New Sprint Triathlon Series in Savannah

After holding three successful sprint tris at L. Scott Stell Community Park in Savannah, Radek Parnika has decided to make it a four-race series for 2009. This is the same model as the Charleston Sprint Series at James Island, and actually, the race is very similar in distance. For more information about this race and course, read the race profile I wrote earlier this year.

The distances are:
500 Yards Swim (lake/pond)
16 Mile Bike (flat and fast; open to traffic, but very little; wind could be a factor)
3 Mile Run (2 loops around the lake/pond within the park; 200 yds or so of XC)

2009 Race Dates:
#1 MARCH 29
#2 APRIL 19
#3 MAY 10
#4 MAY 24

All events take place at 7:30 on Sundays, L. Scott Stell Community Park, Savannah, Ga.

Click here to for more information.

Upstate Y Sprint Triathlon Series
I heard about this series of sprint tris last year. I’ve never raced any of them, so I’m not sure about cost, number of participants, etc. I considered going to Rock Hill last year because the Rock Hill race also offered a duathlon event at the same time. But it’s a hike. In fact, except for Irmo, I don’t think any of these are ‘drivable’ from Charleston on race morning.

Here are the tentative dates for 2009:
April 5: Anderson
April 19: Greenwood
May 9: Rock Hill
May 30: Middle Tyger
June 13: Irmo (new to the Series)
July 19: Union
August 19: Laurens
September 12 or 19: Pickens

Click here for more information.

Cancelled Events for 2009

The 2009 Tybee Marathon, Half-Marathon and 5K events have been cancelled. Not much more information on their website, but it does say “Look for our return in 2010.” I hope that’s the case. I hate to see races die, and I don’t want to add this race to my RIP list.

Here's a blurb from Savannah's daily paper: "Volunteer shortage, sponsorship issues force one-year hiatus. The Tybee Marathon is taking a breather. Organizers recently cancelled the 2009 edition of the area's longest running road race. A representative of the Savannah Striders Track Club, which has put on the race since it moved from Savannah to Tybee in 1996, blamed a shortage of volunteers as well as Memorial Health's decision to withdraw its sponsorship. The Striders plan is to renew the race in 2010."

I don’t know too much about this event, but it’s one of the three marathons in the area – Myrtle Beach (Feb), Tybee (Feb), and Kiawah (Dec). It’s less expensive than the others, and the field is really small (just over 300 for the marathon). It’s a flat course, so times can be fast, but you never know how cold it will be.

My brother did this race a few years ago and said he was pretty miserable. It was really cold and windy, and with so few other runners, he ran long stretches of highway seemingly alone. Of course, this was his first marathon, and part of that misery was because first-time marathons aren’t typically pleasant, particularly miles 20-25.

But I can see his point. For a first time marathon, you probably want to run in a larger field, and even better, with a friend or family member. It helps keep you motivated. Other runners can pull you along; remind you that you are indeed in a race and not running alone; block wind; keep you company, etc.
















My first marathon was in Las Vegas with about 10,000 other runners. By mile 15, I had run down the entire Las Vegas strip and through Fremont St., seen a live band at each mile marker, saw several couples get married at mile 5 (only in Vegas), saw at least 50 runners dressed as Elvis, and one naked runner (he had on only a nude-color bikini). And that’s with people all around me and crowds lining the streets for much of the race. The miles flew by and it was a great experience for a first marathon.

Now, with a marathon under my belt (3:57 by the way), if I wanted to go for a lower time and stay closer to home, Tybee would work perfectly. So, come on Tybee. We do indeed “look for your return in 2010.”

Tour de Georgia Cancelled
This announcement was made a few weeks ago. Bummer. Apparently they couldn’t secure a title sponsor but do hope to regroup for 2010. This race has turned out to be a pretty popular event, attracting many big time professional teams, including the old Disco team and Lance himself.













A buddy of mine went down the past few years and said it was a blast. And unless
you go to California or France, this is probably the only professional stage racing you’re likely to see. Let’s hope this event bounces back in 2010.

If you want more information, check out this article from Pro Cycling News.

Resolution 5k Cancelled
Not to end on a bad note, but I don't see any listing for the Resolution 5k. This is an early morning New Year's Day 5k. I think this would be the 7th year they've done this race. I ran it several years ago and it's a fun way to start the year. Maybe it's there and I just can't find it. We shall see....

Bald spot grows exponentially in 2008

Mt. Pleasant, SC – While viewing a photograph from a recent race, area resident Justin Ward expressed surprise at the diameter of his ever-increasing bald spot. “I really don’t ever see the top of my head,” said Ward in a recent interview. “I mean, I knew it was there, but from the looks of things, I’d say it’s really on the move now.”

Ward, long-known for his Eddie Munster-like receding hairline, welcomed the ensuing battle royale on his head for balding dominance. “It’s really turning out to be good a race. My receding hairline has been the dominant feature of my male pattern baldness for over 10 years. Now, with my bald spot making this powerful move, I’d say it’s going to be a real battle.”

Experts agree that it could go either way at this point. “I got the receding hairline as a slight favorite at the moment,” says one Vegas odds maker who wishes to remain anonymous. “But really, with this kind of thing, you really can’t tell. We’ll know more next year for sure.”

Bluffton Races

There's a tiny race production company in Bluffton called Play Hard Sports, Inc. The past few years they've put on a duathlon series and several 5ks. These are small events, but since there really aren't many trail runs in the area, or duathlons for that matter, I'm going on record saying it's worth the two hour drive. And these events could really get going with a few more participants from the Charleston area.

The next race is a 5k trail run (and 1 mile fun run) at Oldfield Plantation on November 15.

Dates for the 2009 duathlon series are:
Race #1 January 31st
Race #2 February 28th
Race #3 March 28th

The duathlon consists of a 5K run, 6 mile trail bike, 5K run. There are three races and two different courses. The February 28th duathlon is at Rose Dhu Creek. I've never raced here, but you can get course info from the website.

The January 31st and March 28th races are at the Pinckney Colony Course. I raced here in 2007 and had a good time. I meant to go back last year, but I had conflicts and couldn't make it happen. The 5k is on pavement, a simple out and back, with absolutely no traffic. The 6 mile MTB course is off road on non-technical paths, mostly double track. It's nothing fancy, but it's a fun way to spend a Saturday morning.

The entry fee is $25, or $20 each for a team. If you pre-register for all three events, you get a pretty good discount. Awards are given for the top three male and female overall finishers, and the first male and female in each age division. Awards are also given to the top three teams.

Both Pinckney Colony and Rose Dhu Creek are located in Bluffton, SC. Directions can be found on the website.

Blog Dump Part 2

I've been off the blog kick for a while now. I'm not sure why really. Perhaps it's because the tri season is all but over and I'm out of triathlete mode. Looking back over my posts from the year, I can't believe how heavy the triathlon content is. I intended this to be a multisport blog, covering all kinds of endurance and multisport events, but that didn't happen.

Without realizing it, 90% of my racing has been triathlons the past three years. And that's a problem. I'm not feeling burned out, but I don't have the drive anymore. The races all feel the same. For the past three years, I've done the same 12 or so races, and they all blur together. I need some variety.

My plan for next year was to scrap sprint tris altogether and do a half iron in May, and a full iron in November. And I still may stick to that plan. But last Saturday, fate intervened. A craigslist post for a brand new Raleigh Supercourse road bike. Check it:














I've always wanted to get into the road racing scene, and now is my chance. I'm not sure how hard I'll hit it next year, but at least I know I'll have more variety in my racing experience.

3rd Annual Savannah Sprint Triathlon
I'm headed down to Savannah this weekend to do the Savannah triathlon. You can click the link to check out the race profile I wrote last May. It will be fun. I'm taking my oldest son Jake with me and staying with my brother. I'm hoping to get top 10 overall and/or beat my time from last year. We shall see. My training last year didn't include as many late nights playing Rock Band. I think my form is slipping some, but that's the price to pay when you're the lead singer of a band.

2008 Hawaii Ironman
Here is a pretty good video from this year's Ironman Hawaii World Championship. Not crazy about the choice in music, but cool nontheless.

In terms of good songs to set your tri videos to, I'm going to with Welcome to the Jungle or Lunatic Fringe. But really, anything that kicks in right when the horn sounds for the swim, it's going to be strong.

Age Group National Championship Highlight Video

A friend of mine sent this video to me today and it's really cool. It's footage from the USAT Age Group & Elite Nationals in Portland, Oregon.

Endurance Films did the video and the following link will take you to their website.

