Ironman Arizona : Official Thread (Page 19)

Originally posted by devilfan02

I just posted this question in the Iron Training Talk section but how is everyone seeding themselves for the mass swim start? I will probably be out of the water between 1:05-1:10 which is probably middle of the pack. I don't want to get swum over but definitely don't want to be stuck swimming around large groups.

Anyone else a similar swimmer and have any IM mass swim start experience? I will probably just seed myself in the front 1/3 and hope for the best.

Originally posted by thepaul500 How about a 5 hr ride with 3 at race pace???? Best of both worlds! Got a few more weeks to peak still. Anyone have a link to past few years temps and what to expect? I've seen some mention of it on here, and looking at the averages has me a little worried. Water temp will be fine no matter what pretty much, two swim caps if needed but otherwise perfect! More worried about the bike....travelling all the way from Missouri, so I'll be bringing two of about everything anyways, but just want to hear some thoughts. Currently, I'm think long sleeve under armor heatgear compression top over a singlet if the temps are in the 40's or 50's in the AM. Have it all on under the wetsuit for a quick T1. Would give both sun protection and some protection from the cold. If it gets too hot on later laps can always dump some water. Thoughts? Past experiences? Etc?

Originally posted by devilfan02

I just posted this question in the Iron Training Talk section but how is everyone seeding themselves for the mass swim start? I will probably be out of the water between 1:05-1:10 which is probably middle of the pack. I don't want to get swum over but definitely don't want to be stuck swimming around large groups.

Anyone else a similar swimmer and have any IM mass swim start experience? I will probably just seed myself in the front 1/3 and hope for the best.

Originally posted by mikoy



I have gone 1:10 in the swim for both of my IM's. The first one St. George I started more towards the back and ended up swimming around a ton of people. At CDA I started in the front and I will start in the front in AZ as well. My biggest problem with being in the front is, I need to remember to let the super fast swimmers go. I tried to keep up in CDA and my heart rate went way up I had to stop and catch my breath. I plan on letting them bust out fast and then fall in right behind them. So sounds like maybe front center from what I'm reading. I really want to go better then 1:10.

Originally posted by cstoulil

Well, training lately has been getting tough. I've been working crazy hours. Not really a lot, just when they fall on the scedule.

Like yesterday/today. Yesterday 0630-1730, then back in again at 2100 and out at 0100, then back in again at 0700 for another full day of work.

I might as well just be sleeping at work, but I have a wife and 3 kids 4 and under that say otherwise.

Last weekend, well, I didn't get a weekend so I'm on my 12th day in a row, those hours were the same random hours. I can tell you though that my commute is about twice as fast at 0300 on the weekend then it is during a normal day.

Not anything I haven't done before, but when the hours are differant everyday, and sometimes not getting enough time off to get quality sleep, well it adds up and takes it toll on you.

Originally posted by [email protected]

I am hoping / planning to swim about 1:05 and have a similar plan.

As I have the tendency to veer too much to the left and I am breathing to the right side, I am planning to start on the left side to see the pack when breathing and to have the buoys on the left to avoid veering sidewords instead of going straight.

Last year in Texas I started on the right side of the field and after 600m I realized that I veered to the left side of the whole field

How many buoys are there along the lake or is there even any rope ?

cheers,
Erwin

Originally posted by 101abp40

Check out these images of the IM AZ swim:

Swim start line (faster swimmers are usually on the rigtht side of the picture) - as the swim progresses, those faster swimmers move right to left on the picture to 'squeeze' the channel a bit:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5k9OEyb-iig/TEoKx0RGFjI/AAAAAAAAAH8/SJAW7...

Looking from the north, just after swim start (the buildings in the background are just east of IM village - IM village would be just out of the picture on the right):

http://ww1.prweb.com/prfiles/2008/11/07/218400/IronManSwimmers.jpg

This image looks back towards IM village (which would be on the left of the picture). You can see how the lake bends in this image, and can see the buoy line clearly. This also shows how those swimmers in the middle of the lake will begin to veer over into the rest of the pack as the lake bends.

http://www.standuppaddlesurf.net/gallery/surftech_ironman/im-az-age...

