Ironman St. George - Utah : Official Thread (Page 15)

The bigger the number on the biggest cog in the rear cassette the easier the push up the hill. Gravity and I are not friends thus I have a 11-28 on the rear cassette - as said before easiest way to tell what you have is to just count them.  If you are good at hills probably not a worry, most bikes come stock with a 12-25 combo.

I'm actually just edgy about getting over the last of the couple injuries I've been dealing with...sciatica's just about completely gone, but I'm monitoring an Achilles inflammation that popped up on a short ride on Friday.  Otherwise I'm pretty happy that I got through my first couple big swims, rides and runs by 8 weeks out despite the injuries.  Now I've got a couple weeks of lower bike and run volume (but some bigger swims) leading up to LA Marathon on 3/21.  Then one recovery week, two last big volume weeks, and taper.  I'm feeling pretty prepared and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.  Only a couple more weeks over 13 hours on my plate.  Main goals for me now are the marathon, two more big rides, and making sure I get to the start healthy this time.

I was up in Portland this past weekend for four days to train as well as have a social life and it was just the break I needed to get me out of the 'I'm getting cranky' stage.

I'm with ya, the next 4 1/2 weeks are tough ones for me, and it started with a hellish long ride Sunday. I'm tired and hungry all the time. I'm not irritable...yet, but there are times I can't keep my eyes open during the day.

Hard to believe we're just about there. This is the time you are paying a price, whenever it get's tough just visualize yourself running through the last stretch on race day. Visualization is very powerful!

Went down to the LBS yesterday and ordered the 12-28. One of the mechanics there is also a friend and he made a lot of fun of me for it, so I invited him to come ride the course with me in March.

Of course he declined...

Mike

I've decided to stick with my standard 53-39 up front but will be getting my 12-27 for this weekends ride as well. I'm sure I'll get a few snickers as well.

Ok, I'm having a freak out day! Between my kids, training, work, and school I am going nuts! Now city council has asked me to direct a fall marathon THIS fall! Yikes! I've got to do it though. It's not very often that a person gets asked to do that with full cooperation of the city and the powers that be within it.

I think that I am going to give up sleeping. . . z.z.z.z......

Anyone going sleeveless for the swim? I only have one of these and need to decide if I need to budget the money for a full suit. I have heard all of the arguements about performance between the two and Im not worried about that. I just don't wanna be too cold if I go sleeveless.

I will be in Vegas next week for a conference, worth the extra drive time to get back out to the course? I was there last summer and rode the loop once. Anything new since then?

I have done tri's at Sand Hollow in May and I am here to tell you, forget the sleeveless. Anything but a full wetsuit and you are crazy.

Mike

Looks like I will be getting this: http://www.xterrawetsuits.com/products/mens/wetsuits/vortex-3-fullsuit/ with the BT coupon code it is less than $200 shipped. It is te same suit I have in sleeveless and that one is great. Now to get in a few OWS wearing it once it arrives...

Great I will add that to a list of more stuff I have to worry about.  I have a sleeveless and that is all I have ever used.  I can not stand full wetsuits.  I have never found one that gave me enough range of motion in the shoulders. 

Been a while since you updated your blog.

Mike

I've got the Vortex 2 fullsuit and Vortex 3 sleeveless...if you like the sleeveless, you should like the full.

I'm bringing both to St. George, but I know in my heart I'll probably be wearing the fullsuit...

I will actually wear two swimcaps and earplugs in the water. When the water is really cold it does make me dizzy. I can handle down to about 60 degrees. Lower than that and I am iffy.

The last time I did a tri in May at Sand Hollow the organizers said the water temp was 56 degrees, but there was no way. I am betting it was closer to 52. That made for some very cold toes. There is a rumor that you can check water temp on some State of Utah state parks website, but I have never found it.

Mike

Water temps:
http://stateparks.utah.gov/conditions/shsp
http://www.utahoutdooractivities.com/boatingconditions.html

Not sure about the accuracy though...

Edited by bwiens 2010-03-10 4:01 PM

Not to start an arguement, but I have done RAGE in Utah just about every year in April.  Once in a sleeveless - it was fine...

I WOULD say you need a suit, but any kind would work and no special needs for caps unless you know you have an issue with cold water.

Perfect. Great link that I will obsessively checking the couple of weeks before the race.

And Kido no offense taken. I still say it is crazy.

Mike

Instead of buying a wetsuit you can rent one at the expo tent. They usually have a bunch to choose from.

I've done an 800m tri swim in 56 degree water in my sleeveless...and a half mile ocean training swim in 56F water in just my jammers, come to think of it...but I don't see any reason to subject myself to what'll be around 70 minutes in the water for me sleeveless if the water is under about 62F.  I prefer my sleeveless suit, but for me there's a point of diminishing returns in terms of sheer energy loss after 15 minutes or so.

Does anyone know when the course swim will be earlier in the week? This is my first IM, so I am not versed in the way of the IM ninja.

Mike

I have a sleeveless wetsuit and have used it at all of my tri's here in Utah. My body, anyway, seems to adjust fairly quickly to the temps. I like the freedom of motion it gives for my shoulders. They don't get as tired.

That said, I have lost 40lbs since I bought the one I have been using and it tends to slow me down a lot. I will probably rent one locally. I've got no moola for a new one right now. The local places only seem to carry full suits, so I will probably have to go with sleeves.

At the 2008 CDA IM, the water was around 58 or so and we were able to wear a neoprene cap and booties. It really helped a lot. I would check the ST.George web page a week before the race. I will be bringing mine just incase.