Ironman 70.3 Syracuse : Official Thread (Page 2)

Thanks.  That's going to be my first tri so I'm guessing everythings going to be moving at lightning speed for me as I try to figure everything out and catch up to the more experienced crowd.  Any suggestions on cheap/convenient lodging in that area?

Awesome! I stayed at a Comfort Inn a few miles away (8-10 maybe). There isn't a whole lot really close to transition. It wasn't too bad of a drive on the morning of and they were super organized with parking, so that shouldn't be an issue. If you have any other questions let me know!

That's pretty ambitious to be doing a HIM for your first tri. Don't worry about all the stuff going just worry about what you need to do and have fun. You might want to consider doing a sprint or an oly before you do the HIM. You'll get to go through a race and see how everything works this way there will be less surprises for you for the HIM.

Are you doing the Newfound Lake Oly on 6/1?  I'll be there as well.  That race/date should work out great for some final prep for Syracuse.

Hi all, how is training coming along.  Almost 3 months till race day!

My training is going well, I just got home from a week in Curacao where I took full advantage of being somewhere warm and had a full training week outside!  I'm well into my plan for IMLP, but since I'm prone to injury I might have to pull out of Syracuse after the bike.  It makes me sad to think of DNF'ing it, but with it being only 5 weeks before Lake Placid, I don't want to get a run injury.  I'll have to see how the rest of my training goes and what my coach says about it as we get closer.

Definitely jealous about hearing that you got a full week outside in Curacao!  Good for you.  As for DNFing, first off, I'm all about positive thoughts and not recommend you start thinking about the 3 months before the race!  That should hopefully be enough time to correct the issue you're having.  That being said, LP is obviously a higher priority for you so you need to keep the ultimate goal in mind in June.  Until then, positive thoughts! 

I'm from Central NJ where it's not very hilly.  This is my first half Ironman race, has anyone done Syracuse before to give some color on weather and challenge expectations? What's the temperature for the run? Training is coming along nicely; geez I'm constantly hungry.  I've been using one of the plans on this site which has definitely given a different perspective on training.  I hope it works!!!

I'm planning to be up in Syracuse the last weekend in April to run/ride the course, will anyone else be up there? care to join?

Alex

I did the 'Cuse race in 2010 and 2012.  The swim and run course have been the same each year but the run course has been different each of the three years they've had the race.  So far, it appears the run course for 2013 is the same as 2012.  That's not welcome news for those of you doing the race this year because that run course was really, really tough.

Don;t worry about temperatures on race day.  It's central NY in late-June.  Average temps will probably be similar to what you experience in NJ.  I think it got up to 80 on the run last year.  Locals thought it was hot.  I was coming from Houston where it's 100 degrees with horrible humidity everyday so 80 and lower humidity felt great to me.

Worry about the hills on the bike and run.

The first 12-13 miles of the bike course are literally uphill.  After that it rolls for 30 miles or so with a couple challenging ascents and descents.  The last 12-13 miles is downhill.

The run course was really tough as I mentioned earlier.  The hill you deal with on each lap was a killer.  It starts about mile 2.25 (on the first loop) and doesn't end until mile 4.  About .9 miles up and .9 miles back down.  Coming from Houston, which is flat as a board, I got eaten alive by that run course.  I had the last 70.3 World Champ qualifying spot in my AG starting the run and lost 10 spots on that run course.  I was ill-prepared for the hills for the run.

The bike and run course elevation profiles on the race website do not do it justice.  Here are the profiles per my Garmin devices:

Colin, thanks for the pep talk!

GMAN, your garmin profile looks much like I remember the bike course to feel like.  I haven't had the opportunity to do the run course, there, I was part of a relay when I was there in 2011 (I did swim/bike).

Great post GMAN!  I didn't race here last year, but I did have a few clients do it and they said the same thing.  Pacing at the beginning of the bike and being able to handle the tough hill on the run are critical.

GMAN!!!

That IS a great post on this race.  Thank you, thank you.  I just did a hilly 16 mile run which I think I need to repeat based on your Garmin recording for training. I'm mortified by the bike elevation graph.

Thanks, Alex

The bike course isn't as bad as it looks on paper since the climbing is early on.  Just be sure to pace yourself properly for miles 2-12 and the bigger ascents (especially those around miles 20 and 30).  There's also a spot where you make a turn and it's into an immediate hill so be sure to be in the right gear when you make that turn or you'll be screwed.  I can't remember exactly where it was.  I recall it being earlier in the course.

The descent/ascent around mile 20-21 will get your attention.  It's like 3/4 mile and 300+ foot downhill drop.  Then it goes straight back up for about 1/2 mile and 300'.  Unfortunately, it's steep enough that your downhill speed only carries you about 10% of the way back up if you're lucky.  I hit almost 51mph on the descent.

Not doing the race this year.  I'm doing the Texas 70.3, Ironman Texas and Ironman Florida this year.  IMTX is five weeks prior to Syracuse so no way I'll want to race or be recovered enough to race.  I might come up to watch a couple relatives race.

It's always good to get a race in to knock the rust off but not necessary.

YAWN!  Me too!

My training took a backseat this winter to downhill skiing.  Now I'm motivated (mostly by fear!!).

It's FINALLY above zero here so thinking next weekend will include my first outdoor ride.  Yeah!

I'm thinking of planning a training ride in mid-to-late May and will drive down to ride the course.  Anyone else planning to do the same?