The 2009 Door County, Half Iron Triathlon, the second annual half iron event. The race weekend consists of a sprint distance race (1/4 mile swim, 18 mile bike, and a 5k run) which is held on Saturday, July 18 and the half iron race (1.2 mile swim, 56.3 mile bike, and 13.1 run) held on Sunday, July 19. Apparently, the weather on Saturday was less then ideal and the swim was shortened to something less than a 1/4 mile. I’m glad Sunday turned out much better, but anyway.
The Door County Peninsula is often referred to as the “Cape Cod of the Midwest.” This popular midwestern tourist destination offers an abundance of lodging, dining, shopping and entertainment options. The sandy shorelines and majestic bluffs along Green Bay north of Sturgeon Bay provide an ideal setting for a triathlon. With over 300 miles of scenic shoreline dotted with bustling harbors and quiet coves, Door County offers a wealth of water-based recreation.
Door County prides itself on its cherry orchards and a history of cherry growing that dates back to the 1800s. Soil and weather conditions – warm days and cool nights – influenced by Lake Michigan and Green Bay have created an ideal environment for growing these delicious fruits. Today with around 2,200 acres (8.9 km2) of cherry orchards and another 1,000 acres (4.0 km2) of apple orchards, Door County is filled with blossoms in the spring and is richly decorated with the fruits in the late summer and fall. Montmorency cherries are usually picked from mid-July to early- to mid-August. Early varieties of apples, such as Paula Reds, are harvested as early as late August. Golden Delicious are harvested through mid-October. Door County has five wineries and one microbrewery. We stayed at the Shipwreck restaurant which has rooms on the second and third floor of the building and is home to the only micro-brewery in the county.
On to the race:
The swim (1.2 miles)
The swim takes place in the bay. The course, after about a 150 yard out from the beach, parallels the shore in a counterclockwise thin oval. The water temp was 66 degrees, which according to USAT rules, gives the swimmers the option of wearing a wetsuit. The rule is, wetsuits are mandatory below 65 degrees and illegal above 75 degrees, optional in between. The water was very clear, the average water depth of the swim was 13 feet, and the bottom was clearly visible throughout. Once beyond the pier (out in open water) 2 to 3 foot rolling waves were consistent. Not something I’ve had much experience swimming in and took some getting use to. I encountered a few aggressive swimmers when swimming through some of the earlier waves. I was in wave 8 so there were almost 400 swimmers in the water before me. Over the 1.2 miles I had the opportunity to meet quite a few of them as I swam through.
The bike (56.3 miles)
The first question, why the extra 0.3 miles. A full Ironman race has a 112 mile bike, this being half you would think okay, 56 miles. It must just be the way the course worked out. This was a very nice bike course. The first half is pretty flat and fast, the second half is rolling, one slightly steep but very short (3/4 mile) climb at about mile 45, and a fast finish. There are a few sections where you cover the same ground going out as coming back but I’d guess 75% of the course is only seen once. The roads, with few exceptions, were very well maintained, free of gravel, and very smooth. It is an open course so you have to pay attention to traffic but all intersections were patrolled. I’d give this course a 9 out of 10 rating, very nice.
The run (13.1 miles)
Similar to the bike in that about 60% of the course was only covered once. It was kind of set up like an out and back except the back varied here and there from the out. The first half of the run had a lot of tree cover. It ended up in the mid 80’s for the high with bright sunshine, so the shade was very welcome. The last 3 miles or so were in direct sun, so it got a bit warm toward the end. There are two significant hills on the run. One at about mile 6, significant enough to walk part of, and one that starts at mile 9.3 and climbs 200 vertical feet to mile 10. The saying here is, “You can’t bluff the bluff”. Oh my, I have not practiced anything like this. I did not see anyone run this hill. Some started to but quickly went into walk mode. There honestly is not much point to sky rocket your heart rate to the point of no return with 3 miles to go.
For me, the day produced a new half iron distance PR by more than 45 minutes. And I learned a few things along the way that should help me in September. Like, you need to actually drink on the bike. (I only drank 1/3 of one water bottle and paid dearly on the run for that blunder) And, oh yeah, this is only half, what the bleep were you thinking when you signed up for Madison?
In conclusion, I would definitely recommend this race. It is a wonderful setting, well organized, and a well attended race. If not for the half, then give the sprint a try. There are relays for the half also, if you have a couple of like- minded friends. Or if you’re not into Triathlon then come for the scenery, cherries, wine, and micro-brew.
