Ironman Florida : Official Thread (Page 29)

I've been listening to audiobooks the last few months.  it really makes the time pass much more quickly both running and when I ride on a trail. I would never listen to anything riding on an open road but on my closed to motorized traffic loop I listen to audiobooks.   I love music but I am too lazy and don't have the time to look thru thousands of choices of what to buy for music therefore I have been listening to the same music for roughly a decade.  I don't think I have purchased any music in the last 5 years.   I have a hard enought time just getting my training done never mind spendinghours online researching what tunes to purchase.  I listen to the radio in the car.

Don't freak out.  Two things in your control at that point: nutrition and intensity.  I cramped big time in the race last year at mile 20.  Eased up and slammed a bunch of gels with electrolytes.  Finished with my best marathon time ever.  (that's not saying much but it was a PB after a serious cramping of both quads and hamstrings) 

You could actually think of it as a learning opportunity.  how hard were you going?  When was the last time you drank or ate?  What will you do differently in the race?  Eat more?  drink different?  change your pace going into the 2 hour mark?  Take a walk break at that point?  Great lesson in having a plan 'B'

Don't forget your race belt and number.  They used to make you wear it on the bike but I guess this year you only need it on the run.  My coach says to put something in run SN to make you smile, something to look forward too.  A picture, a stuffed animal some food to look forward to something.  I put a diet coke in there and usually something to eat.  Helps getting thru the first 1/2 of the marathon

Unless you live someplace cold be prepared for COLD.  Its is far more likely to be chilly rather than warm.  Gloves for the bike, a long sleeved shirt or arm warmers for sure.  The worst thing that will happen is you will not use them.  If I recall you are fast but anything can happen on race day and I would suggest a long sleeved shirt in your run SN bag in case the day isn't going your way because the run course gets cold after the sun goes down.

You might want to consider something in the bike to run bag to clean your feet off with before you head out on the run.  I usually have baby wipes and a face cloth.  A bit of sand on your feet for 26.2 miles doens;t make it any easier. 

My top IMFL tips (this is my 7th time racing there)
1-mirrored or tinted goggles.  The sun WILL be in your eyes across the top of the swim course
2-Go to the practice swims and pick out landmarks to aim for on shore.  It can be wavy and difficult to see the buoys
3-Be prepared for COLD.....see above
4-If you are going to finish late get a lite for your hat
5-If you are going to finish after dark put along sleeved shirt and or wind breaker in your run SN bag
6-Have a blast
7-Use the energy of the crowd
8-Don't get lost in the details
9-Don't let something stupid ruin your day
10-Don't let what you perceive to be a "bad" or "slow" time ruin your experience.  GO have fun.  Probably none of us are going to win or place.  Be happy you are healthy and fit enough to do this crazy sport

Suggest you develop a plan "B" clothing in case it's a chilly day.  You'll probably know the day before, but if you're thinking about what to pack you may want to take more rather than less.  A cold front can change everything.  - arm warmers, leg warmers, wind jacket, helmet liner - same ideas for the run portion.  I hope we don't need any of that - and we didn't last year, but in 2010 it was pretty chilly and windy in the morning, and evening.  -- you may not need these, but at least think about it.  12 hours is a long time to be cold, and it takes extra energy as well.

T1 - sunglasses.

On race morning you'll probably be taking your nutrition / drinks down to put on your bike.

I don't remember where you're staying, but you may want sweats for after the race in your "dry clothes" bag.  A coach told me before my first that everyone gets the shivers about 10 minutes after finishing.

I just prepared my nutrition for tomorrow, the biggest single training day of the whole plan:  6.5 hr bike, 45 min run, 1:50 swim.  Laid out transition as well.  Race rehearsal, except that I'll do the swim last because of pool hours.  I'm excited about this work out. 

Did you know that if you look at the Schooner's beach cam right now you can see the moonlight reflecting off the ocean?

http://www.schooners.com/multimedia/sunsetcam.htm

Schooners is just down the beach from where we swim.  Fun cameras to look at during the day and check out how calm the water is.    Not that you would be looking at the beach in Panama City Beach rather than working. 

Just finished my workout for today and tuned in to Kona.  Hope you're having a great race!

That's why we have the race, eh?  And you can't tell what race day will bring, I think that's part of what makes it exciting.

Great prep - see you in PCB!