FAQ's

Hi. It's Laura.

Happy Friday!

It is indeed a happy Friday. It is recovery week for me which just means that I am not killing myself during every workout. Nice leisurely rides, no hardcore runs and swims that are manageable. Of course this all comes to end on Monday as I enter week nine of training.

I thought it would be nice if I answered some of the questions that I get asked all the time. My answers to the FAQ's are very specific to me and to the NYC Aquaphor Triathlon.

What is a triathlon?

The modern triathlon consists of swimming, biking and running in consecutive order. The participants’ times also include the “transition” times between each event. The multisport race format is designed to test the endurance of its participants, much more so than swimming, biking, or running alone.

What is T1 and T2?

T1 (transition 1) is the period between the swim and the bike portions of the triathlon. During this stage, triathletes switch from their swim gear into their cycling gear.

T2 (transition 2) is the period between the bike and run portions of the triathlon. During this stage, triathletes switch from their cycling gear into their running gear

Where is the triathlon? What is the distance?

1500 Meter Swim

The race starts on Manhattan's Westside at 99th Street in the Hudson River. The point to point swim course is near the seawall to minimize the effect of the current. Kayakers, lifeguards, jet-skiers and other members of the water safety team frame a 20 yard swim lane from start to finish. Athletes swim south and exit near the 79th Street Boat Basin before running into transition (T1). The Hudson River, one of America's most famous waterways, is home to many open water swims and is considered one of the cleanest rivers in New York. Because it feeds into the ocean, it is a salt-water river.

40 Kilometer Bike
The cycling course exits Riverside Park at 79th Street. Athletes enter the northbound entrance of the Henry Hudson Highway, staying in the right lane. Athletes will continue on a moderately hilly course north out of Manhattan, over the Hudson River Bridge, and exit onto the Mosholu Parkway. The course proceeds south on the Mosholu and U-turns at Gunhill Road in the Bronx. Participants will proceed back to the Henry Hudson Parkway and ride south in the northbound lane to 57th street where another U-turn will be completed and cyclists will head north and exit the Henry Hudson Parkway at 79th street and proceed back to the transition area (T2). All bicycle traffic will utilize the normally northbound roadway which will be totally closed to vehicular traffic.

10 Kilometer Run
Runners will exit Riverside Park at 72nd Street and run into Central Park. Runners turn left when entering Central Park and run in a clockwise direction around the northern loop of Central Park. The Finish line is on Dead Road, just west of the band shell on the 72nd Street Transverse in Central Park

When is the triathlon?

The triathlon is Sunday, July 14th, 2013

Pro athletes swim start is at 5:50 am. Age groupers swim start begins at 6:00 am and athletes enter the water in 15 at-a-time with 20 seconds between the next wave. Last year I was in the water by 7:00AM.

What do you wear on race day?

This is by far the most frequently asked question.

I wear a sports bra, tri top and tri shorts for the bike & run and a wetsuit, goggles, swim cap and all the previous mentioned for the swim. There is not option to change into your clothes during transition so whatever you are going to wear for the bike and run is what you are going to wear to swim in. This is why it is so important to know what you are wearing on race day so you can train in the clothing and know it works

When I dress in the morning on race day, I don the outfit. At the swim start, I just pull my wetsuit over my outfit. The whole ensemble is wicking so it will dry while I am on the bike and then get wet again while I sweat.

Tri shorts are very similar to bike shorts but with less padding so you can run in them.

Tri tops are really just a bike shirt with pockets in the back to store equipment and fuel.

When you come out of the water at the end of the swim, you strip off your wetsuit, slap on your helmet, sunblock, sunglasses and go. Pro's usually keep the bike shoes on the bike and get their feet into the shoes while they start riding. I am not a pro.

After the bike, back to transition (T2) to change sunglasses (faster to swap them out then to clean them,) running hat (hair management and sweat absorption,) slip on sneakers ( speed laces make this much faster) and then I run.

I hope this answers some of your questions. Keep the questions coming and I will be happy to answer them as best as I can.

Happy Friday!

Play hard!

Laura