Ford Ironman Wisconsin : Official Thread (Page 26)

I am providing some information I have found from other discussions.

A couple of quotes from persons on a different forum -

1). Just my .02 cents, but the likelihood IM Wisconsin will NOT be wet suit legal is slim to none. In 2005, when the temperature for the day reached over 115* with a heat index, the swim at 7 am was still wet suit legal. And yes the previous week was extremely warm/hot as well.

2).  I agree with the other reply in that the odds of this being a non wetsuit swim are extremely slim even with the 76 degree rule change.

3).  Water Temperature readings (in Celsius, near the bottom) - http://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?05429000

4).  Similar topic from last year -
http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=222108&start=1&posts=13

Here's a temp plot from July-Sept last year.  I was worried about the possibility of a no-wetsuit swim in August, but the water temps dropped significantly once Sept arrived.

Looks like it was a different story in 2009 though:

Yes, it was a little warm that year.  I did that race.  You did get a tad bit heated in the full suit, but opening the zipper and letting the cooler water in slightly helped (being a BOPper, I can do that).

Fred... I would take the time to drive it when you get there if you can... There is a ton of shifting and turns and hills where the right gear going into a turn/short climb where the right gear can make a huge difference.  This is one course where Di shifting would be a nice to have (can't afford it, so I don't have.. )  

It certainly isn't necessary like a Silverman/Epic 250 preride would be in my book, but driving it at a minimum would be my recommendation. 

My suggestions:
1). If riding blind, you won't be able to anticipate those bloody hills, and when to downshift/upshift when appropriately.
2). If riding blind, depending on your swim time, T1 time, and biking time/skills, and sensing that you are LEAST a very capable MOPper, you just might be able to follow someone on the course (well, at least see someone within 15 bike lengths or so).
3). Course is pretty well marked, but still would be nice to know the turns ahead of time.

There's usually someone that would be willing to drive the course beforehand to get the idea of what to expect.
If you ask nicely, I could be your Sherpa on Wed. or Thurs. night, or Saturday and would drive you.  PM me if you consider that.

Fred,

Sorry you won't be able to pre-ride.  The main thing you need to know going in is where to cool it on the descents.  You can get a decent feel for that by driving it yourself.  But having someone drive it with you (like 1stTimeTri above) would be better imo.  I also plan/hope to drive the course on either Thurs or Friday, so could try to work something out with you if you guys can't find a common time.

Great question...I decided to hold off answering until I got a shot at a long ride today. It's been disgustingly hot/humid all week around here. So I actually rolled out of bed @ 3:15 am and was on the road by 3:45. Managed to get in a nice long ride and back before it got nasty again. It's was actually a blast to be riding when the sun came up and I now know our neighborhood is ruled by rabbits between 4-5:30 am. I must of had a dozen close calls with those little bastards.

Anyway...I had been dreading a 5+ hour ride, but it finally dawned on me that I don't HAVE to do this, I GET to do this! It's a joy and privilege to have the health and supportive family ( most of the time) to ride like this. So as pre-IMOO training gets tough, just remember.........we get to do this, and that makes all the long rides/runs take on a whole new focus.  Safe training everyone!

I've already posted this in the Ironman Distance Training forum, but need to repeat it here -

Please, while training on the course, pick up your Gu gels, etc.  Litter is ugly.

I've found several along the bike route.

There were a couple of well-deserved re-pavements along the bike route - made the ride a little nicer in those areas.

I did notice the one ceramic pig got a color change - it no longer has the Holstein color and pattern.

Here is a Garmin profile of one loop leaving from Verona. Probably not the most accurate but does give you an idea where the hills are.

On August 20th I think it is MOWS has an actual race on the swim course. Can do 1.2 or 2.4 with or without a wetsuit. A bunch of us did it last year and I plan on doing it again this year. Makes for a great trial swim with a few hundred people to get ready for 2500 on race day.

Plan on making it my last big brick weekend with the swim and riding the bike course.

This reminds me I really need to get some reservations and register for the swim.

I just registered for the Aug 20 MOWS as well.  I also plan on biking the course afterwards.  Do you guys know how many people actually use this as a brick and head out on the bike?  I've never been on the bike course and would love to have other people out there to "follow" through some of the course turns.

I'll probably try to drive the course Friday before the swim.

Last year I biked Friday and swam and ran Saturday. No reason it just worked out that way. There were about 8 of us BTers that did dinner Friday night, swam the race Sat morning and then the rest rode the course. Some did the whole thing while others drove to Verona and rode the loop.

It was great meeting others from BT and sharing stories, advice, fears etc.

Time for a roll call. Is there any others going the weekend of the 20th?

The course is pretty full of riders, most do two loops, but some do all 112. Last year I did the full 112 and usually saw at least one biker in sight most of the ride. We had a group of BT'ers do it last year together and we spread ourselves amongst the masses on the course. 

As for the OWS, the Masters puts on a 1.2/2.4 wetsuit/non-wetsuit race that day. Well organized and the course does follow the IM course. There is also a Dairyland Swim Clinic I think this Sunday, and then two weeks from this Sunday as well. Never done the dairyland clinic, but I might try to do the 14th one because I won't be doing the Masters swim the week after, as I will be traveling to Iowa for Pigman.

With all that said it is a great way to end your training before you start your taper, and if it is your first IM a great way to see how the day will unfold by doing the swim and having a long ride on the course. 

Dairyland Open Water Swim & clinic 1 is this Sunday - July 31 @ 8 and # 2 is August 14th @ 8

They are on Lake Monona at Law Park (IMOO start).  You can go to Active.com to register.  I think they are $20/piece if you register on-line.  I believe you can sign-up on-site too. 

x2, I would estimate hundreds were out there that weekend last year. Great training day!