Watch the Video

New Camelbak product

Just came across a blog post on Outside magazine's website about a cool new product. Camelbak has developed a new jersey/bladder called RaceBak. It’s essentially a lightweight, breathable baselayer with an integrated, 72-ounce hydration pouch sewn onto the back. The key material is a proprietary compression (and supposedly chafe-free) fabric that’s designed to stabilize the water and conform to your back.

Sounds cool to me. I love the idea of carrying more water efficiently on long rides. My concerns would be how well it breathes; if it sloshes around too much; and if I look like the Hunchback of Notre Dame on the IOP connector.

This will be on the market mid-October so look for reviews shortly thereafter.

Triathlon Etiquette

How someone trains and races says something about them. When I see someone meticulously laying out his gear in the transition area, taking great pains to place every item just so, I know there’s a good chance his attention to detail and organization skills carry over into his personal life. For example, I would bet his garage is clean and organized, just like his office, the glovebox of his car, and top dresser drawer. Likewise, when I see someone knowingly drafting, I know there’s a good chance that person cheats on his taxes and wife. When I see someone in the race giving words of encouragement to everyone who passes, I know there’s a good chance that person has a lot of friends.

Your character comes out on race day, whether you like it or not.

I see a lot of driven and motivated people in the triathlon community. I see people who want to challenge themselves. I see people setting and achieving goals. I see hard work and commitment. I see detail-oriented, competitive, successful people. I see health conscious, active people wanting to try new things. And I see people who inspire me.

Unfortunately, I’ve also seen a lot of jerks. I guess it comes with the territory. It is a race afterall. And when you get a group of people with all the attributes I mentioned above competing against one another, tempers can flare. I’ve seen a near fist fight over bumping/passing in the chute of a sprint finish. I’ve seen yelling in the transition area over rack spots. I’ve seen volunteers get berated. I’ve seen unsportsmanlike conduct in crowded swims (as in, that kick was NOT accidental). I’ve seen people cut turns and corners perhaps a little too much. I’ve seen more bad attitudes and complaining than I care to talk about. And the drafters, don’t even get me started on the drafters.

Below are a few suggestions and tips regarding good etiquette and sportsmanship you should use on race day.

Transition Area:
Your space in the transition area is tight. Just because you bring more gear doesn't mean you get more space. Use common sense and courtesy. Don't lay your crap all over the place and leave items in the way of others. In fact, there are USAT rules about this.

Work with the people on your rack to make sure everyone has enough space.

Don't ever take someone's spot. If there is a wetsuit or anything hanging over a rack spot, consider it a place holder and move on. If you aren't sure, ask. Note: If you get to the race site late, don't expect to get a great rack spot. And please don't try to squeeze into an already crowded rack.

Help others if they are having trouble or look clueless.

When you're done with your race and you're in the transition area, be considerate of those who have not finished yet and stay out of the way.

Swim:
Slower swimmers should start farther back. Don't start front and center unless you plan on leading the wave.

When there's contact, make your adjustment and keep going. It happens. Also, don't assume it's some jerk swimming into you. It could be you who is veering.

Bike:
No spitting or blowing your nose farmer-style. The people behind you will not be happy.

Always ride in a straight line, and if you are a slower rider stay on the right side except when passing.

Always let the rider ahead know you are passing on the left.

Only discard your water bottles and trash at aid stations. No littering ever -- even the tops of gel packs are litter. Just put it back in your pocket, or tuck under your shorts -- anywhere but on the ground.

No drafting. That's cheating. You should take the time to familiarize yourself with USAT rules.

Run:
Again, no littering on the race course.

Stay on the right except to pass.

At aid stations, try to discard your cups within a reasonable distance. Volunteers have to pick up each cup, so don't make them walk 400 yards.

In a sprint to the finish, use good judgement. If you're sprinting toward a chute, and you haven't passed the guy when you get there, he has the right of way.

After the race:
Treat the finish line volunteers with respect. Even though you're done, they still have to gather each racer's timing chip.

If you hang around for the awards don't bolt as soon as you get yours. It's good form to applaud everyone.

Thank volunteers and the race director when possible. They make it all possible.

I could go on and on with this list, but it's really common sense. Know the rules. Be considerate of others and contribute to the positive vibes. People are completing their first tris, PRs are being set, goals are being met, etc. Talk to people after the race and listen to how their race unfolded. Don't kill the buzz with negative energy and complaining. It's fun to be a part of the post race buzz and community. And it will make your race day experience all the better.

Upcoming Multisport Events

August 23: Cackalacky Cup
The Cackalacky Cup is held at Lake Norman State Park in Troutman, NC, and consists of two MTB trials. The first time trial will be a technical time trial held on the four mile Itusi loop. There will be four different obstacles on the course. The second time trial will be an all out speed time trial. The winners will be determined by the combined times of both time trials.

August 31: The Bear Adventure Race
The BEAR is an adventure race in Jacksonville, Fl. You can choose a 10-hour time limit race or enter The BEAR Sprint for the 6-hour adventure that includes many of the same challenges.

Entry into The BEAR is open to anyone. There is no qualifying requirement for entry, though Teams should be well prepared for the challenge. All teams must compete and finish together. Two-person teams and three-person or four-person teams will strive to meet the challenges of an event that includes mountain biking on trails and the beach, non-technical climbing, backwoods orienteering, open-water paddling in kayaks or canoes, and off-road running/trekking.

There are also "Mystery Tests" that will be placed at various stages along the course. The exact order of the events is not revealed until the day of the event, keeping the atmosphere mysterious. The Mystery Tests will try mental and physical abilities, as well as teamwork strengths. The Three-person / Four-person Coed Teams make up the premier division in The BEAR race. The BEAR will favor those who work together with sportsmanship, enthusiasm, and camaraderie.

September 6: North Myrtle Beach Triathlon
Registration is available at Active.com, or you may download the form from the website and mail it in. Late registration will be at McLean Park from 5–8 pm on Friday, September 5th, during the Family Fun Run.

September 7: Rivers Edge Mountain Bike Marathon
Presented by US National Whitewater Park and SouthPark Cycles, the Rivers Edge Mountain Bike Marathon is the Southeast Mountain Bike Marathon Championships. This is a 50 mile race in which 12 southeast champions will be crowned. There are also duo categories at the event.

September 7: Rock the Marne
The Rock of the Marne Sprint Triathlon is scheduled for September 7, 2008 at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, GA.

The distances are:
Swim - 500 yards in the Forest River
Bike - 12 miles around Perimeter Road
Run - 5K - Rio Road biking path
Proceeds will benefit the Hunter Army Airfield Spouse's Club. It's a USAT sanctioned race. Cost is $45 person; $85 relay; $35 military; $75 military relay. You can register on Active.com.

September 6 & 7: Tsali Offroad Triathlon
This is an off road tri in Bryson City, NC. Instead of the traditional swim, cycle and run, this race features a 3-mile lake paddle, a 5-mile trail run and a 12-mile mountain bike ride, all at Tsali Recreation Area on Fontana Lake.

Individuals compete on Saturday with four classes of racers: Women’s Open, Men’s Open, Women’s Masters and Men’s Masters (Masters Classes are open to competitors age 40+). Sunday sees the Team Challenge, where 3-person teams divvy up each leg of the race to one team member. On Sunday, there are three classes: Female, Male and Co-Ed teams. A racers’ meeting is held 20-minutes prior to the start of competition on both Saturday and Sunday.

A race dinner is held Saturday evening for competitors at NOC. Camping is available at Tsali Recreation Area, or you can reserve lodging at NOC.

September 7: Hartsville Triathlon
This is event #10 in the SCTS. There is a sprint (500m, 15m, 5k) or international distance (1500m, 27m, 10k) option. Both races are still open.

September 21: Kiawah Triathlon
This is the Charleston’s only Olympic distance tri, and for most, the last race of the season. The distances are 1.5k swim, 45k bike, and 10k run. Race entries are limited to 300 participants, and I think they hit that mark last week and closed registration. If you are registered, get there early because parking is limited. Packet pickup on Saturday is from 1-4 pm, and race morning 6-7 at Beachwalker Park. Good luck.

September 28: SC Half Ironman
This is event #12 in the SCTS and the only half iron distance in the state. Registration is closed for 2008.

October 4: The 3rd Annual Tree Shaker 12 Hour Mountain Bike Challenge
The 3rd Annual Tree Shaker 12 Hour Mountain Bike Challenge will once again take place at Anne Springs Close Greenway, which has some really good singletrack. Located in Ft Mill SC, the ASCG is located just off I-77. There will be live music at the event with Streetwise School of Rock. The event start and finish will be held at the Field Trial Barn.

