Blizzard biathlon results

**eclectic** · 03-01-2009, 01:46 PM

She went, she swam, she finished and a good time was had by all!

I competed in the local Blizzard biathlon today. I was VERY glad I was only swimming it. The temps were +8 F and the wind chill was -11 F or -24 C. The route was an out and back 2x's because of the ice and snow on the roads so the runners had to go against the wind 2x's.

My partner was AWESOME! he got the 5 miles done in 39:42 and I was able to get the 500 swim done in 9:16 so w/ transition our ttl time was 49:24 better than we did last time and we are both 2 years older !

I feel pretty darn good about our times. The winning mixed relay team was a couple of kids who just graduated high school last year - the runner was a high school x-country runner and the swimmer was on the state championship swim team - They only beat us by 4:50 and their combined ages was 63 years less than ours

They now know they are going to really have to maintain the pace in the future.

**solobiker** · 03-01-2009, 01:55 PM

Way to go!! That is awesome. Too cold for me!!

**Biciclista** · 03-01-2009, 01:56 PM

how does one swim in these temperatures? Isn't there ICE?
congrats on your courage and inner strength.

**solobiker** · 03-01-2009, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by eclectic

She went, she swam, she finished and a good time was had by all!

I feel pretty darn good about our times. The winning mixed relay team was a couple of kids who just graduated high school last year - the runner was a high school x-country runner and the swimmer was on the state championship swim team - They only beat us by 4:50 and their combined ages was 63 years less than ours

They now know they are going to really have to maintain the pace in the future.

Boy, you really were not that far behind, plus with the age gap you totally cranked. Congrats again!!

**eclectic** · 03-01-2009, 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by Biciclista

how does one swim in these temperatures? Isn't there ICE?
congrats on your courage and inner strength.

Yes there is ice about 2 to 3 feet of it on every body of water w/i 500 miles (or more) so we swam in the indoor pool

See I told you I had it cushy compared to the runners

to be fair though I have swam in heated outdoor pools up in Alberta so I guess it could be possible to do an outdoor pool swim but alas all our open water is no where near open

**OakLeaf** · 03-01-2009, 04:00 PM

Way to go!

Great time!

**luv'nAustin** · 03-01-2009, 04:42 PM

Sweeeeeet! All that training in the pool is really paying off for you this year! Keep up the good work!

**Urlea** · 03-01-2009, 05:28 PM

Thanks for the report Eclectic, was curious how things went. Congrats & Awesome job!!!

You & your relay buddy did very well!

Not a bad start to your race season.

(Still inwardly laughing about the OWS ice question. The cold makes us a little nutty up here, but not that crazy!

)

**Susan Otcenas** · 03-01-2009, 06:25 PM

Wow, eclectic, that's fantastic! Great swim time!

I'm trying to imagine how the solo folks could go from being wet to running outside in that temperature. Your hair would freeze!!

We do some pool-swim triathlons here in April & May. Depending on the weather, it can be quite a shock to go from the heated pool to being really chilly on the bike. I can't imagine doing it in the temperatures you guys have!

Susan

**solobiker** · 03-01-2009, 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by Susan Otcenas

Wow, eclectic, that's fantastic! Great swim time!

I'm trying to imagine how the solo folks could go from being wet to running outside in that temperature. Your hair would freeze!!

We do some pool-swim triathlons here in April & May. Depending on the weather, it can be quite a shock to go from the heated pool to being really chilly on the bike. I can't imagine doing it in the temperatures you guys have!

Susan

Good point Susan. My hair would be frozen in minuets.

**Urlea** · 03-01-2009, 06:48 PM

Susan Yes, your hair does freeze. My first tri of the season last year was a pool swim (around 75 degrees air temp) then maybe 30 degrees outdoors for the transitions, bike & run with 25+ mph winds.

When the door opened to leave the pool room after the swim, being hit by the cold air was blinding & shocking. Good incentive to get changed into your gear quickly! We stuck foot warmers in our tri shoes to heat them up ahead of time.

Needless to say it was an adventure and obviously didn't deter me from doing more tris!

Thought I had better add that you do warm up as you go. It wasn't that miserable once you've warmed up.

**Susan Otcenas** · 03-02-2009, 07:26 AM

Originally Posted by Urlea

It wasn't that miserable once you've warmed up.

The standard by which to judge all future triathlons....

**eclectic** · 03-02-2009, 08:26 AM

Our Bi was much simpler - run first - swim 2nd. Transition would take forever for the amount of running stuff a person would have to put on for a -11 F run.

But yes I have frozen hair at least 3 days per week when I swim in the AM. I have lived here so long and done it for so long I don't even think about it. And to think when I was young my dad would never let me go out w/ wet hair except in the summer - now it can be -30 F and I go out w/ wet hair and am none worse for wear - I am only out for about 5 or 6 minutes, however (no hat BTW - that just gets your hat wet

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