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Tempe Town Lake Updates Thread

TerryOTerryO
in Group Discussion-Ironman Arizona 2010

I thought I would start one thread where all updates and comments about the Tempe Town Lake dam reconstruction could go. 

I just saw the article posted previously.  I'm sure they are going to have a contingency plan.  If they used Saguaro Lake I don't think that would be bad, although definitely not ideal.  It's hosted many other previous open water swimming races.  In fact I plan to do my first RR swim there.  It's warmer than TTL as well.  It would certainly be a logistical nightmare for accomodations, transportation, etc. though.  T1 would have to be out there but it has direct access to the Beeline Highway so with a slight bike course modification, T2 and the run course would remain the same.  I would really hope that they wouldn't have a bunch of complainers about the hills.

All that being said, I still think it's going to be done.  But they will be spending 2 weeks filling it with some cold a$$ water.

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Comments

  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    Sounds like the city is on track to me. The refill plan is to use water from Roosevelt Lake which is the feeder to Saguaro anyway. But suppose they pumped the water from the very bottom of the lake at it's coldest point...wouldn't it be exposed to the avg temperature in Tempe en route to the dam? I'm guessing it would warm up...or at least I hope so! If they do have to move the swim venue, then I guess it would be an early morning bus ride to T1, some extra hlls, then all else the same like you are saying. I'm hoping for the original course, but happy they have a back-up plan!
  • TerryOTerryO
    @Paul - you would think it would be warmer, but the same logic should apply to the former TTL. You would think that being exposed to 100+ degree temps all summer and early fall would make TTL warm, but alas, it was frickin' cold.
  • chuckgchuckg
    @Terry - Paul Huddle has talked about Saguaro Lake as an alternative. Are there any hills coming back to the Bee Line from Saguaro Lake? And if so, how big and long are they? Thanks for the continued updates, an locals view is always good.
  • TerryOTerryO
    Few rollers. Nothing too big or long. Then a couple coming down Beeline toward where the normal turnaround is. And remember, would only need to ride that stretch once and only right at the beginning.
  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    @ Terry - how cold is 'frickin' cold? image Looking at beginner triathlete.com it seemed like the consensus on last year's temp in TTL was 63-64. CDA was 61 this year. As long as it's warmer than 61 I shall not complain!
  • TerryOTerryO
    @ Paul - I swam in it before the race and the consensus was that it was in the high 50's but I heard the same temps for race day. ? 2500 people in the water. All I know is that from what I understand, a lot of people (mostly those in the water over 1:20) were hypothermic coming out. Some DNF'd the race. Some were in T1 warming up for a long time.
  • Al TruscottAl Truscott
    AZ last year was colder than CDA this year. I carry a thermometer with me (not a cheapo) and CDA (morning of race) was about 63, AZ was 61 (day before race).
    I think Terry defined frickin' cold very well: the temperature below which you start the bike shivering. It depends on time of immersion and effort level (which may be correlated), and so will be a different temp for each person.
  • CyclingmaniacCyclingmaniac

    I volunteered at IMAZ last year and was stationed right across from the Med Tent.   That tent was packed with about 25 to 30 people after the 1 hr 15 minute mark.  There were a couple of people that were pulled out of the water and brought to the landing by the boats.  Most people were non-functional after coming out of the water. 

    Purely my observation, but it seemed like the majority of people that were going into the Med Tent wore the sleeveless wetsuits or suits with no leg covering.  The water was reported at 64 degrees.  The combination of cool water, time in the water and what was worn were contributing factors.   

  • scott dinhoferscott dinhofer

    question: are booties or gloves legal at all in the swim?

  • TerryOTerryO
    @ Scott - gloves never, I think booties are always a race day decision by officials. Last year was a no.
  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    I think 65 degrees is the cut-off for booties. At IMCDA this year, they announced that booties were not allowed. Then 2 minutes later, the announcer corrected himself and said they were legal because the water was sub 65 (it was about 61). I would guess that 99% of the people did not use them. My right foot was a little numb coming out of the water but other than that it was fine.
  • Brian MVIPBrian MVIP
    I raced last year and the term "frickin' cold" is apt and like other areas of the race, I suggest having a plan. I"m a wuss when it comes to cold so I'm sure others weren't as wimpy as me in the water image. I swam on both days before the race for 15-20' and came out completely numb in my extremities so I knew race day wouldn't be easy. I had a full wetsuit on and my neoprene cap but my adductors were shivering/cramping 45' into the swim. T1 was an epileptic-like mess. I was shivering for the first 20' on the bike and could barely pedal more than 80rpm and put out any power. I was 2' from finding a medical tent to warm up - it was really bad - and certainly affected my day.

