Consider this the next installment of useless worrying about things you can’t control:
Noticed on Cityofmadison.com/beaches that water temp this week was 81 at Olin and 77 at BB Clarke. Also, beach at Olin (near Alliant Center) was closed due to bacteria levels.
Anyone have first hand knowledge of water temp/conditions? I heard from someone at the Trek meeting this weekend that there were lots of folks swimming in Monona at the race site (in wetsuits).
Don’t go getting me excited about the possibility of IMMOO not being wetsuit legal.
It will never happen.
My wife swam there last Friday. She said the swim conditions were very similar to Steelehead in terms of visibility and temperature- a bit murky and comfortable. She thought the swim was going to be excellent.
Thanks for the info. Relieving especially since I finally gave in to the collective ST wisdom and got a real wetsuit with sleeves. And BTW your website piece on donning a wetsuit was very helpful; those sleeves really don’t cause shoulder fatigue when properly put on.
no wet-suits would be really cool…really cool old school - he-he!
The water is murky because we have had over a foot of rain in the last week. This has also brough the water temp down quite a bit. This weekend and next week looks to have lows in the lower 50’s.
I am guessing the temp is in the mid 70’s right now, and that it will fall to 72-3 by race day…like every year.
BB
Don’t worry. I am sure IMNA will find a way to make it wetsuit legal. It hasn’t really been as hot as the past 4 years so I would say there is no chance wetsuits wont be allowed.
I was fishing there last week and the water temp was 80 F. This topic seems to worry everyone annually. With the days getting shorter, the lakess cool down rapidly. Less exposure to the sun and the temps drop fast in September. As another poster noted, we have had a ton of rain lately and this should clear up the bacteria issue. The stagnant water (pre-rain) begins to breed high levels of bacteria thanks to the waterfowl and other factors. All will be fine by the 9th.
Well, the rain has helped in some regards, but, if it doesn’t let up soon, the entire run course will be “wetsuit legal” …
Thats what we thought last year Tom!
I must say, with all due respect (and a little teasing):
For a group of people who train and race through all kinds of crap weather (especially in the northern climes) ALL YEAR, there are a heck of a lot of nervous nellies around here…
If IMoo has crap weather again or no wetsuits (HIGHLY doubtful) or whatever, so be it.
**there are a heck of a lot of nervous nellies around here… **
Hey, I resemble that remark! 
If IMoo has crap weather again or no wetsuits (HIGHLY doubtful) or whatever, so be it.
For sure, i’ll be ready for anything…“so be it” is right!
We swam in Lake Monona on Saturday - it was just fine temp-wise in a full wetsuit. The visibility in this lake is not the best - it is and always will be murky and green.
FYI - for those training for IMMOO in 08, mid-August every year, one of the swim coaches here in Madison hosts the annual ‘Open Water’ swim. They set up four buoys in the four corners of the Ironman swim course and then kayakers line the long stretch going out and coming back. They give you the option to swim one loop (1.2 miles) or two loops (2.4miles). It was a great prep day for IMMoo, however, the waves that day were horrendous due to the rainy/windy weather. It is not a race that is promoted or marketed like it could be…there were approx 20 people for the 1.2mile swim and 80+ for the 2.4mile. The weather this year probably kept alot of people from swimming due to the rain and the waves. The waves were worse than 06 IM WI. At least we are ready for anything…only 15 days til IM WI!
All age groupers can ALWAYS (if water temp is less than 84 degrees) chose to wear a wetsuit per USAT rule 4.4:** 4.4 Wet suits. **Each age group participant shall be permitted to wear a wet suit without penalty in any event sanctioned by USA Triathlon up to and including a water temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water temperature is greater than 78 degrees, but less than 84 degrees Fahrenheit, age group participants may wear a wet suit at their own discretion, provided however that participants who wear a wet suit within this temperature range shall not be eligible for prizes or awards. Age group participants shall not wear wet suits in water temperatures equal
to or greater than 84 degrees Fahrenheit.
When the water temperature is greater than 78 degrees, but less than 84 degrees Fahrenheit, age group participants may wear a wet suit at their own discretion, provided however that participants who wear a wet suit within this temperature range shall not be eligible for prizes or awards.
I believe that this is more what he is refering to. I know that most people are not in it to win it, but out of principle, even as a BOP athlete on race day, if it is over 78 I will not wear a wetsuit.
Unless you are a PRO, I didn’t think there were prizes or awards at an IM race? I assume even a KONA slot is not considered a prize or award?
I think prize or award means getting an award at the awards ceremony for an AG’er. And it should take you out of the running for a Kona slot (I believe)
My understanding is that when you elect to use a wetsuit during events where the water temp is too high takes you out of the running for AG placings, Kona slots, etc. I think that they put you in an entirely separate division apart from the normal AGers, some sort of wetsuit user division.
I know that it has happened before but can’t think of any exact races or dates off the top of my head to look up.
After biking from IL into WI today, and seeing all the standing water and overflowing creeks everywhere (and this was before today’s megastorm), I’m envisioning instead of swim-bike-run, just swim-swim-swim. A friend has already offered to loan me her scuba gear…