20 replies to this topic

[WhiffyFuzzball]

Hi,

Having been running for a few years and completed some 10K, half marathons and a marathon a few years ago, I was inspired to enter and train for an Olympic tri in March 2008 and so entered the sprint tri in Kurnell at the end of November. Training is going well and I'm confident I'll finish OK, but am stressing over the arrangements. Running races are simple - turn up in your kit, run, go home. Tri is a little more complicated, with the bike, transitions etc. Can anyone give me some details on things like when to arrive, how/when is the bike stored, how much space do I have in the transition area, what should I keep there, etc etc? Any specific Kurnell advice? I'm planning to scout out the course this weekend.


Thanks,


Paul

[junglegirl]

WFB,

Make sure you have

togs(bathers if you are from anywhere else), goggles, cap,(maybe a wetsuit)
a bike and helmet, and bike shoes
your running shoes

Seriously you would be surprised at the kind of things people forget(not your bodyglide) it is normally the basics that people forget, just make sure you have the essentials you need to complete the race, (the other technical stuff you can acquire the more races you do).

If this is the same race I did about 10 years ago, I remember my husband, our friend and myself, cut lonely figures wearing togs, only, when everyone else had wetsuits on. We lived in Darwin at the time, and had travelled to Sydney for it, I don't even know if you could buy a wetsuit in Darwin at the time. But we still completed the swim, a little cool, I might say.You will have heaps of fun, and have another sport to become obsessed with.
Junglegirl

[WhiffyFuzzball]

Thanks JG. Anyone else with a Kurnell experience to share?

[Mango]

Last year there were several rather large patches of bindi's on the grass between the swim exit and transition (approx. 60-80m). Unless you enjoy the pain of getting these nasty things stuck in your feet I would suggest leaving crocs, sandals or something similar at the swim exit and use them to get you to T1 bindi free.

If you have already registered the race organiser will keep you informed (via email) of the latest conditions so you can prepare accordingly.

I can't make the first race but hope to do a couple in the new year.

Enjoy the day and don't forget to post your race report back here

[RaceMikeRace]

Ok here goes:

Put your bike on one of the racks in the transition area (either hanging with the brake levers hooked over the bar, or hanging with the front of the seat hooked over the bar - your choice)

To the right of the bike lay down a towel with your bike shoes (if you have any - otherwise if you have platform pedals just ride in your running shoes) and running shoes on top of the towel. You can stand on the towel when coming in from the swim to dry your feet before putting on the shoes. Oh you'll also need a singlet or shirt - something to cover your chest for the bike and run. Weird triathlon modesty rule! Just pop it over your shoes so you don't forget to put it on.

Put your bike helmet either on top of your shoes or on the handlebars - make sure you put on your helmet before taking your bike off the rack (and don't forget to take it off after the ride, before launching into the run!)

Then wander down to the swim start with speedos and goggles and you're all set. Maybe wear a t-shirt to keep warm in, then just before getting in the water give it to a friend to hold.

My biggest tip is make sure you arrive early! Then you can look around at how other people have set up in transition and copy them. Keep it simple for your first race - other people around you will have all kinds of cool and crazy gear that you can spend lots of money on later if you decide that triathlons are your thing, but to begin with it's better not to overcomplicate things.

I've never done the Kurnell races so I can't give you any race-specific info, but I'm sure someone else here can. Good luck and don't forget to relax and enjoy it!

[Nihao]

Like Mango, I did a few of these last year/early this year and I really enjoyed them. Get there early, as you enter the car park you will be directed to a parking spot and then it is just a matter of confirming your rego and then heading over to transition and setting up. Very easy, just lay your gear out on a towel next to your bike. I prefer hanging my bike over the rack via the seat - easier to get off the rack. Once you have all your gear sorted they have a closed-in area where you can put your sports bag as no sports bags are to be left in transition - just your tri gear. This event is well organised and the atmosphere is very friendly. The bike and run are pretty flat and if you have done your training then you will have no problems. With the bike course, stay left unless overtaking as they have marshalls on silent motorbikes checking that you are not drafting etc etc. The swim though can either be good or a challenge. If it's windy and choppy then expect a bit of a battle (last year the cans blew out and the swim turned into a 1km swim rather than a 750 metre swim) but if the weather is kind then the swim is pretty good. The organiser of this one does a good job so I'm hoping to be out there again for a few of them. Have fun as this triathlon series is a lot of fun!!

