Oilman (Ironstar) 2012 - Who's in? (Page 2)

I did this race the last 2 years and really enjoyed it last year...The cool start was perfect (Ok, it was a little cold at the start of the swim, and the fog made it challenging to see the turn buoy's, but other then that - it was a great swim!).  Before the start, I was freaking out about how to stay warm on the bike, but when I got into T1, the sun felt warm, and so I just grabbed by bike and headed out -  I was suprized that I wasn't cold on the bike.  In fact, by the half way point on the bike, I was roasting.  (I also noticed by then most everyone was shedding all their extra gear by that point!)

I'm hoping to be there again this year if I'm healthy!

I am targeting this as my first HIM. I understand it was cold last year. For those of you who have done it multiple years, is that usually the case or was it abnormal?

What is the average weather conditions?

thanks,

Lance

per weather underground the avg is between 48 and 60.  It warmed up pretty good last year.  It is coldest the first 15 miles or so on the bike because of the trees that block the sun through the national forest.  I only wore arm warms, toe covers and something covering my ears on the bike I thawed out pretty quick.  I think only one year it was not wet suit legal so plan on using one if you want. 

I will also say we must get a lot of rain soon or the swim will be a huge walk this year, much more than last year.  Our neighborhood had some dreading done to make sure the water pools around the intake pumps so they can keep watering the golf course (on lake conroe).  I also stayed at La Toretta this past Sunday and I will tell you there are 2 HUGE beaches on the swim course and they have the boat launch closed do to low water, like grass growing in the channel where the swim exits. 

See my drought & triathlon thread Will.  Looks like it's going to get worse before it gets better.

Maybe they will rent a party boat...

Just got this e-mail from Greg Pennington.

yes, there are a couple of different plans to change the swim course in process.  we will not have the swim course we had last year UNLESS there is significant rain to increase the lake level.

1. we would have the swim like we did the year the dam was damaged (1st year back at the resort) with the swim exit near the old paddlewheeler dock adjacent to the pool complex.

2.  we would have a hybrid out and back course with start and finish on the beach-the water way into and out of the resort marina is plenty deep enough for boats and swimming.

we will make that determination around the 1st of october.

The race listing's been updated with the new name....

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/directory/link-detail.asp?linkid=2052

I am also waiting to make sure before I sign up. I really hope they do not wait until Oct 1 (the day prices go up) to announce it.

I do not know if anything has changed in the last couple of weeks but Greg told me there will be a swim, they have options and have had a similar issue in the past and dealt with it. My concern is more for my shins and the condition of my tibia, not the swim.

If you are unsure send Greg an e-mail, maybe they have settled on the swim course at this point.

here is a mass email Greg sent yesterday:

Our 2011 event is rapidly approaching-set for Sunday, November 6th at La Torreta Resort on Lake Conroe. Spots are filling up-don't miss out! Many of you have been waiting and watching Lake Conroe reports-i am happy to report i swam our newly revised swim course, all 1.2 miles without walking... So, time to ante up and commit to this awesome end of year event! The swim course will be counter-clockwise and start off a lake-sand beach just south of the La Torretta water park. The finish will be next to the "old" beach start, utilizing stairs adjacent to the marina-next to the hotel tower. We will be having a practice swim and swim clinic on Saturday morning, October 1st at 8 am-more details to follow! Tell your friends-Oil Man Texas 2011 is good to go! Our bike course will continue to be an great warm-up for IronMan Texas, with much of the course mirroring the IM course. Our run course will avoid the off-road section from last year, but still be a spectator-friendly 3 loop course.<br><br>

Ok, I'm in.  1st HIM was to be Austin next month but work scheduling just got goofed up....so I will just consider that entry fee a donation to the IronMan Corp.  Oh Well.

From all the posts here, Oil Man sounds like fun... and maybe cold!

I'll be racing and have been told by several people that the bike course is closer to 60 miles.  Any truth to that? Thx

I'm in for my first HIM.  Hope is is good prep for the full in may.  

I could use some pointers, so any of those lessons learned from previous years would be greatly appreciated.  Things to do and not do?