Ironman Kansas 70.3 : Official Thread (Page 3)

having never done the race before i'll have to take your word for it..

This will be my first Half IM as well.  Looking forward to it.  Not sure who might be Military, but I got a killer rate on a room at the SpringHill Suites in Lawrence for just 70.00 a night and the rooms are normally over 140.00.

SOOO looking forward to this

Kansastriguy, I can give you some perspective as a spectator at this event.  My husband raced here last year, and I was there watching with our then-16-month-old.  We were also with parents of a friend who was racing as well.

• Yes, you are at the race site for the day.  There is no coming or going after the start.  They did have a couple of stands offering refreshments for sale, but I would recommend bringing your own in a cooler.  I do not recall seeing anything anywhere near the start or finish areas to refill on water, but there may have been.
• Spectators generally ride a shuttle bus from parking to the finish area.  I would not plan on returning to your car during the race.
• A large stroller or wagon is hugely helpful. 
• I brought a sport umbrella (one of those large umbrellas you can pick up at Costco for about $40, and can lean down or stand up and tether).  While it may have seemed like a hassle to haul on the shuttle, it was SO WORTH IT!!  We had shade in the heat--a precious commodity!  We set up the umbrella (standing) near T2 and were in a great position to watch the action.  Plenty of shade for three adults and the kiddo.  If your kids can help carry folding chairs, those would be fabulous as well.
• Bring activities for the kids--balls, frisbee's, coloring books, maybe a dvd player

With the above planning, the day can be a lot of fun.  We walked down to T1 to watch the start and cheer our athletes out onto the bike.  Then we walked up the hill to our spot near T2.  This also broke up some of the waiting around time. We watched Chrissie Wellington run through smiling!  We saw various of our BT friends come in on their bikes and run through several times.  Of course, my take on this is colored by the fact that I am myself a triathlete, so you may want to take this with a grain of salt.

Hubby gets spectator duty this year, and he will be making use of all of the above.

Hope this helps!

I live just just southeast of St. Louis, MO.  They are talking about the snowmageddon here.  A combination of the worst snow and ice storms in one blow.  We'll see.

Any way, it won't be conducive to outdoor runs or bikes for a week or so.  May be longer if we have a lot of snow piled up.  The Y could be closed for a day or two.  I have a magnetic trainer for my bike, so I can always ride in the basement and watch movies.

Hey all, it sounds like we all have the same dilemma this week. I too am in the St. Louis area. I finally got out this past weekend and got in a nice, long outdoor run. With all the snow and ice coming it's looking like it'll be treadmill, trainer, and lots of movies. Thank goodness for Netflix! Let's cross our fingers that the roads are cleared well enough for some safe outdoor runs later this week.

Bring on week 3!

Hutchinson, KS (central part of the state) has 4 degrees F, winds gusting to 30 mph putting windchill at minus 25.  It's been snowing all day and blowing and drifting.  Headed to MO, IL, IN, OH and on into NE. The faithful lady who opens the Y at 5:00 am was there this morning despite the blizzard conditions, so got to run on Tmill and swim 20 laps.  Cycling indoors tonight on trainer.  Last Friday and Saturday were in the low 70s...ran outdoors in shorts and a tank.  Must be February.

A question for the race veterans:  What pre- or post-race activity would you recommend a newby not miss? 

Dreaming of June weather to keep my mind off of the cold and ice.  I am also listening to the triathlon music of Ironband (I don't mind (being passed by a chick!)).