Ironman 70.3 Racine : Official Thread

I would say it's good for your first HIM.  The swim is a point to point which I happen to like a lot.  Big crapshoot is water temp and waves. In '10, water temp was 64F with average chop, but I've seen Lake Michigan a lot angrier!  Both the bike and run are fairly flat.    I'm in again for '11 so see you there!

If you're looking for a flat (assuming that's what you mean by "good first"?) course, then Racine is a good place to start. Very flat ride and 2 short hills on the run (2 loops, so 4 hills). The swim can be very cold (anywhere from 53-65 in my 4 experiences) and, since it is in Lake Michigan, could be fairly choppy...i've done it where it's smooth as glass, too, however.

In '08 and '09 the swim was woefully short. The bike course lends itself to alot of drafting, to the point where it's a joke. That said, IM took over the race in 2010 and maybe they got things in order? I didn't do it last year so others can speak to those issues.

I'm curious to see what those who raced last year have to say.

I'm in for my first 70.3 as well!  Looking forward to it

Did this for my first 1/2. Loved the race. Roads were a bit rough on the bike and the run was hot(and not really though the zoo) but the crowds were great and the race was well run and the water was nice to us! I will be back for 2011. I will be spending lots of time on the bike route come spring. oh and the swim was changed to be the full 1.2 mi.

Edited by kimk 2010-12-29 6:17 PM

I am in for this again.

1. There is a long walk to the swim start.  Get there early and get in the water and get used to it...it is cold. Real cold.
2. Last year the water was not real choppy.  The large bouys are easy to sight and it is basically a one mile straight swim.
3. You get onto your bike going straight up a decent hill (and obv return the same hill), if you have your shoes clipped to your bike already like I do practice going up a big hill and going down a big hill with your feet out of your shoes until you reach the top of the hill.
4. The first 10 miles and last 10 miles are pretty bumpy and have alot of turns. Flat as a pancake though with crowd support and hydration stations.
5. The run is the same loop twice, plenty of hydration stations. With one big big big hill to run basically at the beginning of the loops....get to the top and there is an aid station. Around the 2.5mile-5mile of the run course there is zero shade and the sun was beaming last year.

If you are not a professional and a slow age-grouper like me on the first lap you will be gettign passed by the pros finishing while you are on your first loop.  Pretty cool to see Craig Alexander come flying by me...etc.

Good race. I am signed up already and booked a super worthless hotel because it is dirt cheap.

Hey Everyone!

This too is my first Half Ironman and am looking forward to working through training. I ordered my wetsuit from Xterra yesterday. Anyone have suggestions on overnight accommodations for the Saturday before the race?

Also if anyone is interested I am hoping to go up to Racine 3 or 4 weeks before to do a course run through. I am nervous about the swim and while I will be doing some OWS in Chicago, I think it will be a lot more relaxing for me on race day if I were to swim the course once before the race. Any takers on having a BT meetup a few weekends before race day?

Ryan

Edited by rjhall 2010-12-30 3:11 PM

I am in, this will be my first half.

Fairfield's full as that would be my first choice. Trying to decide whether I go to a crappy 50 dollar hotel or the 200 dollar Marriot. The Tri side of me says go with the crappy hotel and save the 150 dollars so that I can go spend it on gear.  

Edit: Just booked the Comfort Inn. Spent around 150. Anyone looking for a hotel...they have openings right now. I'll probably call the Raddison on January 1st and see if I can book that instead and just cancel the Comfort Inn.

Edited by rjhall 2010-12-30 4:42 PM

Agree, this is a great idea.

Last year the Radisson required a two night minimum.  I am booked at the Marriott which requires only a one night stay and you can do it now. It's on the other side of town, but takes a mere 5-10 minutes to get to the start.  

I booked the Super 8 Racine or something last year from priceline and got again this year. Booked for like $60 It was like a 10-15 min drive though, but EVERYONE in the hotel was racing so at least 50 others had to make the drive as well.

You will not have a problem with the swim if you do OWS in chicago, imo.  I never once got in an ows swim in chicago or racine before the half.  Allof my ows was in 80 degree water, just getting used to the cold water and you are set.

Side reply, I also bookedmy hotel for IM WI

I will also be a first time HIM'er at Racine and will definitely be open to some OWS's in the big lake leading up to the race!

I am going back for more.  Like Miami, bit of redemption at stake.  Soooo hot last year.  Want to see what I can do when not under a broiler.

I'm in for a return visit...last year was a good effort given the circumstances but I'm hoping to go under 5 at this race!  I booked at the $45 Knight's Inn about 10-15 min. away, hopefully it's not too much of a roach motel.

Im planning on driving my RV out to racine, this is my first HIM. any recommendations on RV parks or campgrounds to stay

Just booked ?my room at the Radisson. I'm ok with a two night minimum since I plan to drive back on monday. Rate was $149.  Kind of steep but oh well...

Alright Donks (you too Suzy).... after working out my race schedule for 2011 today, I just confirmed my "A-race" for the year, and Racine 70.3 is it.  

Should be fun, we definitely will need to get some course work in before race day!!!  I lead a preview ride last year a couple of weekends before the race, but I understand they may be changing the bike course a little for this years race.

Now back to training......
 

This will be my first Ironman 70.3 as well.  This will be by far and away my most sacred race of the year.  As such I am not taking training lightly.

I'm relatively new around here and would love to see the bike and run course before hand.  If anyone is organizing a ride and run as a day trip, you can probably count me in.

Matt 

I am in for this year.  First time doing this HIM.  Let me know when people head up to ride the course.  

Amen to that...I was so hoping to break 6 hours.  Here's to '11 being our year!

Dave, if this the A race, what's REV3? the warm up?????