March Triathlon Series Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

Marlene S.
Redwood City, CA

  (03-29-2011)

"For links to videos, pictures and course maps, check out my blog post @
http://www.accentfitness.net/accent-fitness/2011/03/1st -in-age-group-march-triathlon-series-olympic-distance-triath lon.html
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The March Triathlon Series was the first real triathlon of 2011 in California with a swim! The race is hosted by Cal Poly Triathlon and this year. for the 4th time, it was also the West Coast Collegiate Triathlon Conference Championships (WCCTC Championships) and the USAT Southwest Region Collegiate Championships for the second year in a row.

This was a great event! I wanted to do at least one full triathlon with a swim prior to Ironman St. George but not too close to the event that it would sidetrack my training. I learned about this race from Coach Gina Kehr from Affinity Multisport, who also coaches the Stanford Triathlon Team. I headed down to Pismo Beach on Saturday afternoon. Packet pickup at GH Sports were very well organized by the staff. The race had sold out at 650 participants and they had all of their ducks in a row.

Despite the early morning darkness, dampness and fog around 5:30am on race morning out at Lake Lopez, there were plenty of volunteers to direct you towards parking and the transition area. The transition area was a couple parking lot down from where Tri California holds their transition area for the Scott Tinley Triathlons. It was a closer setup to the swim entrance instead of the long boat ramp used in the other race. The race organizers were good about keeping time check and getting people out of transition area for an on-time or near on-time start.

The water was cold, not warm..probably around 56 degrees. I probably got in to warm up a little too early for being the last wave but once I was in, I couldn't decide whether it was colder staying in or getting out. From the shoreline, the swim appeared to be a simple clockwise triangular loop. However, with the slight fog and sun rising, once we were out there swimming, it was very difficult to sight the buoys. I felt like I was really off-course for most of the swim. Sometimes, I was looking around and not seeing any buoys. So then I was forced to swim in a direction which must have been wrong. Everyone always says that you should follow the people in front of you but I couldn't disagree more. When I looked around, there were swim caps everywhere, it was a sea of people all over the place. So definitely not the best way to find your path. Next year, I would recommend that they add more mid-point buoys so that it is clear where we should be swimming in order to take the best lines.

Getting out of the water was a challenge due to the cold. As I mounted the bike and started rolling, it should be a while to get situated. It was very cold. I knew it would be temporary but it still makes it challenging to feel like you are in race mode. When I got through the park exit and onto the road, I felt great! It was really exciting to be racing with my new power meter on my bike. I felt lots of energy and was somewhat familiar with the bike course from my previous races at Lake Lopez. It was fun racing with all of these collegiate athletes. They had great spirit and energy.

Instead of dreading the run, I was excited to see if all of my Ironman training would pay off on a 10K run. As usual, the first 2 miles were brutal. My feet were totally numb from the cold and legs felt heavy. It wasn't looking promising. But then, literally at the mid-way point, I felt adjusted and ready to run! I think it just confirms that sprint races are not for me and I was made for longer endurance. Gina encouraged me to start picking off runners and I proceed to do just that. i was super thrilled that I achieved a PR on a 10K off the bike with a 8:08 min/mile pace on a run course which wasn't flat!

The post-race food and setup was also very well put together. The awards ceremony was held within a reasonable time after the race and I captured 1st in Age Group. Thanks Cal Poly for putting on a great show!"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2011

DTrain S.
Sunnyvale, CA

  (04-02-2010)

"The Wildflower Triathlon is undoubtedly the preeminent triathlon of the season in California but there's a little known event that may be even better! Situated just south of Paso Robles, nestled in the 5 cities beach communities and in the heart of the Edna Valley wine region, is Lake Lopez and the March in Motion Triathlon. A little known and picturesque lake that is surrounded by volcanic uprisings. The lake is situated about 10 miles inland from the Arroyo Grande / Pismo Beach coastal villages and is completely surrounded by what appear to be mini volcanic like peaks. I can't believe what a well kept secret this lake and this race is...This will be the next Wildflower event!

The course is challenging; starting with a single loop swim, followed by a rolling bike leg that's highlighted with a short 20% wall climb at ~17 miles, and finished with a rolling run through the park that's 40% trail and deviously steep uphill just 400 yards before the finish.

The race is well organized and the volunteers were terrific. I strongly recommend it."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2010

Bill T.
San Luis Obispo, CA

  (08-11-2009)

"This was my first Olympic-length Triathlon, and I thoroughly enjoyed it (aside from the fact that my body was completely miserable the entire time). Good coffee, just enough sponsor tents to be interesting, and plenty of support and helpers along the way. I was the last swimmer in, and one of the kayakers paddled alongside me until I got to the shore. All in all, a great experience with people who actually cared whether you finished or not."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009