Tri Indy - Olympic Course : Official Thread (Page 2)

Scojo201,  you live in Avon? Where do you swim?

I help coach the Cross Country team at the High School. 

I wouldn't recommend dong any gels or anything you haven't trained with because of the possible adverse side affects......We'll just call them GI issues.  This problem can be solved easily.  Your next run take a gel with you on the run and about a mile into it take it.  I would also suggest you try to add a little bit of intensity to the run, not a whole lot but enough to make sure you are working hard enough to get your HR close to race pace.  If you have another longer ride take one a few miles into it.  If you have any adverse reactions such as upset stomach, the aforementioned GI issues or anything you might think would cause problems for the race, try something else.

There are all kinds of gels, bloks (Clif Shot Bloks, my fav) and other types of fuel BUT this is a long enough race that you are going to NEED fuel.  So you should work this out very soon.  I would suggest something like a Gatorade Prime 20 minutes prior to your start, some Heed-ish drink during the ride and possibly a gel midway through the second loop.  However, fueling is a very individual thing and you should try to train in a similar fashion as you want to race. 

I hope I have helped with your questions.

If you don't want to mess with gels, just load your bike with two water bottles full of Gatorade.  Should be more than enough calories to get you through the bike, and then I assume they'll have Gatorade or some other sports drink as an option for the run too.  For an olympic, I typical go two bottles Gatorade on the bike, or one Gatorade, one water, and eat 1 or 2 gels on the bike.  Stick to water on the run.  I also have my usual pre-race fuel routine so I start pretty well stocked to begin with.

It looks like it is going to be pretty hot, although hopefully not quite as hot as it is now. I have been training outside to try to get used to the heat. The bike goes well, but the run is just terrible. I'm not a very good runner to begin with, but the heat is making it that much worse. I can usually get about half my run in before I have to quit from sweating so much and my heart rate going sky high. 

Any tips for running in this high heat? Is the run course shaded at all?

Last year I did the du and the run was fairly well shaded. Especially by the zoo.

It's a nice course too. 

Bo, a few things.  I actually remember most of the run being in the sun except for the zoo area.  It's all along the White River on the River promenades.

As far as the heat, you just have to finish faster. LOL  If you're a good cyclist thats going to be to your benefit because its the fastest leg.

And the most important thing I can say to you is GO BLUE!!!!!!!!!!

This will be my 3rd Tri Indy.  The run course is indeed basically sunny except for the stretch behind the zoo (which can be a bit fragrant) and a few scattered trees.  General tips for running in the heat are slower pace and good hydration.  I also like to keep my head & chest wet with water at each aid station (grab 2 cups-drink one & douse one).

And when did this forum get hijacked by Wolverines like us??????

The best tip for running better in the heat is to . . . practice running in the heat.  You will get used it after awhile, it takes time.  Just be smart, use a fuel belt and when your body tells you to stop, generally its a good idea to listen.

Slower pace and just gut it out.  Hopefully the race director will plan ahead and have ice at the run stations in addition to the hydration choices.  I just finished a race that was in the low 90"s and I took a cup of ice at every station for my head and inside jersey -helped tremendously.

3rd TRI INDY for me as well - the only shade i remember is directly out of transition along zoo and then a few spare trees coming back into transition area.   Oh well, can't wait to get to see my home town INDY

Welcome aboard!  Well-run event I'm sure you'll enjoy.  Great urban venue & the canal swim is a hoot.  Really different to have spectators walking along while you swim.  BTW- you do need to sight a bit because the canal has spots where it widens, narrows, & turns.  And there are fountains to avoid as well.  Just scout it as you walk from transition to the swim start on race AM & you'll be fine. 

Hey guys - long time listener, first time caller here

The Tri Indy this weekend will be my first Tri (sprint).  I'm really looking forward to it, however I feel my plan for the transitions is lacking. 

Any Tri Indy veterans out there with some suggestions for a first timer? I've tried searching the forums for transition tips but have not had much luck. 

Thanks in advance!

@ Furnace - I'm also coming from the Chicagoland area

I think I might actually believe it this year, with the temperatures and sunny days we've been having.

I just saw the bib numbers got posted. I'm number 46. I think I see some other BTers on there. I've been looking forward to this event for so long I can't believe it is almost here. Since I was injured earlier this summer I haven't gotten my run up to what it needs to be but I should do ok with the swim and bike portions. If you see me on the run, yell out a good old HTFU as you pass because I'll need it.

Good luck to everyone on Sunday!

Yes the bib numbers are up.  Mine is 193 with a swim start of 7:40.  That will be good for me because I will be able to get off the course before the sun really starts throwing down some heat.

How about other numbers?  I'll try to get around and see all the numbers I can before the race and try to catch some of you after the race if my family wants to wait around a while afterwards.

I'm 126 with a swim start of 7:40 as well.  I'm really looking forward to this race this year.  I was nursing a shoulder injury last year, so my swim was sub-par and I breast-stroked most of it.

A little advice for anyone new to Tri Indy... it WILL take you a while to get to the start line (especially the Olympic) so start walking that way early.  They will provide bags to put a pair of shoes/sandals in, so there's no reason to make the trek bare-foot.  Also, use the bathroom as EARLY as possible.  Last year they only had ~10 porta-pots, and the line gets rather long.  I felt so bad for my wife last year.  She missed my swim start by quite a bit because she was standing in line for the bathroom while 7 months pregnant!

I saw a warm up area in the canal posted in the swim map, isn't that what that's for?