IronMan Cozumel : Official Thread (Page 2)

 I was told that airlines don't open dates up until 300 days out.

Last time I checked (last week?) no airlines had flights that far in advance. My guess is that flights will be up early January 09

I have just been checking out airfare options.  I'm going to try to get a direct flight without a layover since we will be flying with our bikes- I think.  I've heard that if you have a layover than some airlines charge you for the overweight/oversize bike case twice, since they have to handle it twice with a layover.  It seems like a direct flight would be cheaper in this case since the extra fees can get pretty pricy.

I haven't been able to find a direct flight to Cozumel but found some to Cancun. I'm wondering if it would be easier to fly directly into Cancun and then take a cab and catch a ferry to Cozumel?  With 2 bikes plus luggage and tri gear that might be a hassle though.  I'm just not sure what the better option is since I've never had to fly with bikes before.  I guess we could also fed ex them and then we'd have more flexiblity with flight options, but the thought of doing that makes me nervous- especially since the bike will be shipped to another country.

For those of you who have flown/shipped bikes before what has been the better option for you?  Is it better to fly with your bike or ship it?

I haven't seen any flights listed out of Baltimore for late Nov 09 (the latest they go right now is middle of Nov).  Have NO idea about getting the bikes to and from (but mainly to!) Mexcio and would love to hear what others are doing.

My sister and her husband just booked their hotel and everyone has promised to wear TEAM TRICIA tshirts

What is everyone's training looking like right now?  Anyone following a specific program come 20ish weeks out?  Other races in 09?

As far as airlines go, I can take a direct flight from Boston to Cancun on Jetblue.  They charge $50 each way for a bike.  Or I can go from Boston to Houston to Cozumel on American or Continental.  I haven't decided which one yet.  We will be traveling with 2 young kids, so I have to figure out which is the easiest, rather than the cheapest.

I start my HIM training today for Florida 70.3 in May.  20 weeks out.  I picked a plan that has longer bike training to get ready for IM training.  My season starts today and I need it after all the crap I ate last week.

Easiest, flying into Cozumel by far.  I've done both, Cancun is getting a cab (no idea re: $$) or the bus from Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen, walk to the ferry ticket office, wait in line for the ferry, take ferry over, lug all your junk off, get a cab to your hotel. 

It will add at least an hour to your trip, likely more.  then add another $100 or so in tickets/fare probably for you and the family (just a guess).  Easy with one or two people and just dive gear.  I certainly wouldn't do it with kids and bikes.

Coz, get in a cab and 10 minutes later you're at the hotel.

Ok, just took a quick look at http://www.iloveplaya.com/transportation.php

Bus fare- $13 rountrip per
ferry - $22 roundtrip.  So four people is over $100

Then... you get to do the opposite when you fly out

Thanks Chris.  There is a chance now that we will be spending a week in Playa after the race, so I have to figure it all out, soon.  Thanks for the input. 

Are you heading down again this year for more dives?

runnergirl - 2008-12-30 8:53 AM Thanks Chris- your post helped me make a decision.  With all that said, I will be flying into Couzmel and not Cancun  I just can't imagine having to lug around our luggage PLUS bikes- that would be a handful! 

x2!

I was bored at work today.  Let me know if you want this and I will send it to you.

No problem, I figured some may not have been down there thru Cancun...  It's not a big deal for 1 or 2 with dive gear, but add everything else.......  wonder how much an open jaw is, fly into Coz and out of cancun? 

 not to hijack the thread, but will probably go down and bring my wife for a few dives, she's never been there.

Odd question....

I'm figuring my race time to be around 15 or 16 hours.  That means a LOT of time in the sun, especially on the bike.  I will be PALE PALE PALE getting down to Mexico.  I cannot think of anything worse than getting off of the bike and onto the run while sunburned.  I am planning on wearing high SPF sunblock, lots of it, and replying it open, but I'm afraid that the strong sun + time in the sun will lead to some sort of burning.

I am against tanning... but in this case... would a 'base tan' be a good idea?

Grew up in FL, watched lots of the northern folks come down in spring and fry themselves silly...     If you can get a little bit of sun in (slowly) before race day, it would be helpful. My son's girlfriend got burned over spring break after a couple hours at South Padre (TX); even with SPF 45 on. She is the classic redhead with nearly white complexion, and burns very easy.