Drafting & Blocking Violations in Triathlon

Tomorrow is the final race in the 2008 CSTS series. The race hit max capacity two weeks ago, so we can expect approximatelty 325 athletes in the field. Since the last race gives double points, everyone competing for category awards goes all out. Everyone is pushing for that CSTS PR, and this is the last chance of the summer. Let's hope the weather is a bit cooler than it was this week.

Lastly, since there's been a lot of talk about drafting and blocking in this series, I'm postin the official USAT rules on position fouls. Knowing these rules is important and makes the course safer.

5.10 Position Fouls
In accordance with the Rules as set forth in this Section, a participant is not permitted to position his bicycle in the proximity of another moving vehicle so as to benefit from reduced air resistance. While on the cycling course, participants shall not work together to improve performance, efficiency, or position by teamwork or other joint conduct. A variable time penalty shall be imposed for any violation of this section. This section shall not apply to off-road triathlons and duathlons and shall be excluded from enforcement at those events.

(a) Illegal Positioning. Except as otherwise provided in these Rules, while on the cycling course, no participant shall permit his drafting zone to intersect with or remain intersected with the drafting zone of another participant or that of a motor vehicle. With respect to a motor vehicle (including authorized race vehicles), it is the athlete's responsibility to move out of the vehicle's drafting zone or to continually communicate to the vehicle to move away.

(b) Definition of Drafting Zone. The term "drafting zone" shall refer to a rectangular area seven (7) meters long and two (2) meters wide surrounding each bicycle. The longer sides of the zone begin at the leading edge of the front wheel and run backward parallel to the bicycle; the front wheel divides the short side of the zone into two equal parts. With respect to a moving motor vehicle, the "drafting zone" is a rectangular area extending 15 meters to each side of the vehicle and 30 meters behind the vehicle.

(c) Right-of-Way. A participant is generally entitled to assume any otherwise proper location on the cycling course provided that the participant arrives in the position first without contacting another participant. When taking a position near another participant, however, a cyclist shall not crowd the other participant and shall allow reasonable space for the other participant to make normal movement without making contact.

(d) Blocking. Cyclists who have established the right of way must not block or obstruct the progress of another participant.

(e) Passing. A participant who approaches another cyclist from the rear or from another unfavorable position bears primary responsibility for avoiding a position foul even if the cyclist being approached decreases speed. A participant must not attempt to pass another cyclist unless adequate space is available and the athlete is confident of his/her ability to pass the other cyclist. All passing is to be done to the left of the cyclist being overtaken unless otherwise specified.

(f) Position. Except for reasons of safety and when no advantage is gained, all cyclists shall keep to the right of the prescribed course unless passing.

(g) Being Overtaken. When the leading edge of the front wheel of one cyclist passes beyond the front wheel of another cyclist, the second cyclist has been "overtaken" within the meaning of these Rules. A cyclist who has been overtaken bears primary responsibility for avoiding a position foul and must immediately move to the rear and out of the drafting zone of the passing cyclist. The overtaken cyclist shall first move completely out of the drafting zone of the other cyclist before attempting to re-pass the other cyclist. In no case, however, shall a participant move into the path of another participant possessing the right of way.

(h) Exceptions. A participant may enter the drafting zone without penalty only under the following conditions:

(1) When entering the drafting zone from the rear, closing the gap, and overtaking all within no more than 15 seconds.
(2) When cyclist reduce speed for safety reasons, for course blockage, for an aid station, for an emergency, when entering or exiting a transition area, or when making a turn of 90 degrees or more; or
(3) When USA Triathlon or the Head Referee expressly excludes a section of the bicycle course from the position foul Rules because of overly narrow lanes, construction, detours, or a similar reason.

Mustache Magic

Michael Phelps said today that he would likely shave his mustache tomorrow, if not Saturday. That chicken. I knew he didn't have the moxy to roll up onto the blocks sporting a mustache. I came real close to jumping on the Phelps bandwagon because of that stache, but something told me to hold off until I knew he was for real.

Now, I'll give him credit for growing a pretty fly stache. I mean, if you're going to grow one, going with the handlebar is a nice move.

But I can't help but ask why he grew one in the first place. I'm guessing that he was inspired by the legend to which he is constantly compared to -- Mark Spitz. But if you're going to pay homage to the legend, you have to go all the way and race with it.

With all the talk about the how records are being broken because of the new skin suit and whether or not it's fair, Mark Spitz's moustache stands out even more. I mean, not only did he win 7 golds without today's technology, but he didn't even shave! I think for a split second, Phelps thought he might sport that moustache and beat Spitz's record, but he knew better. He got scared.

Don't get me wrong. Like everyone, I'm pulling for Phelps. He's a phenom. I'm just saying he had a chance to not just win 8 golds, but win 8 golds in about the coolest way possible.

And while we're on this topic, I'd be remiss not to mention the absolute best moustache of all time...

Race Profile: Pee Dee Triathlon

I want to give a quick profile of the Pee Dee Triathlon I raced a few weeks ago. This is race #8 in the SC Tri Series, and the first Setup race I've done this year that did not hit max capacity. Max is 350 and there were just over 300 finishers.

This race is just south of Florence, SC. It's a rural setting for sure. I think the actual town is Timmonsville or maybe Darlington. It's held at a private residence on a man-made ski lake. Leaving from Mt. Pleasant, you can get there in 2hrs 30min. But be careful, it's tough to find coming from I-95. The directions are good if your traveling via I-20, but completely jacked up otherwise. I knew where I was going this year, but last year, got completely lost and barely made the start.

The Swim
The 700 mtr swim is in the ski lake, complete with slalom buoys and ski jumps. You'll start in waist-deep water with your wave. At the sound of the horn, it's one clockwise loop around three buoys then head back toward the beach. Once you exit the water, you have a good 150 yards to transition. Water temps are in the mid-80s, so no wetsuit.

The Bike
The 15 mile bike is your typical country back roads deal. Lots of fields, farms, trailers, and barns. Road conditions are pretty decent once you get out on the pavement. However, the first 3/4 is on a dirt road. Portions of the road are real sandy and impossible to get through without sliding. Last year, people were falling all over the place. This year they put a 'sport court surface' down, which is essentially large pieces of heavy foam/plastic. This worked nicely and nobody seemed to have any trouble.

You're told not to race this section of the course. That just means don't pass anyone. You can get up to around 20 MPH on this surface.

The Run
The 5k run is 3 laps around the lake, completely off road. There is little elevation change, but parts of the trail are a bit sandy and offer poor footing. And, by this time in the race, it's starting to get really hot. There is a water station that you'll pass 3 times offering water and a Hammer Heed mix.

The race shirt this year was a nice cool max material and sleeveless. Moe's provided the post race meal. Vendor's, race photography, course officials, and lots of volunteers were on site. Great awards, split and transition times provided, and good music. As always, Setup hooks it up and puts on a great race.

Swimming with Snakes

This morning I was swimming laps at my neighborhood pool. I finished my third set, took a drink of water, turned around and saw a snake swimming over the lane line right toward me. It was a small snake, and probably about 5 ft away from me, but I was out of the water in about .0001 seconds nonetheless.

Once out of pool, I could see the snake was just a baby -- about 12 inches probably. I scooped him out with a net, tossed him in the woods, and continued swimming, but I was a little wigged out. I swam 6 more laps but couldn’t concentrate. I wondered if he was coming back to finish the job he'd started. I wondered if he had 15 or 16 siblings slithering around, and of course, I wondered if mom was creeping around. I decided to cut my swim a little short and head home.

This is the first snake I’ve seen in the pool, but I think about it every time I go, especially in August when it’s still dark outside. Today it was light, so I could see. But when it’s dark and my hand hits a leaf, or a piece of foam from a raft or something, I almost have a heart attack every time. So to actually see a snake completely validates my paranoia. Like most people, I cannot stand snakes. I mean, it’s not Snakes on a Plane or anything, but it’s not cool to be in a pool with a snake.

I think that once civil twilight is around 6:30 a.m. in August, and I’m swimming in the dark again, I’m going to have a hard time keeping my HR down. If I see another one, I’m calling in Samuel L. Jackson to come down to my pool and take care of business.

