Ironman 70.3 Boulder (formerly 5430) : Official Thread

I'll be there as a tune up for IMWI.  Hoping to better my time from 2007--which shouldn't be hard!

This is going to be my 70.3 for Kona when I win a lottery slot

I signed up in January. Doing the series. Never did Tris before. Looking forward to it.

So what is the run course like? The site does not have any info for it yet. A local told me it is not the same as the Olympic. Trying to get an idea of what I need to work on. Thought about going up and doing some work outs in the area. I will be doing the Sprint in June and may stick around and do some longer stuff. I'm in Colo. Spgs though so it's not like I'm in Boulder a lot.

I've always heard to either come out two weeks in advance to acclimate or no more than two days to minimize the negative effects.  It shouldn't be a huge difference, but you will likely feel somewhat out of breath, particularly on the swim.  

There's really not much you can do about it, so don't stress, just be aware you might feel more winded than normal.

Also, drink plenty of water and lots of sunscreen.  The course is hot & dry.

Hydrate extra, you lose it ~50% quicker through your lungs at this altitude.

I am not familiar with Boulder at all. I was going to stay in Denver (a friend is letting me use her condo, so the stay would be free), but I just learned that it could take over 45 min to get to Boulder. I'm thinking of staying in a hotel Saturday night in Boulder, but I was wondering if there is a hotel within walking distance to the venue. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

Also, I'm bringing the wife and my two girls (4 & 11) and just going to spend a week or so out there... any suggestions to make this visit a little family vacation as well?

Thanks.

BOULDER or BUST

There's nothing within walking distance, but a few hotels within biking distance (4 miles or so from the venue rough guess) - Residence Inn and Courtyard by Marriott off of Foothills Parkway.

As far as stuff to do, there's tons of outdoorsy stuff - Lots of trails and bike paths around Boulder & Golden.  There's also nice shopping at 29th street in Boulder and Flatirons Mall in Superior (between Denver & Boulder).  Pearl St mall in Boulder has fun restaurants & shops (very Boulder-y, expect the hippies, greenpeacies, etc).  The Boulder reservoir, where the race is, has a swim beach.

Denver has lots of museums, zoo, etc.  And also maybe a day up in the mountains?  It's about 1:30-2:00 up to the ski towns from Denver.  Breck has an alpine slide now.  And again, lots of hiking, biking & scenery.

When I drive up, I ususally stay in Louisville - little cheaper than Boulder proper and about a 10 - 15 minute drive. 

Thanks for the tips. I got a hotel for the night before the race with in riding distance of the venue, as you suggested. The rest of the time we'll stay in Denver and play. Thanks again for the suggestions.

In regard to transition, is it a clean transition? If I ride to the venue with a back pack am I going to be able to put my back pack at my bike, or will I need to ride to the venue with a bag provided by Ironman?

If memory serves, I think it's at least high sixties, quite possibly low 70s.  I've done it 4 or 5 years and it's always been wetsuit legal, but never been cold.  Oh, and I wear a full suit, no overheating either. 

That sounds kinda vague, but the water temp always been *just fine*, never an issue.

The bike starts off with a bit of a false flat into some rolling hills along Hwy 36.  Once we turn off 36, it's slightly downhill & fast, then a couple more little bitty rollers and then repeat.  I don't know the total elevation gain/loss, but it's a fast course with no significant climbs. 

The run is flat, hot and exposed.  It's largely on dirt/gravel, so it can get dusty & hot fast.

CodRed - you'll be able to take your transition pack and leave it at the bike rack.

Great..... Thanks