RACE SPOTLIGHT: Season Opener (T-minus 3 weeks)

Hey green team,

Did you ever wake up one morning and think, “gosh, it would be so bad$$ to swim in breathtakingly frigid water and then ride my bike and then run a 5k?” If so, welcome to the New England Season Opener.

Living up to its name, Season Opener is the inaugural triathlon of the race season. Taking your place at the swim start brings a flash of masochism mixed with pride in your first open water foray since the previous fall. We won’t lie, friends: the water is cold. Getting into your wetsuit is, uh, unpleasant after consuming the necessary “essential fats” to keep yourself warm through the Boston winter. And the only brick you’ve seen recently is the brick of brie eaten for dinner while bingeing on Netflix last Sunday.

But here’s the good news: Season Opener is AWESOME. Sure, it might be chilly - but dust off that wetsuit, don your green kit and join us for one of the best sprints around (.25 swim/10 bike/3.1 run). We promise your later races will thank you.

In case you need tips and/or motivation, here are some words of wisdom - and inspiration - from our Wheelworks teammates...along with a surprise guest. Keep reading!

What advice would you share with someone participating for the first time?

Swim:

1. Swim in open water before the event - even if it's just getting into a wetsuit and getting wet. (Anne Traer)
2. Related: Get in at least one open water swim before race day to get a sense of swimming in cold water. (Katie O’Malley)
3. Splash cold water on your face and down your neck before the start.  It'll help acclimate you to the water temp. (Brian Larkin)
4. It is an in water start and the water is cold!  While treading water take slow deep breaths and get use to the water temperatures. (Katelyn Dwyer)
5. JV note: are you noticing a pattern? The swim is cold!
6. Related to the in-water start: it's ok to pee in your wetsuit (if you own it); it's not ok to announce to those around you that you are doing so. (Anne Traer)
7. Start slow in the swim.  Many people charge out of the gate, forgetting they're wearing a wetsuit and spike their heart rate. (Brian Larkin)
8. “By the time I got out of the water, my brain was frozen and shut off.” (Secret Contributor #1)

Bike:

1. Think about bringing arm sleeves and toe covers for the ride. (Brian Larkin)
2. Be aware: the bike course is hilly! (Katelyn Dwyer)
3. “Oh so many hills!” (Katie O’Malley)
4. [But on a positive note:] Take advantage of the hill coming out of transition on the bike to get your heart rate up and warm up a bit. (Anne Traer)

Run:

1. The run is also a bit hilly - but only in the beginning. Toward the end, you run over this cool bridge (which can be windy, but it means you’re almost done). Smile and flex, because there’s almost always a photographer there! (JV)

---

General:

1. Have a warm jacket or hoodie that you can wear before the race. (Brian Larkin)
2. Bring a full change of dry clothes - you will cool down fast if the temps are cold and dry clothes are key to staying warm and enjoying social time! (Anne Traer)
3. Follow the rules - if you can't remember them, now is a great time in the season for a refresher. (Anne Traer)
4. Enjoy the beautiful park! (Katie O’Malley)
5. “My real advice is don't try to wing a triathlon in May (you idiot).” (Secret Contributor #2, speaking hypothetically not at all based on two separate lived experiences)

And now: a word from Tim Richmond, esteemed Season Opener race director:
Season Opener is certainly a badge of honor when it comes to the local multisport scene. It's truly the kickoff to the season!  Being hosted in mid-May, we can see air temps range from 75 down to 55.  And then you can count on around 60' water temps!  Many athletes join us because it's a great gauge to early season fitness, see where you stand against the competition....while most athletes are just itching to get outside!  

We love this race, while it's a challenge logistically with Duathlon and Triathlon, we always try to give hearty athletes a great reward with a hot BBQ and post race celebration!  And we couldn't do it without all the great volunteer support from WWMS through the years. :-)


​
See you in Hopkinton on May 14! 

Julie

#gogreen

---