Ford Ironman Wisconsin : Official Thread (Page 22)

Parking - You can park at SBR 403 Venture Court Verona 608-695-8942, showers, bathrooms, etc. Open from 6a-12p on Saturdays. This is my Coaches place and is Right by Firemans Park in Verona.

The city of Verona is asking that people do not park at Firemans park anymore, because when the park is rented out, those who are riding the course take over the parking lot. They are asking that people park on the road instead of the parking lot. Also, there was an issue with Verona not wanting the IM course to go through the city this year, but the course remained the same.

 I think there is information at Firemans Park directing people on how to get to SBR.  

I have not heard anything about anyone getting tickets or having problems parking at Firemans park this year still.

I live in Madison, so let me know if anyone has any questions about Anything !

 I am doing WI again for the 3rd time. I hope everyone's training is going well ! enjoy the day .

KCNC Shimano Compatible 12-27
Recon Aluminum Shimano Compatible 11-27
Miche Shimano Compatible 11-27

I have done both Coeur D' Alene and IMWI. I think they are kind of comparable. The Wisconsin Swim is definelty more enjoyable, I did CDA a few days ago and the water temp was 55,  the water Temp in WI will not be an issue and you have a deep water start not a land start which eases the anxiety level a lot. The IM CDA start is just about the craziest thing I have been a part of.

The Bike courses I think are different but very comparable. The hills are longer but not as steep in CDA. Also in CDA you had about 10 miles per loop that was pretty flat overall. In WI, you don't get breaks you are constantly shifting. I think if you ride patiently in both places you can still have a very solid bike split, but patience as alwaysin the key.

The run in Madison is much more fun. Much more crowd support and you do not really run the same place as you bike (which annoyed me in CDA). As far as time are concerned I think they would be very comparable. Scenery and energy is much better in WI.

Overall times- If given the same conditions, I think they are very comparable. I went 10 hours 7 mins in CDA and went 10:31 last year in Madison. Goal time this year for me in WI is under 10...

Good luck!

Okay - you guys are freaking me out a little.  My longest run is scheduled for this week - 2 hrs.  I am following the Be IronFit plan - middle plan.  Also, I am a strong swimmer -- ideally I would be out between 60-65 mins for the swim. BUT - I have had issues in open water.  I very much dislike contact.  It took me awhile doing triathlons to realize that in most of them, I need to start at the front.  I am often the 1st or one of the 1st out of the water in my age group.  BUT this is for wave starts.  The thought of 2500 people all starting at once - I'm not sure where to go.  I know I have to go outside or I will freak out.  But it seems that I may have contact there also.  Maybe I can go 50 yards to the right and swim alone???    Biking seems to be going okay.  I have a road bike and have drooled at tri bikes at the LBS.  After riding the course and HHH, I think I am okay with my roadie.  Planning on riding the loop as much as possible between now and September!  I am also doing MOWS with a full course ride to follow on Aug 20th. 

Wendy

But it won't be a surprise if you've driven the stick, right?  At least it didn't surprise me.

I agree with that final hill on Whalen, especially the surprise element, but you can use it is a good measuring stick. I found last year on my long rides if I struggled up it I felt bad getting off the bike and overpaced or had bad nutrition. However, there were a couple times when I was feeling great getting up the hill and felt great getting off the bike. IMO that hill can give you a great idea of the potential you will have in your legs for the run.

It will be and you will have the benefit of clean swept roads, and watching hundreds of people out chalking the roads and putting up signs. It will be great motivation for 2012. I will be in Madison all weekend, but I may be doing a HIM just outside of Madison on Saturday. I'll let you know if I pass and maybe I can guide you along the course.

I'm not a strong swimmer.  I started wide right, about 4 rows back last year, and came out in 69 min.  There was lots of contact, but I don't remember anything particularly rough.  Just lots of bumping into feet and shoulders, etc.  I chose that spot thinking/hoping that most of the strong swimmers with the powerful strokes/kicks were up front.  That was at least consistent with my experience that day.

Also, you can't go further to the right as people line up all the way to the shore several deep.

That's a good piece of advice.  I didn't go down early enough and barely got in the water before the start due to the bottleneck that happens near the water entrance.

Thats what I need, a way to make it harder!

You are an animal Ben

One of the best pieces of advice I got from my coach in 2007 was to get to transition early, check everything you need to check and head down to the water. Sit on a rock and watch people enter the water. Listen to the sounds, feel the water and relax. There is waaaay too much nervous energy around the transition area.

You've done the work to get here. Enjoy the day!!!

JeffP sounds like a very confident biker, but I'm curious about his other disciplines.