Ironman Florida : Official Thread (Page 10)

We've got a group of about 7 athletes and 12 kids.  We most definitely plan on dresing up and trick or treating.  We plan on just randomly knocking on doors at the Boardwalk Beach Resort and most definitely plan on sending my daughter to the vendors in Ironman Village.  Yeah, they close at 4:30, and thats a bit early, but they better be prepared, because I am sending my daughter there way and if they don't have candy for her, they better have something for dadddy.

You hear that K Swiss, Newton and Zoot???

I mean, who could tell her no???

On a more serious note - since I am slowly ramping up my training again I have been mentally going through every detail of IMFLA 2010 trying to find every minute I can.

I can't ignore what I consider to be a pretty bad T1 for me.  Now, it was my first IM, and I really took my time, but I want to shave a few minutes. 

These are some things I did in T1 in 2010.

Completely changed shorts, Put on a HR strap, body glided key upper body parts and most of my "Under carriage" then I put chamois butt'r on my man parts as well (also had chamois butt'r on the pad of my dry shorts

I had to change HR monitors and chest straps in T2 as well.

I have already eliminatedthe HR monitor issue by purchasing the new Garmin HR monitor I can wear on the swim, then I will ride with my wife's garmin 305 mounted to the bike (by use of the Torhans Hydration system tray), and swtich to my garmin 305 for the run.  This in itself will save me probably 5 minutes total (in both transitions).

My other consideration is debating on not switching shorts.  Most people I know did, mailing because of what the salt can do for you.  So, my question is for those who didn't change shorts after the swim.  What precautions did you take?  I can't exactly replicate that in training and I'm not sure if I just glob my shorts with chamois butt'r after the swim if that would be enough.  Especially being wet, wouldn't it just run off?  Do/did you spend extra time rinsing off in the showers just off the beach?

I'd suggest practicing changing shorts.  Really doesn't take that long.  In 2010  it was cold out.  I cannot imagine heading out in wet shorts on that day. 

I spent way too much time in T1 debating about what to wear.  Think I'll have that better dialed in this year. 

Personally I like changing.  I'm going to spend at least six hours on the bike.  What difference is an extra two minutes in the changing tent going to make?  Comfort for six hours. 

[if I knew this wouldn't be taken the wrong way, I might ask why it took you fifteen minutes to put on chamois butter.  ]

It isn't the changing of the shorts that takes so long, it's having to deal with the chaos of the changint tent while changing shorts that takes forever.  Swimming between 1 hour and 1:15, that tent is a madhouse.

[quote ] I'm going to spend at least six hours on the bike.  What difference is an extra two minutes in the changing tent going to make?  Comfort for six hours. 

What you say is totally true.  And if you weren't changing shorts you could (i think) just change outside the tent. 

Have you discussed the changing tent situation with the race director?  It seems like that would be a good idea.

In 2010, they let us into the conference center adjacent to the changing tent.  It was still a zoo, but at least there was some room to change.

OK, I had probably one of the slowest T1 times of all in 2011.  And, I didn't change shorts.  But I wasn't concerned just taking my time.  Actually felt a bit disjointed, I mean I put on my shoes before pants, helmet before my long sleeve shirt, etc.  Just couldn't get it together.  And yes, the place was mad house coming out at 1;19!  It was also cold so I took the time to put on tights, long sleeve shirt, arm warmers, etc.  Glad I did too as I didn't take anything off until the run.

But, you asked about not changing shorts.  I used my tri shorts for the swim and the ride and didn't have any issue with them on the bike.   I just put Chamois Butter on liberally before the swim then a quick rinse on the way to T1.  No issues at all.  I did ride the last few long rides in my tri shorts so I was used to them on the bike. 

For the run I did change into fresh underwear and shorts.  At that time I had plenty of room in T2 and again, not in a big hurry. Probably could have used my tri shorts and been OK, but the 3 minutes to put on clean clothes was worth it.  T2 is so much easier to maneuver.

I'll be a little more focused this year.  I know what to expect in T1 so it won't be so overwhelming and will have my gear a bit more organized.  Hopefully it will be just a touch bit warmer so I don't have to wear so many clothes.

Like you said, I can easily shave time by just being a bit more focused.  I figure 10 min between the 2 transitions and easily 15 - 30 minutes off the bike between more focused stops and riding a little harder.  Last year I really took it easy on the bike as I wasn't sure how the run would be. 

enjoy,

Duane

There is no changing tent now. The changing "tent" IS the conference center. It is an absolute mad house. It took me 5 minutes to find enough room on the floor to set my T1 bag, much less get my equipment on for the bike.

I swam and biked in my Desoto 400 mile shorts. I had absolutely no issue with salt rubbing me. I used body glide before the swim and applied again in T1.

The amount of space changing area was expanded in 2011 so both women and men's area were bigger than 2009 and 2010.

They have showers as you exit the beach to rinse off a bit.

I haven't had an issue with not changing my shorts and wearing same shorts all day.

Holy cow!  If that is the case I am so glad I wasn't there in 2009 or 2010.  2011 was a mad house with a 1:19 swim.

enjoy,

Duane

I have done 5 IMs I have never changed my shorts.  Tri shorts all day. Last year I got a saddle sore but no problem the other 4 years and the saddle sore was not an issue on the run.  I just body glide in the am before the swim.  I am not a fan of complete wardrobe changes.  Putting youre stuff in ziplock bags helps I think.  I have a Must have bag and a Might need bag then you are not sorting thru stuff rolling allover the floor

In 2010 I didn't change shorts all day and had no issues.  Rinsed off coming out of the water and was good to go.  Didn't help my T1 time at all as I had a blazing fast 16 minute transition!  Indecision on what to wear to deal with the cooler temps was an issue as well as struggling to find space to get ready. 

I did change out of tri top in T2, but that was me just not liking to run in compression type shirts, especially after a couple of hours.

You added cream at the bike special needs?

Thats kinda hard to do with no salt water to swim in before a century ride. Any sug.estions on how to imitate those conditions?  What if I add salt to some water and soak them for a few hours before my long ride,

Don't spend to much time worrying about the salt water.  Just plan on hitting the shower/hose just after the stripper area.  5 seconds there is all you need.  After a few hours you'll be putting out your own salt!

Usually I put a cheap washcloth in the run special needs bag and get it wet on wipe off the salt accumulation while running.  Feels wonderful!

Nope - you are pretty much on your own - we are all Ironman ready

I was a little burnt out since October... I did Detroit Marathon in October and then went down to FL to sign up for IMFL.  In January I did the Goofy race at Disney world, and then went traveling to Mexico and Germany for a month.  I just got back into training maybe 2 weeks ago but then got hit with tons of work stress and migraines.  I took another week off from training after only committing halfheartedly to the workouts I did manage to muster through the weeks prior.  After a full week off I am back at it and FINALLY feel like I am working towards a goal.

Some people on my team have not even started to think of the IM training yet for Florida, so this makes me happy that I am not behind.  And so - you are not behind!

I spent all of last week skiing.  Afraid that does not do much for triathlon base building.  Perhaps I'll rethink that early season 1/2.

 Not much going on in the swim/bike/run department.  How are you guys doing?

I am feeling good an loving training. I have a new distance race in mid-May: 2 mile swim, 88 mile bike, 10 mile run so training has started early, besides which I have a hilly olympic in April.

February #'s:

Swim 37,000 yds. 13:36 hours

Bike 416.41 miles 22:47:40 hours

Run 121.27 miles 17:20 hours.