Ironman 70.3 Racine : Official Thread (Page 15)

I really think they IM is gonna catch a lot of slack for this decision.  There have been a whole bunch of races that have gone off in similar temps/conditions - I have actually done two of them - Branson in 2010 and Racine in 2011.  It just seems like it is a slippery slope for them to go down.  WTC might have to set some standards so that people are aware of what to expect. 

We should be ok for next weekend since Accuweather is calling for a high of 85 but with the way things have gone this year I wouldn't be surprised if that temp keeps creeping up (as it has the past week haha)

They had a post on the Ironman 70.3 Facebook page but after about 15 minutes and 40 comments (you can imagine what people were saying) it was removed.  Really curious to see how they handle this.

It's not just the athletes on the course. The volunteers have to be there as well, and since they are volunteers they are not forced to go. I think WTC made the right decision here, it's simply just not healthy. Some mentioned Kona is raced in these temps, but that is a WC venue, with WC athletes, not a field that has a large portion doing their first 70.3 

With that said it has plenty of time for the temps to cool off. If it is in the 100's I will pull out. Not worth the recovery from heat exhaustion starting a build to IMWI right after. 

Good point on the volunteers.  I just think its kind of shady the way they handled it.  The forecast has been like this all week.  If they made this decision 48 hours ago racers, volunteers and spectators could have still cancelled travel plans, hotels, etc.  People are going to be dropping alot of $$$ on an Olympic race.  Like I said I am just curious to see how they handle the situation from a PR standpoint.  

I know they cancelled the swim at Steelhead last year and the bike at Boise this year but have they ever shortened a complete 70.3 like this?  

They shortened Boise 70.3 to a 13 mile bike because of cold weather and snow on portions of the course I guess.  6 or 7 pros did the bike in their wetsuits.  Last year for Racine it was 94 before heat index... I'm not sure where they draw the line for the heat.  What WTC SHOULD do, is offer free entry into another 70.3 race of the athlete's choosing.  That's what they did last year for the Miami 70.3 after the company that put it on did a horrid job (read some race reports).  WTC took it over now. But that wasn't weather related so I'm not sure.  Hopefully some of the athletes can do Steelhead since it isn't sold out, but that sucks to drop that $$$$ and not be able to say you did a HIM.

Boise's bike this year was 12 miles. It was 45 degrees, windy, and rainy, matt reed wore his wetsuit on the bike. Sure everyone says they will race in the weather, but then how many actually do and finish? It's just been a bad year weather-wise for triathlon.

However, it is up to the participant to do some research as well. I know never to do NOLA 70.3 (cancelled swim all but one year) Munice 70.3 (HOT HOT HOT) Steelhead 70.3 (cancelled swim 2 of 4 years), IMCDA (lake is never above 62) Rhode Island 70.3 (HOT and potholes everywhere), etc. Do just a little research and you will not run into these problems. 

Some of those races seem like Ironman is the one who needs to do a little more research on selecting locations for the races they offer-haha.

11-27. i'd switch to an 11-23 if i had one.

Yeah.  Not hilly at all.

I'll be staying in the Days Inn at Racine/Sturtevant, for thoes who are from the area how long do you think it will take to get from the hotel to the packet pickup area and from the hotel to the race start?

Temps here have been in the triple digits with the heat inedx and I am thinking of wearing my hydration belt on the run portion. Would this be advised or will ther be enough water stations and people with hoses to help me stay cool and hydrated?

Getting excited for this race and am in full taper mode now. Have one more session with my physical therapist then its off to Racine!

A little motivation for the last week!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2W3sI92B8w

Nick- were the waves really that big today?  Not what I wanted to hear- oh well

Miller from Rapids here!

crowny2 - 2012-07-09 9:44 AM So I am obsessing just a bit about the weather.  I've been checking 4 different websites for the forecast.  Here are the four temps for the day: 84, 84, 89, 91.  All of them mostly sunny with some clouds.  So you average that out to about 87 and we will be golden.  I hope. 

You and me both! It was bee-you-tiful here yesterday, low 80s and slight breeze. What I would give to have that weather next weekend!

crowny2 - 2012-07-09 9:44 AM So I am obsessing just a bit about the weather.  I've been checking 4 different websites for the forecast.  Here are the four temps for the day: 84, 84, 89, 91.  All of them mostly sunny with some clouds.  So you average that out to about 87 and we will be golden.  I hope. 

Glad I am not the only one doing that daily.