Ironman Coeur d'Alene : Official Thread (Page 11)

I don't think it is required.  At IMKY last year they didn't take attendance, but it was helpful to listen to them talk about the course and the day.  It helped relax the nerves some for me by attending and listening to the race director go over the day. 

I've went to the first 2 and then skipped the next 2.  If you understand the course and rules then you can safely skip it.  The biggest shock for most first timers is how early the kick you out of transition.  They may say that transition closes at 6:30am but they start rushing people out a little after 6.

Your cyling total on the other hand, looks great! 

After today, I'm hoping that we have dry weather on June 21st.  Tried riding today in moderate rain, but after 30 miles I had to finish up on the trainer.  I thought training in the elements would help in case the weather is bad for the race, but I don't think I passed the test!

lemyhr - 2009-05-03 4:24 PM actually, i've got a question -- i'm on the beginner IM plan and it's calling for a lot of running in these next couple weeks, but my shins are KILLING ME. i've ignored them before and gotten stress fractures... so this time i don't want to do that, obviously. should i ride my bike for some of that time and use the elliptical the rest? the bike is by far my weakest leg. i'll try to get rid of the injury and get back into running, but i'm just so scared of getting another stress fracture this close to the race.

any advice?

Can't see your logs, so it's hard to see what you have done or what your goals are.  Aqua-jogging and the elliptical are alternatives to get some running-type exercise without the stress on your joints (or in your case, shins).  Having said this, they won't have your shins ready for 26.2 miles on the pavement.  If your goal is simply to finish, making the bike cutoff at 5:30 gives you 6:30 to do the "run" (almost 15 minutes/mile).  Another possibility is to do some trail running.  I ran a 50-mile trail run earlier this month.  All of the training runs kept my ankles flexible and my calves much more stretched out than running on the roads.  (Just be careful the first few times, you don't want to twist an ankle. )

Is it too early to ask about water temps?  Anyone been in the lake yet?

Lake temp is 45 degrees this morning.  2 days ago it reached a balmy 47.5 but the last couple days have cooled it a bit.  I'm not getting in yet!

Another random question, as this is my first IM I plan on buying 1 piece of IMCDA branded t-shirts, hats, sweats jackets, etc. for every day of the week but I don't want to buy anything until I cover the full 140.6 miles.  Is the IM village open on Monday?

Yes - first thing Monday morning!  And the place will be packed.

Or just finish before 4 on Sunday

Don't forget PJs...that way you are never without your mandatory piece of M-Dot paraphenalia.

Good question though.  Is it open on Tuesday, for those of us hoping to avoid the crowds?

Will neoprene caps or socks be necessary? Does anyone plan to wear these?
Blueseventy doesn't make size 15 so I might be out of luck either way.

I would say most likely not.  Last year was very unusual with the water temp in the upper 50's on race day.  It's normally 62-64 and if I had to make a guess I'd say it'll be the same this year.  We've still got quite a bit of snow run-off to go but not nearly as much as last year and the water is warming a bit each day, even without much warm weather yet.  A few 70+ days in a row and it will climb right up.  No worries.  I expect to be swimming in the lake by early June. 

Here's a link to water temps about 1/2 mile downstream from the lake outlet.

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/id/nwis/uv?cb_00010=on&format=gif_default&period=7&site_no=12417610

I've done IMCDA 4 times in a sleeveless suit with the race issued cap (skipped 2008).  I do not plan on doing anything different this year.  The top of the lake will heat up fast once the weather gets warm.  I would say it's not unusual to gain 10 degrees between June 1st and race day.

Temps were 60ish degrees in 2007 and I was perfect with a neoprene cap and sleeveless.  I plan to do the same this year.