Ironman 70.3 Branson : Official Thread (Page 3)

For those looking for lodging, here is a forum that is good, provides a lot of hotel reviews.  

www.1branson.com/forum/f5.html

My family & I travel to Branson at least once a year, my parents more often.  Hope it helps.

x2.

50/34 and 11/28. I'm a middle of the pack biker, but finished around the top third on the bike leg. I think the extra gears really helped me. I was comfortable on most of the hills and spun by a bunch of people mashing their way up.

Since we're talking gears etc. I have a road bike with a triple in front (52/42/30) and my rear cassette is 12-28.

I see a lot of 50/34's out there.

If had that setup would that benefit me on hilly courses, worth the changeout?

I think you are geared plenty low enough for hills

 X2.  You wont have problem getting up those hills with what you have.

or getting down them!  I maxed out at 44 mph last year... and that was because I was trying to control my speeds!

I have a three hour ride planned this weekend followed by a short run.  I have been using the BT HIM plan, and I am feeling pretty good about the race.

until taper week, then I will go into my usual "Did I do enough thought process"

Not really following an HIM plan, just wingin' it.  Got an Oly this Sunday, one next Sunday, then 2 weeks of training, one week of taper.  That's it.  Was supposed to get 68 miles in Sunday during a charity ride, lost a spoke on mile 28, rode 10 miles with a wobbly rear wheel to the aid station so the SAG could take me back.  With the wheel upgrade I'm feeling good, will try them out tomorrow morning, probably get 20-30 miles in, weather permitting.

My typical 55 miler I do some Sundays has approx. 2,800' of ascents, just not bunched up like Branson so I'm feeling O.K. about the hills.  I'm not worried about the swim, my run should be a little better than what I did at KS 70.3 but we'll see after thos hills....

My training sucks, only getting in three days a week right now.  Sunday is my long ride and run, very little swimming.  Please be gentle as you pass me, whereever it may be.  I am vunerable right now!

Are y'all meeting up before hand anywhere?

The quality of the event is great.  Last year was the first year and everything went very smooth.  This year should only get better.  The swim is in a cove in a very clear lake, Table Rock.  Last year it was wetsuit legal but barely.  Very well marked clockwise swim.  The run........., well that was my least favorite part of the day. Mostly because I sucked and it was hot.  The run course is flat but very little shade.  Someone else pointed out that they have changed part of the bike and run course.  It looks as if they changed the tail end of the bike course going into T2, the run I am not sure on.

In any event this is a well run course and I highly recommend it.  If for no other reason then to just ride the awesome bike course.  What other time are you going to have a 4 lane highway closed off for a bike ride?

Thanks.  I just signed up and the code on the first page of this thread still works.  I got $50 off my entry, so $175 seems like a good deal.  My drive is 6 hours so I may just come up Sat morning and do an afternoon packet pickup and bike drop off. 

I noticed that only one person in the 40-44 age group broke 5 hours.  Wow.  Sounds like a really nice challenge.  Normally, a 5:00 time would put you 30-ish in AG with other races.       

I heard it was hot and humid.  And looking at the bike elevation map (see my previous post on this thread) you can see where bike splits might be slower than your typical 70.3, eight CAT 5 climbs averaging a mile and a half each.  I've heard great things about the bike course though, quite scenic and lots of room!

First HIM here,too.  Been on a 6 week taper with injuries.  Just looking forward to competing and finishing.  I'd like to have qualified for Vegas next year, but my wife said it isn't going to happen.   She says "I've seen you swim..."  sooooo, here's to the swim!

More gumption than talent.

CPT K