Rock 'N RollMan Half Iron Triathlon : Official Thread

You live near there? Done this race before? What can you tell us? I am looking forward to the weekend!!

You live near there? Done this race before? What can you tell us? I am looking forward to the weekend!!

Yes.  No.  Not much.

Hopefully some folks that have done this race before will chime in. 

I'm pretty much expecting a mini-Kona minus the ocean view.

I've done the race the past 4 years, this will be my 5th.  The first was a super short swim (I swam it in like 21).  The years after that they got it right.  Wave start and the sprint waves go after the HIM's so as the HIM swimmers are finishing the swim they marry up with some of the sprint swimmers, but I recall it wasn't too bad as the sprint swimmers are either just getting started or just finishing up.  The bike is rolling with a couple moderate climbs.  Wind can be an issue and can warrant lot's of under-your-breath and moaning as you deal with it.  But, there is a section, miles 30-40ish (I think), which is straight down a moderately busy highway and that wind will be a tail wind.  I've hit >40mph on this section.  So cuss it up, but know that wind will be your friend soon.  The run is blasted hot.  Has been every year.  I am talking head pop off hot.  If you can get some long runs in the middle of the day your body will appreciate the acclamation.  Make sure and hydrate well on the second half of the bike to set yourself up for the run.  You may get 2 or 3 trees which shade the road, but not many more than that.  I have used this run each year to guage my mental toughness.  It has beat me 3 out of 4 times and I've had to walk.  Not this year though....not this year!!! 

Thanks for that info!  I do a lot of my training in the heat of the day in South Florida, so I am hoping this helps with the heat a wee bit  .  Hills, however, are another story!  Looking forward to the race.

Pretty good post race activities with live music, and Outback Stakehouse has catered grilled chicken sandwiches and other side dishes.  Some pretty good swag give away as well.

Is the swim 1 or 2 loops ? Also, is the park at the race site ok? We plan on staying on-site for a few days.

Also, do you guys think it will be wetsuit legal?

Should be a 1 loop swim.  It was 2 loop for a couple years, but had changed when they added the Sprint race.  The park is ok, but nothing special.  Last year a tornado came through and took several large trees which were nice for shade post race.

Usually it has been (1 year I think it wasn't).  It is always right on the line (about 77.x degrees).  I will depend on the weather the 2 days leading up to the race.  If there's rain, I am guessing it will be legal, if it's Sunny, I'm guessing not.

Due to the weather(rain,rain,rain) here in Bama the last two weeks, my training levels are low. I look forward to 6+ hours of suffering .

You may be surprised to find you are well rested and perform great. I've had this happen to me for several races in the past. Kind of like an accidental built-in taper.

But if you are 6+ hours, I'll see you out there on the run course.

Hey gang.  I'm looking forward to Saturday.  Does anyone happen to know if the transition format is staged in bags or if you stage everything at your bike?

Edited by meverett 2009-05-25 3:54 PM

Stage at your bike.

many thanks.  good luck saturday!

I'm a huge weather watcher, and the latest Weather Channel update has Saturday as:
High 87
Low 67
0% chance of rain.

I don't know if I believe the chance of rain part, but I do believe the heat will be there.

Nice! It wouldn't be Macon without the heat!

will it be wetsuit legal?

WATER TEMPERATURE
This event will follow USAT rules on wetsuit use.  An official water temperature reading will be taken on Friday and posted at packet pick up.  We expect the water to be between 75 and 80 degrees.  So bring your wetsuits just in case they are allowed.

CURRENT WATER TEMPERATURE IS 78F 5/27/09

These hot day's that last 2 day's may have zapped our chances of a wetsuit race.