Memorial Hermann Ironman 70.3 Texas : Official Thread

I'm not sure, but I do know you only have today to get the $199 entry fee.  After that it goes up to 250.

You might check last years galveston lonestar thread and see if they mentioned when it was sold out.  I think it was in the TX forum.

It doesn't sell out.  Not saying it won't someday but it hasn't happen yet.

I'm in.

Lance is in, so so am I.  I have a long road to go in 7 weeks.  35 pounds ago, I mean 9 months ago I did IMTX and have done next to nothing since except really enjoy food!  Look forward to seeing you all out there - I will be in Sweeper position on the run!  This will be my wife's first half - she is very competitive and with my little training she knows this is her best chance ever to finish ahead of me in any kind of race. It may be a sprint to the finish but she should be able to earn the family victory.

Just signed up - will be my 2nd 70.3 (did the same race last year).

Anyone have a Moody Gardens hotel room they're not planning on using?  Please PM me (I'm there on Friday night but not Saturday night...).

If I find a money tree I will be in.  I am in a happy place with my training and I would love a test before IMTX.  Tic toc oh ye tree of money

After nursing an ankle issue for the past couple of months, I'm in!  Signed up this weekend.  It will be my first 1/2 Iron.  I really struggled with signing up because I won't be able to run the entire run portion, I'm going to have to do a walk/run combo.  But if it means I get to do the race and test the 1/2 distance waters then I'm a happy camper!  My swim and bike are well past being ready, the run was just giving me grief.  Guess I'll hammer the 2 events I do best, and chill on the run.   I've found that practicing the walk/run method my run times aren't that far off from where I think I would be if I could actually run the entire thing. 

As a noob to this distance, I have tons of noob questions if anyone feels like sending some pointers my way!  Can anyone recomend any good resources to prepare for race day?  Not for training, but for things like:  Do you have to grab water on the bike while moving, or can you stop and refill a bottle (is there a place to get out of the way of people who do want to pick up on the go)?  What if you have to pee (I refuse to pee on my bike), are there outhouses on the bike route?

Thanks for the tips/advice, see everyone there!

Great questions!

No, you don't have to grab water while on the move on the bike. Though, it is actually easy to do so and I'd encourage you to consider it when you aren't having to stop to pee. Regarding pee breaks, every race I've been in of the longer distance has port-potties available out on the bike course. Feel free to stop and take advantage of them.

Here is a hint for newbies regarding the "bottle hand-ups" on the bike course. Before the race, buy yourself a couple of Gatorade bottles that have the twist top. Fill them with whatever you want to have to start your bike on race day. Then, at an aid station, when they go to give you bottles, you can throw the Gatorade bottles out and not have to worry about throwing away a sport bottle that you might like. My first HIM I hadn't thought of this and wound up throwing away two good sport bottles. What you do is pitch your empties just prior to the aid station. They will stand with an open bottle standing out on their flat palm. As you zip buy, you just scoop it off their hand. You either rack it right away, put it in your jersey (so you can grab a second), or set it on you aero bars (assuming you are trying to grab a second bottle). It is easier than it sounds. Just requires a little thought ahead of time.

If it is your first time at this distance, I STRONGLY recommend practicing your race day nutrition on your long bike rides. Find out what works for you. Buy whatever drink they'll be using at the race (assuming you plan to drink it). I personally do water only (and lots of gels). I need to get better at being able to drink a carbo drink while biking. I would also strongly suggest doing at least three brick runs coming off your longest rides. The runs don't need to be long (30 minutes or so). But that gets your body (and mind) accustomed to that sensation of running off that long ride. If you've never done this distance, it is different than Olympic and Sprint.

I hope these tips and suggestions help. I know as I have approached a new race distance I have benefited from the experience of others so I share it in the spirit of passing on what I've received from others. I hope you have a great race day!

Brian

Yea, I did the 5150 in October and did a ride down there a couple of weeks ago.

Never been in the airport but it looks boring and hot.  Hopefully April won't be TOO hot but that looks like a lot of unshaded running on a big slab of hot asphalt.

I'm going to have to find someone to practice the bottle handup with who has done it before.   I don't want my first time doing it to be at the race.

It is definitely all pancake flat in that area! Depending how late you are on the course it can get warm. I have to believe three loops is better than four though! I can't fathom having to pass the finish line THREE TIMES before being allowed to come in. That is pretty mentally devastating. At least this way it only happens twice.

The nice thing about this run course is that it is a pretty tight, compact area and as such is covered up with people all along the way. The people in Galveston really show up and support this race with spectators and volunteers. I have found this event to be very well supported in the past. Hopefully it will be again this year!