Ironman Florida : Official Thread (Page 11)

Anyone racing and also volunteering on the days leading up to the event? Or does anyone have any clue what your duties are in the VIP area?

Most recent Half Marathon was a major success with a 7 minute PR in over 3+ years. I was super stoked! Now I have an Oly in 1.5 weeks. Anyone going to be at HITS Ocala?

Thursday (the 31st) will be the last day to pick up your race packet...just be sure you are getting in early enough to do that!  Wednesday is a MUCH better day to pick up your race packet...the crowds tend to be smaller on Wednesday.  It's typically worth coming in that one extra day ahead if only for your sanity!  I waited 2-3 hours to get my packet in 2010 on Thursday....I was standing in line FOREVER!

I'll be at Ocala doing the OLY also

Thanks for the heads up. I'm working on changing my condo reservation to add the 30th. With my luck I'll get stuck in traffic and a 4.5 hour drive will turn into 10 if I try to make it  on the 31st

If anyone needs to pick up their packet on Thursday, if you can, wait until just before registration closes.  There is usually no line whatsoever into the late afternoon.  You shouldn't need your wristband until Friday for anything anyway so avoid the long line.  

Thursday morning check in is probably worse than Sunday registration for the following year.

Now, as far as the long line in the merchandise tent, you're on your own, but again, it always tends to be shortest within the last hour they are open.

For those talking about staying a few miles out...I did IMFL last Nov (my first one) and was really concerned about staying a little further out. We stayed at Legends Edge Mariott and it was not an issue at all!! Getting in and around the race site was easy and we bought a 3 day parking pass (for cheap!) to one of the lots close by transiton. My family parked in this lot on race day and had a great spot to see me on the run and were able to enter/exit the lot all day. It was also close enough to retrieve my gear while I was on the second loop of the run.

Also, I was shocked on race day wknd at how many of the hotels right near the start/finish had availability and at cheap rates!! I was going to volunteer this year and not even bother to book a hotel in advance (but plans changed and I'll be at IMLP to sign up for 2014).

Hi All,

Looking for some feedback on how your upper back, and neck feels in aero position.  Seems like within an hour, my upper back/neck area is screaming at me.  I do lots of strength training, especially on the posterior chain, so I think my muscles are up to par.  I'm not new to the tri bike aero position so it's not a matter of adaptation...(I don't ride all year around though). The minute I hop off the bike to drive home or to do a brick, the tightness/pain is 100% gone. Don't believe it's spinal nerve pain.  While riding, if I get out of aero and stretch side to side and downward, it feels better.  I train solo so don't have anyone to chat with on such topics. I'm training for Ironman TX 70.3, and the discomfort just gets annoying, as it has for the last 2 years.  I'm wondering how the world will training for 112 miles feel.

Oh, I got my bike fit from a FITT specialist.  Funny that where lots of people have lower back pain, I have absolutely none.  Go figure.  I'd appreciate any thoughts from all you triathletes out there. Thanks, Loren

when you say you don't ride all year, how much time do you take off from the bike?  How much riding are you doing now?  

I take off between Nov and mid-Jan. Then I begin my progression with biking again.  Bike sessions of 20 miles for a couple weeks, then 30 miles, now 40 & 50 miles in prep for the 70.3.  I bike at most 2/week.  Since resuming in Jan, the upper back/neck discomfort hasn't decreased over time like one might expect (maybe a little but not enough).  And like a mentioned, I don't have such pain at any other time, in fact, I'm pretty much pain free in my mobility.

One bit of info...I bought an aero helmet not long after buying my tri bike in July 2011 (so I can't pinpoint one over the other), but could an aero helmet cause a weird kind of pressure on the rear neck area (either due to how the wind hits it or how it rests upon the head)?  I just thought of this over the weekend, so I'm testing an older, traditional helmet on my next ride.

Since I'll be focusing on the IM FL after this 70.3, I gotta get this figured out.  I'm curious if it's customary for most long-distance triathletes to ride pain-free (for the most part) once the adaptation to the seat, aero, etc. occurs.  If so, I yearn for this.

Thanks for your reply.

I would have to agree with Jonathan...I would look at getting a second fit.  Did you get your fit 2 years ago?

It is not uncommon to have discomfort in aero as you build your time in the saddle, but it sounds like this has been a lasting issue.  I have not ever heard of an aero helmet having that effect, but who knows...are you looking up a lot/putting stress on your neck area?   Any number of things could be occurring but it most likely boils down to the fit, IMO.

Hey, thanks for the feedback, Jonathan  Seems like another fit will serve me well, as my last fit was about 1.5 years ago,and perhaps was too aggressive.  Re: looking forward,  my neck extension angle changes a bit from looking far ahead to looking a little ahead of the front tire.  And yea, I hope you're right Mimir, my Giro aero helmet is pretty light, so I'd hope that isn't the cause.

I'm 2.5 years into this tri sport but can offer some strength training and mobility advice, so inquire if any ideas are needed.

Cheers and thanks again.

Welcome, Melissa!!!!

Cool, I plan on cranking up the distances starting in May/June.  Have been training for the 70.3 in Galveston (4/7), so I'll hold on to that training and increase over 5-6 months.

I'm doing Gulf Coast on 5/11.  23 week plan for IMFL training officially kicks off on 5/27.

I was training for a 70.3 in June. But 3 weeks of sinusitis, and bronchitis changed all of that.

So now my focus is completely on IMFL. I will be using the Fink Comp plan starting base training on or around Apr 7th.

This will be my first long distance tri after 7 years worth of sprint, olympic distances and 7 half marathons.

How many have had a good, or successful race after using the Fink Plans???

Yes, I would definitely like to compare notes/progress, and also with others as well.  Good luck to you as well.