Patriots Triathlon Race Weekend Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

Jason P.
Stafford, VA

  (04-21-2010)

"After a successful Sprint Triathlon at Colonial Beach it was time to up the ante and go for an International Distance Triathlon. The International distance is 1500m (.8 mile) swim, 40km (24.8 mile) bike and a 10km (6.2 mile) run in that order. The Patriot Triathlon is conducted at Historic Jamestown on the banks of the James River near Williamsburg. The family pulled the trailer down and made a weekend of the event (see Jamestown and Busch Gardens Post). Team Trinity was just Jason and Bryan as we got to the transition area at 6:00 A.M. for the 8:00 A.M. start. This race is unique in that they run the sprint distance on the same day and on the same course just shorter and they start the sprinter an hour earlier. We watched the sprinters start and a few of the faster swimmers exit the water before I made my final preps for the my race. I found rack numbers 830 - 834 (my number was 833) and set my area up. Tracee and the kids were coming later and needed to know where I was in the race. So I drafted a text that said "Starting the Bike" and saved it in the phone. I thought I could turn the phone on after the swim and push send. I decided to bike without socks but run with socks. I also ditched the swim top and opted for a regular white tight top for the bike and run that I would put on during T1. There was probably 500 racers in the sprint and about 375 in the International. The Transition Area was huge. Someone had placed a large flower on the next rack. Tip - Remember after the swim look for the flower to find my bike. At 7:45 Bryan and I were at the swim start area for final instructions. The swim leg was 1500m long in the James River right next to the Jamestown - Smithfield Ferry Terminal. The water was cool but I knew that once we got swimming it would be fine. Okay, ten seconds to the start ...... GO I quickly got into a nice pace. I didn't get hit that much at the beginning and it quickly thinned out when I found my rhythm. There was about a 8 - 12 inch chop which made taking a fast breath impossible. I had to get my head completely out of the water to ensure that I was not breathing in James River Water. First buoy on my left and then make the turn - feeling really good with the finally buoy turn just a ahead. What is on my back? Yes it was a pink cap swimming on top of me. Cap colors - each wave has a different swim cap color. I was in the first wave - men 15-45 light green caps. The next wave which started 3 minutes after me was women 15-45 wearing pink caps. Yes a pink cap caught me and then swam on top of me. I made the final turn and then swam back to short where Amiee caught a great picture of me starting the run to T1. The Transition Area was about 300 yards from the swim exit which made for a rather long run after getting out of the water. Found my bike - helmet on, shoes on, glasses, bike gloves, shirt and we are off. Not yet - turned he phone on and sent the text to Tracee. Bryan and I exit T1 at exactly the same time. Hopped on the bike and started pedaling. 100 meters into the bike I see Tracee and Kids on the side of the road waving. I love having my family at these events. I normally flat pedal in big/3 (in the big ring in the front and the third from the bottom in the back) but today I found big/2 was the most comfortable - I was moving. Mile 5 signed just passed and I'm in the zone. Mile 10 - the turn around is just ahead. I grabbed a Gu Energy Gel and downed some water. Quick turn and then head back - Bryan is about 3 minutes behind me - Screamed at him to get moving as we passed. On the way back I had to lower it down to big/3 slowing the pace down. I made the last turn and started looking for Tracee again - there they are yelling for me. Got into T2 - man my legs feel weird, where is that flower? Parked the bike and put on socks and shoes, grabbed my race belt and left the mesh hat behind (mistake, it was very sunny out). Started the run with very weak legs and Tracee is on the sidelines cheering - this time I can get high-fives from Bethanee, Jackson, and Jillian. By mile 1 I was feeling my running legs kick in and I looked at my watch for the first time during the race. My goal was under 3 hours and it was 2:10 with 5.2 miles to go. Can he make it? The run course was nice but almost completely in the sun (it was 10:15 by this time). I was happy to see the water point - drink some and splash some. The 3.1 turn around came pretty fast and I saw Bryan on the way back looking strong still about 3 minutes behind me. I knew I had to keep going if I was going to beat 3 hours. Last turn and there is Tracee and the kids again - grabbed some motivation and headed home. 1:57.36 on the race clock and I was spent, nothing left to give. Thank you kind sir with the cold washcloth and water. I started into recover mode with Gatorade, fruit, and stretching. Bryan came in a few minutes back and put up a respectable time. Finally thoughts - I love this distance, I really felt like I did something today unlike the Sprint. The Sprint was fun but just too short. Swim leg was better - more relaxed in the water with a nice even stroke. I need to get another water cage on my bike. I ran out of water on the course and felt like I really needed water just as I was starting the run. I had a great time. The event was well run and it was a perfect way to finish off a great weekend. I will do this race again next year.
Stats:
1500m Swim - 33:36
T1 - 4:56
40km Bike - 1:17:00
T2 - 2:17
10km Run - 59:48
Total - 2:57.36
"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Mark R.
Charlottesville, VA

  (10-05-2009)

"Patriot Half IM 2009

I have done 8 Half IM's prior so will discuss differences/unique aspects
Setup runs a great race