CSTS#2 Race update

The second race in the CSTS was last Sunday at James Island County Park. I shaved about 20 seconds off my time from the first race, and managed to grab 29th place overall and 2nd in my age group. I’m happy with that, but my goal is to crack 1 hr 5min. I still need to cut about 1:30 off my current time, and I'm not sure if I can get there in one month.

It seems there was some drama after the first race in the women’s elite division regarding drafting. A complaint was made, but there really wasn’t anything the race director could do other than ask the riders if they had indeed drafted. They said no, and that was that. Since there are no draft marshals on the course, you are on the honor system. Paul King decided to have draft marshals on the course for this race, and by all accounts, it was a clean race. No infractions occurred.

The bigger issue is blocking, another USAT rule, but I won't get into that again. Anyway, David Quick wrote an article for the P&C regarding the drafting allegations at the first race. All Setup Event races have marshals on the course by the way, and they always give penalties. It’s not that people are trying to cheat, it’s just that don’t know the rules. Some rules you just have to learn the hard way.

Pee Dee Triathlon Tomorrow
I’m heading up to Florence tomorrow morning for the race #8 in the SC Series. It’s a 700 mtr swim, 15 mile bike, 5k. I’ll post a course profile next Monday. The first mile of the bike is on a dirt road with lots of sand. Last year people were falling left and right trying to get through the rough parts. It’s not a hard fall, but obviously, it’s preferable to stay upright on the bike. This year they’ve put something over these rough patches, but are still saying not to race this section of the course. Easier said than done. It’s a race after all. I’m just hoping I don’t get lost trying to find the race site like I did last year. I literally had 15 minutes to check in and get my bike racked before my wave went off.

Tour de France
I can’t get enough of the Tour this year. Both US-based teams are killing it – Green jersey, White jersey, stage wins, race leader, top 10 GC guys. It’s incredible. This is the first time we’ve had two American teams in the Tour and we are represented well. I have wagers with two friends of mine on who will win. We’ve each selected 5 riders and will take the 3 lowest times combined to determine the winner. Plus I joined two Tour de France Fantasy Leagues, so I’m completely enthralled with all things Tour, or as one buddy likes to put it, “You’re a dork.” Whatever, Viva la US!!!!!

Race Profile: Tri the Midlands Triathlon

I raced the Tri the Midlands Triathlon last weekend and had a blast. It looked like rain the whole morning, but we never got a drop. It was cloudy and cool the entire race. No winds to contend with, and the water temp was 84 degrees.

This is race #7 in the SC Tri Series, which is probably why it hit max capacity (400) a week before. Not bad for a first time event. The race was in north Columbia in an upscale planned community called Lake Carolina. Leaving from Mt. Pleasant, you can get there in 2hrs 15min.

Setup Events reported that they had over 70 novices registered, which are typically first time racers. That's incredible, and probably why this race had such a positive vibe. When you take the unique setting of this race, add in all the first timers and high number of spectators, it makes for a good race.

The Swim
The 500 mtr swim is in Lake Carolina – a good looking lake that isn’t funky and nasty like some of the other lake swims I’ve done this year. It’s a wet start, so you’ll wade in and tread water until your wave comes up. You swim counter clockwise around three buoys, and head back toward the beach. Once you exit the water, you have about 150 yards or so to transition, which is a little longer than most runs back to transition.

On these short swims, you should plan for some bumping, especially when it bottlenecks at turn buoys. I stayed in a pack of about eight swimmers the entire race. This is about as short a swim as you’ll see in a triathlon, so if the swim leg is something that causes you concern, you should check out this race.

The Bike
The 12 mile bike is another short distance, even by sprint standards. The first and last mile are inside the neighborhood. The course has a lot of turns, which I like. It just makes it go by faster to me. For the most part, there isn’t much elevation change. A few rolling hills, but nothing drastic. The longest straightaway on the course is slightly uphill and will keep even the stronger cyclists below 20 MPH, but this stretch of road is only about 2.5 miles long.

The Run
The 5k run is entirely in the Lake Carolina neighborhood. Leaving the transition area, you’ll have a nice ½ mile or so uphill, then it’s onto the bike path. Once on the path, you have another ½ mile of rolling hills, then it’s a long, big climb to the turn around point. At the turn around, you go back the same way you came and get to see everyone struggling on that hill. It’s approximately 1.25 miles back to the finish line.

I liked this run. You stay in close proximity to the field at all times, literally passing shoulder to shoulder. The hills make it interesting because they pack a punch for sure. And, as is the case with most Setup races, the finish chute was lined with spectators and adoring fans.

So overall, I really, really liked this race. I know I say that about every event I do, but I’m going to score this one slightly higher than the Lake Murray Triathlon (also in Columbia). The more urban setting makes the scenery much better, and I like doing a shorter course every once in a while. Two thumbs up. And I would highly recommend this event for first timers.

The History of Triathlon

I thought this was a cool chronology of triathlon's history. There are two things that amaze me about this list. First, triathlon, in the modern sense, is a very young sport. About 35 years old. Second, that Julie Moss crawl to the finish on ABC's Wide World of Sports was a huge catalyst to the sport's popularity. Up to this point, the only mainstream endurance event was a marathon. When people saw this, they were asking what this race was all about.

Of course, for most people a triathlon is still the Ironman. They don't see it as a sport, they think it's just a race. But that's changing. Triathlon is still very young and has a long way to go. It's already surpassed other niche sports like squash and water polo -- and lacrosse better watch out!!!

History of Triathlon
1904 – An event in the Olympic Games was called triathlon, consisting of the long jump, shot put and 100-yard dash.

1921 – The Petit Perillon swim club in Marseilles, France, held an event called Course Des Trois Sports: The Race of Three Sports. The race consisted of a bicycle leg of about 7K, a run of 5K, and finished with a 200m out-and-back swim.

1974 – While advertising its new race, the San Diego Track Club Newsletter headline read, “Run, Cycle, Swim – Triathlon set for 25th,” using the word “triathlon” for the first time in the modern sense.

1977 – John Collins challenged those gathered at the Oahu Perimeter Relay Run awards ceremony to compete in the first Iron Man Triathlon, a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run.

1978 – Fifteen men started and 12 men finished the first Iron Man Triathlon, won by Gordon Haller in 11 hours 46 minutes 58 seconds.

1979 – A Sports Illustrated article by Barry McDermott features the Hawaii Iron Man Triathlon. Entries increased to 108 the following year.

1982 – The unforgettable crawl to the Ironman finish line by second-place finisher Julie Moss shown on ABC Wide World of Sports inspires many to take up triathlon.

Julie Moss 1982 Ironman


1982 – The United States Triathlon Association (USTA) and the American Triathlon Association, both founded earlier that year, decided to merge into one unified national governing body called the United States Triathlon Association.

1982 – The first triathlon offering prize money, the Torrey Pines Triathlon, is also the first United States Triathlon Series event, won by Dave Scott.

1983 – The word “triathlon” was added to the Ninth Edition of Webster’s New Collegiate dictionary.

1983 – A spin-off of the San Diego Track Club News called Triathlon, as well as Tri-Athlete founded by William Katovsky, were the first triathlon publications.

1983 – The United States Triathlon Association changes its name to Triathlon Federation/USA.

1984 – Timex Corporation creates the “Triathlon” watch, and then joins with Ironman organizers to use the name “Ironman.” It is now the top-selling watch in the world.

1985 – Triathlon sparks the cross-training fitness boom. Nike features Pro-triathlete Joann Ernst, in national ad campaigns, later made famous by Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders.

1989 – The International Triathlon Union (ITU) was founded at its initial Congress in Avignon, France. Les McDonald was elected president.

1989 – The first triathlon world championship is held in Avignon, France, using the Olympic distance of 1.5k swim, 40k bike and a 10k run.

1991 – The IOC recognized the ITU as the sole international governing body for the sport of triathlon at its 97th session in Birmingham, England.

1993 – The Pan American Games approved triathlon for competition at the 1995 Pan Am Games in Mar del Plata, Argentina.

1994 – The first Goodwill Games triathlon was held in St. Petersburg, Russia.

1994 – At the IOC’s 103rd session in Paris, France, triathlon was named to the Olympic program as a medal sport at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.

1995 – The first Pan American Games triathlon is held in Mar del Plata, Argentina.

1996 – Triathlon Federation/USA changed its name to the present USA Triathlon.

1997 – The USOC officially recognizes USA Triathlon as an Olympic Sport Organization.

1998 – Justin Ward competes in his first triathlon. The sport will never be the same.

2000 – Triathlon debuts as an Olympic sport. The women’s event was the first medal awarded at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.

