Ironman USA Lake Placid : Official Thread (Page 107)

Today my Garmin actually came apart during a ride.  It's been turning off randomly for a week now then stopped turning on at all.  Today it turned on then off so I left it on my bike.  As I went onto the base I sat up and noticed the face of my Garmin was off.  Luckily it stuck to the pad but it has not turned on since.  It's 3 years old but never been abused so it sucks.  Now I need a new one so here is my question.

Does anyone have a Garmin 310xt?  You think it's worth the money or should I just get another 305 for half the price?  I'll look up the other threads on the subject but we all know that the IMLP folks are the smartest out there.

Thanks,
Chris

By the way for all of you with private logs, when are you going to let me in?

I clearly see what you are saying, but still (for the most part) it would generally keep the faster swimmers up front and slower swimmers toward the back.

Really?  You think half the field have never done a full or a half before!!  If that's true, that's freaking scary! 

also, I'm hoping they do something to make the mass swim start safer at LP BEFORE there is a tragedy -- especially with the huge influx in starting participants.  That would make it a very sad say; instead of the joyous  - triumphant day it should be. 

To your other point, I agree that a mass swim start is exciting, and I don't believe they have to change from that format of a 'mass start', but perhaps an attempt at seeding people properly will lessen the chance of tragedy. 

Regardless, I'm starting to the far right.  I'd rather swim an extra 200 meters the first lap and be safe.  

Just like at a Marathon: Get a past Swim time for a long distance race and Seed Swimmers.  Will it be perfect or flawless, No.  But will it perhaps prevent a needless tragedy due to inexperience and overexuberance.  Quite possibly. 

As you mentioned Fred, they do this at Ironman Australia. 

Also, perhaps, a pre-Race 20-minute continually running class on Ironman Safety.   A speaker could outline the importance of hydration, Swim safety and Bike safety.  Some simple tips would enlighten many a novice and perhaps even remind some veterans and more experienced triathletes. 

I don't see a problem with the mass start.  Everyone is on an even keel.  No doubt people would "fluff" their numbers if it was a seeded start.  Lots of them would end up getting run over anyway just like they do now. 

A logical person would set themselves up accordingly at the start with their perceived swimming ability.  Only an idiot would set up in pole position at the front and on the buoy line when they know they will be swimming a 1:20.  As it turns out, there are plenty of idiots out there.  If they get run over, shame on them for being foolish.  If you don't like contact, stay right or wade in at the start.  It ain't that hard, and in an event such as an IM where all participants put in massive amounts of training and research just to get to the starting line, it should not be a revelation. 

Taper madness, excitement for the race start, and edgy nerves can throw logical thought and a plan in to the wind, though, which can account for some of the chaos.  The rest is just people lying to themselves about their abilities.

What did they say at the last pre-race meeting? 

EXACTLY!  Nobody pays attention at those things, at least those that need to hear it most.  They are too busy fiddling with gear, talking about said gear, or commenting on how they are going to tear the course up to listen up and maybe catch a pointer.   This is not everyone, but will most likely encompass the group of people who end up f@#$ing up.

3,000 Type-A personalities thrown in to a mass start is what it is.  While what IM does is not perfect, they can't force people to read the rules, listen, and adequately prepare.

Get off the computer and onto your bike, Charles!!!