need-be.
- Jeff

Oh! Just remembered there is a bike shop in Laconia that does (or at least, did) some tri stuff years ago. But don't fret about it: there's enough around to keep you all set.

Oooh, is gone up 5-7 degrees since I looked before being in the car a few days ago. I should be able to survive the bike with arm warmers!

Awesome, thanks for the tips. Mostly worried about swim temp. I have a full sleeved wetsuit but that's it. If I order one of those neoprene caps sleeved I just get 2? Doubling up would never have occurred to me. Lakes near me are already in the 80s so...........

No, no - just regular swim caps, throw a second under the race cap. That's all you'll need.

And you will not need arm warmers. As a matter of fact, by mile 20, you won't want 'em!

Any ball park on the water temp?
By the sounds of the recommendation for double caps must be in the 50s?

I was a little slack this weekend, as I had plans to get in Echo Saturday. But, thunderstorms derailed that and it justnever ended up happening.

I'll see if I can get some definitive info.

Oh - And where the hell do you live? I don't know as if I've *ever* swam in a NH lake that was 80F, especially above the Notch!

Texas. That's why my perception of hot is slightly different! ;)

http://www.millenniumrunning.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/WMTri-athleteguide-2021.pdf

Athlete guide is now available. Looks like both the run and bike are actually the version 2 we discussed here a while back, whatever was just posted a couple days ago must have been in error. Looks like the KOM climb is available to all 3 race distances!

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Clubs/Affiliations: The Rippers / Charles River Wheelers / Cambridge Sports Union

I love how they saythe water temp was 67F on Monday! 1 ft down off the dock... on a 95F day!

2 years gothey said it was a similar temp, but a guy I know swm out 70, 80 yards or so and dropped a thermometer down a couple feet: 54F!

Echo is cold, no doubt about it!!
- Jeff

Was there somewhere on our registration we were supposed to put down a predicted swim time or list our swim ability? I don't recall doing that when I registered but it seems they are assigning numbers based on that.

Yes, it was there. I don't recall what I put down... hopefully it wasn't something stupid...

ha - I swam in Forest Lake on Monday. No idea what the temperature was but the top foot or so felt fine but lower than that... brrrrrr!!!!!

Hello Everyone—

Has anyone been able to upload the bike course maps to a device? It looks like there were built with mapmyrun, and when I tried to use the link to upload the file, it didn’t work. I had hoped the email we got today would’ve had a link to the file, but it doesn’t. I’m doing the half distance.

Thanks,
Meg

Give me ~30 min and I’ll create both a Strava and a Garmin connect route for you. This should work a lot better. On my way home now

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Clubs/Affiliations: The Rippers / Charles River Wheelers / Cambridge Sports Union

HERO STATUS!

 
OLYMPIC DISTANCE (2021)
Bike:

• Strava: https://www.strava.com/.../2838459547876022694
• Garmin: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/64812407
• VeloViewer: https://veloviewer.com/.../2838459547876022694

HALF DISTANCE (2021)

Bike:

• Strava: https://www.strava.com/.../2843296343360714456
• Garmin Connect: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/64812369
• VeloViewer: https://veloviewer.com/.../2843296343360714456

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Clubs/Affiliations: The Rippers / Charles River Wheelers / Cambridge Sports Union

Thank you so much! Velo Viewer is new to me--and very cool. I'm out in Western Mass if you need dirt roads routes!

--Meg

So bib numbers and transition are out - who's got what?

J-366 for me.

Anyone else hitting early bib pickup?
- Jeff

C-317 for me. We are driving up tonight from MA but will get there after bib pickup closes, so will plan to grab it in the AM. Feeling a ton of nerves for this race since my last one ended poorly for me with a mechanical - but have high hopes and strong ambitions for tomorrow! At least the weather is looking way better than the race a couple weeks ago. I'll look to find you at the race!

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Clubs/Affiliations: The Rippers / Charles River Wheelers / Cambridge Sports Union

Oh, I'll be there! We're just getting ready to head that way now.

I always get nerves before a race, any race, even where I'm just kinda doing this one for fun (had to back down from the half to the Oly because of crap run fitness... still recovering from an ankle injury over the winter).

I'm sure you'll be fine! Just watch that first decent: the rod is not good right now, although we've raced on it in worse condition.

A little heads-up for anyone that hasn't done this race before: if you'll be a little more tentative on the descent, please make sure to stay right! People routinely hit 50+mph on this descent and coming around a corner at speed with someone in the second lane out (there are two bikeable lanes - the inside and the outside, and the middle is simple a mess of pavement, leftovers from the NH winters) doing 25 or 30 is scary as hell! I don't know if I'll let it fly this year or not - been seeing a lot of bear on that route lately!

Hope to see you all there!
- Jeff

L-25 for me. I'll be the terrified one with a glow in the dark orange bike... or simpler - I'll be the one wearing all the cold weather clothes imaginable!

Bah! It won't be too bad! (Famous last words...)