Blog Dump

Hmmm. Maybe that isn't an appropriate title. Blog dump kind of sounds like something you need to clean off your computer with baby wipes, or perhaps the name of some futuristic port-o-john company. What I'm trying to convey is that this blog post will contain a lot of information on various topics. Sort of like I'm 'dumping' info into the post....let's just move on.

First CSTS Race

The first race in the CSTS was last Sunday, and I'm already looking forward to the next one on July 6. I bumped up an age group this year to 35-39 and picked up right where I left off last year with a 3rd place finish (34th overall). That works for me, especially since it's the first race of the series. My goal is to break 1hr 5min in August, so by my calculations, I need to cut 2 minutes off my time. Very doable.

While we're on the topic, I want to point out a couple things I noticed this weekend that aren't cool.

1. Blocking is a USAT rules violation. Slower bikes need to stay on the right. When you pass, you have 15 seconds to do so. If you sit out in the middle of the lane next to your buddy, you are blocking. It's a rule because it can cause accidents, so just be aware.

2. When you check in on race morning, pick up your chip, and get body marking, please don't bring your bike through all the lines with you. It kind of gets in the way.

I hate sounding like a jerk, so here's what I'll do. I'm going to give you a couple tips in return.

1. Right when you arrive on site, immediately rack your bike. Don't check in, or worry about all your crap. Just rack your bike. At races with no rack assignments, you can get a premium spot, then take your time checking in, grabbing all your gear, and using the 'blog dump.' Your bike will still be there when you return 15 minutes later. Let all the guys in line with their bikes get the crummy spots.

2. This one is for James Island County Park specifically. When you rack your bike, look for ant hills. The transition area is on grass, and every year, especially after it rains, there are ant hills galore. And obviously, you do not want to set up on an ant hill.

New Savannah Triathlon

The Savtriteam recently announced a new triathlon called the Rock of the Marne Sprint Triathlon. It's scheduled for September 7, 2008 at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, GA.

The distances are:

Swim - 500 yards in the Forest River

Bike - 12 miles around Perimeter Road

Run - 5K - Rio Road biking path

Proceeds will benefit the Hunter Army Airfield Spouse's Club. It's a USAT sanctioned race. Cost is $45 person; $85 relay; $35 military; $75 military relay. You can register on Active.com.

Tri The Midlands Triathlon

This Saturday is the Tri the Midlands race in Columbia, SC. It's the new addition to the SC Triathlon Series put on by Setup Events. I'm looking forward to a new race, especially one within driving distance on race morning.

The distances are:

Swim - 500 meter lake swim

Bike - 11 miles

Run - 5K

I plan on profiling this event next week. Since this is a first year event, there should be plenty of good info to share.

CSTS Race Weekend

The first race in the Charleston Triathlon Sprint Series (CSTS) is this Sunday. I love these races at James Island County Park. They’ve sort of become the cornerstone of the Charleston triathlon scene. Every summer (for 18 years now) we have a four-race tri series to look forward to and plan our summer season around. Runners have the Cooper River Bridge Run, triathletes have James Island. That’s just the way it is.

As I wrote in an earlier post, this was my first triathlon ever, but that’s not the only reason I’m so big on these races. In no particular order, here are a few of my favorite things (sorry, just watched Mary Poppins with the kids) about the CSTS...

Race director Paul King is my neighbor and I know first hand how hard he works to produce the series. As an ex-triathlete himself, he knows how to put on race, and he's been doing it so long, it's safe to say he's worked out the kinks -- although, he'll be the first to tell you that every race is different and has it's own challenges.

I love that this is a fast race -- short swim, short bike, 5k, you're done. You can go all out the entire race and not risk bonking. It also makes it really doable for beginners, so there are always first-timers. With a good mix of newbies and seasoned vets, plus a max capacity field, it's a big race with a good vibe.

And I like Sunday races. Don't ask me why. The first race usually falls on Father's Day which is fun. My wife will typically do at least one of the races with me, or sometimes just opt to bring the kids out to watch.

If you are a competitor in your age group or division, you can try for the series championship by racing in 3 or more races. That makes for some lively competition. Everyone wants to do well at these races.

And how can you not love the swim?! I'm not sure if it's actually a lake or a pond, or a tidal lake? Supposedly, it has 'moving' water in that the incoming tides do affect the water levels, but it's not moving much. Two years ago we had to sign a waiver stating that we understood that DHEC checked the bacteria levels in the water and deemed it unfit for swimming. Why that is funny to me, I don't know.

I've also been told there is an alligator that's been spotted a number of times out there, but I've never seen it. The bottom line is that for local triathletes, this is our home course. We know every inch of the course and wouldn't change a thing.

So for everyone racing this Sunday morning, good luck -- and watch out for that gator!

Race Profile: Savannah Sprint Triathlon

The 2nd Savannah Sprint Triathlon (500 yds, 16, 5k) is tomorrow morning (Sunday June 1). The race starts at 7:30 a.m. at L. Scott Stell Community Park, which is about two miles off I-95, just south of Savannah.

As of today, there are 200 pre-registered individual participants and 7 relay teams. Online registration is closed, but you can still register race morning for $60, and $90 for a relay team.

The water Temperature is currently 76 degrees, so take your wetsuit, just in case the water temp stays below 78 degrees.

Radek Parnica is the race director, and if you don’t recognize his name, you probably should. He’s easily one of the top 5 triathletes in the state. The first Savannah Sprint was last October, which was also Radek’s first time directing a race. I raced the event last year and think he did a great job, plus he’s filling a huge void in the Savannah area since this is the only Savannah triathlon.

Hilton Head has a pretty active tri community with several races, most of which are sponsored by Go Tri Sports – a really good Hilton Head-based tri shop. Savannah itself has a strong community of triathletes, and an active tri club. But until Radek stepped in, they had no triathlons. Radek also provides endurance coaching and can work with athletes in all disciplines. You can get all the details at Radek’s website.

If you decide to do this event, you’ll probably need to leave around 4:30 if you live in Charleston. That’s doable.

Race Details
The swim is in a small pond at the park. It has the same vibe as the James Island County Park swim. It’s a little funky on the bottom, and there are mutant duck/geese things swimming around, but it’s a pond, so what do you expect?

The transition area is first come, first served as far as rack placement. The 16-mile bike is typical back roads with little traffic, but do watch for cars since it’s an open course. The surface conditions are decent with no real rough spots. Police are there to man the intersections and there really isn’t any chance of getting lost. The run is a two loop affair inside the park, basically around the pond. Short and sweet.

Radek did a nice job with the post race food and award ceremony. There was a massage tent set up, music, professional photography and timing, and even a buddy of his riding around filming the race, which was later posted on YouTube. Pretty cool.

I won’t be racing tomorrow, but if he does it again in the fall, I’ll certainly be there. Highly recommended.

Lowcountry Splash

I just signed up for this weekend's Lowcountry Splash, a 2.4 mile swim in the Charleston Harbor. I'm excited. The race has been around for seven years, but this will be my first time participating. This will also be the first time I've ever swum 2.4 miles.

Should I be concerned? I don't think so. Here's how I rationalize this. I am in very good shape and regularly exercise and race for 1.5 hours or more. By that I mean I can keep my HR at or above 160 BPM for that duration. I don't think I'll be in the water for more than 1.5 hours. I regularly swim 1-2 miles in the pool, and since the event course is with the outgoing tide, I think I'll be fine, especially if I take it easy.

Now, having said that, I will certainly be in the bottom 25% because I'm no pool rat (no offense to pool rats). This event is for swimmers and long-course triathletes, and I'm neither. It will be a long morning for me, that's for sure.

But that's fine. I'm not racing it. I'm going to enjoy each and every stroke. My only goal, per say, is to enjoy myself and not be too tired to take the kids to the beach when I'm done. To do this I'm going forgo 'race mode' and just cruise.

Sometimes when you're so focused on racing and splits and transitions, you don't really take in your surrounding and appreciate just what it is you're doing. This event is the perfect for that. How many times will I ever swim under the Cooper River Bridge and next to the Yorktown? I don't know, but I'm doing it this weekend, and I'm going to enjoy it.

12 Tacos

I just made a bet with a buddy of mine that I could eat 12 tacos. Well, sort of. I have 24 hours to decide. The bet is for $50. Here are the rules:

1. The tacos must be the standard Taco Bell taco (crunchy shell). Both parties have to be present when ordering, just to make sure there is no tampering with said tacos.