Maybe other folks with pale complexion can chime in (might even want to ask about it in the general IM thread).

I'm not fair skinned, but not naturally tan either.  I guess I have normal skin???  But...I don't think it's a bad idea to tan a little before the IM at all.   

I went to Jamaica for my honeymoon and tanned a little bit beforehand for the wedding.  I applied sublock with SPF 30 or 45 (can't remember which it was) every hour on the beach there so I wouldn't burn.  The sun is just soooo incredibly strong in the Carribbean- I couldn't believe how different it was than in summertime here in GA!  I can see how easily people can fry being outside in the sun for a few hours.  I may consider tannning, depending on how much of a "base" tan I get from training during the summer.  I'm not a huge fan of the tanner, but I also don't like getting sunburns either- especially knowing that the IM will be a long day and how long I'll be in the sun.

I have used Bullfrog sunblock in the past for tri's.  I used it for IM FL and applied it before the swim and didn't burn on the bike.  When I left T2 I had volunteers reapply some other sunscreen that they had.  I don't think it matter too much though because I was in the dark for the majoirty of the run, and it was cold on race day.  I don't think the sun was that strong.  But...IM Cozumel will be a totally different story.

I do know that most IMs have volunteers applying sunblck outside the T1 & T2 tent.  But...a lot of times it is done really fast, and it doesn't soak in or is applied evenly.  So you still risk the chance of burning.  Especially being on the bike for a few hours- which I know I will have a long bike split. I wonder if I could stop at bike SN and ask a volunteer to put some sunblock on me?  Hmmm....that's an idea.

My husband has very fair skin- so this will definitely be an issue for him.

I'm not sure sure if any of ya'll will be traveling from Houston, but I saw a deal on flights with Continental from Houston to Cozumel pretty cheap.  Here's the link if anyone is interested:

http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/deals/offers/featured_fares_caribbean.aspx

jealous! it's looking like about $350-$450 / person/ round trip from Baltimore!

I wish I lived in Houston, because that price is so much cheaper than flying out of Atlanta!  The best deal I've found so far is $485 per person

On another note- I've been looking into flying with my bike and how much that will cost.  From what several others have mentioned, you usually don't have to pay to fly with your bike on international flights- just domestic flights.  I need to check though with the airlines to confirm.  It sounds too good to be true.

Is everyone ready to get nervous?  Bib numbers are up.

 http://www.ironmancozumel.com/pdf/INSCRITOS_IRONMAN_COZUMEL_2009_%20PUBLICAR171208.pdf My mac won't let me link it.

 Bib number 659 signing off.

ChrisM - 2009-01-09 7:45 PM Wow, bib numbers 9 months before the race.  Now what are you guys going to freak out about 2 weeks out???? 

oh I'm sure I'll think of something!

I was surprised to see them up so early!

btw, if any of you all are on facebook, there is an IMCOZ group!

trishie - 2009-01-09 8:29 PM

ChrisM - 2009-01-09 7:45 PM Wow, bib numbers 9 months before the race.  Now what are you guys going to freak out about 2 weeks out???? 

oh I'm sure I'll think of something!

 

I was surprised to see them up so early!

btw, if any of you all are on facebook, there is an IMCOZ group!

 That's how I found out.  My bib number is the same as my registration number.  So I wonder if these are really the bib numbers.

ChrisM - 2009-01-09 7:45 PM Wow, bib numbers 9 months before the race.  Now what are you guys going to freak out about 2 weeks out???? 

The weather

10 months out folks!

how is everyone doing?  what else are you all training for?

I have the National Marathon in March (March 21) and then I roll over into training for Rhode Island 703.  I also have two Olys (Columbia and NorthEast), another HIM (Diamondman), and an IM AquaVelo (ChesapeakeMan Ultra).

Should be enough to keep me busy until IMCOZ!

I've booked my hotel but am still looking for cheap(er) plane fares ... with no ridiculous layovers.  A cheap ticket isn't worth it for a 10 hour layover!!

10 months, are you sure

 I have FL HIM in May, Vineman 70.3 in July, an Olympic in August, then Coz. 

BOOKED MY FLIGHT!

$788.00 total for me and hubby to fly from Baltimore to Cancun (with a 1 hr layover each way in Charlotte N.C.).  The tickets themselves were $288 round trip, but it was an additonal $100 in fees + taxes.

Booked through U.S. Airways

it's really really really real!