Ironman 70.3 New Orleans : Official Thread

Did it this year, fun race (more fun city  )   This year they had a point to point run to a large park, not Louis Armstrong unfortunately, but looks like 2015 will no longer be a point to point.  That (IMO) will make for a pretty boring (and tougher run).  That said, my comments/advice

Logistics- If it it were not for crazy PITA logistics I would have liked the race better.   Check in is one place, start is another.  Finish is another.  But with a new run course at least one of those issues is fixed.

-Swim - They improved the TT start this year, I was in the water pretty quickly, but be prepared for a potential wait.  Bring flip flops you can throw out/give to someone for the walk over.

Hard course to scout, strange "M" shape in the harbor.  After the first right, find a large boat to sight off of, rather than the buoy at water level.  Other than that, just follow everyone

Bike - Expect head and/or crosswinds the entire way.  Should be faster coming back, but is not always.   Only climb is a bridge you go up right at the start and right at the end.  Otherwise pancake flat.   Be prepared for a huuuuge gap between aid station 2, about 12 miles in, and aid station 3, over 40 miles in.  Don't lose your bottles, like I did, thinking another aid station will be soon......

DO NOT pre ride the course.  Not necessary, and this year turned out to be fatal for one racer.  Locals are not used to seeing bikes out there apparently.

Run  - Last year was point to point, pretty boring and ugly along the lake (not a pretty lake) for the first 7 ish miles with no shade whatsoever, then turned into neighborhoods which was nicer.  Run along the lake goes over one big bridge at the start and several levees/smaller rises.   If it's an out and back you'll have to do them twice.

Onto more important things.  Go do a swamp tour (we used Cajun Encounters, touristy but fun, and the drive is along most of the bike course and it's just a lot of fun). 

Eat at Jacques Imos.  April is soft shell crab season apparently and it's amazing.

Eat at Camelia's Grill in the quarter.

Obviously Hurricanes at Pat Obrien's.

And free Abita at the finish?  my lawd....

Another year, another change to the run course.  That should at least help with logistics but that will be a boring run.  Too bad they can't run through the French Quarter anymore.

How many of your prior half marathon races were preceded by 57.2 miles of swimming and cycling?  Your run time will take a significant hit.  My guess is most HIM run times are 20% longer than their open half mary run times.  The faster AG'ers probably 10%.

Your quote would be much better if it read "and I will work a lot harder on my bike."

Bricks are not the answer.  Unless you fancy lower quality run workouts.

No need to make excuses about any times.   And yes, running 13.1 in a HIM Is vastly different than a standalone 13.1.

The swim is protected, but there may be a little wind chop, it was not glassy this year (or the year before as I hear)