Ironman St. George : Official Thread (Page 16)

If you are interested, I have a group going down the same days. I believe the first day we are doing a loop followed by a long run. On Saturday, we'll do 80+ (last time we road out to Sand Hollow, back, and a loop) followed by a run. Usually 15-25 riders of all experience levels. Might be helpful to go with a group just so you are not trying to spot where the route is at the same time gauging your time.

I did the Gunlock Veyo loop today. Strange thing...

For the first time the wind was blowing up the canyon. I've only "enjoyed" down canyon winds previously.

I must say that while my time was faster with it blowing up, I felt like I expended more energy by the end of the ride since I was having to actually push the peddles on the downhills back into St George. That just felt 'harder' overall. Gotta say though that a Tuesday morning is the perfect ride time. I only had 2 cars pass me the whole way from Santa Clara up to Veyo on my side.

All in all I'd prefer no wind. And if there is to be a wind, I prefer the down-canyon winds with the push up The Wall and into town.

Can anyone please tell me what exactly the wind will be doing on race day so I can appropriately prepare???

Having a bike fit at Red Rocks in St George tomorrow. Probably should have done it awhile ago. Anyone ever have the 'BG Fit' before? ???
Hoping its worth the cost, not necessarily holding my breath though.

Something I found useful since I am not going to be able to get to St. George before the race was the video on Youtube entitled "Ironman St. George 2011 Volunteers".

It's only about 8 minutes long but it at least helped me get a visual picture of the registration, the swim exit, and parts of the bike course including the lead into the Wall. Plus the support of the many volunteers is always an awesome thing as well.

This might be a long shot but is there anyone familiar with both the Lake Placid and St George bike courses who could give a comparison? I did IMLP last year and won't get out to St George until race week and thought this comparison might help me put it into perspective.

Thanks!

Ryan

Great video that probably every contestant should watch.

I actually was wondering what the water bottles during the bike were like. Now I know.

And they even take and rack your bike for you? Nice!

Thanks!

Lookout St. George- The Orange County Tri Club is heading to town Monday 3/12-3/13!  Well, at least a contingent of three of us that are doing the race.  We're planning on biking the course Monday and running three loops of the run course Tuesday.  No swimming, but we've got plenty of 56-60 degree conditions in the Pacific right now so we're all set there!  Can't wait- been very intimidated about the climbing and have spent the last few months going vertical so I really want to see where I stack up against this course....

Eric

I just got to our place in Mexico... spending my final 2 months training along the Sea of Cortez and we're about 60* water temps right now.

Feeling lucky to be able to have 100% "comfort" race-day having trained in the same temps. Definitely happy not to be showing up on race day not having put time in with cold water training.

Wishing luck to all you who will have to do it this way.

I've seen information about average high and low air temperatures on race weekend and what happened the first two years. I'm wondering about a typical temperature range at the start of the bike. Do the locals or experienced SGers have any thoughts about we can expect in the first hour or two of the bike before the day really starts to warm up?

Thanks,
Brad 

Thanksfor the info Bryan.

At this stage, I'll be happy with any air temps above 50. Today, something like 54 days out from the race, there I was doing some intervals at the track in driving snow. I hope race day this year isn't another one of those 90+ degree days or I'll be doing my best impersonation of a piece of toast. I guess I could hang out in the sauna at the gym to try to get some idea what warmth feels like.

Interesting point about the humidity and chewing gum. I hadn't even though of the cotton mouth problem. Good tip!

Dude, that's some great biking you're cranking out. I look forward to hearing how it goes for you at the race.

Brad

Not sure if anybody else saw these, but here is some interesting reading about the registration situation at St. George and Kona slots.

http://www.transitionfour.com/2012/03/st-george-im-estimated-kona-spots/

http://www.transitionfour.com/2012/03/ironman-st-george-2012-update/

Well, I was going to brag about my " Long hard " bike ride that I just did but... after reading bryancd's nevermind

 Man thats crazy.  Good riding bryancd

7weeks!!!!!

I was thinking the same thing. That's almost a thousand fewer people than CdA last year. I'm getting even more excited at the possibility of actually being able to swim instead of fighting for position in the mosh pit.

Brad

Why is it that 10 months out of the year are totally normal?  2 months before Ironman all heck breaks loose.... Jury duty ( not the kind you can lame excuse your way out of either.  Oh no, i've already been selected for a 3 week trial that "may" end 1 week before the race.  What if it goes over?)  Tons of overtime at work, a spine and neck that goes out of whack no matter what the chiro does, a gas line that breaks ( why pay someone 7k when you can do it yourself right?)   

I mean really? I know this can't only be me right?  but really, when you take a step back.  Its all good man )

Excellent! I didn't know that. That's perfect for me since that's what I train with. This just keeps getting better and better.

I don't recall from CdA last year how often they had gels at aid stations. Are they at each one in the bike and run? The website doesn't even mention gels when listing what's at the stations, although it does have a big image saying GU will be on the course. The site says ...

What nutrition will be available on course?
Bike course aid stations will offer the following:

• Ironman PERFORM
• Water
• Bananas

There will be aid stations approximately every mile on the run course offering:

• Ironman PERFORM
• Water
• Fruit
• Defizzed cola