Ironman 70.3 Florida : Official Thread (Page 22)

Wow...good luck Saturday.  I would blow myself up if I were to do what you're doing......

Looks like the weather is setting up nicely for the African Grassland Run!!
Has anyone re-coned the run course? I saw talk about it but havent read anything. Would love to see other peoples thoughts.
Drink drink drink on the bike is all I can say to you guys. Dont wait til late in the ride. Three 24oz bottles minimum. Peeing in T2 is a GOOD thing!! Remember, your going to have that headwind the last 10-12mi. back to T2. If its not there, then hammer that section on flat, well paved road back to Disney.
Remember to grab a sponge eairly as they run out, and save/re-wet it throughout your run, its a life saver.
Enjoy your weekend everyone, I'll be in Jekyll Island Ga @ The Turtle Crawl Oly on Sat.

FM
"The" Cube

Yep... it looks like it's going to be a sticky, typical-Florida summer weekend out there!

For the first time ever, I'm wearing my Camelbak on the bike leg of a tri (and also using a PD aerobottle)-- it's white and red, so look for me when you go by!  Hubs is wearing his CBak during the run; I use a handheld for the run.  We train with these all the time b/c of the heat, so I don't want to change anything up.  The cycling purists will probably have a good laugh at my expense.

I got my very first butterflies as I packed my race tank/shorts/shoes this morning.  Nothing else during packing bothered me UNTIL I got to those items.  They make it so official!

Hubs and I will be at Lucky's Lake on Saturday morning- 7:45AM.  We've never done that swim before and are really looking forward to it. 

I won't make fun of you.  I used to do that all the time and considered it for this race.  It's just so much darn easier to drink and the liquid stays cold because of the insulation if you put ice in the camelbak.  And I'm sure it doesn't cut down on aero since it lays flat on your back.  I think the fashion freaks are the ones who think it's uncool.  What's the consensus everyone?  Camelbak or no?  And why?

LOL!  Thanks!

I freeze mine half full the night before a long training day and then add the remainder of the fluid in the AM. The block of ice seems to melt a bit slower than if I just added ice cubes.  I also wrap the reservoir up in one of those 'chill bags' that you can find at the grocery store for extra insulation against the heat.  Unfortunately, the coolness only really lasts about 2 hours in direct FL sun, so I'm not expecting it to be cold when I get on the bike for this race (as it will be sitting in transition for a while + swim).  I just like knowing that everything is there... 50oz CBak + 32oz in PD bottle + 21oz additional bottle on my down tube.

My CBak actually fits very close to my body- it's made for cycling.  I can't imagine it being any less aero than loading a jersey up with tubes and CO2 cartridges or having 3 bottles in a hydrotail on the rear.  I did fine without it at Augusta 70.3, but I definitely like the feeling of knowing that everything is on me this time around.  Not slowing down for an aid station bottle (and potential collision with other folks there) or *gasp* dropping a bottle, is also comforting.  

ETA:  I agree.  I think that if someone isn't looking for a Clearwater/Kona slot or a podium spot and wants to be as completely aero as possible (meaning they probably utilize everything that's on the course, keep their top tube clean & on-board bottles to a bare minimum), a CBak wouldn't be a good choice.  Otherwise, I believe it's a fashion thing that actually originates from pure cyclists.  Triathletes around here will often use CBaks during training and the pure cyclists love to make fun of us.  In terms of racing, I suppose most think that Hydrotails or what not look pretty cool on the rear of a bike.  They are also out of the way and off the body too.  My hubby trains with a CBak, but races with a Hydrotail, so he likes both.  Somebody (maybe it was Cobb??) once did a quick wind tunnel study on what was more aero (hydrotail, camelbak, bottles, profile design, nothing); CBaks weren't really any 'less' aero than any of the other stuff... not enough for it to matter for most AGers anyway.

Sorry to hijack this thread...

Edited by shellabree 2010-05-12 10:22 AM

I'm so glad I read your thread! It reminded me I had to install my new Never Reach and I found out my seat is too small to hold it. So, don't worry ShellaBree.... the pure cyclist will leave you alone because they will be too busy laughing at me and my mountain biking seat on a road bike. <eye roll>

And, no I couldn't have just run out to my local shop and picked up a new seat. This is the middle of nowhere, luxuries like bike shops that are open this time of day don't exist!

About the speedsuit discussion: Xterra Velocity speedsuits are $99 and $119 at xterra.com.

I tried a swim in my local pool with mine (++) and it cut 1 minute off my 1000y time (poor swimmer here). I will need a good 30 seconds to remove it in T1 though - it's awfully tight at the calves

Good luck to all on Sunday! Hope Monday's forecast for occ. thunderstorms will not be moving forward...

Good luck everybody!  We fly out tomorrow and can't wait.  #2330 and #1732 

Well I am leaving tomorrow at  bright and ugly  and have a 9 1/2 hour drive soooo much fun  jes/no

Well I bit the bullet and bought the speedsuit.  That price on the velocity is awesome unfortunately it would be to late for me to order it so I went and picked up the cheapest suit the tri-shop had which is a Aqua Sphere Ironman.  It was about $130 so hopefully it will be worth it on Sunday.  I figure with a speedsuit I should shave 10 minutes off my time right?  If nothing else it kinda feels like a wetsuit which is what I am used to swimming in anyways.

I wish I was heading out tomorrow but I need to put in another 24 at the fire station.  I will be heading down first thing on Friday.  Safe travels everyone, see ya soon!

I have the same xtera speed suit and I cut the elastic at the bottom to facilitate removal.



Edited by KevinJ 2010-05-12 6:23 PM

See you on the road....we're heading out Fri a.m. from the Southside of the ATL......

We're leaving from Canton so we will have a few more miles to cover then you guys.  See ya on the road!! 

Going through the packing list.  Leaving from Evansville, IN on Friday morning.  If you see me race day morning I'll be in my orange "life is good" t-shirt.  Be safe and I'll see you Sunday..!!!

FYI...

2 Days 22 Hours 4 Minutes 

Wahooo!!!

I'm hoping the partially cloudy skies stick around.  They really help out a lot down here.  I've seen some very discrepant forecasts for Sunday-- even one that posted the possibility of 30mph gusts!  Most seem to be predicting anywhere between 8mph and 12mph, though.  Typical 91F high (heat index should be around 95F), but many athletes will probably be done the race by the time we hit that mark.  Looks like we will stay rain free. 

How did the Lucky's Lake swim go this morning for those who went?  Hubs and I will be there 7:45AM on Saturday.  I will probably try out the speedsuit that I borrowed from a friend that morning... nothing like waiting until last minute.  Still better than 'completely new' on race day. 

The Lucky's Lake swim went great this morning. We had 4 BT triathletes. 1 from California, 1 from llinois, 1from Colorado, and myself from Orlando. Also met a couple of people from England. I can honestly say I have some very nice people this week. Four of us had dinner last night and it was a blast.

That is awesome!  BT certainly does have some very nice people floating around.   

Good luck everyone..have fun out there this weekend!

Anyone know how people can track us through the race this weekend via the internet??

I think a coverage link will be available on www.ironman.com

Don't they just track the top pros and not "us" on www.ironman.com? 

It would be nice to have electronic chips feed the internet/text msg and probably wouldn't cost ironman much at all to do this.  They had this for the Richmond marathon and several friends/family were able to track me.  I think it even sent them text msg. of my progress along the way.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to reduce back burns from a speed suit?  I wore mine in a long brick workout a couple weeks ago and had serious burns at the neck line and shoulder strap lines on my back.  Thanks. 

Body Glide!