Steelhead 70.3 Report

Triathlon Forum
1

Class act. Claassss Act.

Perfect weather aside…the race was awesome. This was my first 70.3 and won’t be my last. The swim was a magical 40ish-minute stroke through clear calm rolling water.
I loved seeing a 30’ tall Gatorade water bottle signaling the end.

The bike course was so fun. I can’t say enough about the volunteers and the support. I was in wave 15 out of 16, and was still treated like a pro. Drafting was quite low, but blocking was almost comical from those oblivious to anything else. Oh well.

I was surprised to see so many flat tires and so much expensive gear laying in the roads (X-Labs, tubulars, etc). And I must’ve seen 20 yellow plastic-sponge-things in the road from the Profile Aerodrink. Glad I searched this forum and learned to stuff mine in there sideways.

The riders were really fun for the most part. I passed and was passed by a great group of riders.

The run is where it all seemed to come together. The heat set in…all what - 82ish degrees of it? But the aid stations were prepared. Well-stocked, with great attitudes. I was blown away.

I’ll never forget the final mile and finish. The crowds, the music, the drinks, and the crazy shower-tent…wow.

Post-race, I met Tom and Sarah Demerly and had a quick chat. Wow, what a neat couple. So nice to meet such a friendly couple w/ great attitudes.

I’ll definitely be back next year. An IM might not be my thing, but a HIM is definitely for me. This one was killer.

2

I agree with everything you mentioned about the race. We were very fortunate with the weather as it is 5:00 am in Michigan and raining buckets! The lake was perfect which the last two weekends there were swells and waves quite high and lower temps. The sponges were a great addition to the aid stations. The people at the Pizza Hut tent worked just as hard as anyone both days. Great race, great volunteers, great weather! I was amazed though at all the water bottles and gear on the road. I saw a girl lose two bottles within seconds of each other after hitting a bump in the road. Crazy.

3

I thought the race was great. However I did see quite a bit of drafting. I was in wave 4, and plenty of people passed me. Most of them legally, but after I passed mile 30, three separate groups of 5-8 men and women flew by me in pace lines.

I was also surprised at how rough so much of the pavement. I live in a small town, so most of my riding is on country highways and county roads, and the pavement is way better where I live.

But overall I thought it was a great race. I especially loved the swim - I always do, but I really enjoy getting to swim in the great lakes - like swimming in the ocean, minus swallowing all the crappy salt water.