Ironman 70.3 California : Official Thread (Page 10)

The only thing that’s going to suck about this race (I hope) is not being able to get in a few salt water swims in prior to the race. 

TriBean -

I haven't done a lot of salt water swimming in my day.   What is the difference between open water salt and fresh water swimming.  Is it mainly the waves?

Thanks!

Yeah, it's a mostly protected harbor, and there may be some swells at the turnaround, but nothing breaking.  Other than that, it's really just the taste.  You are more buoyant in salt water than fresh, so that plus the wetsuit will make the swim slightly easier if you are only swimming in fresh

Second "test" run done this morning, actually went outside.  3 miles was on the plan, although I struggled mentally with wanting to extend that to 3.5 or 4, "just to see" and was going to add a small loop to the end of the run.    Fortunately for me, by the time I reached the end, my bowels forced me to be reasonable     

Plan is to see how the calf reacts today, and hope to do a slow 5 miler Sunday.

Great work Chris.  You're a master at recovery. 

Here's what I've done so far this week to not miss workouts -

I headed to the pool after work on Tuesday and had to circle around a couple times just to get a parking spot.  I hoped that the pool would still be empty even if the gym parking lot was packed, but each lane was full and two swimmers were already waiting ahead of me.  I decided not to wait, packed up and went home and put on my running shoes!  I moved my Wednesday tempo run to Tuesday night and went back yesterday to make up the swim.  The night run actually helped me avoid stoplights and extra pedestrians and I was able to get my own lane in the pool for my swim on Wednesday. 

My phone, aka alarm clock, failed to charge over night and didn't wake me up this morning.  I had to fit in a Brick and breakfast before work.  Luckily I woke myself up only 10  minutes after I had scheduled.  I popped myself right out of bed and to avoid the stoppage time associated with riding outside I set up the rollers and was riding within 20 minutes.  Got it done and had a comfortable amount of time to shower and eat.

Triathletes can't be stopped

jmorgantri -

Big thing to remember is to do your best not to swallow the saltwater.  You’re going to get saltwater in your mouth just do your best not to swallow it.  

For me a lot of times it’s my nose.  After a couple of swim sessions in the open water I’m fine.  It’s the first couple of swims for whatever reason my nose just get’s irritated. It’s just a discomfort nothing more. Sometimes I’ll wear a nose clip if I feel the need. 

The worst case for somepeople is throwing up when they get a big gulp of saltwater.  Just remember to relax and try to right yourself up or turn on your side (combat stroke also called side stroke) do what you have to do until the symptom pass then continue.

Remember you have a wet suit on and you’re in saltwater so you’re not going to sink very easy.

When you get out of the water, try to down some fresh water.  I like to have a very small bottle in my helmet to down quickly then toss it in my bag prior to departing T1.

I hope that helps.

time for my 2800 yrd swim.  Yea Haa

fixt it

I can tell you the secret to getting to all your masters swim workouts.  Have a cute, blond 27 year old physical therapist join your masters class and swim in your lane, you will go every time just to see if she is there.  Your flip turns may get a little slower though if she is in the next lane over

Not that I would know or anything.......

Can i join your masters class?

Back at it this week.  A couple of doubles with masters, spin, run ints and even some time on the CT last night (Honu 70.3 course).  Tempo tonight and masters in the morning.

We're heading out for some Palomar Mtn repeats on Saturday morning.  Should be *fun*

Thank you.  Dude-Babe ratio is way off (yeah, I sound like a macho tool sexist pig....   maybe that's because... never mind)

Well...to be truthful, we're doing the south grade first, then down the east and back up the east, so I guess it's not technically a repeat.  Come on out and join the fun.  8:00 a.m. for those that wanna climb a mountain a time or two: http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/29358666

Jon - hope you can make it tomorrow morning! Karen said Chris wants to join us, too, so unless the surf calls Conrad, we should have a nice CDA reunion of sorts.  I agreed to join Mon for a fun-filled day at Disney on Sunday (an endurance event in itself), so I can't make the swim, but it looks like Bekah is trying to organize a group.  Means I'll also miss the first TCSD OWS on Monday since I'll have to do my long run after work. Boo.

Destroyer - Do you wanna shoot for 11:00 a.m. next week to give you more time to get down here?  That would still give us plenty of time for 2-2½ hour ride and +/-hour run.

Saw a post referenced on ST that there is some road issue at Cristianitos Gate?  Looked on the Camp P site and they have this listed under closures (as posted) 

"Last update:03/07/2011 03:53 PM

Closure Information:

* The Cristianitos gate is closed indefinitely until repairs can be completed. It is anticipates that the gate will reopen sometime in the April"

Yes, "in the April."  Any of you local guys have any info on this?  Contingency plans if the gate is closed.  I mean, it would be so disastrous to not have to be able to climb San Mateo Hill

On another front, and so it begins...  I added Oceanside to my Droid weather app.  Daily hourly checking to begin soon......

The athlete guide was published on 2/25, so if camp pen put that bulletin up on 3/7 then it's possible a reroute could be in the works and we'll be told when they send out the bib number email.  I would think they would be able to get it fixed up enough for us to ride by on race day unless a marine corps training accident blew out a nice chunk of land.

Chris, man, why do you have to make this so hard on yourself?  You better not post up that you forgot how to swim.  

Did we all make it through that weekend alive?  I'm hanging on!  I completely spaced out friday night from exhaustion.  I was hanging out with my girlfriend, but acting like Jack from The Shining without any of the killing, I was just inside my head and more than halfway shut down.  She has seen it plenty before during Ironman training though, so she knew what was going on.  I came back strong for the weekend with 1.25 mile swim and a 20 mile run on saturday and 75 miles on the bike Sunday.  I maxed out my weekly totals in all disciplines this week with 8.2K of swimming, 38.7 miles of running, and around 170 miles on the bike (146 outdoors plus one roller ride).

I didn't get to meet up with Justin for the swim on Saturday, but I made my way to Naples on my own and really enjoyed the swim there.  It's like a giant dark green pool.  I advised my girlfriend not to swim at santa monica on Sunday, I just didn't trust the currents yet.   

Jon pulled me up the south grade of Palomar on Sat.  Instead of doing the east grade, we decided to go back down and tackle another hill (Cole Grade).  Still got in about 3-1/2 hours in the saddle with some *nice* climbing (~6,500 feet over 50 miles or so).  The Palomar climb is just about 12 miles on the dot and you pick up about 4,000 ft.

The real suffering was on Sunday. 8 hours at Disneyland. If nothing else, I confident that I am now mentally trained up for Oceanside.

Trading messages with Triheado, I realized we hadn't picked a meeting spot for Saturday's brick preview.  I thought we could meet at the free parking lots on Mission where we'll be parking on race morning?  We could ride the path of travel to transition and check out the harbor before heading out and up through base.

Another option is to park closer to the harbor and meet on bikes by the boat ramp (swim out).  I'm just not sure that there's any free (non-metered) parking close to transition.  I usually move my vehicle over to the harbor after the bike and before the run and feed a meter for just an hour or so.  I also feel it's safer - the Mission / Cleveland lots don't seem like the best location to leave expensive bikes in your car.  It also allows for one true loop of the run course.

Let me know your thoughts and what you would prefer and I can post a address / map / directions for people to follow.

I don't think this will affect the preview ride, but just so you know, the Camp Pendleton bike path is closed this M-F.  http://www.cbs8.com/Global/story.asp?S=14247030