Pre Race Preparation

The triathlon I have next week held a swim clinic at the race site for people to become familiar with the course. In addition to the swim clinic the Triad Triathlon Team held their annual picnic at the same park where we were able to run the 5K course of the triathlon as well. Although I didn't participate in the swim clinic, I did want to be there to get a first hand look at the lake and I was interested in what the water temperature would be. The swim clinic had a huge turnout with a surprising number of beginners wanting to practice open water swimming before the race next week. I didn't hear an exact degree amount for the water temperature, but based on comments I heard from some of the swimmers the water was quite warm near the shore and got increasingly cooler the further out you went. I've been contemplating doing this race without a wetsuit because I don't think the water will be very cold, and it will save me time not having to take it off in the first transition. However, the extra speed from wearing it would probably make up for any time saved by not having to take it off. With the large number of beginners doing this race the race director will make sure wetsuits are allowed, so I will probably end up wearing mine just to take advantage of the extra speed. Being able to run the 5K course for the race ahead of time was also an advantage. I was familiar with parts of the run course which is mostly trails, but there were other sections that were new to me. I'm very anxious to do this race because it's been several weeks since my last race and I'm expecting good things to come from all of the hard work I've done recently.