Autumn Colors report
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253 days
Buckupnorth posted 8 weeks ago.
Good race report! How was the water? Was it as "crystal clear" as they described it on the website? It is really difficult to race with a cold, so just doing the race is a great effort! I am going to try to get over there to do an xterra next year, so we could trail run together. I just did a race near Kazoo that featured a trail run and it was a blast. Glad you and your kiddies made it thru the day:) Way to finish up the season!! It will be snowing up here before ya know it:( Becky.
6
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63 days
ironmama posted 8 weeks ago.
Thanks! And no- crystal clear is nowhere close (except 4 feet from shore) although only 2 really weedy patches to get through but very green water otherwise. I am spending the day going through Fall/winter clothes for the kids and have to already get out the warm coats for the bus stop in the morning- it was 33 degrees one day week before last. Xterra sounds like fun although I don't have a good mountain bike- more like a hybrid rec bike for the dirt roads around here. Not sure if a new bike is in the budget (again) this year. We'll have to sync up next season for sure.
-andrea
133
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1357 days
grlawguy posted 8 weeks ago.
Hey, congrats on finishing the race; my second to last race of the season (Prairie View in Vicksburg, MI (near Portage-Kalamazoo), I had the same motivational issues and a cold. I waivered on whether to do the OLY that I had signed up for or drop down to the sprint --or do what I really wanted to, which was stay in bed!
I know exactly what you mean about the snot rockets not rocketing --ugh; gross; 'nuff said.
As for a trail run --the Prairie View race mentioned above has mostly a trail run or running through a mowed field. Check it out --it is a 3D race, but they did a good job with that race both this year and last.
So, now, on to the off season and preparations for the 2009 Race Season, right?
Congrats again and thanks for the RR!
25
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253 days
Buckupnorth posted 8 weeks ago.
I really enjoyed the Prarie view race,too. We need to have a Michigan tri fuel meeting! We are all at the same races and never get to meet each other. We will have to get in sync for '09. Maybe by then you two will be over your snot rocket problem;) Becky.
6
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63 days
ironmama posted 8 weeks ago.
"Check it out --it is a 3D race, but they did a good job "
Just curious what you mean by the quote above- have heard some not so great things about 3D myself but nothing really specific.
the relief and accomplishment that I feel today is great and I know I would be regretting it if i did not at least TRI :-)
Are you guys doing the Detroit marathon per chance? I am as part of a relay ( couldn't run more than 1 mile as of March this year:-)
25
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253 days
Buckupnorth posted 8 weeks ago.
Detroit was on my list this year, but did a 1/2 mary instead. I was trying to focus on tri this summer, so the full mary was put off til later. I have only done one 3D race (Prairie view x2) and did not have any problems. Good luck w/Detroit. I have heard it is a great race. It is on my list of races to do:) Becky.
133
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1357 days
grlawguy posted 8 weeks ago.
On some other boards, there have been some negative comments about 3D-produced races --poor organization, communication, and not enough volunteers/staffing. I have not personally encountered it in any of the 3D races I have done, but since others have noted it, I have been leary. Again, the 3D race at Prairie View was well done.
I was going to try for a 1/2 mary this fall in Grand Rapids, but it's just not going to happen. Setting my sights on some 5ks, maybe some 10ks this late fall/winter, then River Bank Run in GR in the spring, Zoo-de-Mac bike thing (lots of fun), then 2009 tri racing.
And yes, we have to set up something for TFers in MI at some race.
25
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253 days
Buckupnorth posted 8 weeks ago.
I am in for 5/3! Where in G.R. are you located? I am in Wyoming and go to the Visser Y, if you are ever in that area. I have also heard some of the negative stuff about 3D, but have never experienced it first hand. Hope to meet you all soon!
133
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1357 days
grlawguy posted 8 weeks ago.
I'm down in the Caledonia/Byron end of town. Swim either at Byron HS, downtown GR Y or sometimes E. Kentwood HS. Run often either downtown or on the Kent Trail (starting from 84th and heading north). Summer time swim/bike bricks are usually focused around an OWS early in the a.m. in Green Lake.
25
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253 days
Buckupnorth posted 8 weeks ago.
Wow! I can't believe we have never met! I swim at Byron,too! It must be at different times. I also run the Kent trail. I have the white lab and do a long run every Sun. morning. Maybe we'll meet up sometime. I do my ows in Georgetown Lake. Good to know another trifuler is near by:)
Ok- first time writing a race report so bear with me :-)
First, I actually did it! I went to pre-race day registration hoping to get more excited about it and got the t-shirt but then had to pay another $10 for USAT event so now I had to do the race. My cold seemed somewhat improved but then 15 mins before having to leave, my husband not only tore one tube, but also popped my spare trying to work fast to leave on time. It seemed the perfect excuse for not going but alas, knew in my mind there would be a bike shop outift ready and willing to fix my flat at the event- (here i was actually happy that if I had a flat on the course I would have no spare and would have to DNF) Very bad attitude I admit. But I was so low on energy, could barely get my wetsuit on for being weak and dizzy. So here i am trying to psyche mysef up and they announce that the start time (for women's only race) would be postponed at least 30 minutes- around 11:00 am and I was again ready to bail- THIS IS MY LUNCHTIME and i did not bring enough fuel to get me to 3 pm without solids. Not to mention, anyone who has kids (mine are 5 and 7) now how much you want your kids to have fun, not be bored, tired , hungry and never want to come cheer on mommy again. But we could leave the parking lot due to the men's race so leaving not an option. THEN, they re-announce the race wil begin at 10:30 as scheduled (too many women shaking their heads apparently). This is when i also discover that men have been wiping out on the bike course (not raining but sodium chloride on road at turn around-not cool).
Ok on with it...SWIM: I had my fastest pace! eventhough my arms felt dead from the start. BIKE: hilly and I didn't push it- coudn't breathe well through my nose (and yuk yuk yuk) my snot rockets did not rocket so I stopped trying. Gross I know. Hard to tell how well you are doing relative to others because there are 3 - 6 mile loops - so not sure who is on which loop. My husband (who is the king of saying the wrong thing just when I convince myself that I am out there to have fun, finish and not worry about a PR or palcing) says to me at the turn around- "what happened to you- did you get a flat or soemthing?" Not very nice but he tries- at least the kids are still cheering and smiling! RUN- i honestly think they made a portion of the run course (trail run) the day before. FOund out afterwards there were lots of sprained ankles too. It was rutty, rocky, inclined and maybe with hiking boots and walking would have been safe- not for tired wobby legs right off the bike. I made it though- and don't you all just LOVE trail runs- it feels like you are running so fast with the trees whipping by and yet I had the slowest time ever over 11 minutes! I will be looking for venues with trail runs for sure next season so if anyone knows some good ones in Michigan-pass it on. One other thing- i DO advise a dark beer after a race but do NOT advise drinking the beer in a hot tub and then trying to stand without passing out afterwards. Soak first, then cold beer.