Ironman Louisville : Official Thread (Page 12)

Originally posted by clemson05

bib #1344 checking in. 2 more weeks of training with 1 big brick at the end will lead into my taper. Fit just hit the Shan!

As far as the bike goes, most people will probably be very unhappy with their average pace for the first 80 miles or so unless you are accustomed to hills like Louisville will offer. I am fortunate enough to live in an area that has no flat roads and access to some very steep climbs if you want them. This has come in handy for training but it also slows down the average speed to the "what is wrong with me" category. My advice is to pace by power or HR if that is how you train and turn the average mph off . The last 20-30 miles are the section when you will make up some of the time you lost on the climbing but it still is not going to be what anyone from a flat area is used to seeing.

One last bit of advice. Just remind yourself repeatedly that the extra 20-30 minutes that a well paced bike may cost you will save most people 45 minutes to an hour on their run by not having to walk starting at mile 5 of the marathon. All of the people blasting up the hills on the bike course are the ones you will see death marching to the finish of the run. You can waive at them as you run past because you were smart on the bike.

Originally posted by SEADOCHA

A few questions...

I've only done one IM and that was Lake Placid. I was curious to how far the run from the water to the bike is. Is it shorter than Placid? Also, Once you get out of the water I assume you grab your bag and hit the tent. Are the bags with the bikes or are they on a hanging rack? From the videos it also looks like the athletes get their own bikes. In Placid the volunteers grabbed them for you. Is this correct as well?

Do the volunteers take your bike and put it back or are we are responsible for that?

One last question... I'm thinking of changing shorts this year. Once I'm in the tent can I drop trau anywhere or do I have to go in a changing closet? I think at Placid you could do it anywhere once you got in the tent.

Originally posted by SEADOCHA

Are the bags with the bikes or are they on a hanging rack? From the videos it also looks like the athletes get their own bikes. In Placid the volunteers grabbed them for you. Is this correct as well? Do the volunteers take your bike and put it back or are we are responsible for that? One last question... I'm thinking of changing shorts this year. Once I'm in the tent can I drop trau anywhere or do I have to go in a changing closet? I think at Placid you could do it anywhere once you got in the tent.

Originally posted by davidamitchell

I am so beat that I am really looking forward to the taper period. I am so over these long rides. I have dropped 20 lbs since starting my training in the new year. How about you all?

Originally posted by jkintn Don't they require T1 and T2 bags to be checked in on Saturday afternoon? Do racers place bags in the appropriate spot or do volunteers handle that? Do racers have access to T1/T2 bags on race morning? I thought the only thing we have access to on race morning are special needs bags and morning clothes bag.

Originally posted by lisac957

You place them in the grass Saturday but DO have access on Sunday (the photo I posted above is race morning). There will be volunteers assisting/monitoring the area but you place them yourself.

Originally posted by davidamitchell

So what's the deal on the bike course with the bottle exchanges? I understand they have them roughly every 20 miles, right? Is there any reason to bring anymore than 2 bottles with you since you can grab two at every aid station? I'm assuming they are full bottles to exchange (e.g. 20 or 24 ounce bottles), correct? What's everyone bringing on the bike with them?

I'm definitely starting to obsess over this stuff, but I don't want to be unprepared. This is my first IM and the way I see it, I have one shot at this because my wife is not going to put up with me doing this again! At least not for a LONG time.

Originally posted by rquinn23

Originally posted by SEADOCHA

I def haven't lost weight, but I def. can see some definition in my muscles.

A few questions...

I've only done one IM and that was Lake Placid. I was curious to how far the run from the water to the bike is. Is it shorter than Placid? Also, Once you get out of the water I assume you grab your bag and hit the tent. Are the bags with the bikes or are they on a hanging rack? From the videos it also looks like the athletes get their own bikes. In Placid the volunteers grabbed them for you. Is this correct as well?

Do the volunteers take your bike and put it back or are we are responsible for that?

One last question... I'm thinking of changing shorts this year. Once I'm in the tent can I drop trau anywhere or do I have to go in a changing closet? I think at Placid you could do it anywhere once you got in the tent.

Originally posted by Calvin386

I believe there is an aid station evey 10 miles on the bike. I plan on leaving T1 with one 24oz aero bottle filled with perform and 2 gels. I will be living off the course. I will grab a perform to go in my aero bottle and a water which I will rack behind me every 10 miles. Also nutrition of course.

I have read that you might not get special needs bags back. Has this been your experience?

I am assuming you will get your Tbags back of course.

Originally posted by davidamitchell

So what's the deal on the bike course with the bottle exchanges? I understand they have them roughly every 20 miles, right? Is there any reason to bring anymore than 2 bottles with you since you can grab two at every aid station? I'm assuming they are full bottles to exchange (e.g. 20 or 24 ounce bottles), correct? What's everyone bringing on the bike with them?

I'm definitely starting to obsess over this stuff, but I don't want to be unprepared. This is my first IM and the way I see it, I have one shot at this because my wife is not going to put up with me doing this again! At least not for a LONG time.

Originally posted by trigeeky

Looking forward to the taper. Had my last race rehearsal today. BTW, how much is the elevation gain on the bike course? IM course map says ~2100 ft, while some Strava files show ~4000 ft.