Special thanks to Rory Duckworth, Salt Lake Tri Club Head Coach and Founder, for this Utah Half preview. The Utah Half is this Saturday, and offers its namesake half iron distance (70.3) in addition to sprint and olympic options. Get out and race!!
Register here before it's too late! → The Utah Half
The Utah Half has always been one of my favorites. The courses and venue have changed over the years but it's still a local classic that everyone must try. It was my first long-distance race in 2010 in which I DNF'd due to bike issues and I have participated in some degree every year since then. It has been fun racing over the years with Utah Tri Legends like Spencer Woolston, B.J. Christenson, Heath Thurston, Jorge de Amorim Filho, Marc Rosello, Jason Crompton, and Travis Iverson.
Speaking specifically on this year's race there are a few things that are noteworthy if you're planning to race in 2019.
1) The water will be cold, but not freezing cold. Expect the water temps to be around 60 degrees. This will shock you initially but once you get moving you should feel great. Stay calm and remember it will get warm as you go. A long sleeved wetsuit and a neoprene cap is recommended if you don't do well with cold water. I would swim in a speedo but I have experience in cold water.
 |
| B.J., Rory, and the late great legend, Jason Crompton |
2) The air temperature WILL BE COLD!!! As you get out of the water expect to be VERY COLD on the bike. Plan to have warm clothes in the morning before the race and during the first part of the bike. Temperatures will get warmer but not for a good 2 hrs after exiting the water and they will be perfect for the run!
3) Two transitions. SHOW UP EARLY TO SET UP transitions. Because parking is not allowed by transition it can take some time to set your T1 and T2 stuff up. You need to get ready to pack your swim stuff in a bag after the swim and pre-plan how you're going to set up your stuff in both transitions.
 |
| Marc the Sharc Rosello |
4) Water levels will be high, meaning faster run and transition time for T1.
5) KNOW THE COURSE - every year one or two athletes get lost. Per USAT rules it's the athlete's responsibility to KNOW THE COURSE. Be cautious, yield to traffic, and obey all officers. If you get lost and go the wrong way don't be mad at anyone but yourself. It's nice to have a course well marked but stuff happens and volunteers are only human. When you're in the thick of racing things some times can get miscommunicated through fatigue. It's best to load the course to your bike computer or pre-ride/drive the course and take mental notes of turns.
6) Transition Areas and Shuttle. Read the options on the RaceTri website about this. If you ride your bike down from Francis and don't take the shuttle, BE VERY CAREFUL not to crash with clothes or bags getting caught in the wheels. It would suck to break a bone before the race even started!
7) Nutrition. BIKE - there will be one aid station that athletes will pass at approximately miles 7, 24.5, 31, and 48. If you would like to send a drop bag with any special nutrition to this aid station, drop it off at check-in on race morning. RUN - The aid stations on the run course are subject to change. There will be aid stations at approximately miles 2.5, 4.5, 5, 6.5, 9, 11, 11.5, and 13. With this said it's always wise to have most items packed with you on the bike so you don't need to rely on the course nutrition just in case the race directors don't get enough volunteers.
8) Different distances. There will be Sprint, Olympic, and Half distance participants. Don't let this confuse you when you're racing. Don't assume they are in the same race and follow them at the wrong turn.
9) INVITE YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY!!! Invite your tri friends to come and have fun by either racing or volunteering. Or get your family to come and help. The more racers and volunteers the better the race. I have a rule that every triathlete should at a minimum volunteer at two local races each year.
10) HAVE FUN!!! Before, during, and after the event remind yourself WHY you are doing this. No one there makes a living from racing so smile and when something goes wrong (something always goes wrong) adapt and laugh it off. This is why this sport is so fun. Thank a volunteer and race director. They have taken time out of their day to make your race better.
I hope these tips help you to have a more successful race this Saturday. I can't wait to be in the beautiful mountains with fresh air and suffering with all my Tri friends.
Rory Duckworth
Salt Lake Tri Club Head Coach and Founder
www.saltlaketriclub.com
Rory Duckworth
Salt Lake Tri Club Head Coach and Founder
www.saltlaketriclub.com
Register here before it's too late! → The Utah Half
UTAH TRIATHLON CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES 2019 DETAILS --> SEE POST HERE !
Below are links to all the races in the 2019 Championship Series:
We started a Patreon account (link below) with the hope of raising a few bucks towards awards & swag for athletes of all abilities in our tri community. We've given out a lot over the past 2 years, but would like to continue to expand our offerings & the volume we can do.
Below are links to all the races in the 2019 Championship Series:
Below are links to all Challenger Races:
We started a Patreon account (link below) with the hope of raising a few bucks towards awards & swag for athletes of all abilities in our tri community. We've given out a lot over the past 2 years, but would like to continue to expand our offerings & the volume we can do.
If you enjoy Utah Tri Buzz and would like to pitch in, any amount would be greatly appreciated... (there may be something in it for you as well!)
We're also always grateful for talented people who contribute in terms of time... let us know if you'd like to be part of the Utah Tri Buzz team.
No comments:
Post a Comment