    So if you are looking to have a good race or you are sensitive to cold - you really need to think about your plan. Here's the problem - there is not much you can do about it - it is just another hurdle you have to deal with. I'm sure a neoprene cap helps. Booties, if they allow them, would probably help. Maybe vaseline on the hands and face? Not sure if that would help. I would have loved a warm fleece jacket for the first 30' on the bike just until you warm up- not some thin cycling jacket but a seriously warm, thick fleece jacket.

    I may be driving out with my 5yr old son to volunteer this year - he wants to hand out sponges again on the run - looking forward to seeing everyone!

  • TerryOTerryO

    The dam reconstruction is on schedule.  Not much else to report.  Every Friday there is an update posted.  Click here for the link to the Friday status report.

  • chuckgchuckg

    Saw this today.  Things are looking pretty good.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn1C...r_embedded

     

  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    @ Chuck - nice. I'll be a lot happier when they get the permission to start refilling. It's not like the Ariz. Dept of Resources hasn't had the application awhile. I hope there is significant political pressure on them to move faster.
  • chuckgchuckg
    @paul I am sure there is some sort of pressure being applied somewhere. There is a lot of money pumped into the Tempe are with IMAZ. Looks like things will get done.
  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    Check this out!!

    MONDAY, Oct. 4
    We didn't have a Friday Status Report for you because we were saving our great news for Monday morning, when you need it the most. Arizona Department of Water Resources has given Tempe permission to fill Tempe Town Lake. We will start this process this Friday, at about 7 a.m. Click to read the announcement and see the letter of permission. Everyone is welcome to join us at Boat Beach. We expect Town Lake to be completely full by Oct. 25, nearly a month before Ironman Arizona.

  • TerryOTerryO
    I'll be there this weekend. I'll shoot some pics and post.
  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    I should have read this post first! Pics will be good. BTW, due to a technical requirement resulting from the dam breech, the lake will be refilled to ONE FOOT LOWER than previously. That means 1 more foot to climb up after the swim!
  • John StarkJohn Stark
    Posted By Paul Hough on 05 Oct 2010 08:56 PM

    I should have read this post first! Pics will be good. BTW, due to a technical requirement resulting from the dam breech, the lake will be refilled to ONE FOOT LOWER than previously. That means 1 more foot to climb up after the swim!



    I am volunteering for the water exit ramp so for me that means one more foot I get to pull people up.    

    Looking forward to it!  

  • TerryOTerryO

    We have water!!

    This is the swim exit (where guy is sitting)

    Here is the water coming in.

     

     

  • TerryOTerryO

    Here is a look backwards to the starting line.  My coffee cup is at the line.  The Mill Ave bridge is in the background.  Note the ledge which can be stood on while waiting.

    This is looking down the course.  Note the boat launch which is like a few hundred yards from the start.

  • chuckgchuckg
    SWEET!!!
  • Scott AlexanderScott Alexander
    Looks like they were able to clean up the lakebottom too. Never a bad thing to get all that trash out of a body of water.
  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    @ Terry - thanks for the pics...great to see the water coming in! You are having one hell of a week...Myrtle Beach one weekend and Tempe the next. Can I carry your bags?

    @ Scott - not counting the dead fish, they pulled out 30,000 pounds of trash. Since the refill is coming from reservoir water instead of mountain run-off, I'm wondering if we may be endowed with the clearest (relatively speaking) IMAZ water in this race's history. Sure hope so!

  • Al TruscottAl Truscott
    Posted By Paul Hough on 08 Oct 2010 02:44 PM

    I'm wondering if we may be endowed with the clearest (relatively speaking) IMAZ water in this race's history. Sure hope so!



    I'm jealous!

    Terry - good note on that ledge as the place to wait for the start. Oh, and the pictures are so reassuring. What are the people doing IN the Lake while the water is pouring in?

  • TerryOTerryO

    @Al - they were taking pictures. My guess is that they are gone by now!

    @Paul - coming from the guy doing back to back centuries, 3 hour runs!!  You're on fire!



    I'm going to have my Father-in-law take pictures next weekend and send them to me. I will post as soon as I get them.

  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    @ Al - just wanted to say I read the recap of your accident and cringed. Still thinking about you lots and praying for a full recovery. I have to admit, that once, long ago, I was running in broad daylight, not really thinking and ran straight into the back of a car parked on the street. I was lucky I didn't break my knee cap and my injury was nothing compared to how bad you were hurt. I just wanted you to know, if it's any consolation at all, that you aren't the only one out there who hit a parked vehicle while exercising.
  • Al TruscottAl Truscott

    Paul - Maybe we should form the crash test dummies club!

  • chuckgchuckg

    here a bit about TTL and a swimming event AND a word about expected water temps on race day.

    http://triathlon.competitor.com/201...vent_16329

     

     

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