Ironman 70.3 Racine : Official Thread (Page 10)

Crossing my fingers! Didn't know that Accuweather can predict that far in advance.

Thanks for the swim report - man, I was hoping the water temps would be a little warmer with the warm weather we've been having so far.  Thought of a few more questions on my long run this morning.  Is there an area at the swim start to get in the water even after the first waves have started?  It would be nice to get acclimated to the temp after waiting around for an hour before the later waves.  Another swim question - is there a bathroom at the swim start?

Not holding my breath on the mid-70's weather for race day, but I'll definitely take it if I can get it!  3 more weeks!

Here is the site for water temps http://www.coastwatch.msu.edu/michigan/m61.html

Racine is notorious for some of the coldest water in Lake Michigan as the currents pull up water from the bottom of the lake.  Anyhow, you will forget about it about 4 minutes into the swim.  The water is crystal clear, and you can see people all around you.  Its a great swim because you only have two 90 degree angle turns and one long straight shot.  

Temps outside??  Whatever the temp is all the others have the same temp.  Bring on the 90's and just adjust your race pace accordingly.  If you do, then you will do better than 90% of the people that think that it has no effect on their race.  They will go out and forget that they should adjust their run or bike pace and then you will reel them in guaranteed starting at mile 3 or 4 on the run.  Just after those two hills at the beginning of the run.  Good times.  

Potty station close to the swim?  No.  But there are a few up on the hill by the zoo about 300 yards away if you have to use them.  

Ha. Good trash talk.   Just reading your post.  So, now you try to catch "one of those old guys" as I am in the M50-54 first wave.  Ill have a MSM or Multisport Madness shirt on.  Uh...  5 hours for you too or better?  Actually you will have to do about 4:51 to see me on the course.  Ill be the "old guy".

  Mark

Recon Ride-Next Saturday June 30th hosted by TriWisconsin

Meet at 7 AM, wheels out at 7:30-North Beach, Barker Street at Lake Michigan. I'm going to bring my wet suit and swim after the ride. Anyone want to join me?

Rob

Great, I look forward to meeting everyone. 3 Weeks to go!

Rob

PS. did I mention that this is going to be my first Tri?  lol

Does anyone have any tips about nutrition for the bike and the run. I have read that people tape GU to their bike and I am making sure that this is legal? Training has been going good until Sunday woke up with I think a muscle strain on the inside of my calf. Any tips on what training I should do up until the race because I probably will not be running until this pain goes away.

With this being my first Tri does anyone have any tips to mentally get through this race. With this being my first Half Tri I find myself wondering how is my time going to be in the bike, how am I going to deal with the long bike, etc. I think you can see where I am going with this. Again thanks for all the tips and support.

Paul

This is my first HIM. I have a couple questions on the aid stations for the bike.

How do you get water/perform? Do you just get a cup on your way by or do they have bottles? Same with the GU or Bananas? Just trying to decide on how many water bottles to carry or not to carry and what food to carry. 

Gibby

taping gels is totally legal, kind of a pain in the butt if you ask me but, to each his own. i just use a gel flask and dump them in there.

as far as the calve muscle, we're 3weeks out. i dont know what you planned on for a taper but im doing 2 weeks. honeslty i dont think the hard work i put in this week is going to reflect a whole lot in my finishing time. i i was hurt, i'd start my taper now, continue to train at a lower intensity and heal up for the race. thats just my opinion and what i would do. im not a pro though.

mental tips, just remember its a long race, you're gonna most of it alone, and its gonna hurt. but at the end its sooooo worth it.

my fist half as well but i've done full's before. just ride by and grab what you want. slow down first obviously. but they will have bottles, maybe a seasoned vet can chime in but i'd be willing to bet they are not handing out cycling bottles, they are probably going to be your typical waterbottles that you can buy in bulk with sport tops.

i use 2 cages, 1 water, 1 IM Preform. everytime i get to an aid station, toss them and grab cold ones.

So do you bring your own bottles to start out with or do they offer them in transition area? Sorry for all the questions I have only done small tri's and have always had to supply my own for the bike.

Gibby 

anyone wanna swim thursday around 5pm at north beach?

coastwatch says the surface temp today is in the mid 60s, thank god!

Yes they will be handing up Perform bottles with the sport top and plastic water bottles.

The only tip I can offer is to just be prepared before the aid station.  I will start emptying any remaining water into my aero bottle and finishing any sports drink as I approach the station.  They will have a bottle dump area before the aid station where you can chuck your bottles.  Make sure you point, make eye contact and yell to the volunteer what you want so there is no confusion or dropped/missed bottle exchanges.  Give a nice "thank you" and you will be on your way!

A poster brought up a good point about old bottles - don't bring a water bottle you like or you will have to hold onto it or keep filling it up. Instead of a sports bottle just start the race with a 16oz. plastic water bottle then you don't have to get rid of any good sports bottles.  

This year I started using Hammer Perpetuem and I make a 3 hour bottle so all I have to worry about is getting my water which makes it pretty easy.

Thank you very much!!

Just trust in your training.  Don't push the bike too hard or your are gonna have a suffer fest on the run.  You should be somewhat familiar with what your bike pace is - and stick with it.  You might be tempted to push it but keep your pace and you will be fine.