2. I can add sauce, if desired, and I can have the drink of my choice while eating.

3. I have a 30 minute time limit.

4. And of course, the golden rule, if I throw up during the 30 minutes, I lose.

That's the bet. We couldn't finalize it because we weren't able to agree on a time and place. He wants to do it soon because he fears I will sneak up to Taco Bell for a 'test run.' So I have 24 hours to pick the time and place, then we're both locked in.

I'm going to sleep on it tonight and see how I feel in the morning. I'm 80% sure I can eat 12 tacos. I'm a little apprehensive because once you get into 10-taco range, it's uncharerted territory. The unknown. There might be a wall our there that I can't get past. Now I know what Chuck Yeager must have felt like when he first attempted to break the sound barrier. And yes, I just compared eating 12 tacos to flying Mach 1 in a crop duster. If you can't see the similarities, I don't know what to tell you.

Lake Murray Triathlon Update

I had a great race up in Columbia on Sunday. Conditions were a little dicy because of high winds. The swim was super choppy, and headwinds on the bike are never fun. But I raced my race and finished with really good splits, cutting about 2 minutes of my time from last year.

The race filled to its 400 capacity. I think that's a first for this event. The number of triathletes continues to grow.

I did notice a couple thing that were a little different this year. Although Moes is still the title sponsor, they did not provide a post race meal. Bummer. There was only the standard assorted fruit and cookies. Not a big deal, but I was all set for a post race taco (just one). On a more positive note, the race shirt was a nice coolmax material instead of the standard cotton. Big upgrade.

Otherwise, it was business as usual. I highly recommend racing this event if you haven't done so. It's a Setup Events race, part of the SC Tri Series, and well organized. You can leave Charleston at 4:30 and get to the race site by 6:45. It's worth the drive.

Happy 10th Anniversary Speedo Man

I did my first triathlon 10 years ago at James Island County Park. I was out of shape and about 20 lbs overweight. This was before I had kids. Bar hopping, late night runs to Taco Bell, and sleeping till noon on weekends were the norm.

I’m not really sure what made me want to do a triathlon, but I thought it sounded pretty cool. I asked around, trying to get some info on what to expect, but no one could help me. The only person I could find with any kind of experience was one of my brother’s good friends who swam for the University of Florida, so I called him up to get some pointers.

After a lengthy conversation about stroke efficiency and open water swim techniques (none of which made any sense to me by the way), he said, “and you got to wear a Speedo, it will cut down on drag.” But he didn’t stop there, he went on to say that it needed to be a size smaller than my current waist size – it needed to be skin-tight.

How can you argue with a collegiate swimmer? I went out and bought a size 32 Speedo. To say it was tight would be an understatement. To say it cut the circulation off in my legs would be more accurate.

You ever had that dream where you go to school or work, but your naked? That’s the feeling I had walking around the transition area before the swim start.

And things didn’t get any better once the race started. I had a terrible swim. I was dying within 50 meters. The bike was just as brutal. I could barely turn the pedals. And with that Speedo digging into my groin and buttocks, I was uncomfortable, and in pain. If someone had rode past me (and most of the field did ride past me) and said, “Hey buddy, say no to crack,” I don’t think I could have even laughed. It was that bad.

The run took it to a whole other level of pain. I felt like I was carrying a refrigerator. I finished in 1 hour and 40 minutes, in the last 20 or so out of 300 racers.

That was my first race experience, and I’m happy to say, I’ve gotten faster. I still have the Speedo by the way. I’ve never raced in it again, but I break it out for parties every once in a while (don’t ask).

The thing is, I wasn’t ready for my first race, but I’m so glad I did it. It got the ball rolling for what has become a huge part of my life. I’m glad I didn’t wait until I was in shape, or until my friends agreed to do it with me, or until I had a better bike. And most of all, I’m glad I wore that Speedo.

When I think of that guy, clueless and out of shape, standing at the swim start in that tight Speedo, I smile. I want to give him a high five and tell him thanks.

I’ll be racing at James Island again this summer. And I think it’s only fitting that on the 10th anniversary of my first race I break out the Speedo again. It’s time. And when I cross the finish line, I’m going to give that guy a high five.

Race Profile: Lake Murray Triathlon

The Lake Murray Triathlon will take place this Sunday, May 18, at the Dreher Island State Recreation Area in Columbia. This is the 5th race in the South Carolina Triathlon Series (SCTS). I raced it for the first time last year, and I'm racing again this weekend.

The race starts at 8:00 a.m., so if your in Charleston, you can drive up in the morning. It means leaving around 4 or 4:30, but it beats getting a hotel. This race and the Pee Dee Tri in Florence are the two longest drives I make on race mornings. Dreher Island is not hard to find at all, but that Pee Dee race, that's another story for another time.

As far as I can tell, this event hasn't ever filled to capacity (500 participants). It's getting closer each year though. As of right now, there are approximately 130 spots still available. The early registration fee is $50, but jumps to $60 after April 1.

This is a USAT sanctioned event, so you must show your membership card, or pay a $10, one-day fee. And as is always the case with USAT events, don't forget your photo ID. You need it to pick up your race packet and check in.

The course
This is a sprint distance tri (750mtr lake swim, 16m bike, 5k). The swim is one counter-clockwise 750 meter loop. It's an in-water start, so you wade into the water from the boat landing with your wave and wait for the start while treading water. Wetsuits are normally legal but the water temperatures this time of year are usually right around that 78 degree mark. Last year, the water temp was 71, so no problem. I'm hearing it's around 75 degrees currently. We shall see. One thing I'll mention is that the first half of this swim is directly into the morning sun. I had a real hard time spotting the buoys with the glare, so swim straight.

The bike course is one 16 mile loop. Road surfaces are your typical country back roads with a few bad patches here and there, so use caution. Police and volunteers are at each intersection, so you won't miss any turns.

The 5k run course is all inside the park. It's an out and back with a few spurs along the way. It's not hilly, but there are one or two gradual, rolling inclines, but nothing serious.

Random Info
Along with the standard divisions (Open, Age Group, Athena, Clydesdale), there are also Relay, Physically Challenged, and Novice divisions. Hampton Inn on Harbison Road is the host hotel and offers a discount if want to go that route. There is a cut-off time of 2 hours 30 minutes. Go Tri Sports will host the official event expo, and Bird's Eye View Photography will doing the race day photos.

Thumbs up
Thumbs up for the post race meal. Moe's is a sponsor and provides a full lunch after the event. Thumbs up to the race officials who are out on the course and not afraid to assess penalties for rules violations, i.e., drafting and blocking. Thumbs up to Setup for posting the results after the awards ceremony, complete with transition splits. And huge thumbs up to the bike mechanic at the race site who fixed my flat tire last year and gave me a spare for the race, just in case.

I don't really have any negatives. It's not the most sexy venue, but it works. And it's usually the last race you can legally wear your wetsuit, so enjoy it while you can.

Race Updates

The AB&T Duathlon (2run/14bike/2run) was held yesterday on John's Island. Technically, this was a first year event, but it's really the Stono Ferry Duathlon/Daniel Island Duathlon reincarnated. Mike Loggins of the Extra Mile has produced these duathlons since the mid-90s.

I'm not sure if this race will make it either though, because turnout was low -- probably 30-35 racers at most. Part of this could have been due to the weather. It was pouring rain when I woke up, and didn't stop until around 6:50 a.m. The race sponsors didn't even show up.

With a larger storm system moving in, Mike got the race started a little early. His pre-race instructions focused on the terrible road conditions. There was standing water, mud and debris on the roads because of the storm, and in his words, the road was "as slick as owl poop." And he was right. To make matters worse, once we got to the bike leg, the rain started again. I was actually a little surprised they let us out for the final run leg because there was some pretty good lightning flashes. But everyone was able to finish, and no one crashed in the owl poop.

I liked the course, and I'll certainly race it again, that is of course, if they have it again.

North Myrtle Beach Triathlon
I wrote in an earlier post that the North Myrtle Beach Triathlon had been discontinued. But I was wrong. Looks like this event will take place after all on Sept. 6. This will be the third year for that event. For details, see http://www.nmb.us/Page.aspx?ID=5&LinkID=118&SubID=118.

Lake Murray Triathlon
Setup Events' Lake Murray Triathlon is this Sunday in Columbia. If you haven't registered, do so quickly. There are about 150 slots still available, and online registration closes on the 14th. I'll post a complete race profile for this event by Thursday.

