Muskoka Ironman 70.3

I'm not racing there, but wanted to wish you good luck!  

Hehe, I just wish we had some hills in the SW corner of Ontario so I could do some training on them. But if you want wind this is the place to train.

We have lots of wind here too.  And some hills, though I'm not sure if I should be riding short steep hills, or long hills  so I'm trying to do both.  Recovery mode this week then starting the hill workouts again next week.

All you need is one hill to train on Dave... up, down, up, down,up, down...love those hill repeats!!

"Be careful what you ask for, you might get it". I'm doing the race in Milton this weekend and if hypothermia in Lake Kelso does not get me then I will get all the hill training that I want and more on the sixth line hill.

So how did the race go?  Did you freeze to death?  The water around here is way too cold for me to venture in yet.

Hiya! I'm registered for the race and am really looking forward to it. I'm training for IMLP right now (it's my first) and only hope that I will be recovered enough for Muskoky. Should be a lot of fun.

I think a BT get together is a great idea!

Hi everyone.... our race is getting close.... hope everyone is doing well with the training.

If we plan to do a BT get together we should probably start thinking about it soon.  Not sure if people would want to try to get a table together at the athlete's dinner or get together to do some training in the days before the race.  We could do something in Huntsville also.   I'm not a good organizer so if anyone has ideas please post them.   I'm going to be up there from Thursday until Monday, staying at a place across the lake from the race site (Colonial by the Bay).

So how is everyone doing?  Post your get together ideas and lets get start planning.

I'm going to be at the Best Western in town on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, but we will have 2 young children with us so I'm not sure if I can do a get together. I might be able to join you for a short visit.

Training is going reasonable well. I did Steelhead last weekend but struggled with the latter part of the run. For the first time I had significant problems with Gatorade Endurance Formula on the run - my stomach would not empty for a few miles. Does anyone know what the aid stations at Muskoka are using? I assume that GEF is still not approved for use in Canada and that they will use regular Gatorade. Also, anyone heard if the bike course has been paved?

I'll be staying at a cottage in Kearney (Hog Lake).  I was initially supposed to arrive on Wednesday but have a couple of work training sessions scheduled for both Thursday and Friday but they might be cancelled if attendance is low.  If those sessions are cancelled I will be in the area on Wednesday the 10th but if they go as planned, I should arrive in Huntsville for registration Friday late afternoon...  How about we shoot for the second seating at the athelete's welcome banquet at 7:30?

Training is going well but I still struggle with my runs.  I can go the distance but I am not really pleased with my tempo, steady and long run paces lately.  I did better when I was preparing for the Mississauga half mary this past winter and spring.  I have been testing my nutrition strategy on both my long rides and brick workouts and that is working well.  I haven't had the opportunity to do a tune up HIM or long course tri; however, two weeks prior to the race, I will participate in The Canadian Iron 113 SwimCycle (2000m swim, 90km bike) followed by a 20 km run the next day.  I am also racing the oly distance in Cobourg on Aug 23rd.

I will later post a feedback recap from folks who have recently attended some of the Muskoka 70.3 training camps and from some who have done recon rides/runs on the course. 

As for what will be handed out at aid stations, I have no idea.  I think the athlete's guide will have this info outlined.  Shouldn't it be out by now?

Good question about GEF. Anyone know what they will be using for IMC?

I've sent a note to the RD so we'll see what they have to say.

As for paving, a member of our Tri club was out there at the end of July and this is what he reported.

1. The road that cuts across from Sth Portage to Dwight Beach still hasn't been paved, but the foundation has been laid ready for the new surface.

2. The rough section as you turn onto Sth Portage from Brunel is being re-paved. It was corrugated foundation but will have a new surface as soon as it settles.

Definitely, they will be using Gatorade but the question is which version. Checking the Athlete's Guide for US IM events, all they say is Gatorade, even though they actually distribute the Endurance version. I guess they just use the generic name in the Athlete's Guide.

I am planning on using on course nutrition as opposed to my own, so this isn't a biggie really. I'll just bring extra salt tabs in case GEF is not used.

The last time that I spoke with a Gatorade Canada rep I was told that it still could be a while before GEF is approved for use in Canada (our government on guard and protecting us from salty drinks). I expect that IMC, Muskoka, and Newfoundland will all use regular Gatorade. I'd just like to confirm this as my stomach reacts differently to the 2 products so I'd like to know what I should be training on in the run up to Muskoka.