Great Illini Half-Iron Distance Triathlon

Feeling great about this race!! It's a stepping stone to IMFL!! I can't wait.

Eh, when i first registered it was for the full IM distance, I did my first half last year. I got a problem with my right knee whenever cycling in June, so I had to cut down to the half. Been doing physical therapy for it for 2 weeks, it is definately helping. I havent biked over 50 miles since june, so we shall see if I am going to do well. I remember the run part of it last year, it was really rough, but the course was hilly that I did, and this one is flat, so maybe it will be better for the both of us.

Personally, I would hold off if I were you, being new at the sport. That's awesome you did 1.3 miles swimming, but remember there is 56 miles of cycling and 13.1 miles of running after. Last year I took just under 6 hours for my first half IM, and Ive been doing this sport for 4 years now. You definately have a lot of motivation, but for your first year I suggest (as does BT) doing sprint distances and maybe an olympic distance tri. Next year you could train for a late-season half Ironman. You really need a great endurance base to do half and full Ironman distances, so you should work on building up your biking and running base. If you decide you want to do this race though, it isn't too late to sign up; the website says you can sign up the day of the race if there are slots open, which as of today, there still are. Good luck!

Just signed up a couple days ago. I'm driving down there Friday, staying, doing the race, then driving up to Madison, Wisconsin, to jockstrap IMMOO, which a TON of BTers and Donkais are doing. Should be a fun, tri-filled weekend. I know I'll want to jump on the course at IMMOO!

Signed up last week.  Looking forward to my 1st 1/2.  Anyone ever done this one before?

No, I haven't, so I know as much as you do. The course ought to be nice though, flat and easy. I definately need it, haven't got too much bike training the last couple months.

I was down there last year watching my friend do the Ironman.  The course is nice, though look out for tractors in the road on the bike.  (Seriously) Swim is in a really nice lake.  The run is flat and well supported.  Really a very well organized race.  

So where's everybody staying? Are we having a prerace get-together the night before? Who's bringing the spaghetti!?

Thats a great idea; I haven't got a hotel room reserved yet, and I was actually thinking of camping at a site the night before, like I used to when I first started triathlon. It is a lot cheaper and more fun, although less comfortable. If I do get a hotel, it will probably be the comfort suites or whatever.

I'm at the Comfort Suites. I pray I can talk them into letting me shower after the race!! Otherwise it's gonna be a long 5 hour drive home.

My new best friend.

I plan to camp at the site as well but will need a shower after the event before driving to IMMOO, which is about five hours away. Driving that far all stinkified is a gross thought.

Only joking -- I think there are showers at the venue.

Haha yeah, I feel better knowing I wont be the only one camping out the night before. Hopefully the showers are open and whatnot, cuz im goin to michigan on leave as soon as im done, only 6 hours or so away.

I contacted the RD about camping and he/she said `There's camping 500 feet from the race start!' That's great and all, but how the frick do I reserve a spot???

It probably is one of those things where you pick up a registration form at the site, put money in a safe box, and put the form on a post near a site.

OK well if I can't find a spot for my tent I'm just going to sleep wherever I fall. At PP they had docks in the lake. I serously wanted to swim out to one that night, sleep there then wake up in the a.m. and swim to shore to set up T1.

Did you happen to ask about showers?? (I Know, such a girl! Worried about showers)

I didn't ... if he/she responds I will ask. Sadly there's no phone number to call the company nor the venue, so it's hard to plan. And that sucks.

Doctors orders: I dont suggest amping up your mileage enough to do this race, you might do more harm than good to your knee.

I think he is right, but I don't like it. I may end up just volunteering at the race, and living to fight another day.