Ironman 70.3 Pocono Mountains : Official Thread (Page 3)

 What?!?!? That would be seriously messed up. Where did you hear that?

Wetsuit question. I have a sleeveless wetsuit and planned to wear that in Oct.  But, now I am thinking of getting a long sleeve wetsuit for warmth.  To those who have raced in both, do the sleeves make a huge difference for warmth?  In the past I’ve always warmed up with my sleeveless on, after I get going, don't know that I have had the pleasure of water in the 50's.  Plus, I really like the ROM that my sleeveless gives me, I have never had a long sleeve on in the water but it seems like this is something to consider.  Thanks. Hope training is going well for everyone

you must go through LOTS of ice!

I finally got my arse up this AM at 5 to attempt to do two-a-day workouts. Previously I never could cause kids keep us up all night but they have been sleeping well over the last month and  figure I will take opportunity to ramp it up some. So stoked for this race!

Ok, DC I am totally inspired to start ice bathing - I plan on incorporating the deep breathing and chopping hand motions, as it seems like a key part of the process!  I love when Ice Man said " I do not feel the pain, b/c I am stronger than the pain..." so IronManish of him.

Dream Chaser - 2011-08-08 4:39 PMYeah, there seems to be a lot of rumors and people complaining on the facebook page, primarily about the roads.  One road is full of potholes and one road is all gravel.  A.) The Race Director said they are going to be paved, so I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt that they will be paved.  B.) I've raced somewhere in the neighborhood of a dozen different triathlon courses here in the northeast.  Maybe three of them had near-perfect roads, and the rest had frost-heaves, cracks, potholes, sand, technical turns, you-name-it; I mean - where the heck are you going to find 56-miles of baby butt smooth roads anywhere in the northeast?? 

The Pocono area is dying for events like this.  They want the positive economic impact.  And thus, the local towns will patch and repair the roads, which is good for the local residents as well.   

I plan to wait until it's closer to the event to do a dry run of the bike course.  Most-likely the repairs will be done by then.  In the meanwhile, I plan to ride routes local to me that will mimic the elevation of the course. 

Personally, I think the first or even 2nd week in October is a perfect time for a triathlon.  I've swam in 54 degree water at Lake Welch for the Harriman Half in May, and it was lovely.  I prefer biking and running in cooler temps.  I love the Fall foliage.  The Steamtown Marathon is my favorite marathon for that reason.  So to sum it up, if you are afraid of hills, gravel, potholes, cold water and cooler temps GO RACE EAGLEMAN or any other flat, hot 70.3.  I just love how people VOLUNTARILY sign up for a race and then whine and cry about it.  Too funny~!!

Well said!

Is anyone else going at this race alone? Can any of you more experienced racers give me some tips or things to watch out for as I will not have any support as the family is unable to come. Will I be OK? anything I should do extra to prep as I will be without support?

Thanks,

Some good information can also be found on their facebook page from athletes that are testing out the course

http://www.facebook.com/Ironman70.3PoconoMountains

I mean support in the very general way. I have not done ANY organized race since late 1990's (all MTB racing). This is my first triathalon and first organized event in a decade so lots of new stuff for me.

I know there are volunteers but not sure if I needed assistance over and above them for whatever (really don't know). I do not know of anyone doing the event as I am not a triathalete. My LBS is really roadie focused but I do not really hang there often so can't say I know many people from there either. I do all training by myself with exception of group road ride once/week. This includes my swim and runs.

Thanks for replies

Not to seem gloom here, but triathlon is a rather "solo" sport, even when you go with a group... out on the course its just you.  

Of course there will be plenty of support from the race staff as others have mentioned... biggest thing I can suggest is make sure you have spare tubes, a pump or Co2 inflator, and tire patches for the bike.  Also make sure you have some experience with repairing a flat.  Most local bike shops will help you out with this.  Fixing a flat on race day when you have no supplies may mean waiting for the SAG vehicle, AKA your race is over.  But with a little knowledge and supplies a flat should only set you back 5-10 min max.  

Other then that.... If you haven't done an open water swim I highly suggest going to a lake and getting your head in the muck.  Most first time triathletes find the swim to be that hardest, mostly because of the panic from being in open water.  Your heart rate starts going crazy and you feel like you cant breath.... JUST RELAX!!! Most likely you'll be wearing a wetsuit, all wetsuits have lots of bouncy and you'll easily be able to float on your back... catch your breath and try to get back into your rhythm.

Other then that race staff should have you pretty well covered

Thanks for the info. I come from a cycling background so If it takes me more than 2min to change a flat I would be pissed at myself!

As far as the OWS I used to do them when I was younger just for recreation in a lake and did many in the ocean and am a MOP swimmer right now. However, your suggestion to get one in before the race is well taken as its been a while since I've done one in a lake/river. Thanks

I think I was more concerned with support just in case something happened. You made me feel better!

This will be my first HIM and I have put A LOT of training in, it is basically all I think about right now.  Well, that and food  

Training is going well, about 3 weeks ago I panicked and dropped the BT Beginner HIM 20 wk plan for a tri coach.  I think that this has helped somewhat.  I need to get more OWS in, I am limited to Blue Marsh Lakeand the shore at this point, with all the rain and now "all systems Irene" it has been a challenge to swim outside of the pool.  Previewing the bike course the other week was very helpful, Turkey Hill...um, wow. Hope to ride some of the bike course again, perhaps over the holiday wknd. 

Little anecdote for ya.  Last week, after getting stuck at work late I needed to get a bike and swim in and I was loosing light.  My main squeeze had the idea of going to his parents house in the burbs so I could ride on roads with little car traffic and hop in their pool to swim right after the bike.  So, I finish my w/o and it is after 9PM when we are getting in the car.  He turns to me and I feel like he is about to ask can't we just pick up a pizza on the way home, but he says "Heath, you are an amazing woman."  So, on that note I wanted to say from a first timer, having no idea what I was getting myself into over 14 weeks ago, sticking with all this crazy training is indeed an amazing accomplishment, regardless of what happens on race day.  Safe and happy training BT'ers!   

My training is going as well as can be expected.  I'm way under trained and it is going to be a long day for me but I have limitations when it comes to training.  I have three kids under three so finding the time to fit it all in is tough.  With that said I'm in the best shape of my life and I've lost 40 lbs since January 15th.  I feel like I've already 'won'.

All my recent long bike rides have included signficant t-storms and it looks like my planned 3 hr ride tomorrow morning will be no different.  I'm planning to cram some swimming in the last few weeks as others have mentioned.  I have let that pretty much go completely due to time constraints.

Summary - I feel good, I'm excited, I'm scared sh*tless.

Dream Chaser - 2011-08-26 1:13 PM

PanicTour - 2011-08-26 11:30 AM

My training is going as well as can be expected.  I'm way under trained and it is going to be a long day for me but I have limitations when it comes to training.  I have three kids under three so finding the time to fit it all in is tough.  With that said I'm in the best shape of my life and I've lost 40 lbs since January 15th.  I feel like I've already 'won'.

All my recent long bike rides have included signficant t-storms and it looks like my planned 3 hr ride tomorrow morning will be no different.  I'm planning to cram some swimming in the last few weeks as others have mentioned.  I have let that pretty much go completely due to time constraints.

Summary - I feel good, I'm excited, I'm scared sh*tless.

Down 40lbs!!  Damn that's awesome!!!  Congrats.  That's why this is a great lifestyle sport

Thanks!  I feel great.  Got my 3 hour ride in last night on the trainer...boring but done.