I'm gonna head up there pretty shortly and get a swim in seeing as how I haven't been in open water yet this year...

I'm just a whole bag of shit, ain't I? Haha...
- Jeff

Can confirm: Echo is not warm! But double caps worked fine. Hands and face were a little chilly, but after a couple hundred yards it wasn't bad.

...Or maybe couldn't feel 'em anymore! Haha... just kidding, it wasn't tht bad.

Hopefully it isn't windy in the morning, though - coming down 3-Mile Hill was sketchy as hell, and I was on the bullhorns!

Can't wait to get after it tomorrow! Hope everyone has a great race! If anyone needs anything, lemme know, I'll see what I can do! If something happens in the morning, go see MiKayla, the volunteer in the wheelchair - she'll have the connections!
- Jeff

Ha, I asked if I could have a second swim cap at registration. The guy at shirts said I wouldn't need one, water temp is 70 degrees. I called BS on that!

Oh, it ain't 70!

If you need another cap, lemme know - I'll have a couple spares with me.
- Jeff

I rode by there yesterday and the water was a bit choppy with the wind. I think the wind is supposed to be worse today. Beautiful area.

Yup. Was even worse today! Was still fun, and really showed how much I slacked on training... haha!

Hope everyone thanked honey: she was giving out the finisher medals...

I'm in "rehydrating" if anyone cares to join me...
- Jeff

There was NO warning about the black bear at 19 on the bike course.
The could have put cones around the bugger or SOMETHING.
I’m call a solid 18 inch swell in the lake today or did it just seem that big?

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"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro."
Hunter S. Thompson

Ha! Told ya I'd been seeing a lot of bear on that ride lately! That's awesome - I hadn't heard anything about it before now!

There was definitely some foot-plus swells! Holy shit! Anyone else run into a boat on their swim?? Screwed me all to hell... was having great swim until that...
- Jeff

I checked with riders ahead of me I caught up to and nobody else had seen him. Not sure if anyone behind saw him scamper across the road behind me.

Which I watched him do to verify I wasn’t going to have dramatically increase my speed;)

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"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro."
Hunter S. Thompson

Funny: I set my PR up 3-Mile Hill a couple weeks ago when a cub crossed in front of me...

And apparently that wasn't the only bears on course: the was a momma with 3 cubs in downtown Franconia! One of our volunteers just showed me a vid - pretty damn cool!
- Jeff

I wish I had seen this, I would have joined you!

I doubled up the swim caps. That was the first time I've been in a swim so cold I couldn't catch my breath.

Bike was good. I was ill prepared for that run though. The downhill under the highway made my back and quads very angry.

I hate that fucking hill.

Was a great race, though, even if Mother Nature did try to kill us...

Who's up for a ride in the morning??
- Jeff

Honey said you had a great race, and were really nice... thanks for being friendly racer!
- Jeff

I did meet your wife, then! I was the Aquabiker who snuck up to her and asked for my medal because we finish "down below" and don't come through the arch at all. She was super nice! And Arron, I heard your name announced, so you placed in your AG? I was in line for food at the time.

The swim was tough, and I thanked the guards for their hard work that day. I think the section crossing at that bottom, to start the second lap was the most challenging. I did the half distance, but heard the wind picked up even more for the sprint start. The bike felt harder this year than last time, or I am just getting older. . .

Thanks so much for the help and info everyone!

--Meg

We're not married, we're happy! Haha!

The bike was definitely harder (even though I only did the Oly this year, I have ridden a lot of the new half course). I liked the courses this year, but I'm a weirdo...

And that swim was awful... I'm Ok with never swimming in water like that again...

Hope everyone had a blast! And can't wait for next year!!
- Jeff

Hi Jeff,


Thanks again for the friendly support around the race.

As far as my day went, the swim was definitely a challenge with the wind, but I was pleasantly surprised at how "comfortable" the temp was. Was not expecting the whitecaps, but they were only a significant issue on the first leg out towards the initial buoy as we headed directly upwind. It was funny how shallow this section was, I saw a few people stop and stand which was a little unexpected LOL.

Bike went pretty well. My franken-bike setup seemed to do the trick and I felt comfortable on the descent portion with only one lil' speed wobble. I ended up with a top 5 bike split and (just barely!) won the KOM challenge for the Olympic distance. Despite being relatively conservative on the rest of the climb (18 min climb!!), It definitely toasted my legs effectively cycling @ FTP pace for 20 mins immediately before hopping off for the run with no recovery spinning.

The run is what really killed me! Way hillier than I even anticipated.... Ended up hopping off and immediately feeling some side cramps that lasted the first 2 miles or so. The finish was also bruuuutal! Ended up running about a full minute per mile slower than my intended goal pace. Big-picture wise, this didn't really ruin the overall race at all, just a few places difference, but I'm looking forward to improving this aspect for next time.

final result, 2nd in AG, 10th overall.

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Clubs/Affiliations: The Rippers / Charles River Wheelers / Cambridge Sports Union