Ironman Calgary 70.3 : Official Thread (Page 3)

I found this quote from Alexander.....he's not coming now.

"I’m back in Boulder now, and my training is in full swing as my Kona preparation begins.

My next scheduled race will be the IM 70.3 Muskoka on Sept 13, where I am the defending champ. If training progresses really well, I may sneak in another race earlier. I was scheduled to race Calgary IM 70.3 this weekend, but with my heavy schedule of media and sponsorship commitments over the past 2 months, I decided to skip Calgary and focus on my training. I am disappointed not to be racing there, as my good friends Lisa Bentley and Dave are putting the race on."

Just got out of the water an hour ago and it really isn't that bad. I little nippy when you first get in, but after a few strokes you get used to it.

On ANOTHER note though...  Horse Creek Road has some paving going on. They were pouring TAR on it this morning and laying asphalt as I was heading home. If they don't get it finished, it could prove problematic. The second last turn on that road is really torn up too. In training I have been able to hit it going pretty fast, but with the pavement torn out I'd be scared to go over it with any speed at all.

I picked up my race package tonight and checked out the expo. The athlete briefing was a little long and disorganized but there was some useful info.

In case you don't get to one of the three other briefing sessions, you need to know that you are not allowed to leave your helmet and bike shoes with your bike in T1. They have to be in your T1 bag and put on before you enter the bike rack area.

We were told that all the paving will be finished tomorrow.

Do we have to bike over the new asphalt because if it's hot out that day? because...well, let's just say that tar and tribikes don't mix.

Yep, supposed to be hot and will have to ride over new pavement
(well hot for Alberta 27C or 81F)

Edited by ViDi0T 2009-07-30 10:04 PM

lol, by the time I get to the new pavement I expect a nice trench to have been dug.

Bib number is 1620.  Excited for this race because it's the largest event I've been a part of.  First time I've done the HIM.  First time I've done a Dot-M.  First time I've been racing an event with Pro's.

I was also at that briefing session yesterday.  One thing that stuck out was the 2 hard left turns at the bottom of hills.  It doesn't seem like there is a chance to take the speed with you which kind of sucks.

Not excited to having to wake at 4:30am on Sunday and wait 4 hours until my wave starts. 

I know, but it will kinda be fun watching the pro's do their whole swim and hop on their bikes.

Bib 1279.   8:10 swim wave (ugh).

The top pros will finish almost an hour before I even get to T2. It would have been nice to see a couple of them zipping by on the run on their way to the finish.

I might not be able to make it to the briefing so if anyone has any other vital info that those of us unable to make it might need it would be greatly appreciated.

I do have on question so far... The red white and clear transition bags... do we have to use them, or can we use our own bags? It seems like it might be tough to find your bag if there are 1700 others exactly the same.

It is my understanding that your are required to use the bags provided.  Your T1 bag will be placed in a numbered row in the grass after you exit the water. You stuff your swim stuff in the T1 bag, put your bike stuff on then then drop your T1 bag at your bike spot. Your T2 bag will be placed at your numbered spot at the racks and your dry goods bag and your T1 bag will be delivered to T2 and placed at your numbered spot in the bike rack.

There will be volunteers helping direct racers to the correct area's of the grass and bike racks.

Edited by ViDi0T 2009-07-31 6:54 PM

Hey - good luck to everyone racing - have fun and I hope this inaugural 70.3 is a huge success for all involved!

Calgary is my home town (I just moved away 2 years ago) so I'm so excited to see this ... I really tried to get away so I could go volunteer (and maybe road trip with Dan and Haz - or wait - that might be scary) ... alas - maybe next year!

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE! I'll be anxiously awaiting RR's and posts on Sunday.

A few things from the race briefing:
-Caution on the left turn from southbound Highway 22 onto eastbound 250
-There's a short section on 1A after coming off Horse Creek Road and then a quick turn onto Highway 22. They recommend not bombing down the hill on this section between turns.
-There's also a short section (800m) of road where passing is not allowed because it is too narrow. It may be the same section (1A) above but I'm not sure. It will be marked.
-Swim course is 250m then turn left (unique coloured buoy), ~825m then turn right, 25m then turn right, ~825m then turn right, swim to the ramp.
-There is a place "off to the left" to warm up in the water before your wave.
-There are no "sport lids" on the powerade or water bottles. Regular caps will be removed from the bottles at the aid stations.

Hope I got all that right...Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

The section where no passing is allowing is where your turn right from Hwy 1A onto 22X in Cochrane. As you go over the bridge and make the sharp right turn the road is very narrow. They also said drafting rules wont be in effect in this area or any area's where they know we might get bunched up.

Yeah we have to use them they said, someone asked this evening.

and the bike is long,like 94km

Maybe I missed a table or something, but the website says that their should be a bunch of "sponsor goodies" in the registration bags. I didn't get a single thing. Oh wait, that's not true... I got dinged another $15 on top of the race fee for provincial association insurance.

ha. 2x. ha ha. yeah, as far as cheap give aways go this race takes the cake. I got a power bar. Not even a water bottle or a gu or an anergy drink. Not even a t-shirt, apparently you have to finish first.

the race info said you had to prove membership... next year you have to buy one... no race day insurance... the ata dropped the member fee from 45 to 35 however

I don't understand why ATA is necessary. Why don't Tri race entries already include insurance like running events do? Seems that the ATA is forcing us to join their club which rubs me the wrong way. I was a little anoyed when I went to pick up my package and I had to fork over another $15... the amount we already paid for entry should be more than enough to cover it. Or at least there should be an option to decline their coverage and sign a waiver.


Edited by ViDi0T 2009-08-01 8:09 PM

It is usually included in most race fees, there is an option when you sign up, enter your number if you have one, if you don't it is 15 bucks more. Pretty standard. I thought it was taken care of at sign up, clearly it wasn't. I agree, kind of annoying.

Anyways, i am off to bed. Look for number 1598 at 4:30 in the morning at the bus stop.

All right, so it's done. I really hope every one did well and is happy with their results. This was my first HIM and I finished in 6:10. I was hoping for 6hrs, but I didn't really know what to expect so I am not upset about the result at all. My socks got really wet on the run and my feet got worn raw. I had to walk a lot after that so I guess that obviously slowed me down a little. Any way, I am glad to be done and am still too sore to really say I enjoyed it, but what a great experience.

On a different not... If any one has, or knows of someone who has a finisher buckle that they are just going to throw in a jar or a closet somewhere and doesn't care about, I would like to have it if you are willing to part with it. My wife really wants to frame my bib and buckle as a little gift for finishing my first HIM, but I really like the buckle and want to wear it. I won't be giving it away or anything. Thanks if anyone can help.