Lowcountry Splash
Lastly, don't forget about the Lowcountry Splash on May 31. This 2.4 mile harbor swim is turning into a destination event. The number of entrants grows each year and pulls in swimmers from all over the region. This will be my first year doing it, but by all accounts, the race is well run, and well organized. For more info, see http://www.lowcountrysplash.com/

Upcoming Duathlons

Just a reminder about a few upcoming duathlons. First and foremost, the AB&T Sprint Duathlon is this Sunday (Mother's Day) May 11, 7:30 a.m., at John’s Island high school. The distances are 2 mile run, 14 mile bike, 2 mile run. If you haven't already registered, you can do so at Active.com. The reg fee is $45, plus Active's $3 processing fee.

This year's Rock N' Roll Half Ironman in Macon (May 31) offers a duathlon event as well. Instead of the 1.2 mile swim, you can opt for a 3 mile run, then it's back on course with the other athletes for the 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run. If you do this race, I recommend you review the elevation graph provided. The bike course is super hilly.

The 3rd Annual Powerade Tri The Rock Triathlon/Duathlon is Saturday, May 17, in Rock Hill. The distances for the duathlon are 1 mile run, 17 mile bike, 3 mile run. This race is being done in conjunction with a sprint triathlon, which consists of a 500 yard pool swim, 17 mile bike, 3 mile run. For more info, check out this site: http://www.therocktriclub.com/

While I was on that site, I found a list of other sprint tris, most of which I hadn't seen, and the ones I had, I didn't know they were part of an upstate sprint series. The Rock Hill Tri Club is sponsored by the YMCA, and puts on a series of USAT sanctioned races.

Here is a list of the Upstate YMCA Sprint Triathlon Series on the calender for 2008:
04/06/2008 Upstate YMCA Sprint Triathlon, Anderson
04/13/2008 Upstate YMCA Sprint Triathlon, Greenwood
05/17/2008 Upstate YMCA Sprint Triathlon, Rock Hill
05/31/2008 Upstate YMCA Sprint Triathlon, Middle Tyger
07/19/2008 Upstate YMCA Sprint Triathlon, Union
08/30/2008 Upstate YMCA Sprint Triathlon, Laurens
09/06/2008 Upstate YMCA Sprint Triathlon, Pickens

For more info on this series, go to http://www.upstateytri.com/.

Triathlon Wetsuit FAQs

When I’m discussing triathlons with people new to the sport, and even non-triathletes, the subject of wetsuits always comes up. They typically want to know how it makes you faster, when you can wear them, and how much they cost. So let me try to break this down in a Q&A format.

How will I benefit from wearing a wetsuit?
Wearing a wetsuit designed for swimming will make you faster with less effort. The biggest thing that slows swimmers down is drag, and even more specifically, the drag caused by sinking hips. When tired, your hips and legs are not on the surface of the water. Since wetsuits make you more buoyant, you stay on top of the water and create less drag.

Secondly, wetsuits keep you warm. Not all triathlons are in the summer. Water temps can be in the 60s in early spring and late fall triathlons. If you plan on racing these event, you'll want a wetsuit.

When can I wear a wetsuit?
This is easy. USAT has established a set criteria for wetsuit usage. Wetsuits are legal in USAT sanctioned races if the water temperature is 78 degrees or lower. If the water temperature is between 79-83 degrees, you may wear a wetsuit, however, you will not be eligible to win an award.

If the water temperature is 84 degrees or higher, wetsuits are prohibited because you run the risk of overheating. Race officials take official water temperature readings on race morning and make the announcement -- expect to hear a few boos or cheers, depending on the reading.

What kind of wetsuit should I buy and how much do they cost?
There are lots of choices: Blue Seventy, Ironman, Orca, 2XU, Xterra, Zoot, DeSoto, Quintana Roo, to name a few. Each manufacturer has its own sizing chart, so you'll want to try it on before purchasing. Wetsuits are supposed to fit super snug, like another layer of your skin, and there is a fine line between too tight and just right. If you've never tried on a tri wetsuit, I highly recommend you do so before purchasing. Prices range from approximately $150-$550.

Should I get a full suit or a sleeveless?
A wetsuit with sleeves is usually referred to as a full suit. Full suits will keep you warmer and are said to be faster because of the extra buoyancy. They also let less water in at the seals, which reduces weight and drag. The sleeveless wetsuit, usually referred to as a sleeveless or long john, will feel more comfortable in the water than a full suit because you have greater range in shoulder motion. In my opinion, a full suit isn't necessary in Charleston. The average water temps are just too high. With a sleeveless suit, your underarms are exposed to the water and that will help ensure your core temp doesn't get too high.

Do you have any other random tips or advice?
Yes, don’t wear a wetsuit in a pool. The chemicals can cause the seems to come unglued. If your short on funds, Inside Out Sports sells used wetsuits. Lastly, practice getting in and out of your wetsuit. You don't want to negate a great swim time because you couldn't get out of your wetsuit in T1.

South Carolina Ultra Trail Run Series

Anybody up for some trail running? If so, there's a new SC Ultra Trail Run Series you might want to check out. You can find all the details here: http://www.ultrasontrails.com/index.html

This four-race ultra series in its inaugural year. Entry is free (donations accepted) and there are no cut off times. The event dates are:
April 13 - Harbison Forest 50k
May 4 - Boncombe Trail 34 miles
June 8 - Chatooga River 50k
Oct 12 - Swamp Fox Pass 42 miles

All these races are in SC, and the Swamp Fox race starts right here in Awendaw at the Swamp Fox trail head on Hwy 17. You have to be pretty hard core to do an ultra distance event. I hope they draw enough participants to keep the series rolling. The first event pulled in 34 runners, which is pretty good for a first time ultra event.

It doesn't look like they have any kind of team division, so if you're up to the test, you're on your own.

Race Profile: East Cooper Coastal Triathlon (ECCT)

The 4th East Cooper Coastal Triathlon (ECCT) will take place this Sunday morning at 7:30 at the IOP County Park. The air temp should be around 60 degrees in the morning, and reach mid-70s by the afternoon. The water temp is approximately 70 degrees. Not bad, considering the chilly start we had at the first ECCT. Air temps dipped below 40 the night prior to the race, and on race morning, it was mid 40s with high winds. The race director even shortened the swim from .6 to .4. I think the water temp that morning was mid 60s, which was warmer than the air temp, but that offered little solace. The last thing you want to do when you’re standing on the beach shivering, is run into the ocean.

Anyway, let’s take a look at the course.

The Swim
The swim portion of the race is a .6 mile ocean swim. It’s a standing start on the beach, so when the horn blows, you head for the water (check out the picture at the bottom of my blog and you’ll get the idea). Once in the water, you swim out past the breakers to a big, bright orange buoy, then turn and swim parallel to the shoreline with the prevailing current. This is important because if the current is moving, you can fly through this swim. Let's hope it's rolling!

There are five orange buoys along the way to help you keep your line. Don't follow another swimmer without checking for that next buoy because you might be following someone off course. There will be a bottleneck of swimmers at the first buoy, then again at the last buoy when everyone is making the turn home, so just be aware and try not to catch a heel in the nose.

Once you make the turn, you're almost home. If you're lucky, you might catch a wave or two and make up some ground. It's a couple hundred yards to the transition area once you come out of the water, so you'll have some time to unzip your wetsuit and pull it down to your waist. No need to struggle or spaz. You have time.

The Bike
The bike portion of the race is 16 miles. Once you leave IOP County Park, it's out on the Connector to Mount Pleasant. The connector incline on the IOP side is steep, but it's super short. It will slow you down, but you can get to the top in about 30-45 seconds.

Be careful on the decent. You will reach speeds over 30 MPH, which isn't all that fast, but there can be debris like broken bottles and trash on the connector shoulder. You also might have other cyclist passing you, and the road is open to traffic, so you don't want to be dodging and swerving around at that speed. Just be aware of the road in front of you, and whose behind you.

At Hungryneck Boulevard you will turn left and bike about a mile and a half before turning around and heading back to IOP via the connector. Police will be directing traffic at the light, but still be aware of traffic.

You'll follow Palm Blvd. across Breach inlet to Sullivan's Island. You'll probably hit some wind over Breach inlet, but you aren't exposed for more than a few hundred yards. Once on Sullivan's Island you'll loop around on Middle Street and follow Palm Blvd. back to the transition area. The road surfaces on Sullivan's Island can be sketchy, so pay attention. Flat tires are no fun.

