I know the race isn’t for a few weeks, but thought I’d start the buzz early while pain in my legs is fresh.
I did a “legs-on” reconnaissance of the run & the bike courses. The event is both a 70.3 & a full, so notes apply to both. For reference I went 11:20 there in 2016. (perfect weather). If you are an 11/12 hour athlete, you may find this info. somewhat helpful.
Bike. This is a NEW course. Hilly & grinding. Only fools (or those with exceptionally poor bike handling skills) would do choose a road bike. I was thinking Scott Foil with Zipp 404s. Nope. TT bike with disc. I’m a 5.5 - 6 hour rider on other courses (155 pounds). Strongly suggest a 30 cog. Two climbs of note for you. a) The Callahan: Not super steep nor ALL climbing. Took 35 minutes on a 190 watt budget. b) Last climb before arriving back to Whistler. Perhaps the steepest pitch of the course. Two final things about bike course. a) I experienced LOTS of sneaky crosswinds. Was sitting up for a lot of the downhills. Could have been the traffic. Maybe a less aggressive position is needed. Sad to piss away hard-earned speed. b) It was hard to establish rhythm. Undulating, I was changing gears *ALWAYS! Wished for electronic shifting.
Run. Deceptively slow. Lots of shade. The first section around Lost Lake is a bit hilly. A mix of crushed gravel & pavement. Running path is a bit narrow in places. Twists and turns as well. I envision congestion on race day. Once out of village area, there’s a “no-brains required” section. Tune into your body and make it happen. But wait.There are energy sucking wooden bridges. Lift your knees! Rest of the run to the turn-around is gorgeous. You are either in a forest or along the lake with jaw-dropping mountain views. Your payback is the return to the village. Deceptively slow. False flats. Don’t despair, it’s not you. Once you get about a k from the village you have a few not-so-insignificant pitches. Don’t despair. For most of us 11/12 hours folks, strength trumps speed. Watch the Dave Scott video on running for an Ironman, then write me a cheque.
Where are we having the ST Reader’s forum get-together at 2PM on Saturday July 27th ?
I’m doing the Half this year - my first time doing the race in Whistler.
Not sure i’ll have time to attend a meet-up (i’ll be dragging along my 2 kids and mom all weekend)
As an aside - I have a question for one of the valley’s foremost triathlon minds
I haven’t really started riding my bike much yet - haha and the start is in a month! I’ve been swimming 2-3 times a week and could probably do a stand alone half marathon in like 1:30 or so if someone put a gun to my head. But… my bike has an actual layer of dust on it. What do you recommend for the next 30 days???
I had a very different experience riding the course in training vs. race day (in 2016). In training, on the shoulder, dealing with debris and watching for traffic flying by, the highway was an unpleasant ride and I was taking the downhills pretty carefully. But on race day I found it much easier to maintain speed, except for a few spots where I was blocked (including the downhill going up Callaghan).
Thanks for the information. This will be my first full, but I have done a handful of halves here in Hawaii…cautiously looking forward to the race!
Has anyone posted a video preview of the bike or run courses?
Weather: A few friends raced in 2015 and it was frigid…I am preparing for the off-chance that can happen again, but what is the “abnormal” heat like if that is the weather we are dealt?
First Full here, I have a place in Whistler and go every year. Very excited but have a lingering left knee pain when I run. Might be a death march but can’t DNF on the home course in the last race.
Yep - that Bruce Wenting. It seems like you moved to Alberta from Abbotsford about the same time I moved from Airdrie to Mission.
As far as weather goes, bring clothing for just about anything. 2015 was that UGLY year that Symonds dropped out because it was so cold and rainy. 2018 was super hot (folks say in the upper to mid 30s). Symonds did better on that day, but Brent M, did even better!
They actually did a massive rebuild of the Airdrie L. C. in “recent times” - our daughter used to be the facility manager there when it was MUCH more intimate. That was the place where I didn’t learn to swim.
Best of luck at the Calgary race. Maybe a bike PB?
