Just wanted to let everyone know that several Slowtwitchers took Dans advice and raced a 1st year race this past Sunday. This race was a half-iron and in my opinion was a pretty challenging course. Since this was my first Half I had nothing to base it off on but I split 31min for the swim in my T1(thanks Emilio), 2hrs 38min on the bike(Thanks frank at Renn awesome wheel) and a 1hr 46 min run which half of it was on soft sandy trail which took alot out of me. I ended up with a 5hr 58sec race 59sec longer than I had wanted to do but I am still pleased with my effort.
I am curious what others felt about the race Record9ti, DaveinWI anyone else? What are your thoughts of the race. Everyone who did it congrats and I hope your races all went well. Take care…
I agree, I thought the race was very challenging. The hills and the wind made the bike challenging at times. I particularly liked the “jungle hill” that was tucked into the forest that almost required me to walk up the hill. The run freaked me out at first because I was expecting a limestone type trail but the tall grass and loose sand made me feel like I was doing an Xterra race. The second loop of the run was much better because I knew what I was expecting. Overall, I really liked the race. It was a different twist to your typical half-ironman. Thanks to the race organizers for putting on a fun and challenging event. Anyone have a perspective on how this bike course compares to IM Moo?
Tough course, I hope IM WI is a bit easier. Swim was easy, (26min) with a good transition area. Great bike course, very hilly. some road surfaces were very rough. I tried some gear for IM Wi (Camelback) and also used a road bike set up in the Slam position. I am not sure if it made a difference (2hr:39min). Used Cosmic Carbons, I don’t know if a disc would have helped much.
The run was tough with some hilly XC sections but very scenic. I just wish they had more water stations and mile markers.
All in all a good first time race and happy with my results
I give that race an A- , very well ran. The only things I could think that could improve is more porto potties on the run (though I did not need any).
I thought the course was a very good lay out - the swim though stinky was nice and easy - good transition. The bike was IMO just about right, I did like the rough roads as my Softride just does not really care about that. The only really tough part was that hill that was in the woods…Dorothy style dark woods (get it? TinMan) Heading out of the woods was 32+ mph with a tail wind though - quite fun.
The run was HARD for me. I have never ever done any trail running before and now think that running uphill in sand pits is insane.
Well, I did what I planned to do…I went out, did the race, never got my heart rate above 150bpm (except for two shots to 175+ on the Dorothy hill). I got to the line in 5:30 and kinda wished I had gone a bit harder - like 160-165 just to see where I was in the standings. Maybe next year?
It was also kinda funny that I by luck happened to rack my bike next to Dave from Wi. He was with another Slowtwitcher. I am truly honored that he knew I was me, based on the Campy kit on the bike . I did not see anyone after the race that was from Slowtwitch so I just drive home and tried to figure out how the heck I replace the turbos on my damn car…
I have to give credit to Craig for recognizing your bike, Chip! He and I had traded e-mails before the race and met at the check-in on Saturday. I was racking my bike next to him on Sunday morning, and he mentioned that you were in the spot next to me and how he knew it was you by the Softride w/Record. Yep, three Slowtwitchers in a row! Maybe we can all get Slowtwitch tri singlets for next year (at a bulk discount, right Dan? )!
Anyway, just as the others have stated, it was a very well-run race with a challenging bike and run. I, too, loved the jungle-like section (love, in the “omigod-I-can’t-believe-how-steep-this-is” sense), and as Record9ti pointed out, the super-fast, tailwind-aided exit from it. And “Xterra” was EXACTLY what went through my mind on the first section of the run! It was like the Oregon Trail in the 1800s: Loose sand, a little water, some mud, high grass, wagon ruts. And the organizers liked it so much, they made it a two-loop course (“The run so nice, you do it twice”)! On top of all that, I experienced MAJOR leg cramps on the second loop that reduced me to a limping, shuffling, grimacing mess (Endurolytes, here I come). The one funny note was a woman who saw my suffering and suggested I lick my arms to get some salt. So now I know what cats and dogs have known for centuries: Licking yourself is the key to success.
Despite my disappointment in my finish time (5:17 with a 1:58 run/shuffle), I had a great experience and hope to do it again next year (sans cramps). It was so cool to meet some fellow 'Twitchers and put faces to the names.
Maybe we should talk to the race director and next year have a rack just for slowtwitchers so we can all meet each other and then maybe we can all get purple singlets and ride together…Oh wait another group already does that!!!Ha Ha Ha!!! Anyway I was going to email Jenny the RD and tell her that it was a good first time race. I agree that there needed to be more aid stations on the run that included coke and salt to dip(my ultrarunning is coming back to me on that one). All in all a good race. I to liked the climb into the dark woods and that exit was mighty fast. I am glad the wind was blowing the way it was. I am glad that I met some of you Record and Dave and I look forward to meeting the rest of you sometime soon. Good luck at all your future races.
Sorry I missed the Slowtwitch reunion. Hope you guys had a good time.
The race was definitely tough. I was thinking 5:30ish going in, but I was dreaming. I got kicked in the thigh coming around the last buoy of the swim and was hobbling the rest of the day. I’ve gotta bruise today the size of a baseball. Sand and trail running is definitely not up my ally. I sort of mailed it in on the run and did the survival shuffle. First really, really bad day I’ve ever had in triathlon, but I guess I had one coming. I saw plenty of people that were kind of staggering and wandering, so I don’t feel too bad. Only 2 guys went under 4:30! It was tough out there.
I talked to the RD after the race. He sat down next to me and just started quizzing me on the course – I didn’t even know who he was. Anyway, he said they might move the run course off the trails and onto the road, depending on the feedback they get. I’ll be back next year either way.
Nope, did not see the Look with Record. Did you run 10’s? I took the 10’s off of my bike and put on 9 just in case…if I needed support (but I dont think there was any on the bike as the guy who broke his chain on the first lap was still sitting there when I passed the Dorothy hill on the second lap…and as I was coming in after my first lap on the run - he was walking the bike into the park. I imagine he did not think the race was well run at all. I think that I will be on 9’s this year at Madison also…just for the support aspect. (If I make it to Madison - I have yet another MRI this Friday)
What was kinda scarry for me is that I have some vision loss in my right eye that limits my peripheral vision to the right side, I went off the road to the right three times on the bike and did some grass riding. I am not afraid to crash, I dont want to take any other people out if I do. I am very happy that it is not legal to pass on the right.
My 10’s are always spot on…my only worry at times is that if there is neutral support, and I break a chain - sure as hell they will only have ShimaNO chains…to fat for a 10.
I agree with the previous posts that the race was well-organized, with plenty of volunteers and corner workers. Obviously a lot of preparation went into planning a fun and safe event. Could have used a few more mileage signs later in the run. It was a tough run on the trail and I was looking for the finish to come soon.
. I did not see anyone after the race that was from Slowtwitch so I just drive home and tried to figure out how the heck I replace the turbos on my damn car…