question or two about IMFlorida.....

No.  Special Needs will be an area on the side of the road.  No change tents.  In theory there might be a bathroom there...but I was scrap the idea.  

How crowded women's changing tent is depends if you come out of water and off the bike in the MOP then it is crowded. In my case it was quite empty both times I visited. Modesty goes out the window to some degree in an IM as you really have no privacy.

No place other than port a potties at special needs but if needed you can be creative.

Port a Potties on the run were nasty at Lake Placid..Scott is right.

tassafrass - 2008-10-16 9:31 AM Hi! I'm starting to think through the logistics for IMF 2008 (first IM, woo-hoo!), and wondering about women's changing tents-- I've read quite alot about the crowded men's tent, but nothing at all about the women's tent. I'm guessing that since there aren't nearly as many women competing, it will be less crowded...? I'm wondering if anyone can give me any pointers here I'm also considering putting dry shorts into my bike special needs bag, and wondering how special needs is set up and whether there will be somewhere to change.... Thanks in advance for any and all advice!!

Sorry, but I have to ask.  Why would you want to change bike shorts in the middle of an IM bike ride?  Do you do this on your long training rides?  Be prepared, race like you've trained but keep it simple.  Don't over think or you'll drive yourself crazy.

Well, I wasn't planning on peeing on the bike but now!!! I need to re-think things. I have a potta potty phobia and I think this might be my worst nightmare. Ewwww!

I've been in charge of the Women's tent at IMFL the last couple of years and will be again this year.  I have to agree with what has already been stated.  It just depends when you get there as to how much room there is.  T1 is always more crowded, and we always reach a point where we run out of chairs. 

At the busiest of times in T1 we are just clearing transition bags and not really helping unless you ask.  Now in T2 everyone is a bit more spread out so there is never a time that it is that busy.  I would say to have a dry hand towel in your tranisition bags to put your feet on.  The tent is set up on a parking lot and you don't want to get dirt or small gravel like pieces on your feet before your run.

There has been a pretty strong statement to the athletes in the last year or two about peeing in public.  Apparently there have been a few athletes in the past who peed in peoples yards right in front of families and they got upset (ie, threatened legal action).  So, there is a lot of pressure from the higher ups for this not to happen.  

There should be a porta potty where you get your bike Special Needs bag.  You would need to change inside the porta potty if you need to change.

As far as your statement about the tent not being as crowded because there are fewer women...Well, the women's tent is always smaller than the men's tent!

Just let me know if you have anymore questions that I can help you with.  I just got an email of the transition layout and it looks like the change tents have moved this year and the location will be different than the past few years...

Have a great race and yell my name really loud when you come in the tent if you need anything!!

Sherri

I never thought about it being dark but I guess it is after being out in the bright sun.  We have these HUGE open areas but we try to close them up as much as possible for modesty sake!

You're right!  The pros have almost nothing in their bags.  The later the age grouper the more they have.  They usually have a change of clothes.  Sometimes socks.  Always shoes with speed laces.  Bodyglide sometimes or they will ask us for Vaseline (we stock that in the tent).  A fuel belt sometimes.  Race number on a belt.  That's it.  They are so fast thru transition you wouldn't believe it! 

I can only speak for the women's tent at IMFL, we take care of your bag.  When you are done just tie a knot in it and leave it.  We will get it to the right place.