Ironman Louisville Tips/Advice????

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2007-12-17 6:35 PM

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Subject: Ironman Louisville Tips/Advice????
Doing my first Ironman in Louisville this August. How was it? Any advice?

2007-12-18 6:57 AM
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Subject: RE: Ironman Louisville Tips/Advice????
Well you've probably already heard this, but just in case you haven't, it was HOT AND HUMID. The temp. was a bit out of ordinary but it will no doubt be hot again next year. It's always pretty warm and humid here in August. Also, the current during the swim was too strong; therefore, the swim was modified to take out the upriver portion. If it doesn't rain hard upriver this year the swim will be striaght upriver and then back down. I run by the river every day and from what I can tell even at normal current it won't be like swimming in a pool. Not trying to scare you, just saying get your swim training in. The run is completely flat and nothing to worry about.

I'm sure others here can comment on the bike portion. I haven't ridden all of it yet.
2007-12-18 8:09 AM
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2007-12-18 8:41 AM
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Subject: RE: Ironman Louisville Tips/Advice????
IMKY Advice:
1.  Read every IMKY 2007 Race Report on this site for wide and varied opinions and observations about the course.
2.  Get some hill training in so the bike doesn't wipe you out.
3.  Have fun and enjoy the course.  It's a great course, well supported and a fun race.
Contrary to a previous post in this thread, I thought the weather was beautiful in 2007.  Then again, I live in Alabama and had been training in the upper 90s.
~Mike
2007-12-18 2:42 PM
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Subject: RE: Ironman Louisville Tips/Advice????

king03 - 2007-12-18 6:57 AM ...The run is completely flat and nothing to worry about...QUOTE]

Obviously spoken by someone who's run more more than, say, 16 or 17 miles at a time before.

2007-12-18 3:08 PM
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Subject: RE: Ironman Louisville Tips/Advice????

Comments above about the swim, run and bike course are good. Here is some other stuff:

  • The transition area is not that close to the finish. If I had to do it over again, I would have had someone pick up my gear for me or drive me to the transition area to load up my gear and return to the hotel.
  • There was no place open to get something to eat at the Galt House late at night after the race. If you are staying there, eat something before getting back to the hotel or bring something with you.
  • Train in heat and humidity over the summer.

2007-12-18 5:49 PM
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Subject: RE: Ironman Louisville Tips/Advice????
Thanks Everyone.

I live in Kansas and it gets pretty hot and humid. I try and train during the hotest part of the day at least once a week to get aclimated. There are some killer hills by my house.

Right now I'm doing alot of reading on nutrition. That's my biggest ???? about IM.
2007-12-18 6:10 PM
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2007-12-18 6:26 PM
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Subject: RE: Ironman Louisville Tips/Advice????
JeepFleeb - 2007-12-18 4:10 PM

jayhawkfirefighter - 2007-12-18 5:49 PM
Right now I'm doing alot of reading on nutrition. That's my biggest ???? about IM.

If you feel good, eat.  If you feel bad, slow down.

I just read this on gordo's site

2007-12-22 7:22 PM
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Subject: RE: Ironman Louisville Tips/Advice????
Ride the Course before the race a few times.
2007-12-24 10:01 AM
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Subject: RE: Ironman Louisville Tips/Advice????
JeepFleeb - 2007-12-18 8:09 AM

king03 - 2007-12-18 6:57 AM
Also, the current during the swim was too strong; therefore, the swim was modified to take out the upriver portion. If it doesn't rain hard upriver this year the swim will be striaght upriver and then back down. I run by the river every day and from what I can tell even at normal current it won't be like swimming in a pool.

Had there not been flooding in states up river, the Army Corps of Engineers would have closed the dams so there wouldn't have been any current.

The hardest part of the bike course is the first 12 miles. It's pancake flat and you'll have so much adrenaline pumping through your system that you'll want to hammer down the road. Go as easy as you possibly can! All the big climbs are between miles 12 and 30. Use your small ring, stay in the saddle and spin. The rolling hills on the loop can be extremely fast if you use your gears right.

Run is mostly flat with a gradual incline near the turnaround. Possibly shade on one side of the street, depending on what time of day you're out there.

Search the Race Nexus here and you'll find lots of race reports.



So Aaron... here's my question... are the hills large enough to switch to a triple for the race, so one can keep the cadence high going up the hills.????



2007-12-24 11:45 AM
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2007-12-25 10:40 AM
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Subject: RE: Ironman Louisville Tips/Advice????
JeepFleeb - 2007-12-24 11:45 AM

KSH - 2007-12-24 10:01 AM
So Aaron... here's my question... are the hills large enough to switch to a triple for the race, so one can keep the cadence high going up the hills.????

Nope.

Gear your cassette for the hills, not your chainrings.

 

I agree.  I changed to a 12-27  on my cassette.  I came to a crawl a couple of times but I doubt I'd of ever gone to a 3rd chainring if I had had one.

~Mike



Edited by Rogillio 2007-12-25 10:41 AM
2007-12-25 2:24 PM
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Subject: RE: Ironman Louisville Tips/Advice????
Rogillio - 2007-12-25 10:40 AM

JeepFleeb - 2007-12-24 11:45 AM

KSH - 2007-12-24 10:01 AM
So Aaron... here's my question... are the hills large enough to switch to a triple for the race, so one can keep the cadence high going up the hills.????

Nope.

Gear your cassette for the hills, not your chainrings.

I agree. I changed to a 12-27 on my cassette. I came to a crawl a couple of times but I doubt I'd of ever gone to a 3rd chainring if I had had one.

~Mike



This is all greek to me. But I'll discuss it with my LBS and figure out what will work best.

2007-12-25 7:29 PM
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Subject: RE: Ironman Louisville Tips/Advice????
I am free to offer any advice.

Mike
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