Ironman 70.3 New Orleans : Official Thread

Typically the temps are around 60 in the morning and as warm as 80 in the afternoon. But this is South Louisiana so it could be 10 degrees either way. Humidity is usually not to bad but I live here so I am accustomed to it. The bike course is flat with the exception of a few overpasses. Usually the winds are in the 10-20 mph range.

I'm thinking about making the trip down for this since I have a ton of family in that area.

Would this be a good first HIM for somebody with a reasonable amount of time in triathlons?

Well, I convinced my wife to step up to a 70.3 and I decided to jump in with her. Going to be a busy year. I've never been to New Orleans so I can't tell if I'm more excited about the race or the site seeing

Train safe.

I haven't registered yet, but we've got a hotel and I hope to do it, I'm just healing from a separated shoulder and not sure when I'll be swimming again. I went to school at Tulane and don't get back often, so I'm looking forward to it. I talked the family into making it a little family vacation, so it's win/win.

There are other things going on that weekend in New Orleans and hotels were very scarce (and pricey), so I suggest that anybody who doesn't already have a place to stay get on that pronto.

any suggestions on where to stay? we hadn't even thought of it yet. I've never stayed at the host hotel as they are always jacked up in price. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

I think where you stay will now be dictated primarily by availability, especially if you want to stay near downtown. We booked our hotel 6+ weeks ago and many places were already sold out, I think there is some other convention in town that weekend. We're staying in the Bienville House.

It was my first HIM (check my race report for the scoop) and I thought it was a very good race to do.

We stayed in the Business district and just drove over to the Marina for the swim start. They have a lot of parking and it was easy to get in/out.

Just be aware that the finish is about 13-14 miles away and you need to account for that on how to get back to get your bike from Transition.. LIke any other WTC type event, you have to check your bike the day before. Registration was at the host hotel, and they paid the parking for the 3 hours in the hotel garage. No real reason to stay at the host hotel other than it being in the French Quarter.

As far as the race, even in the marina, the swim was a little slower than I expected and several others I talked to, but not anything to worry about. The water was 63 degrees which was perfect using a full wetsuit. The bike was flat, except as noted going over the bridges. Windy to the turn around and a tailwind coming most of the way back. Run was flat after the first couple of mile over a few bridges and overpasses. Very nice run through the park and well supported.

Hope this helps.

Awesome, thanks for the info! Nice to hear that it is a flat (for the most part) course. That head wind that everyone is talking about sounds a little formidable but nothing some proper training can't handle.

I will be doing the 2014 HIM ,this is my first HIM and will be driving to New Orleans, Can Some one advice what hotels are good to stay ?
Looking for some moderate price rates but yet not too far from the event.

Thank you

I ended up getting a house through www.airbnb.com . It can be cheaper and if you have family or friends coming over , i definitely recommend using that website.

Signed up a week ago. First of Four 70.3s planned for the year. Excited to get this year kicked off. Never signed up this early in the year.

Officially registered yesterday.

Wife signed me up this morning as an early birthday present so I'm in!

Any idea as to when they'll be posting the course maps, athlete guide, etc. for this year's race?

The wife and I are in.

Does anyone understand the start? its by wave but still a TT start? I heard rumors that the last people weren't in until 2 hours after the pros last year. thats concerning...because i'm the 2nd to last wave.

as much as I hate to be among the last people to start the race, at least I would be passing people the whole time. That makes for a mental pick me up I guess.