Ironman Kansas 70.3 : Official Thread (Page 14)

Thanks for the road reports all.

I'm getting anxious to get to race day.  Looking forward to meeting you all.

These taper weeks are going to be tough mentally.

For the its still too early to know for sure weather forecast from Accuweather:

High: 93, Low: 68, Mostly Sunny & Hot, Wind: SSW 12 mph,  gusts at 29 mph

Sounds about right. For Kansas anyway.  Mentally prepare accordingly.

Just looked at the updated particpant lists for pro's.  Here are some of the big ones I noted:

11 Pro Women: Chrissie Wellington, Leanda Cave, Kelly Williamson, Natasha Van Der Merwe

27 Pro men including; Andy Potts, Luke Bell

These are just some of the names with which I am familiar.

They also have our bib numbers listed.

For those who raced in previous years, the biggest difference in road conditions I noticed was the out and back to S Shawnee Heights Road (where you go into Shawnee County).  Seems like it has gotten considerably rougher (although it was in PERFECT condition last year)  It is 15-20 minutes of the ride but not too bad.  Everything else is in good shape.  No oil spills yet either!

I was out there early Saturday morning too, so I am sure I saw a few of you out there.  Too bad the race wasn't then.  Conditions were perfect!  I also came up a mile short on the distance.  I thought it was a bit odd because last year I remember distance being spot on.  Maybe they are making the bike short instead of the run this year!  Either way I am not complaining.

See everyone in 2 weeks.

This is my first Half Iron. Since I haven't n been able to keep my miles up for the last three weeks on the bike as well as the run, how tough is this race going to be.

I will mention that last year it was hot and sunny but each aid station was equipped to help keep you cool as much as possible. Plenty of fluids on the course as well as wet sponges.

I'm bib number 648.

Swim waves are posted now.  Pro M 6:30 Pro W 6:32 CAF 6:34 Age Groupers (beginning with Men 50+) 6:38 and every 4:00 thereafter

Men 35-39 L-Z have a scheduled swim start of 7:22 a.m.  Apparently they didn't get the memo that I would be needing an earlier start, so as to not be the last one out of the water.  By the time time I get out of the water, the pro's will be having post race drinks.

Last year my wave was "on deck" when Chrissie Wellington herself came out of the water. SO FRICKIN' COOL to be there to see it!

Yea, not as much shade as you would expect.  None on the initial 2 miles where you run along the bike course and then down to T1 and back.  There is spot shade on some of the aid stations while looping through the campgrounds but like previously said, there are plenty of wet sponges to help keep you cool.  Just remember to remove them prior to crossing the finish line to avoid the MACCA saggy breasts finish photo from 2007!

Stay healthy everyone over the next few weeks. I got really sick Sunday evening, spent most of the night face to face with the toilet.  Thankfully, whatever it was, it was just a 24 hour bug and I am back to new again.  Hope that is my last battle with anything that may interfere with race day!  See everyone soon!

I am excited about seeing the pro's.  Especially Chrissie and Andy!  I wish I could have the opportunity to see them run, but I'll still be way out on the bike course.

I am bib# 84! Guess us old farts will be going off early... and being swam on top of by you younger folks... think I need to carry a blinking transponder on my backside so maybe some of you will think I am a big floating buoy!

May Monthly totals - not quite where I want to be, but I will take it:
S:  11500.00 Yd - 3h 00m
B:  338.50 Mi - 18h 42m 51s
R:  54.19 Mi - 10h 12m 56s
Str:  5h 15m
Sp:  9h 00m

Good luck with IMLP, PeeWee! IMFL will be my first full IM as well.

Body Glide - better safe than sorry. I like to put it around my ankles and ESPECIALLY around the neck - that is the place most people get chaffing from their wetsuit. Not fun as it will end up absolutely burning and feeling like it's ON FIRE the rest of the race. Before the race I also glide other areas that might rub during the race, like around my armpits where my tri top sits and around my quads where my tri shorts hit. Then there's also the Chamois Butt'r application - just lots of "lubing up" going on pre-race

Wetsuit logistics - yup you will want to carry it with you down to T1. Wetsuits are very warm just standing around so you'll see a lot of people put it on just up to the waist and only put on the upper half right before they get into the water. Just putting it on will make you sweat (definitely practice this!). Also practice getting out of it - usually they will get stuck around you wrists (full sleeve only) and around your ankles. Have a plan to address that so you don't get frustrated.

Both of those are legal.  The banned wetsuit was called water rover or something like that.