IMAZ - Swim questions?

Triathlon Forum
1

What’s the water temperature been the last few November races?Do they allow swimming on the course Thursday, Friday, and/or Saturday?Is it a one or two loop course?Is there any type of current or wind condition to account for?And last, but not least, where is the best place to line up for a “clean” line to the first turn buoy?.

2

I raced 2008 & 2009

  1. Low 60s
  2. Yes in 2008 & no in 2009. Not sure about last year.
  3. 1 loop
  4. It feels like against a slight current out and with coming back.
  5. Depends on your ability.
3

Last year, I believe there were two swims you could attend. We attended one the day before I highly recommend it. The first buoy is a mile away straight shot from under the bridge.

4

  1. the water is cold in Nov, definitly 60s. Highly recommend getting in on Saturday and making sure you put your face in the water prior to the start

  2. they did indeed have swims last year on Friday and Saturday…

  3. one loop, i’d recommend the race website as its pretty clear…

  4. there is no current, the TT Lake is basically stagnant. However there is a current created by 2500 people swimming in the same direction.

  5. The fist turn buoy is a mile away so you won’t really have much of a crowd by that point. I’d recommend climbing up on the bridge and looking at the sight lines for the bouys - the Tempe town lake isnt straight, the lake curves to the right on the way down, to the left on the way back. Check the race website too, all these questions are answered in detail there…

5

Thanks, I will check the race web site but am looking for “inside” information. Expect to swim ~ 1hr. Sounds cold; all I have is a sleeveless, do you recommend a full suit?

6

On the sleevless suit - I would consider getting a full sleeve suit. I did the first November IM in a sleevless and regretted it. I am smaller 5’8 147lbs…and was frozen when I got out of the water. Maybe if you are a little thicker you could get away with it, but I would seriously consider getting a full sleeve.

7

I would definitely go full suit. I’m 5’7" 140lb, and thought the water was perfect in a full suit.

8

The ‘inside’ information you’re going to get is regarding the temperature and how it feels. I missed a podium spot after staggering out of the water and fighting hypothermic conditions for 9 long minutes.

IMO, it’s definitely better for your performance to be warm. Get a full-sleeve wetsuit.