Ironman 70.3 Boise : Official Thread (Page 2)

I haven't registered yet, but I plan on doing this race.  Training (well, real training) will begin in about a month.  I'm taking a true off season, doing a bunch of strength training, interval indoor trainer rides, a few (but not many) runs, some swimming with masters and a whole lot of skiing.  Hoping taking some time off won't hurt too badly - have a half mary in mid-May.  We shall see.

This will be my second Boise race and my 4th HIM.  Raced Boise in 2010 with the crazy winds.  Took last year off because it was too soon after IMTX.  Figures, the weather last year was perfect.  Planning on being ready for anything this year.

I'm in for this race as my first HIM.  Shooting for under 6 with a super secret goal of around 5:30.  Eveyone seems to say the hill to the birds of prey is the biggest.  Anyone know which mile that is?  Hope everyone is haveing a great time training for this.  Have a great day.

Chris

geauxtri - 2012-02-23 6:33 PM WAHOO!!! I just learned this week that there's a Popeye's in Boise
I think this shall become my new post-race half meal (as that there's one in CO, too, for after Harvest Moon)

SO excited for some good fried chicken and onion rings!!!  (oh and the biscuits, mmm)
I just hope it's as good as the one on St. Charles, b/c the one in Sacramento sucked

There are also finger steaks!!! Does ANYONE know what finger steaks are??? I live in AZ now and have talked about this with people from all over the country and the only people I run into that know what finger steaks are are from Boise. I'll be killing a pound of finger steaks and hanging out at the Pie Hole after the race...

Oh my... I fell off the bandwagon last weekend (no long run), have gone 8 days w/out a workout, went to conference this week, and then decided to try and run today (during a snowstorm in the mtns). 

The thought of Popeye's (or anything fried), does NOT sound appealing.  I think I may have gotten sick off the conference food today     So glad I'm home now!!!

How's everyone's training going?  I've been pretty good about everything apart from the swimming, where I have a long way to go

A question for the Boise veterans...  How are the wind conditions?  I know with a noon start time there is potential for some pretty gusty winds around Boise.  I've decided to rent a set of race wheels and am trying to decide between a Zipp FC404 or FC808.  Right now I'm scheduled for the 808's but I've been reading a lot about the wind around Boise and now I think the 404 may be a better option.

Last year, conditions were great.  808 would have been no problem.  From what I hear, the year before that, winds were terrible.  I guess it could be anything, so hard to give a recommendation.

I'm looking forward to April and May.  Base has come along pretty good, now for two months of race specific work.  Best thing is that body has more or less held together.  Knock wood.

Really looking forward to the race.

Training has been going good.  I did a relay race in Florida this past weekend and I was able to do two 7.5 mile sections.  The first section I did in 58 minutes then the second I got hot and slowed down doing it in 70 minutes.  My goal pace for the half marathon is somewhere between 8:30 and 9minutes/mile so this was very close to race pace for me. 

The really great thing is sunday this past weekend I was able to get a 1/4 mile oppen water swim in.  The water here was about 55 or slightly warmer.  I found out although my feet felt good at the start of the short swim by the end they were pretty cold because I didn't kick enough.  Now if my new bike would just get her I would be happy. 

I'm also excited to get to this race.  I kope everyone is doing well and getting excited.  We only have 73 days left.   

Anyone know why such a late start? 

Living in the flat Delta region of West TN the hills/climbs on the bike course look brutal.  Goinng to have to do major hill work before the race.   

Not sure why the late start.  Maybe to facilitate shuttling to start line as swim and T1 (very limited parking) are a ways from T2 and finish area.  Maybe because of concerns with weather.  Maybe to just be different.  I didn't like it because I felt like I was just waiting around all day for the race to start.

The hills are not that bad.  The birds of prey climb has been eliminated which just leaves two "climbs".   I guess it depends on what you are used to but I did not find either of the climbs to be that bad. 

I have declared ski season to be over and have finally registered!

Regarding the start time.... my personal thinking is that they're worried about athletes getting hypothermia early on the bike.  If the start was at 7 AM, the water temp and air temps would likely be equal, then you factor that big descent off of Lucky Peak.... brrr!

The afternoon start is a bit strange.  But running in the late afternoon under shade of trees is awesome!

And as for the hills, they're really not that bad.  The one at mile 20 (?) was not great but very manageable.  It was something like 0.8 miles long and 300 ft gain.  I lived in Houston the first time I raced it, which is pancake flat.  I was slow going up, but I still made it.  This year, I live in Denver and I'm riding hills every single weekend.  I'm going to make that hill my biotch  (hopefully)

63 days and counting!!!!!

My new bike finally arrived yesterday after 2 months of waiting.  Now I'm getting really excited.  Tough Mudder next weekend in OHIO then I'm event free till Boise.

Have a great day everyone.

I am betting it is because of the cold mornings that still occur early in June and with the water being cold too, things would not be very good going onto the bike.  Maybe also like said to be a little different.  3rd weekend in April is Race to Robie Creek which always starts at noon no matter what and it is always the 3rd weekend in April.

I was just there this last weekend and drove the bike course. Looks like parts of the road is new pavement so that should be nice. A little bit more hills than I remember from living there but it is more than likely because I never paid attention to that when I lived there.

The weather there hasn't been great this year so far so I am expecting the water to be cold like this last year because they have gotten snow very recently and it was cold while I was down there.  

I did notice that the run course has changed from last year or my mind is going.  So instead of heading all the way out by the golf course, it looks like you are crossing the bridge on Broadway and going by the BSU football stadium and then instead of where the turnaround is to head back to the 2nd loop, you keep going out to I believe Clock Tower Pond.  Still very flat course though and the shading is pretty good which on a hot day people will enjoy being next to the water and having a fair amount of shade.