Hey All,
The race is next weekend. I’m just looking for some thoughts or pointers from those who have completed this half iron event in Tupper Lake, NY. Not a ton of info on the website, but the course profile looks flat and fast. Thanks for the help!
It’s been several years since I did it, but I think most stuff is the same. TINTED goggles- second half of the swim can be pretty bright if it’s a clear morning. Bike and run are pretty straightforward. Rolling hills for the bike, and it’s fast. Fun course in a nice area, good luck!
I’ve done the half there twice, first time was 2007 and then last year. I wouldn’t characterize it as flat. The first 1/4 of the bike is hilly, with a large hill early. The middle part is fairly flat and can be fast depending on wind conditions. The last 1/4 is hilly again. If you’re good on descents, you can minimize the effort required to power up the next hill. The run starts off with a long gradual climb. The start and end of the run is on grass, but it’s not terrible. There is a small deep sandy section of the run about half-way - take it gingerly. Don’t rely on the run course mile markers - they always seem a little off.
The transition area is nicely laid out and spacious. The racks are pre-assigned by bib number. For the bike-out, you have to cross a road that is open to traffic - sometimes they hold riders back to let the traffic go through - it happened to my wife last year - it can feel like an eternity, when you’re amped up and ready to ride hard.
I recall aid stations being plentiful and well stocked.
Tupper Lake is a nice race. It’s well supported by the community. Take advantage of all the extras (last year there was complimentary meal vouchers for the night before at the local restaurants - a chicken bbq after the race - and even free beer).
I know one year the USAT officials were checking a lot of helmets for the correct stickers - so make sure you’re good there.
Mini-race report from last year: http://blog-de-phil.blogspot.ca/2015/06/a-return-to-tupper-lake.html
Most of it has been covered.
inverted V swim course - coming back into the sun can be blinding like a nuclear holocaust.
Mirrored or tinted goggles a must.
Bike is very straightforward - ride out of town, rolling hills, turn around, ride back.
No killer climbs - 25 is plenty for most people, I usually ran an 11-23 for Tupper.
Fast, fair course.
Run - can be hot on the roads if sun is full.
Mike markers were historically for entertainment purposes only - dunno if they ever fixed that.
Pay attention - while it’s usually decently marked, an addled mind can still manage to F things up during the race.
It’s a very well supported local race.
I always enjoyed racing there.
Good luck!
Awesome, thanks!
Any idea what the total elevation gain on it is? Thanks.
Any idea what the total elevation gain on it is? Thanks.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/11636673 ← This site says 2,326 feet.
I made this graphic a while ago, but I can’t remember my sources (pardon the kms and meters)
2300ft sounds and looks right, thanks a lot! A lot of little rollers with a few actual uphill efforts. Not as flat as I thought, thanks!
I raced it in 2013. Loved it!
Swim: nothing to add
Run: Hopefully the course doesn’t have the “sand trap” section.
Bike: My stats said 678m of Elevation Gain (2224.41 ft)
Strava claims 2381’ of el gain from when I did it in '12.
PS - speaking of Strava…
my time was/is :01 F’n second off the KOM for the bike course.
Gaaaah!!!
Alls I know is my bike split is going to be faster than the Harryman split! Hoping to shave off a good 40 or more minutes.
Still time to sign up too Murphy!
Tupper is a LOT faster than Harriman.
Pretty much every non-Savageman HIM is.
It’s not just a lot less hilly, there’s also zero technical component to the Tupper course.
My bike splits for Tupper were typically a good 20-30 mins faster than Harriman.
YMMV.
PS - I’m the President of Total Aversion™ swim (non-) Training, and also a client.
And I’m a gimp running now too - so I have zero interest in Tupper, or any Half, these days.
Have fun!
Well keep digging back into the past for those nuggets of gold for me! Thanks! Ya I figured Harryman to Tupper would be a nice change of pace, elevation, etc.
Nothing much to add, other than I will be there as well and hoping to hear more from folks about the course. Looking forward to a fun race!
This was a fun race! Although the heat was brutal by the run (80s all sun). A ton of buoys on the swim, but yes very difficult to sight on the way back in facing the blinding sun. Most of the transition in the grass no worries about running on pavement. You basically can hop right on your bike once the grass meets the road. Bike wasn’t bad at all, a little rolly and fast. I actually averaged near 22mph I was ecstatic! 5 aid stations on the bike was more than enough. The run was fairly well-marked but you definitely had to pay attention to the orange arrows on the ground, and part of it went through the woods on this trial, which did include sand, mulch, and crossing a railroad track! The shade back there helped - but I know some people did get a bit lost…Volunteers were super, an aid station I think every mile on that run. Not a huge race, but certainly some competitive people in each AG. I’ll be back for sure. This was fun.
Thanks for the help!