This image gives a good look at the Mill Ave bridges, in case you wanted to use the arches, etc as sight lines:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zQ7jTtCYTKY/TO2t9Jv43JI/AAAAAAAABB0/nqhYqiLFA...

Good overhead view of Tempe Town Lake here. Swim starts on the lower left and you can see clearly the bend in the lake to the right as the swim progresses. NOTE: This image is of the old run course, so do not use it as the original maker intended (for good runner viewing) as the run course has changed somewhat.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_efmstWQgbFY/TO39AyrsMkI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/50DPt...

A view of the "the washing machine" effect at swim start:

http://hardybreed.com/images/randy_openwater.jpg

Originally posted by cstoulil





Another the swim map on the IM sight doesn't show if where the swim turnaround is. Last year I thought it would be right past the scottsdale bridge even though they don't show it in the picture, it is actually a bit further past the bridge then even I thought, maybe 300 yds?

Originally posted by cstoulil

A couple things to note from looking at the pics and rememberaing from last year.

Don't get too close to the wall, you can see if picture #2 there are a few docks etc that stick out a bit here and there. Doing a quick walk of the course you will see this. In the picture it looks like there are a few people about to run into them.

Another the swim map on the IM sight doesn't show if where the swim turnaround is. Last year I thought it would be right past the scottsdale bridge even though they don't show it in the picture, it is actually a bit further past the bridge then even I thought, maybe 300 yds?

Sighting off the wall will work, just take other notes of buildings etc where the wall turns, for the shortest route at some point you'll get further away from the wall.

Originally posted by cstoulil

Ok now that we covered the swim, next up the bike. Anyone have any suggestions.


Hmm follow your plan I guess. Last year I stuck to my target hr, the first half of the first lap was terrible. Everyone, and I do mean everyone was passing me, a 60 year old lady passed me and said keep it up your setting yourself up for a good bike, I knew she was right, but I still wanted to say some not so kind words, so I said thank you.

My first half lap average, about 13 mph, I think I was passed by at least 100 if not 200 people.

By the time I got to the third lap I was flying, I felt like the faster person on the course, still going st the same target hr, I was passing everyone like they weren't moving.

Ended up about 17.7 mph for the whole ride I think. 10 minutes faster each lap at the same hr, and nailed my target hr for the bike leg to the exact beat.

Ended up passing everyone that passed me, plus about 200.

So I guess just stick to the plan.

Not too many suggestions, it's a pretty straight forward course, I guess if I had another one it would be peddle through the top of the hill and get back to speed, so many people slowing to a snails pace at the turnaround and nor accelerating back up to speed before taking a break.

In all actuality you go slightly down hill before the turnaround, so you still are going up a false flat after the turn for a half mile or so.

Another thing I did last year, the white lane line are fairly wide, maybe 4-6" . They are where you find the least amount of rolling resistance, but be are I'll if they are wet, which they shouldnt be, but you never know.

Also remember to stretch often if you tend to get a tight back like me, I wad standing up and getting a short 10 second stretch of the back every 30 or so.

Originally posted by [email protected]

Hi All,

raceday is getting closer - I am getting excited - I+ll fly on Nov 08th to US/Phoenix and we´ll stay in a hotel/appartment in Scottsdale - could the locals provide some links to swimming pools (possibly 50m pool), that are also open on the weekend - to get used to the timezone change I especially like an easy swim workout, so I am looking for a pool, that is open on Saturday, Nov 09th.

Also the week after I´ll go 1 or 2 times to swim, as its only possible to swim in Lake Tempe for the IM practice swim. Or are the other lakes in the region, where its possible to do a wetsuit swim in the race week ?

Cheers,
Erwin

Originally posted by siouxcityhawk

Hope everyone had a great weekend of workouts.  I was able to smoke a strong 1.5 mile swim workout followed by 5 hours for a century ride.  Sunday was the day to deposit some Sousal Approval Units.  When I got done with my workouts on Saturday my wife told me that:  "Not everything in our lives needs to take a back seat to your workouts".  OUCH!  Needless to say, Sunday was a day of church with the family, a nice walk with everyone, and general taking care of the kids / wife day.  I hated missing a long run workout but I believe that my SAU account is now not so far overdrawn.

 

Keep it up studs!!