Ironman Arizona : Official Thread (Page 29)

I got my Flo Wheels, back in June, a few days before my first race of the season. The only ride I used them for was a short 10mi nike check the day before the race. Worked out great & haven't taken them off since then. So I say use them in AZ!!!!!!!

While we are on the topic of race wheels for IMAZ.  I'm on the fence.  Good race wheels or powertap.  I have both in the garage.

1. Race wheels - Mavic Cosmic Carbones 55mm.  Very fast and mentally good for a couple of mph of free speed.   OR

2. Power tap wheel with a wheel builder full disk jacket.  (Usual race day setup)
 OR
3. Power tap built on 32 spoke Mavic Open Pro wheelset.  (An alternative but not as aero or fast as the Cosmic's)

On the short course I usually race with the disk jacket on.  But concerned about getting blown off the road at IMAZ

Here's another first timer question for you.

Is there any kind of requirement for reflective gear on the run? 

I didnt have reflective clothing but I did have a light attached to my hat. Most of the run is on cement sidewalk but there are several areas that are on gravel. Most of the course is dimly lit. Having a light helped a lot.

I ran into the evening last year and there was no one handing out reflective glow sticks or anything, and no one was asking us to have them or telling us to wear them.  This may have something to do with the fact that much of the run is in protected areas (no open roads along the lakefront), car danger is minimal.  Or....perhaps I just got lucky and was never around when the race officials were watching.

As for the race wheel discussion, I say use 'em if you got 'em.  The wind on Beeline can be noticeable, but I have raced and trained in my SRAM S80s a number of times on Beeline without issue, and the first time I used them was a HIM just a week after getting them (on a windier course, no less). 

Now...whether to use a power tap or race wheels, I have never ridden with a power meter, so I cannot speak by experience, but I think it will depend on how you are feeling with respect to monitoring a level race.  If you have a pretty good idea of HR and speed relative to effort, then the race wheels would seem to be the choice.  However, if you typically ride too hard, or not hard enough, then perhaps you should go with the power meter to balance out your effort for the run.  As you probably know, powertap will give you balance, race wheels will give you speed and efficiency - your call as to which is more important TO YOU.

By the way, for anyone who will be traveling to AZ a week or more before IM AZ, 4 Peaks Racing will be holding a splash n dash (or swim only - your choice) Nov 10 (a week before IM AZ) at Tempe Town lake.  So if you want to test the water and the course a bit (the route will be slightly different, but in the same water), this would be a good tune up.  The swim is 1500m or 3000m (your choice), and the run (dash) is a 5K run along the lake (part of the IM AZ course).  Their website is 4peaksracing.com, and the cost of the event is right around $35-$40.

How's everyone feeling?  Are we all getting our mileage in, injury free?

I've been having some daily aches and pains, but nothing that's really holding me back, just making me cautious and keeping me on my toes about not getting injured.  I had a great run today, a test of sorts to see where my fitness level is at, and over 6 miles at my anticipated IM marathon pace my avg heart rate (142) was the same as 4 months ago when I ran the same distance 1.5 minutes/mile slower.

And I had a terrible 80 mile bike ride last week.  And I'm happy for it, because I'm hoping that's my one bad day that everyone has on their training journey.  I think it had alot to do with some fit changes I was testing on the bike, which obviously didn't work out, so it's back the way I had it.  I'm hoping to get out and ride long 80-100 miles again this week and have a bit more success.

I'm getting there, my runs are solid and swims have been consistant, now my bike is a working progress, had to skip my long brick this weekend so that didnt help.....but im focused and motivated for this wkends long ride hoping to get 70 miles in and 5 miles brick session on Saturday......but feeling good thus far, hopefully it continues entering these build weeks.....

Anyone know of a cheap place to rent a car?  I seemed to missed this detail...prices are crazy for a week, also anyone know whats the smallest car I could transport my bike in, Im staying like 15 minutes away from village. 

Are a USAT member?  I just noticed the other day on my card we get a discount with Avis.

Oh boy!!!! I am a USAT member. Thanks I will def check this out

yes no bike box, just bike.  Did you find that price at 11/day or did you have to put in a bid and have them accept it?  I never used the priceline thing where you tell them what you want to pay, so I wondering how it works

Taking it easy for a couple of days until my HIM (Orangeman 70.3) this Sunday. Then the real work begins!

I think my body would be shocked to learn that the real work hasn't already started!

Good luck at Orangeman. 

I'm not in for this year but I have really enjoyed this thread.  I hope I get in next year.  Got a question for all of you though.  (I did post this on another Forum, so yes, I'm that guy).

So if I'm actually one of the lucky ones to get registered online for IMAZ 2013 I have a question for all you studs out there.

I live in the Midwest in an area with tons of hills to ride and train on with only a short extra 10 mile ride to get to an area of unlimited flat as a board roads.  I feel like I can get great course training for IMAZ and believe me, the heat in Iowa during the summer is nothing to laugh at either, especially when compared to Arizona in November.

A buddy posed a question to me that has me freaked out.  "How are you going to train your body to deal with the elevation in Tempe?" 

Is this really an issue?? 

mav, the elevation in Tempe is 1,174. the elevation in Sioux City is 1,135. So it's basically the same.

Are you talking about the elevation gain on the bike course? The bike profile map does look intimidating until your really look closer. According the the "profile", on the way out on each of the 3 loops, it looks like gradual elevation gain of approx 200ft over the first 12 miles. Then the "steep climb" really doesn't seem bad when you see that it is an elevation gain of apprx 300ft over the next 4 miles.

One thing I did notice about the bike profile map is that the miles skip from 88 to 102 on the 3rd loop. the rest of the profile breakdown is in 4mi increments. Can anyone that has done IMAZ shed some light on this??

I am from Minnesota, lived in Nebraska 4 years, now in lowwww lying verrryyy south Texas, did IMAZ -- elevation is NOT an issue

Thanks guys!!  I knew the pros out here would have the elevation answer.  Now, dealing with the "dry heat" issue will be a challenge, but that's what it's all about!!!