The Run
The run portion of the race is 4 miles. They shortened it this year for some reason. It's been 5 miles in previous years. Once you leave the transition, you will head back over the IOP Connector to the finish line at the Shoppes at Seaside Farms. It's a nice run and you can take advantage of the long, gradual decent into Mt. pleasant. There will be at least one water station, but they've moved it around the past few years, so can't help you there. There are typically a lot of people at the finish and hopefully you can kick it home for a strong finish.

Other Info
Shuttle buses will be available for transportation back to the IOP. You'll need to clean up your transition area by 11 a.m. A lot of racers jog back to IOP -- if you need the extra miles. This is not a USAT sanctioned event, so you don't need your card. There are Athena and Clydesdale divisions, as well as a big relay division. Lots of relay teams each year.

There is a cut-off time this year. I think this is the first year they've implemented this, so be aware. If you haven't completed the swim and bike segments in 1 hour 50 minutes, you won't be able to start the run.

You can pick up your race packet on Friday April 18 and Saturday April 19 from 4-7 p.m. at TrySports. The IOP municipal parking lot opens at 5:45 a.m. Transition area opens at 6 a.m.
Packet pickup and body marking will be at the Isle of Palms County Park.

You need to be on the beach at 7:20 a.m. for pre-race instructions. The award ceremony will start around 10:15 at The Shoppes at Seaside Farms. The awards and post race grub have been great each year. Paul King, who directs the James Island sprints as well, knows how to put on a race. He's been doing it for a lot of years.

Good luck and have fun.

Las Vegas Hangover

Having just spent four days in Las Vegas, I’m feeling tired, weak, and hung over. I was going to run this morning, but decided against it when the alarm went off – partly because I need to get my body back on east coast time, and partly because I probably would have hurled up white russians after the first mile. It’s a small price to pay considering all the fun I had, and I wouldn’t be complaining if I didn’t have a race this weekend. That’s right. My taper week for the East Cooper Triathlon consisted of sushi, blackjack, irish coffees, poker, Heinekens, white russians, all-you-can-eat buffets, and little sleep. I’m going to try to hydrate and loosen up this week, but I won’t be in top form on Sunday. At some point, my body is going to punish me for the antics I pulled in Vegas, and I have come to grips that it will probably be very early in the race.

While I did manage to swim laps and then run a few miles on the strip my first morning in Vegas, it just wasn't the same. All I could think of was my terrible luck on the craps tables and how I was going to turn it around playing poker and blackjack. I cut my run short and returned to my hotel. I was showered and sitting at a blackjack table with a cocktail within 20 minutes. It was 9:15 a.m. I love Vegas.

Having said that, I still plan on profiling the East Cooper Triathlon for anyone interested in the course and random race information. I’ll probably post my complete profile by Thursday. If you’re a beginner or doing the race for the first time, the profile will help you get a good sense of the course and how things will go down on Sunday. Hopefully, it will help you relax and answer any questions you might have.

Cooper River Bridge Run 2008

I haven’t run the bridge run since 1999. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great event by any set of standards. I mean, Oprah’s run it, so it’s legit, right?

In all seriousness, it is the premiere 10k in the southeast, attracting top caliber runners from all over the world. It also attracts friends and relatives who want to come to Charleston and make a weekend out of the race, and of course, crash at your place. For most, it’s a social race. A good excuse to get in shape with friends, and have a little post-run celebration. I’m all for it.

So why haven’t I run it since 1999? For starters, I hate trying to get back to Mt. Pleasant. I tried running back this year, but when I got to the bridge, the cop told me the bike lane wouldn't be open until 12 or 12:30. What?

Also, it can be frustrating trying to get a personal best, or even run your normal pace for that matter. Just too many people. But that's fine. This race is about all the people who don't normally run, the first-timers, the walkers, family and friends, the city, the party, the event.

Get Over It, Get Under It

I ran the bridge this year because I want to do the Lowcountry Splash (2.4 mile harbor swim), which has a “Get Over It, Get Under It” challenge in which you combine your bridge run time with your swim time. That sounds cool to me, so I signed up. My goal was to break 45 minutes this year, which is a good bridge time for me. I planned on running consecutive 7:10 miles, saving a little extra for that last .2 of the run.

My time was 44:14, so mission accomplished. But I'd forgotten just how difficult those first two miles are when you consider all the runners. I think my first mile was just under 8 minutes, and it was all zig zagging and median hopping. Once I got to the top of the bridge and things opened up some, I was able to find my rhythm and cruise.

I probably won't wait another 9 years to run again. That's a long time. I didn't even know you could keep the timing chips. I'm used to turning those in after a race, or paying a $30 fee. I asked several people where we turn the chips in, and they looked at me like I had asked them for a cigarette. Finally, someone clued me in and said, "You keep it man. It's a souvenir." Awesome, thanks for the tip. I'll keep that in mind next year.

The Lost Races (RIP)

It’s always a disappointment when you are filling in your race schedule for the year and you realize that a race you really enjoy has been cancelled. I call these the “Lost” races. Usually, another event will pop up in its place, but you still feel bummed out. You grow attached to these races. You expect these races to be there, even when you can’t, like when you have to go out of town to a wedding or family reunion. Over the years I’ve seen some good races come and go, and I want to pay my respects to some of my favorites.

ACE Basin Triathlon
My brother and I did this race as a relay team in 2000. The format was a 6 mile paddle, 14 mile road bike, 4 mile trail run. There was a festival-like atmosphere with music and food, and lots of fun things for the kids. After the race, most people pulled out their lawn chairs and coolers and enjoyed the afternoon. It didn’t feel super competitive like most triathlons. The vibe was much more casual and low key. Still, there were lots of participants and volunteers. Kayaks were provided. The awards were cool. It was just a well coordinated event in a unique setting.

Altahama Wilderness Adventure Race
I did this race in 2004 with some buddies. We packed up the mountain bikes and headed to Hazlehurst, Georgia for this 8-hour adventure race. A lot of the participants camped out at the race site, creating a good community vibe. The course was awesome and challenging. Post-race food and awards were great. Entry fees were reasonable. Plus, my team won the overall male division, but we weren’t able to defend our title the following year! Alas, all good things must come to an end.

Charleston Collegiate 5K
Charleston Collegiate is a prep school on John’s Island. The inaugural year for this event was 2003. I don't do many 5ks, but I was coming off a marathon training program and wanted to see how my 5k time had improved. I picked this race because of the course. After 1.5 miles on pavement, the course turned down a dirt road and back toward the school, looping around the ball fields and outer edges of the campus and ending in the school parking lot. Have I mentioned I love XC running? Plaques were awarded 3 deep in every age group. Live Oak café (I think it was them) provided a full breakfast, and there was a coffee station! Have I mentioned I love coffee? Anyway, I got the flu the following year and had to miss it. Then a water main ruptured on the campus and they cancelled the event in 2005. In 2006, they replaced the race altogether with a soap box derby race or something. Bummer.

N. Myrtle Beach Triathlon

I did the N. Myrtle Beach Tri in 2007, which I think was its second year in existence. The course was a 700 yard ocean swim, 15 mile bike, 5k. The race director was Mark Horton of the The North Myrtle Beach Aquatic and Fitness Center, and he did a phenomenal job. He had live music and food at registration, a good host hotel with reasonable rates, great awards, lots of volunteers, and the best part, a drawing for a complete tri bike. You should know that there were only 100 or so participants, so the odds were pretty good. This was very nice perk. I was hoping this event would grow because all the pieces are there, but I don’t see it on the calendar this year. I suspect the new TriAmerica National Triathlon Series, which includes a stop in Myrtle Beach on Oct 11, is taking its place. It’s nice to have an event fill that weekend, but I hope it doesn’t discourage Mark from continuing to produce top quality races. I, for one, appreciate his efforts.

Family Circle Cup Triathlon
This was a great race at the Family Circle Cup Tennis Center on Daniel Island that lasted a couple years. The .4 mile swim was in the Wando river. The 15 mile bike took you out to Clements Ferry road and back, then a 4 mile run through the Daniel Island neighborhoods. Another really cool venue that didn't return. I spoke to race director Paul King who said that the tides in the Wando made selecting a date and time difficult. I'm not complaining, because Paul now directs the East Cooper Triathlon, which basically replaced this event. But it was fun while it lasted.

I’ON Man Biathlon
This biathlon (1500mtr swim, 5k) in I’On neighborhood was held every July 4. In all the years it was around, I was never able to race it due to family vacations. Finally, last year, my calendar was clear, but it was cancelled and replaced with the Trophy Lakes 5k. Very disappointing.

RIP old friends. You are missed. Maybe we will meet again.