Ironman St. George : Official Thread (Page 10)

Nice! You get to experience the best of both worlds. I had to choose between doing Boston for the second time or St. George for the first and I went with St. George. Good luck in Boston!

Brad

I'm debating a quick trip to SG on the 27th and 28th.  My logistics would have me in SG around noon on Friday and I have to leave around noon-1pm on Saturday.  My plan would be to ride the 43 mile loop on Sat afternoon and Sun am.  Depending on when this group goes out Sat am, I may join everyone.     

This is my first Ironman and I'm starting to have some pain around my knee cap. I went to the doctor and she said it's irritation from the knee cap gliding out of place due to my core and glutes being weak during longer workouts. The soreness is happening during all workouts now but she said I could not do any permanent damage, I would just have to deal with the pain/soreness. She said the patella strap below the knee would not work because thats not the problem, she was right. Does anyone have any experience with this and does anyone have any experience using full knee sleeves or anything else. Just a little worried as I'm getting father behind in my training. Currently I'm icing/ibuprofen.  Thanks 

Craig

Hi Craig. It's been many years, but I had this once before. First, you've gotta get the inflammation down. The icing and ibuprofen is good, but if it means you need to take a few days off to get it really calmed down, you should. Second, you need to identify the cause. In my case, it was a muscle imbalance, which I understand is quite common. I would suggest seeing a physical therapist who can identify muscle weakness or other issues that are causing it. They can give you specific exercises to strengthen or loosen any muscles that need it. If seeing a PT isn't in the cards, do some searches online for patellar tracking problems and you'll see lots of information on common causes and suggested treatment. I still think it's better to get specific help with your specific problem, but whatever you do, don't try to just power through it without really understanding what is causing the problem. Don't lose even more time by guessing. Getting help will be better long term and you will arrive in St. George healthier and in better shape. Good luck!

Brad

Not sure if it's even close to the same thing but I have patellar tendinitis in my right knee which I managed to do in my younger stupider days, not sure if it's age or what but I still have issues with it to this day.  I guess I'm just trying to say, how do you know that you won't do any permanent damage.  Just proceed cautiously and don't do what I did 25+ years ago and think no pain no gain, or just keep working though it.  Take some time off if needed recover and get back at things.

Good luck

Craig,

I'm also doing my first Full Ironman and I have begun to have the same problem. I'm training at levels I never have before, so I was sure it was a matter of time before something started squeaking.  

I'm not sure where around the knee you're having pain, but mine is more on the outside of the knee and I think I've narrowed it down to IT Band Syndrome.  I've scaled back my mileage and intensity which is EXTREMELY frustrating, and doing some IT Band stretches and foam roller.

I am also curious if anyone has had this problem and what has helped. I would also be curious what your PT says.

Thanks

Anyone follow the Facebook Q and A today?

I thought it was nice IM did this. I was surprised that many of the questions are so easily found in the IMSG website and racer info. Good that no one asked how long the race was I guess.

The only downer was that it was over before you knew it. They only gave it about a half hour and that was it. There were still a few solid questions left dangling when IM shut down.

Oh well. It was a little excitement for the day...

I did check out the FB Q&A with the race director today after it was over. I agree it was nice they did that.

Just curious if anyone here has ridden both the St George and Lake Placid bike course to offer a comparison?

As of tomorrow we'll only have 100 days until race day! Gettin' excited!!!

Ryan

Thanks for all the replies. I talk to a PT today and she check me out. She agreed with the other doctor and said I wouldn't hurt myself in the long term. My knee cap is not tracking correctly and its causing irritation. She said as long as the discomfort is not PAIN then I can continue through my workouts, if it hurts I have to walk more. Ice? Ibuprofen. I switched my beginner triathlete program to five days a week to give a day off for long bikes and runs. Put to much time into this already and I'm not backing out now. 

Thanks again

Craig

Yes, I saw it too.  Those questions were coming fast and it was nice of them to do it. A bit more time for answers and more specific answers would have been even more fun, but it was still good. I asked the question about the chip sealed roads and the air pressure and was hoping for more detail, but I guess I'll just have to wait until I see the course.

Brad

Hi all, I hope the training is going well with 100 days to go.

Is anyone considering changing their crankset for IM St. George? Perhaps a triple, perhaps a compact? I Have read a few threads, but it all seems to mainly be a matter of your own preference.

I've ridden the route a few times. I run about 105 in my tires. Never flatted. Haven't seen anyone else flatted while I've been out either and the Veyo loop definitely gets ridden on weekends.

The Chip seal is a mild annoyance and its pretty much just on the uphill portion before Veyo. I've ridden worse chip sealed roads... and better. Sure would be sweet though if the county added a nice smooth top-layer for the race.

I wouldn't sweat it too much. Just be able to self service on the ride JIC.
A friend of mine broke his chain last year and was down for about an hour waiting for assistance. Know basic maintenance and have a tool on you...

Thanks. I tend to adjust my tire pressure a bit when I know I'm headed for chip seal just to lessen the fatigue from all those little micro-bumps. Nice to know it's mostly on the uphill.

I was not able to swing the SG trip this weekend due to work.  I may try to fly over early March. 

I was looking over my plan (week 16/30) and this time next month I will be chin deep in serious hours.  I've got a few tweaks here and there so gotta stay healthy too.   

Welcome aboard! Don't worry, you'll be more nervous later. Kidding, kidding. It'll all be good.

Brad