Ironman Arizona : Official Thread (Page 18)

2 -3 weeks out from race day you can start taking colder showers.  Move it a little colder every day and you will slowly acclimate to the colder temp.  Make sure you spend some time with the water hitting your head and face.  I usually take time at the end to let the coldest setting run over my head and face for a bit and focus on remaining calm and keeping a normal breathing pattern. 

If you care, I would avoid using Vaseline on the hands because it will lessen your grip on the water.  Sounds kind of silly, but it's true.    

Not to mention the first time you go to adjust your goggles will be the last time you will see anything clearly

Interesting, its worth a shot.....

I think the water temp thing is all relative. It really depends where you're from & what you're used to. For me, water temps in the low-mid 60s are wonderful.......but that's because I live in Colorado. I've read some posts where people feel like a 65 degree water temp is frigid.

Based the race reports I've read, from the last few years of IMAZ, it seems like the water temp has been 60-61. For me, personally, I'm contemplating a sleeveless wetsuit.......but I'm volunteering this year. So, I've got well over a year to make my decision. I will be bringing my sleeveless & full wetsuits to "test the water" (pun intended)

Hey, EZ does it...  It's easy to let the mind wander about all the "what if's" of an ironman.  Especially the first one.  It's pretty daunting.

The best thing about have several behind you, is the time you can relax by not thinking about that stuff.  I pretty much just show up.  And since this is a repeat visit, I don't even have to worry about knowing where to park, or stay, or eat this time around.

So feel free to ask me questions, no matter how silly they seem.

mndiver - 2012-07-27 2:02 PM

Kido - 2012-07-27 3:27 PM

Hey, EZ does it...  It's easy to let the mind wander about all the "what if's" of an ironman.  Especially the first one.  It's pretty daunting.

The best thing about have several behind you, is the time you can relax by not thinking about that stuff.  I pretty much just show up.  And since this is a repeat visit, I don't even have to worry about knowing where to park, or stay, or eat this time around.

So feel free to ask me questions, no matter how silly they seem.

Defiantly did not want to imply I thought it was a dumb question. If you look up a few posts back I had asked about sweating. I was thinking more that it was kind of funny how we all start to obsess about things so early. I'm just surprised I haven't looked into the long range weather forecast for that day yet.

Don't need to for Tempe!

80, clear, and 5% humidity. 5-10mph winds from the west.

Same for vegas but 10 degrees cooler - you can bet on it.  The odds are in your favor.

good question,

where would be a good place to park on race day and to eat.

What kind of incline are we looking at during the bike portion,

Any rookie mistakes to avoid? (well not really a rookie per say, this will be my 2nd iron distance race BUT my first WTC event so its like I am a rookie)..... 

Questions for those who have raced IMAZ before or are otherwise familiar with the course.  1) I understand that weather is unpredictable, but under usual circumstances that time of year is it most likely to expect a headwind/tailwind along the Beeline Hwy or it is usually crosswind both ways?  There is a constant south-southwest wind here in Texas and I can vary my training rides accordingly.   2) This is my first IM event, are there points along the course where we can have support bags placed? Just wondering what to do if I need to put on sleeves at night (I know the desert is cold) or if I just want to change into a dry shirt.

Thanks for helping a full distance rookie. 

This will be my first IMAZ (first IM ever actually!) but based on race reports that I've read (and I've read a TON) it seems like most people experienced a tailwind/headwind to start on the bike which then turned into crosswinds as the day went on....Unfortunately for someone like me who will be out on the bike course for a LONG time...I'm starting to mentally prepare myself for crosswinds for a good chunk of the race.

As for support bags....all WTC IM events have "special needs" bags halfway throughout the bike and run. So expect a bike specials needs at 56 miles and a run one at 13.1. I plan on putting extra bottles and nutrition and a little treat, as well as chapstick, tums, etc in my bike bag. In my run special needs I'll probably put arm warmers (unless I'm already wearing them on the bike...depends on the weather predictions), more medicine: tums, gas-ex and immodium, and a painkiller, and probably a long sleeve shirt. I'll be out there well into the night so if it gets cold it will be nice to have one just in case. Also, I've read not to put anything in your special needs bags that you want back because you'll likely never see it again unless you take it with you at special needs (so if you decide you don't want that shirt, you'll probably never get it back)

Hope that helps!

Did everyone survive the weekend?  My runs went well with no pain in calf.  I'm going to wear my calf sleeve during activity this week, but don't expect any troubles.  I'm officially out of base training and heading into build phase.  I'm going to drop my heart rate limitations and go by RPE.  Let the fun begin!

As mentioned, the wind on the bike course circles around during the day and, unfortunately, the longer you're on the bike the less favorable the conditions become. 

What plan?

Nope.  Figured I would drive down with you guys.  MAYBE get some company.  Figured it was silly for you guys to have 3-4 people plus gear and I'm going by myself.  But I understand if all you guys want to catch up.

As for hotel, I will probably stay at the Red Roof which is a couple miles from the start.  Cheap and easy.  Sounds like everyone else has accomodations already to bunk up together.

Maybe I can call your  place to see if they have a deal for me.  The last time I checked, it was too expensive for just me.

Had a great training week up in Flagstaff, Az! So nice to get out of the oppressive Phoenix heat and ride and run at altitude.  Hope everyone is doing well as we all ramp up the training!

My weekday trainings seem to be slow and I feel like I struggle, probably due to the heat, but on the weekends especially the bricks Im improving each week, which is exciting.....I got an OLympic on August 12. For those doing the FINK plan, how are we feeling?