Longhorn 70.3 - hills question

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2008-07-24 5:26 PM

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Subject: Longhorn 70.3 - hills question

Everyone has been so helpful so far -- thank you! 

One more question for you.  I live in a pancake flat city and try not to spend my weekends driving out of town for my long rides and runs (where I could find hills) and opt to do them closer to home in order to spend less time away from my 2 little boys.

I am following the "Just Finish" Iron Fit IM program, although I am really only planning on doing the half this year.  So, I feel confident that I am getting enough training, but I am not confident that I am getting training on the right terrain.

Anyone familiar with the Longhorn course (I heard they changed it this year) -- how hilly are we talking here?  I have done the MS 150 ride from Houston to Austin and have hill experience and I can manage the hills, but I just don't get a lot of practice on them. 

How challenging is this course compared to others?  What can I do to better prepare for the hills without driving to a hilly place?  Resistance on the spinner and incline on the treadmill?  Any other thoughts?

 Thanks for reading!

2008-07-24 8:14 PM
in reply to: #1557148

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Subject: RE: Longhorn 70.3 - hills question
I did longhorn last year.  I live in the flatland of FLorida.  If my bike seat had not been falling off it would have been fine.  Someone had a Garmin and said there was 3000 feet of climbing on the bike...its all up and down.  The worst hill was at mile 56 (Its a 58 miles course) and you have run up that twice as well.  Its a LOT harder to run up it than to bike up it.   I personally think unrelenting headwind for miles is MUCH harder than hills.  Train in a head wind and the hills will be a piece of cake.
2008-07-25 6:04 AM
in reply to: #1557565

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Subject: RE: Longhorn 70.3 - hills question
it's 56 miles this year. Road construction forced us to change the course just before the race. course has changed this year, and is less hilly, imo
2008-07-25 11:08 AM
in reply to: #1557148

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Subject: RE: Longhorn 70.3 - hills question

We're riding the course in a few weeks.  I'll let you know how it was when we get back! I also live where it is flat. We have to use the wind for our hill training.



Edited by CYCLISTtuRUNsTRI 2008-07-25 11:09 AM
2008-07-25 11:08 AM
in reply to: #1557148

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Subject: RE: Longhorn 70.3 - hills question

oops! double post.



Edited by CYCLISTtuRUNsTRI 2008-07-25 11:08 AM
2008-07-25 11:35 AM
in reply to: #1557148

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Subject: RE: Longhorn 70.3 - hills question

I did the course last year <but only trained for a 56 mile course  > it's a really great and very fair course,,I live in a very flat area also and was worried there are the two larger hills at the end, and i think there was one shorter and steeper one in the middle or maybe I was just pushing too hard right there,  but nothing that bad hill wise.  The hill for running was the same as biking and that got a few people..

If you read reports from last year the thing that got everyone to some degree IMHO was the heat. It's was just hot at least 94-95 and I'm guess the heat index was 102+. there was a little stretch on the run where you didn't get any shade and I could feel the heat.

 It was the same weekend as the Chicago marathon last year and I think it's says a lot about this race since they didn't' seem to have all the issue's that happened in Chicago. every water stop I was at was well stocked, they had people where ever the could with hoses to attempt to cool you off, sponges, food,, everything.. I remember reading where they got an extra XX amount of ice and while I don't know how much you need for an event it sounded like a lot..  

if you can do some hills for your running it will pay off

2008-07-25 1:34 PM
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Subject: RE: Longhorn 70.3 - hills question
16,000 lbs of ice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For Timberman, with 3500 athletes, we usually go through about 6000 lbs.

CRAZY hot last year....Let's hope for low 80's, which is more typical
2008-07-25 2:32 PM
in reply to: #1557148

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Subject: RE: Longhorn 70.3 - hills question

Trying to relate it to your Houston-Austin MS150 experience...  (keeping in mind I haven't ridden that MS150 course in 20 years)

I'd describe the hills as shorter and more closely spaced than the ones you encounter on Day 2 getting closer to Austin.  However, there was nothing as bad as Bastrop State Park.  I remember only one or two points mid-ride where I decided I wanted/needed to stand to get over the hill (i.e. steeper); however, they weren't particularly long.  Even the final hill could be tackled while seated in the saddle if you just kept the RPMs up.

There's not a lot of long, flat riding, so you can often carry some of your downhill speed into the next hill or incline.

2008-07-25 2:37 PM
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Subject: RE: Longhorn 70.3 - hills question
Gaarryy - 2008-07-25 12:35 PM

I did the course last year it's a really great and very fair course,,I live in a very flat area also and was worried there are the two larger hills at the end, and i think there was one shorter and steeper one in the middle or maybe I was just pushing too hard right there,  but nothing that bad hill wise.  The hill for running was the same as biking and that got a few people..

If you read reports from last year the thing that got everyone to some degree IMHO was the heat. It's was just hot at least 94-95 and I'm guess the heat index was 102+. there was a little stretch on the run where you didn't get any shade and I could feel the heat.

 It was the same weekend as the Chicago marathon last year and I think it's says a lot about this race since they didn't' seem to have all the issue's that happened in Chicago. every water stop I was at was well stocked, they had people where ever the could with hoses to attempt to cool you off, sponges, food,, everything.. I remember reading where they got an extra XX amount of ice and while I don't know how much you need for an event it sounded like a lot..  

if you can do some hills for your running it will pay off

I heard it was 99 without the heat index..it was hot for sure. 
2008-07-25 10:36 PM
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Subject: RE: Longhorn 70.3 - hills question
davidb - 2008-07-25 2:32 PM

Trying to relate it to your Houston-Austin MS150 experience...  (keeping in mind I haven't ridden that MS150 course in 20 years)

I'd describe the hills as shorter and more closely spaced than the ones you encounter on Day 2 getting closer to Austin.  However, there was nothing as bad as Bastrop State Park.  I remember only one or two points mid-ride where I decided I wanted/needed to stand to get over the hill (i.e. steeper); however, they weren't particularly long.  Even the final hill could be tackled while seated in the saddle if you just kept the RPMs up.

There's not a lot of long, flat riding, so you can often carry some of your downhill speed into the next hill or incline.

 Thanks - that was a very helpful description!  Sounds like I will be changing gears a lot!

2008-07-26 1:45 AM
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Subject: RE: Longhorn 70.3 - hills question
It really wasn't too bad, but I had the luxury of training on the same terrain as it's a local race for me.  The heat was only bad for the run.  If you're training on flat lands it may be a bit of a shock, but as long as you're conditioned I think you should be good to go!

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