[WhiffyFuzzball]

One more thing - I'm doing this race with my partner. I know competitors are not allowed outside help, but if she gets a puncture am I allowed to help her? i.e. can competitors help other competitors?

Thanks,

Paul

[Nihao]

Mmmm pretty sure you can't. Did at various times see people not far from one another fixing their own bikes but can't say I saw anyone helping another triathlete. I'd say no you can't. Have seen triathletes walking their bikes back to transition with flat tyres so I guess this gives you the answer.

[RangaRunner]

WhiffyFuzzball, on Nov 13 2007, 08:00 PM, said:

One more thing - I'm doing this race with my partner. I know competitors are not allowed outside help, but if she gets a puncture am I allowed to help her? i.e. can competitors help other competitors?

Thanks,

Paul

Hi Paul

I think you can help her by giving her a crash course in tube replacement over the next couple of weeks.
Gotta learn some time, all part of it.

Cheers

[Will]

Hey guys,

Who's coming for the Kurnell race on Sunday? I'll be there for my 3rd tri and first sprint distance. The plan is to go flat out...It's gonna hurt!!

[Mango]

Will, on Jan 10 2008, 11:23 AM, said:

Who's coming for the Kurnell race on Sunday? I'll be there for my 3rd tri and first sprint distance. The plan is to go flat out...It's gonna hurt!!

Hey Will,

Unfortunately, I can't make this race but I might get to the next one where we can have our 're-match'. Maybe we should get the Burglar to enter as well so we can have our showdown

Kurnell is a great course and you should have a lot of fun. Just watch out for the bindis between the swim exit and transition area.

[Hamburglar]

Mango, on Jan 10 2008, 12:37 PM, said:

Unfortunately, I can't make this race but I might get to the next one where we can have our 're-match'. Maybe we should get the Burglar to enter as well so we can have our showdown

Yeah I am up for a showdown, although I think you two blokes training for Ironman might smash me. But as I have now returned to full time running, you never know, I may catch you on the run

[thomo]

Will, on Jan 10 2008, 11:23 AM, said:

Hey guys,

Who's coming for the Kurnell race on Sunday? I'll be there for my 3rd tri and first sprint distance. The plan is to go flat out...It's gonna hurt!!

Are you going to tell about your warm up and cooldown plans?

Remember there are people who post / lurk on transitions

[kb]

Helmet will be there - I am working

wt

[Helmet]

Yes, I will be there - my agent has booked me in. Sadly she is working

H

[MommaAndPoppaBear]

Hi, Momma and Poppa Bear here.

We are on holidays in QLD at the moment. We had to leave the kombi at home as it is having some rust cut out before we head to Port IM in April.

We have just visited Warwick which Wildthing tells us is the home of a fun racing weekend in May - she says it coincides with SMH half marathon which is why she hasn't invited us to cheer at Warwick.

Because we are not in NSW we won't be at Kurnell this weekend to cheer on our favourite son-in-law, Helmet.

Good luck to everyone racing.

Go hard

Momma and Poppa Bear

Edited by MommaAndPoppaBear, 10 January 2008 - 01:25 PM.

[Hamburglar]

So how did yous guys go?

[Helmet]

I am pretty pleased with my effort at Kurnell today - more so seeing that I rode 170km yesterday.

Swim: 19:31
Bike: 37:20
Run: 20:51

Total:1:17:44

It was nice to have race practice swimming in salt water.

H

[Will]

Well this was my third tri and first sprint. Rode from Bondi before the race and rode back after to make it a good day training.

Had a good swim, then couldn't find any energy on the bike and picked up quite a few people on the run. I fell off the bike at the beginning while trying to put my cleat in. I'll go back to having the cleats already on the pedals.

Swim: 15:35
Bike: 37:27
Run: 20:12

TOTAL: 1:13:16 (18/54 in 24/29 AG)

Pretty happy with that!

Thanks to the organisers/volunteers and to Cronulla tri club for the sausage/bacon and egg sandwich!

[Mango]

Great work guys and impressive times given Helmet's 170k the day before and Will riding to/from the race.

Looks like you guys are on track to carve it up at Port in April

[sfGnome]

I was looking at the web site last night. Do you blokes really pay $100 per race (ie every month)?? OK, I know it's cheaper for tri club members, but why do you reckon that the race-day licence is $25 at Kurnell when it's only something like $10 at Nepean?? If the race-day licence is to cover insurance, why are they different?