I don’t often post race reports. I don’t believe that many are really that interested in my personal race results. Last year was an exception where there was a little smackdown going on between me and jaretj, but he has left me in the dust and doesn’t seem to be looking back, but I digress.
First, I want to recognize Joyce and Jim Donaldson (even though Joyce wasn’t there today) of Elite Endeavors. They continue to put on great races in Ohio and Michigan. I had my doubts at the post-race party in Ann Arbor when they grilled hot dogs for everybody, but they overcame that at Waterloo with grilled chicken sandwiches and baked beans! Right back on track.
Second, there were some really fast people out there today. I raced more than a minute faster than last year (when I placed 3rd in the AG) and could only muster a 10th place finish. Everybody was just flying today.
Finally, I can’t believe that the results are already posted on the internet. I don’t even have my bike out of the trunk of the van yet and these things have been up there for more than an hour and a half.
It was a great day for racing and was totally enjoyable.
It’s not the same not chasing you around the bike course.
I think that I would have been chasing you. Although it seems that I may have gotten out of the water just ahead of you, I think you got through transition faster. You had a really good run!
My first time doing Waterloo and I second Elite Endeavors great events. Jim & Joyce do a *fantastic *job.
The course was really fun and I especially liked the run, rolling dirt roads and then onto a trail. The bike course, I think I saw *maybe *a couple vehicles.
You’re right about smoking fast folks. So who *is *the guy I saw posted who finished the swim in 8:21!!! 880 yards in 8:21!!! and that’s including the, what, 1/4 mile hike uphill to transition?? Cripe I wasn’t even to the first buoy in 8:21!!!
All in all a great day, even the view from the BOP
I looked at the times yesterday and it looked like there were a lot of fast people out there. One of my training partners, Zoe, had a great race and won her AG. Looked like the bike course was smokin’ fast too. Thanks for the report.
I’m pretty sure that swim time was an error. It’s highly unlikely that he would have beat the next person by 4:41. My guess is that he accidently went in wave 1 instead of wave 2 like he was supposed to. That would have made his swim time 16:21, which would be much more realistic.
That has to be a mistake, right? I can’t imagine somone swimming almost 4 minutes faster than Matt West in an 800 m swim, unless this guys is just out of this world fast!
**I’m pretty sure that swim time was an error. It’s highly unlikely that he would have beat the next person by 4:41. My guess is that he accidently went in wave 1 instead of wave 2 like he was supposed to. That would have made his swim time 16:21, which would be much more realistic. **
My wife saw that guy come out of the water. She could tell because he was the only white cap coming out with all of the yellow ones. It seems pretty evident that he went in the first wave because if anything the course was a bit longish (I thought).
I saw Zoe finish, she was on fire! She had 2nd and 3rd hot on her heels. I ran with Zoe on the Poto a couple of months ago. She is hard-core. Clearly the new race wheels were working for her!
We’ve been training super hard for IMMOO, I can’t wait to get back there for my “unfinshed business.” I talked to her yesterday afternoon and she said that she just felt great out there and that she was able to hold 2nd and 3rd off. Those race wheels are definitely working out for her as she almost averaged 23mph. She is truly hard core!
The course was really fun and I especially liked the run, rolling dirt roads and then onto a trail. The bike course, I think I saw *maybe *a couple vehicles.
Waterloo could possibly be my favorite venue. The Park is so nice. The roads aren’t heavily travelled. The run course is nice and rolling, no crazy hills to climb (i.e. Little Appallacia). The trail was nice too, very wide (this is important to me because of all of the people who pass me!). But it is not a super easy course like Sylvania. Just a nice mix. The Park is well-laid out too, parking is close the bike transition is convenient, a nice shaded area for the post-race party and a beach. Does it get better than that?
I agree, that the one downside is the swim to bike transition. But it is still better than it used to be (a gravel trail!), and compare it to Ann Arbor with that monster hill you have to run up.
We’ve been training super hard for IMMOO, I can’t wait to get back there for my “unfinshed business.”
Yes, you do. Hard training will get you there!
**Bern are you doing Steelhead? **
Speaking of unfinished business…No. Jaretj already called me out on this, as he is still 39 and we could go head-to-head. He would be tough to beat this year with his training going as good as it is. I wish I could, but other responsibilities are getting in the way of my fun time. In fact, my tri season is done for the year. I am training for the Marine Corps Marathon, but other than that it is work and school.
Oh, the grill chicken sandwiches were great. I forgot to add that.
So much better than hot dogs! Even the baked beans were good, which for us vegetarians was the option. I ought to ask them if I can bring a bunch of Garden Burgers or something to throw on the grill. That would be the BOMB (as my kids would say)!
Jim and Joyce consistently produce excellent quality events. They have a long history of fine races even in the case of sme pretty challenging obstacles that every race production organization faces. The difference with Elite Endeavors is that Jim and Joyce always step up to the plate to make the event the best possible and it shows in their results.
Another really great project and an idea of Joyce Donaldson’s is the upcoming Women’s Only Triathlon in Sylvania, Ohio about 45 minutes south of Detroit on July 29th. We’ll be there with neutral support helping Jim and Joyce host this rapidly growing second year event. I remember when Joyce came up with the idea she mentioned she though we may break even if we had as few as 100 participants. By race day onthe first year it was well over double that. This year it is already bigger still. It’s a non-intimidating format designed specifically for women looking to challenge themselves by completeing a sprint distance triathlon. There is a time trial start (one swimmer starts at a time- no crowded start).
Thanks for pointing out Jm and Joyce’s efforts. They always do a nice job and that does deserve recognition.
Yup - Waterloo was good fun! There is such a good vibe there - I was chatting (as much as chatting is possible between wheezes and gasps) on the run with two girls in my AG about the race, and whatever else. Yes, its competitive, but its so much nicer when it brings out the best in people instead of the worst. - Zoe
I thought it was the longest half mile, but I’m rather inexperienced at judging these OW swims.