Ford Ironman Wisconsin : Official Thread (Page 17)

Update for the volunteering -

Registration just opened for the 2011 MOWS event on August 20th.  Good event to get one last long brick in before IM.  Same course as IMWI swim, and perfect place to start your brick since it's at Monona Terrace.  Plan your parking well!

Have fun all!

http://www.ClubAssistant.com/MOWS2011

Thanks to all that are volunteering!  

Last year we didn't run Observatory Drive due to construction so it was really flat.  This year it is part of the race.  It'll be the hilliest section with the initial climb up Observatory being steep and longer. There are several more rollers on this road.  There's a slight incline around Breese Terrace and the Stadium as well, but these are speed bumps compared to Observatory Drive.

What makes the Madison IM run so though is the 30 some turns per loop that you have to do. This means that it is very hard to get into a solid rhythm without slowing down for the turn. Each loop has 3 turn around points and several 90 degree turns. You will also run on concrete, grass, and a trail so there is a lot of variety in the run. The "best" part aside from State Street is running on the Howard Temin Bike Path. Gravel path that is well shaded and has a small decline on the way out that will help your legs on a hot sunny day. The first mile is tricky as well b/c you will be passing spectators the entire mile and if your having a great day your legs will be feeling great so keep the pace slow. I accidently ran a 7:15 mile when I was shooting for a 4:20 split.

Keep a look out for the college kids near the stadium they pulled out couches into their yards last year, drank, recovered from their Saturday hangovers and watched everyone run by, an oddly great motivator.

Sleeveless wetsuit will be fine. Both years I did the race I was more than comfortable in a sleeveless. The water temp will be warm enough to go without a wetsuit but the buoyancy advantage is pretty significant.

The "hills" on the run are pretty small. Observatory hill is only about 1/4 mile and maybe 60' in elevation. The run is great and the spectators make it even better!

LOL! The way I am floating right now it would take a VERY BIG anchor! ;-) The swim at IMWI has to be my favorite IM swim though. It's the only IM swim that you can hear the fans cheering from Manona Terrace while you swim. Running up that helix is awesome as well! I can't wait to get back to Madison!

There are plenty of stretches during the run to get into a good rhythm, most of the turns are 90 degree turns and don't slow you down much. The amount of fan support that is on the run course more than makes up for a couple dozen turns.

Thanks for the kind words Fred, it will be a lot of fun racing with you again this year! Looking forward to Musselman too!

I'm thinking of making the trip up to Madison in August for a training weekend.  Is the bike course marked at all during the summer or would I need a map to find my way.  I would like to do the OWS weekend but I have a wedding, so as of right now, I am hoping to get up there either the weekend of Aug. 6th or the 13th.   Anyone interested in joining in??

Also, can you swim the course in the mornings as well??  Any info would be appreciated.

Ideamuse - thanks for the link.  I think I will definitely look into that supported ride.  That will be alot better than me trying to figure it out on my own and the aid stations will be an added bonus. 

If I went up on Friday, what are the chances of getting in a swim in the afternoon...is there alot of boat traffic??

I am using the 20 Intermediate plan.  I am actually using the HM plan right now and will be making the switch over to the Intermediate plan in a month when it catches up to the volume I am currently doing now.  I'm doing Kansas in June so hopefully I will be prepared!!

Course will be marked next month sometime, they always do a great job of this and as long as you pay attention it is fairly easy to follow. Of course driving the course first can always help too.

As for swimming I do not recommend it at all. Lake Monona has a high volume of boat traffic, so if you do decide to swim follow 2 simple rules

1. Swim with a kayak, or other swimmers and wear a swim cap.

2. Swim very close to the terrace.

I am always up for a ride with proper notice. I grew up in Madison and now live just a couple hours northwest of Madison but I still plan on getting on the course once a month or so, should be down their on Saturday!

I have a link to a youtube video from the 2009 swim start in my blog today.

Click here. It. Was. Awesome.

Due to 700,000 work internet filters, I cannot link directly to Youtube. So you will have to click on my log entry for today to see the video.

I can't wait to see all you fools out there! Yay! I'm excited.