The swim was in James River…more of a large bay near the ocean. The tide was
outgoing so we started upriver. Swim out was west so sun at our backs. The buoys
were visible. About 800 yards from shore we turned left at large yellow buoy.. I
could see caps, boats but not the next buoy. I swam to what seemed like the
middle of the swimmers..but people were spread wide across a very wide water
body. The water was brackish and murky. If I didn't site often I ended up
swimming on people ( more on that).
I saw a yellow buoy and was going to turn left BUT everyone else was going
straight—Ok- will go straight. Passed 1-2 orange buoys then turned.
Now I really couldn't tell where to go.. I could nt see any main group of
swimmers or a buoy.
There were swells. I could see the shore- a treeline far away. The rising sun
was in our eyes. So I tried to pick the best line. Here is where many swimmers
zig zagged. . I collided with several swimmers who swam across my path (
sorry). The buoys were far to out left. The ferry was to our right. I couldn't
see the beach. I passed a channel marker that was a wooden platform. I realized
the tide was pushing us diagonally away from the shore. I did my best to head
for the beach. The swim times were long because many swimmers got "lost" on this
section…swimming not straight to the exit.
For novice open water swimmers, the tide, murky water, misplaced buoys and
swells made for a challenging swim
Swim time 37 mine. Long run ( 350-400 yds) to T1

Bike was smooth and flat- Great police support. On some of the country roads
it got crowded. Lots of riding that was too close. The ref easily called people
for blocking.
One road was a smooth straight narrow country line- looked likea road in Tour de
France.
Bike- 58 miles ! 2:38—21.9 mph

Run was a 2 loop- covered part of bike trail and hiking trails. Cool wooden
walks over a marsh area. Lot of water/food stations
Run 1:53—8:35 min mile

Finish 5:14 5th/39 AG
Not my fastest tri but with 1) confusing swim 2) long run to T1 and 3) 58 mile
bike --I was pleased.
Would HIGHLY recommend.
Next time might rent a kayak or canoe and do a little river scouting.
Mark R
"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Gavin M.
Moseley, VA

  (09-28-2009)

"This was my first 1/2 Iron and while I had trained hard and wanted to go faster, some GI problems got the best of me on the run and I had to slow down. The good news was that I finished and still broke 5 1/2 hours.

While at first glance it appeared that the swim was going to go well, the course was not well marked past the first turn buoy and I know I swam further than 1.2 miles. The second half of the swim required a lot of sighting just to figure out which direction to head, and while the rising sun made for a scenic view for the spectators, it cast a nasty glare out on the water. T1 took some time since the transition area was about 300 meters from the swim finish.

The bike course was mostly flat and fast and I was able to stay in my big ring and in my aerobars most of the way. T2 was much smoother.

The run was mostly flat and the portions in the woods through the trails offered some nice shade. The aid stations were very well positioned. This run course is set up for a fast 13.1 mile split (if you don't experience stomach problems like I did).

Overall, I really liked this race and will do it again next year. Set Up Events just needs to add more buoys for the swim. I also hope they keep the new run course as it apparently offered much more shade than the course from 2007. "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Peng M.
Morrisville, NC

  (09-21-2009)

"This was my fourth Half IronMan Distance Triathlon, and I achieved a new Personal Best for such a distance. As my training had not been particularly regular this season and I came to the race feeling ill-prepared, I believe the time improvement was due to the relatively flat course and good race-day conditions for weather and cooler temperatures allowing for a wetsuit-legal swim. Some things could have gone better during the race, but overall the weather and racing conditions were favorable for an enjoyable and fast day -- albeit a long one for some of us ;).

The swim was universally poor for most everyone, adding roughly about an additional 10-15 minutes for expected completion times. Going out towards the first turn buoy there were an adequate number of marker buoys, but after that first turn buoy the second set of marker buoys were too few in number and too small to be seen against the glare of the rising sun on the water. The James River's current carried everyone quickly downstream until all frames of reference were lost. At one point I remember the mass of swimmers I was with all stopping, popping their heads up like gophers, and collectively voicing "where the )(#@*R%)(R are the markers!" In the end I think we all swam an extra 1000 meters, taking up both time and energy we would need for the rest of the day. The exit from the beach to T1 involves a 1/4 Mile run over a grassy (but mowed) area, so be prepared for this!

The bike itself was mostly uneventful -- the course was mostly flat except for the odd hill here and there. The pavement was reasonably smooth and there was ample shade. The only complaint was that there were sure a lot of less than sympathetic motorists out that day even with all the police presence around.

The run was mostly flat and well shaded for the most part, as part of the course was inside a park with a trail loop. No complaints here and there were even some very vocal and supportive spectators shouting out encouragement to everyone.

Overall I'd say that Patriot's Half IronMan is a good race. If the organizers can get the swim logistics improved I think the event would be very nice for newcomers to the Half IronMan Distance. For those who prefer to stay with a Sprint or Olympic Distance event, these two events are held the next day after the Half IM event on the same weekend.

Event T-Shirt: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3122212&l=23d7dd39 a6&id=645101993
Event Medal: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3122213&l=2edb3056 e2&id=645101993
Event Socks: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3122347&l=f39104f7 d3&id=645101993"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009