Ironman St. George : Official Thread (Page 13)

I think we are confusing names and climbs. The one in the pics is the Eagle Ranch hill which is 3 miles before the Wall. Veyo hill is about 3 miles after the Wall. Veyo hill is just past the town of Veyo after we turn on to the main highway.

The approach to Eagle Ranch(the one in the pics) is actually a false flat. It just seems like it is flat and fast because everything before and after is so ding-dang steep. But, Suzanne is right in that people do perceive it to be flat, ride it too fast, arrive at the base of Eagle Ranch a wee bit toasted, and then have to deal with a very nasty climb.

Fossil, I'm also doing the Leadman 125. Should be a great tuneup. The 8 mile run up to Boulder City will be very interesting. Where are you from?

jhornbx, that wasn't me, but would be glad to meet and ride with you when you are next here. Let me know. Offer is for anybody who comes into town. Currently riding 2 loops with a 40-60 minute t-run most Saturdays. Leave from the ponds/softball fields parking lot on Snow Canyon Parkway(exactly 2 miles down from hwy 18 on the right side) at 9am.

Suzanne is confused again. She really meant banana cream pie makes a wonderful post-race breakfast.

Suzanne, confusion can be caused by too much training. Time to back off a little.

@suzanne et. al., yea that picture is the Eagle Ranch climb. I've ridden the course at least six times this offseason. IMO that is the hardest climb, especially if you have a headwind going through Gunlock, it creates a tailwind up "the Wall" making it feel like a cool-down really. This climb is approximately 2 miles before "the Wall."

I think the best training you can do for this course is to actually get out and ride it. The first time I did it, it seemed incredibly long. However, every time I ride it it seems shorter and more manageable, although the second loop will be taxing on me (we did one loop on Friday a few weeks ago followed by an 87 mile ride from downtown out to Sand Hollow, back, and followed by a loop. By the time I hit the second loop, I was feeling it). I realize this advice may be frustrating to some who do not have the ability to ride it before the event but it also serves to encourage those who do have the ability but are on the fence. 

Regarding St. George, this venue is awesome! On my last training ride, we had a group of 18 ricers who pulled into Veyo Pies for a quick break and when I approached the register to pay for my soda, the owner said all sodas were on the house as it cost more to run the transaction. What great PR! Also, after the ride, we ran two loops on the new run course and the local fire department came out and offered us cold, bottled water. Go St. George!

That reminds me, although the run course is not as brutal as previous years, do not be lured into thinking it is a flat and easy course. You basically run down four streets (including the arm) which have a grade of 2-3%. The run down isn't bad at all but I'm thinking that we'll be feeling this grade as we approach mile 18 or so. 

Anyway, happy training.

Man do we need the rain here in Georgia.  However, if I could be selfish and hope that my next long ride is outside - just a 5-6 hour break in the rain will be fine.  I have great respect or maybe more amazement for those of you who spend the winter inside on the trainer.  You truly have more mental toughness than I.  No more whinning from me I promise - just saying.  Happy training!!

ps - the Lincoln Lawyer and Moneyball do help pass the time well and no one passed me too close either - an upside to everything.

That timing is too funny. I was going to come on here today to whine a bit and say how much I envy you folks in the southeast and southwest who can actually ride outside on a regular basis in the winter. Sounds like you're not getting weather cooperation though.

I knew signing up for a May race meant a lot of time on the trainer, but it's gotten to be a bit ridiculous. Since Dec. 1, I've ridden 1,678 miles on the bike and only 54 of those have been outside (last weekend in the rain). Yesterday was a day when it was a huge mental struggle in the first couple of hours of a four-hour ride. I wanted to be anywhere but there. Of course, it didn't help that I had to do 70 minutes on the treadmill the night before. I just keep telling myself getting that work in will all pay off on May 5. That being said, while riding yesterday, I committed that no matter what the weather was doing Sunday (except for ice), I was doing my long run outside. It was cold, but no rain! Man, I needed that.

Now I'm already watching the weather forecast for next Saturday because I have a five-hour ride on the schedule and I SO don't want to do it on the trainer. Not looking good so far.

Brad

Edited to add biking stats I just looked up since this made me curious.

On any given year, I would be that poor sap confined to the trainer (in fact, we're in an area of N. UT that would not be uncommon to have snow lining the streets well into April and beyond).

However, because of this unusually dry Winter, I would say I have been able to do about 75% of my bike training outside. It can get cold (yesterdays 65 mile bike ride was high 30's in the valley, down to mid 20's pushing up over the canyon pass) but at least it's dry.

We got a good snow storm today, so I may be back inside for a few days but it looks like it may dry out by next weekend - keepin' my fingers crossed that this great weather continues ...

I will say, on those very long cold miserable rides, I think I gain more from the mental exercise than the physical.

8 hours staring a blank white wall?! I can't even imagine!

lol - it's ok. I would certainly be enjoying that training weather if I was you! We have two neighbors who moved here from San Diego (can you imagine such a thing?). They've had some serious adjustment issues. Every now and then, I see them come out of their houses and look up at the gray and I can almost see the little thought bubble above their heads saying WTF?

"Double bagging?" Ouch! RAAM people are tough as it gets. Those people impress the heck out of me. I remember seeing a clip once of a guy who had some sort of strap from his helmet and to his shoulders to hold his head up because his next was exhausted. Tip o' me cap to your boss. 

pretty excited, my wife just signed up!  It'll be her first.  never done a half or oly for that matter.  " stay in your bubble chrissie"  

2months people!!  Trust your plan and stick to it.  We're almost there

im starting to get the little heart flutter and mini adrenaline rush when I think about it.   love it.  

Praying for good weather

It will be what it will be and there is nothing any of us can do about it.  However, I was curious if there is any word or theory of water temps.  Looks like St. George has been milder this winter than last year. 

Nothing can be worse than CdA.  That was a cold swim.  Anything with a high 5 or low 6 handle is fine with me. 

As it relates to the SG swim start, I would imagine the floating start with such a long straight swim would be a good thing, right?  My only full comparison is CdA and it was really tight the whole time.  

I agree with everything you said. Just give me five degrees warmer and a less-intense mosh pit and I'll be thrilled.

Brad

yeah, I have a theory on the water temp.  "It will be what it will be and there is nothing any of us can do about it". hahahaha

St. George swim is kindergarten compared to CDA last year.