High Cliff Tri Report - by Joe and Ann Moyer
High Cliff Triathlon is always one of our favorite races because it is well organized and in a picturesque setting in Eastern Wisconsin. The event features both a sprint (~1/4 mile swim, 22 mile bike, 5k run) and a half-iron (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run). The day started out with pleasant weather and a seemingly calm lake. For both the sprint and half courses, the beginning of the swim was quite smooth, but the last third of the course coming into shore was more choppy and challenging than it appeared from the shore. At the end of the swim, there was a large hill to run up into transition and a number of helpful wetsuit strippers.
I (Ann) basically used the swim to warm up since there was a long period of waiting before the first sprint wave went off (and I start way off to the side or in the back of the swim anyway just to avoid the chaos in the first 200 meters). After multiple people had commented on how neat my bike looked with the turtle disc (compliments of my very talented brother), I felt compelled to ride strong enough to be worthy of having the flashy wheel! After the initial congestion of the bike course and a small battle where I had to pass the same woman 3 times on the bike about 10 miles in, I never saw another athlete on the bike course. There was a nice stretch with a cross/tailwind, but unfortunately that lead to the final portion of the course with a strong headwind that made it feel as though I was no longer moving forward! T2 was pretty exciting since there weren't very many bikes on the rack--a sure sign things are going well. The run course goes up a challenging hill and then goes through some trails in the woods and on the rocky surface of High Cliff. In past years, I've seen people mis-step and bite it on the run. As a less-than-coordinated person, I decided to just take a conservative pace on the run, with room to pick it up a notch if anyone appeared. Luckily, other than the guy I was following, I didn't see anyone on the run either, so it was a nice and peaceful jog through the woods. It was definitely fun to come into the finish chute with the cheering of many spectators!
I (Joe) came into the High Cliff Half with a different perspective and mentality as compared to usual, as 8 of the athletes I am working with were also going to be racing. I had a much higher level of anxiety as compared to usual, and probably felt how a parent feels when they first send their child off to start school. I knew they all were well prepared in their training, but all had their own challenges to overcome during the race.
I unfortunately came into the race after some GI issues and was dehydrated at the start. Not long into the race I knew it was going to be a just finish day. Ann has covered the swim, and I can concur that the last third of the 1.2 miles was quite choppy and challenging. The bike course had mostly smooth pavement, and is relatively flat (after the initial "High Cliff" climb) with some small hills. It was quite windy, and was getting quite warm towards the end. The run is kind of an Xterra off road trail run, and I have always found it enjoyable. When I was about 9-10 miles through the run, a rather large thunderstorm passed through with lots of rain and wind. The cool down was welcome, though the wet shoes were not.
At the end, I was very proud of all of the athletes I am working with and their successful finishes--some of them completing their first half, some earning podium positions and others PR's! -Joe and Ann
Results Sprint- ¼ mile swim, 22 mile bike, 3.1 mile run
Ann Moyer 1:30:42.2 Overall Sprint Female Winner
Results Half Iron- 1.2 mile swim, 56.7 mile bike, 13.1 mile (trail) run
Peter Somers 19/340 6/61 Total time 4:48:54
Peter Moeschler 52/340 13/61 Total time 5:08:08
Joe Moyer 71/340 19/61 Total time 5:13:02
Dan Harke 76/340 10/45 Total time 5:15:43
Eric Cleveland 145/340 32/71 Total time 5:39:07
Marie Harke 25/ 3/21 Total time 5:30:48
Paige Reeves 2/7 Total time 6:02:12
Grandma’s Marathon Grandma's Marathon is a point-to-point course run on scenic Old Highway 61 along the beautiful north shore of Lake Superior. The race begins just outside of Two Harbors, Minnesota and finishes in Duluth’s Canal Park. Grandma's Marathon is ideal for first time participants as the terrain is relatively flat. http://grandmasmarathon.com/site/
Peter Maves 3:28:10
Andrew Becker 3:32:48
Cathy Torgerson 5:17:52
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