Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas : Official Thread (Page 19)

they roll in some generator spotlights for that section. The kind you see them using for overnight roadwork. You should be ok.

BLT, I will make you feel better:

I am out of the country and wont get back until May 6th. I only have access to a crappy stationary bike and a treadmill (no swimming), and have not been able to do an open water swim since IM Augusta (last year), due to the cold weather.

I am doing as much as I can with what I have, but I hope all the training I have done before I left town (2 weeks ago), will help me get through this race.

I plan to finally get some open water swims in when I get back home, and one longish bike ride and some runs in that first week to get my legs back used to running on concrete, then not much else for the next week and 2 days to IMTX.

So, let that ankle heal up good and dont worry about a couple missed runs, it isnt going to make or break you, but a sore ankle could (as you know).

Last year the transition was well lit with generator lights and existing light poles. All you really will have to do is inflate your tires and fill your drink bottle as everything else was done the day before.

It is getting close people! One more hard week here and then can't wait to taper.

It was like that last weekend too, the chip seal that is.  It was empty out in my neck of the woods too (Hockley).  I didn't see anyone until I was 60 miles in.  Refreshing.

Yeah I am curious if that is the condition they are going to leave the road or if they will come back with fresh asphalt over the chip seal. I was looking forward to some smooth roads as well on Saturday when I saw the Montgomery County line sign -- then BAM, basically gravel road. Unfortunately I came up on a younger gal who has taken a nasty spill due to the loose road. She was ok and had a small group with her.

I was thinking to myself which road condition is worse - the new chip seal on 1486 or the stretch of road west of Richards in Grimes county.

On a training note, I swapped up my long ride/run this weekend and ran on Saturday. 18 miles (2 loops around WRL) in 2:26. Outside of a few stops at water fountains and a stop by the vehicle to grab a few more gels, it was a continuous run. Felt pretty well afterwards but it was about 5-10 degrees cooler than the previous weekend, so hard to judge. Nutrition was definitely better this time since I didnt forget my gels this weekend. Long ride on Sunday was a little slower but I expected that, ran a few miles after the ride, then an OWS in the afternoon. By the time I got back to the house on Sunday afternoon, I was done!

In all honesty, I dont expect anything to be done to the road. Basically all of the roads are chipseal that has been worn down over time. This portion sucks and should be helping your time but will be hurting it. Had a certain finish time in mind for this year and this section if going to make it a close call.

Another thing I have been thinking about is the cool temps lately. Two things this will lead to. Colder water temps with the highs in the mid 80s and the lows in the 60s. Add rain and will the swim be wetsuit legal without the 10 minute time penalty. Also, with temps in the range you usually see strong winds.

TJ, can you give us a water temp? What are the plans for Saturday if it does rain for the open water swim?

My legs were mush on yesterday's ride.  I got back to the car to refill on hydration and I was damn tempted to pack up and go home.  Stuck out the 5:45 though.  Today 16+ mile run with no problem.  Odd.

Saw Michelle LeBlanc say it was still pretty cool, but that the lake is so shallow it can change pretty rapidly.

I could be delusional, but I could swear from IM Austin that they swept the roads the day/night before the race.  Based on my having driven some of that course myself two days before and having seen the conditions, I could tell a pretty decent difference between that day and race day.  I probably wouldn't have even thought about it if the race director hadn't mentioned this was going to happen at the pre-race briefing.

Is this something that happens at all IM races?  I'm just reading the comments about the loose gravel from the road work and wondering if at least that part will be resolved even if the road surface is not smooth...

I emailed Ironman about it and yes they'll sweep the roads.  That's all they said.  Nothing about if it will be repaved

I know that IM with sweep but they have no control over road construction/work. not sure what another possible route will be or this will just be something we deal with. Best case is we just hope they dont extend it. But when you are on that segment you sure do want to ride on the opposite side of the road as it is smooth :-)

Sorry to interrupt the road talk, but got a little behind and wanted to say thanks to jwithyco and pprice for your words of encouragement!  Pprice, I really admire you for training the best you can with what you've got!  Now, let's hope those roads get finished!

Richard Brown is the TxDOT engineer in charge of the area office that maintains this section of road. Please give him a call at 936-538-3300 and ask about the road situation. The more people who express concern, the higher the likelyhood that things will be back to smooth by race day!

Bike course preview... the way I see it at least.

http://badig.com/2013/04/ironman-texas-bike-course-preview/

Also, I have reached out to some people about the road. I'll let you know what I find out.