Ironman 70.3 Kansas : Official Thread (Page 2)

2nd year!

lisac957 - 2013-02-27 10:35 AM I'm on the fence now. The price tag is super unappealing at the moment 

This makes me sad.  The five year streak can not come to an end.  I blame the snow...and the prices.

looks like Hines Ward will be joining us in Lawrence on his way to Kona.

http://endurancesportswire.com/football-legend-hines-ward-announces-race-schedule-leading-up-to-the-2013-ironman-world-championship-triathlon/

Weather in the past has been: warm, hot, windy, rainy, overcast, sunny, windy, hot. 

I would anticipate the high for the day being in the high 80s, possibly lower 90s. Expect wind. Last year was the first in 5 years the race was not wetsuit legal. 

Here's my Garmin bike file from 2011: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/92901242

You'll have an assigned spot in both transitions, one near the swim (T1) and another next to the campground (T2), which is about a half mile up the hill from the swim start. Typically before the race you'll drop off your shoes and and other run related items first in T2 before heading down to T1 to set up your bike, etc. before your swim. After the bike segment you'll be directed to T2 to rack your bike and begin your run.

After the race you'll have the option of having your bagged items from T1 transported up to an area right next to T2 for your convenience.

Does everyone leave there wetsuits at T1 if its wetsuit legal?  I thought I read somewhere that there have been issues with wetsuits not sticking around

I think the people who have had there wetsuits gone missing were the ones that elected not to put them in the transition bags that are then transported up to the area next to T2. In the past, during the bike segment, the race staff has torn down the T1 bike racks and anything that wasn't transported up to T2 is left lying in the parking lot with no real markers as to wear your transition spot was. This makes it real easy for someone to mistakenly take someones wetsuit (not that out right thievery hasn't happened).

If you take the time to bag your wetsuit and gear after the swim, it is taken up next to T2 where it sits under the watch of volunteers. If you then show a bib number or some kind of ticket you can pick up your swim gear after the race.

65 days till race day by my count!  Can't wait to make the trip from South Dakota!  Hope everyone's training is going well.  I can't wait to get my bike outside finally, I feel like I have a lot of cycling to do to get ready. Swim and run and good.

I'm staying at the Best Western on Iowa Street.  Anyone else staying there?  I'm not the camping type and it seems like a pretty short drive on race morning.  Does anyone have any advice about the course and anything we should know about (big hills, aid stations,etc) or train for for those of us who haven't done Kansas before?  I'm really hoping to get a picture with Dorothy at the finish line!

Also, how clear is Clinton Lake?  Am I going to be able to sight off of other athletes or will I not even be able to see my hand in front of my face?  Thanks for the info and happy training!

Forgive my newbie post. I did a LOT of bike racing a decade ago, some mara's and halfs in the meantime, and I've signed up for the Kansas HIM. No tri experience, haven't touched the water since I was a kid--but I WILL be getting in the water soon. Looking to finish.

My question is, can any of you recommend a good FAQ on race day for a medium distance new triathlete? Basic things I don't know (my bike experience isn't helping), include: (1) how do you get food/are there feed zones? (2) do you drink in the water or go into slight dehydration? (3) how do you avoid drafting, assuming you exit T1 in a group? (4) do you wear a jersey for the bike + run stages, (5) is there water, sport drink, gel/blocks on the run course? (6) should I spend the cash on a thin wetsuit given that last year was the first in 5 years to NOT allow a wetsuit (note: I don't plan on winning my age group).

Thanks! I'm very excited about this race. A longstanding goal is a FIM, a dream I've had since I was racing Cat 1 mountain back in the day (it was Expert then).

You have NO IDEA how much I wish you wouldn't have mentioned snakes in the water.  Turtles, cool. Catfish, cool. "other critters", cool.  Snakes.... Oh hell no!

Yeah, give Sherri Withers a call at 785-842-8562. She's been helpful in the past.

1. There are aid stations on the bike and the run.  You can also keep some food at transition if you want something that's not handed out on the course.

2. No and no.  Drink a gatorade before the race starts and you'll be fine.  You can always pee in the lake if you misjudged and drank too much.

3. As long as you're not intentionally drafting, you probably won't get called for it.  Officials realize that we get bunched up in places, particularly early in the bike, and will cut you some slack.  But if you're blatantly tucked in right on the back of someone's wheel, they will penalize you.  Once the field spreads out, keep your distance unless you're passing.

4. I do not own a bike jersey that I would want to ride in.  Buy a tri jersey and wear it for all three legs.

5. Yes, about every mile.  Plus fruit, pretzels, chips, soda, etc.  Although what's available varies by station.

6. If you have not swam since you were a kid, then I would strongly recommend purchasing a wetsuit (and not to freak you out, but seriously get in the pool like right now).  Wetsuits are bouyant and will help lift your hips/legs, which will improve your form.  Also, there's a difference between wetsuit legal and wetsuit prohibited.  You can wear one with water temps up to 83 degrees, you just wouldn't be eligible for any awards.  Finally, keep in mind that if you're having trouble at any point during the swim, you CAN hang on to a boat or kayak to take a break.  They just will not be able to move you forward at all.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE get some open water swim practice in before the race.  Shawnee mission should be open by then hopefully.

If you have never done an open water swim start in a tri before, with little swimming experience, you will freak out at the start, which is not a good thing.  The water is murky, your wetsuit feels tight around your chest, people are swimming on top of you, etc.  This is how people get into trouble on the swim and end up DNF'ing, or worse.

Also, drafting on the bike is a big no no.  People do it, and they should be penalized.  Enforement is generally lax for age groupers, but still.  Its not a group effort, and if  pass you while your drafting, I will, and many other people, will have some unkind words for you.

I was mostly kidding about the snakes! (I'm also a little wuss about snakes...)

Don't forget that with the mass of swimmers, all the critters will flee like crazy in the lake, and the course is crowded enough where you'll have nothing to worry about.

Now, might not want to do Redman down in OKC like I did, bunch of people saw tarantulas and rattlesnakes out on the bike.  Lucky I didn't see them or I'd have likely went over the handlebars...