Anyone here doin it? What’s the water gonna be like? How hilly’s the bike? Any idea about race day temp?
I did Musselman last year. Best half I’ve ever done (but far from my best race). From what I remember:
-Swim is a little choppy because it’s such a big lake. I had a slower swim than usual by a minute or two. I swam in a sleeveless suit and was fine.
-Bike is pretty straightforward. Nothing killer. Seemed to be downhill after the halfway point. I crashed at about mile 40, which sent my race to crap, but at the time I was on pace for about a 20 minute bike PR.
-I only cruised the run just to finish, but I recall it being “harder” than the bike course. There’s one deceptively tough hill about half way through. Not too much shade either.
-Temps were hot and humid. About what you’d expect for the northeast in July.
I plan to go back sometime in the future, if only because the race organization was top notch.
-Nick
I’ll be there! My first HIM.
From what I understand the water will be cool but comfortable in a wetsuit. Just don’t stop and walk in the shallows unless you’re wearing something on your feet. the zebra mussels for which the race is named can slice your feet. The bike is supposed to be pretty fast with some rollers. The run is hilly early with one nasty-ass climb about halfway, but then it’s a net downhill to the finish.
As for temperatures, it’s the middle of July. It’s probably gonna be pretty toasty. I’ll sign up for seasonalby warm versus what I understand was a brain baker last year.
Good luck and maybe I’ll see you there!!
I am in for the double this year after making this my first HIM (and second race) in 2005.
The swim was wavy but the water was warm - I think it was somewhere near 76 degrees. The have changed the swim to a two loop this year which I think is better.
The bike is up for the first half and down for the second half. In 2005 my bike time was 2:48 with 1:30 in the first half and 1:18 in the second. There is one hard left at the bottom of the hill that you have to slow for but other than that pretty safe and nice course.
The run is pretty tough but it was hot & humid in 2005 as well and I blew around 6 miles in so the rest was not fun. The hill at mile 7 is steep but not overly long.
Good luck.
Rob
I did the half last year. I thought it was an awesome race and would do it again. swim was fine… wavy but I’m sure that varies. Just swim until your fingers are scraping the bottom and you cannot swim no more. There were alot of rocks on the bottom so don’t stand up until you must. Bike was fast. enough hills to mix it up but nothing big. I rode a 2:33 on that course which was a 5 min PR for me. The run had some decent hills as I recall, but it also has alot of flats. The first 2 and last 2 miles are dead flat. Great race though.
Is 76 typical for that lake that time of year. That sounds warmer than I thought it would be.
I am in for the HIM. Planning on driving up from NYC real early Friday + staying in the dorms. Any recs on good restaurants for pre-race lunch/dinner? Any word about which pros will be on hand for the ITU race?
I;m in for the half also!
I’ll be heading up fri afternoon and staying in the dorms with a bunch of people, some doing the sprint and most doing the half. Watching the sprint sat am, watching the ITU race from the boat sat afternoon. Racing sunday and partying sunday night 
Anyone here doin it? What’s the water gonna be like? How hilly’s the bike? Any idea about race day temp?
Yesterday I was at the state park and the water is now 69 degrees. It’s been a cool spring but the past few days have been HOT, so the water is coming up nicely. Should be the usual low-to-mid-70’s by race day.
The bike is hilly to a Kansan and flat to a Coloradan. Here’s an interactive profile:
http://www.onemillionrevolutions.org/maps/profile.php?segmentID=2
(Don’t let it scare you. Note the scale on the left side of the chart.)
The race day temperature could be anywhere from 70 to 90. We were unlucky last year, so we’re due for some moderate temps this year. As a point of comparison, today is supposed to be 90 and the end of the week will be mid-70’s. We have our fingers crossed!
Tri Nic, you have the right idea - come for the full weekend!
Hope this helps.
kind regards,
Jeff Henderson
race director
Did the race in 2004, it’s first year. Jeff the RD is a pretty amazing guy, and the race has a great feel to it.
Don’t worry too much about the zebra mussels. Yes, they are there, but Jeff set up the start/finish so you can pretty much avoid them. I believe the start is different the past few years, as when I did the race the start and finish were very shallow – like 200M of aqua-running, which likely accounted for my swim PB. Water temp is prob. around 70.
Bike is fast and relatively flat, and somewhat scenic.
Run mostly lacks shade, but is entertaining. Except for the very grim hill at around mile 7.
Dinner we did at the carbo-load party, and lunch I grabbed from the sandwich place in town (like a college sandwich shop). The town, while pretty in many parts, did not exactly strike me a culinary oasis.
I’m in for the half and my wife is racing the mini-mussel on Saturday. Should be interesting as I’m also racing the Peterborough Half the week before. First time I’ll have done 2 Halfs a week apart!
Looking forward to it, I’ve heard only great things about the race and the Finger Lakes region.
I’m doing it too! This will be my first HIM. I’m excited.
John is racing ITU on Saturday and depending on how he feels might join me on Sunday!
Can’t wait.
I did the HIM in 2005. Great Race.
The water was plenty warm and I didn’t hear of anyone having problems with the “mussels”. There will be a bit of hype at the pre-race meeting/before the start about cutting your feet on the zebra mussel’s and people will talk about duct-taping the bottom of your feet, wearing aqua socks, etc. I didn’t hear of anyone getting cut, so I don’t think it is really a big problem. Just don’t stand up and run when you are really far from shore, as the liklihood of stepping on the little bastards increases in the less traveled areas.
The bike was fast. The first half was rolling, with one sort-of decent climb right at the turnaround. You will think this is a “steep” hill if you live in Kansas or Nebraska. For everyone else, it is more of a big roller. The second half of the bike is a hammerfest. After the turnaround it is a ever-so-slightly downhill (appears flat) section for a good 10 miles, with the wind at your back. The course is very scenic, going through various vineyards and farmland. A highlight will be if you have to pass some of the menonites in their horse-drawn carriages.
The run was rolling, with a decent hill at mile 7. The biggest thing in 05 was the lack of shade. The heat was pretty brutal and made for a tough run. After the halfway hill, it is all either downhill or pancake flat.
Good race, great organization, only wish is that it wasn’t so close in time to IMLP.
Two weeks to go!
I live on the lake and yes 76 is warmer than usual.
But that is good because you shouldn’t over heat in your wetsuit.
It usually is pretty calm.
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