Vineman vs. Lake Stevens
I was contemplating doing both 70.3's next year but have never done either before. Now they are on the same day. Thoughts, recommendations, etc? Thanks!
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I was contemplating doing both 70.3's next year but have never done either before. Now they are on the same day. Thoughts, recommendations, etc? Thanks!
Comments
So if the full is the same weekend as the half, we could have a mini EN contingency. But you should do the full with me ;-)
The race is efficient, very well run and a very athlete friendly event.
PROS:
Swim course is in a low current (esp in July/Aug) river, straightforward and easy to sight. It's also shallow, so if you have any issues you can stand up
Bike course is scenic and rolling, not too challenging. It's one of those courses where if you are fit, the bike feels easy, if you're not so fit, it could hurt if not well paced
Run is also scenic, into winery vineyards and aid stations are well provisioned
It is smaller (relatively) than WTC 70.3 events, so is less chaotic and no min hotel stays, etc.
CONS:
Bike course can bunch up on the few hills there are
Both bike and run can be HOT that time of year. My year it was something like 95 at the finish line when my wave was coming through (we started late ~ 8:30 and so it was warm on the run. The earlier waves were much less heat-impacted). On the + side, the waves do rotate to give all AGs a fair weather window every few years
Disparate T1 and T2/finish locations ... this means logistics in the early AM w/ shuttle buses, etc. or shuttle back to the start from finish (its ~ 15 mi so too far to ride , really, after)
All in all, I would do it again. For me, the other big plus at the time was that I could literally drive up in the morning, do the race and drive home the same day. Made for a long afternoon ... but what better excuse than a need for salt and caffeine to stop for a huge Coke and fries on the way home.
@Michelle:
I haven't checked the race web site lately, but in prior years the 1/2 and full were on different weekends. They also have a women's only 1/2 (Barb's race) that is a fundraiser and is run either stand-alone or some years in conjunction with the full.
The full tends to be small (<300-400 people), but the 70.3 is probably closer to 1000. I think they do it on separate weekends due to issues with extended road closure times and people out on the course. </p>
I'm sure someone here has done the full and will chime in.
Notably, the full usually doesn't fill up -- so you don't need to sign up a year in advance.
Hi Michele: I have not ruled out the full. In fact, if there are 3 of us the race offers a buy 2 get the third free discount. Will keep that in mind.
lake stevens is in my opinion a more challenging course, based on the ride, which is quite technical with more punchy 'climbers' instead of 'rollers' for hills. I did it as a tune-up / training race while training for IM Wisconsin - and found the two rides to be technically similar.
if the water is calm, Lk stevens is a race where I think you can PR a swim leg. there is an underwater rope that runs between all the buoys (line a painted lane line!!!) and if you 'know' about this you can settle in and not have to worry about lifting head to sight the next buoy.
not able to pick a favorite since each represented a PR race for me.. good luck