ESI Ironman 70.3 Augusta : Official Thread (Page 3)

It always cracks me up, that as triathletes, we mention our bike's status first after a crash.  Glad you are ok, too, Karen!

My training is coming along nicely. This will be my second HIM, and I'm hoping for a better race overall. Last year I did Austin and I just had a bad day. I ended up finishing 90 minutes later then I'd planned, and swore I'd never do a HIM again. Now I'm out for redemption and to give it a second shot! I'm less interested in time this year, my goals are: safe, fun, and improved.  Less pressure, for sure.

I have more long bike rides scheduled this year, which I'm hoping will build some endurance and confidence.  This weekend I did a 4 hour brick ,while on vacation no less.  Runs are up to 12 miles, rides up to 60. Swimming is not an issue for me so it's just regular swim practice.

Heather

I live in Augusta and have a few recomendations for hotels: All are next to I-20 and only 10 minutes from DT. 

• Jameson Suites-Augusta - 1062 Claussen Road, Augusta, GA 30907-3206 (706) 733-4656
• Courtyard Augusta - 1045 Stevens Creek Road, Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 737-3737   (800) 399-7621
• Hilton Garden Inn Augusta Georgia - 1065 Stevens Creek Road, Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 739-9990
• Sheraton Hotel Augusta - 1069 Stevens Creek Road, Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 396-1000 ‎
• Holiday Inn Express-Augusta North - 1073 Stevens Creek Road, Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 396-3000
• Hampton Inn Augusta-Washington Rd. @ I-20 - 3030 Washington Road, Augusta, GA 30907(706) 737-1122

Do not stay at the Ramada DT, it is a dump!

Hi All,

Happy to read everyone's posts. Just back from family holiday out west and now getting back to Augusta 70.3 prep. Karen, sorry to hear about your accident. Relax and heal!

Having completed my first HIM (FL 70.3) walking through severe leg cramps I am hoping for a better time in Augusta. Read: hoping heat index and humidity cooperate. As a 48 year-old "just pushing through" age grouper, I am slowly working up the builds and will be ready for what I hope is a 7.5 hr finish with a smile on my face.

So, I recently cancelled a room at Augusta Marriott Convention Center for Saturday race-night. Had I known y'all were in need I would have offered it up to you first, but try calling - it may have stayed under the radar.  

Will be on vacation in Savannah during Labor Day and will do the Savannah Century again (did the metric last year). Flat as a pancake, so not much hill training for Augusta but still fun. For you serious cyclists that's a great event for a Century PR. I was passed last year at mile 60ish (routes come together) by a heard of 20 or so drafters who sounded like a freight train roaring by on their way to a sub-4hr century.  

Anyway, keep the posts coming. BT forums make the training so much more fun! 

Depends on how fast you swim without the advantage.  But a slow swimmer like me took off about 15 minutes on my regular HIM time.

I would say strong swimmers can expect somewhere around an 8 minute advange from the current and slower swimmers can expect somewhere around 15 minute advantage.

I swim a salt water non wetsuit open water training swim right around 35- 38 min. I have done 27 both years at Augusta. It will depend on how much rain they get. There is current but you can swim against it pretty easy in your practice swim.

Hi all,

Glad everyone's training is going well.  This week I have finally been able to run and bike again.  Not as much as I should, but I am at least getting out there!  Still no swimming, but I hope to try next week.  I was thinking of just bagging the race, but then decided HE!! NO!  I am doing this.  Not as well prepared as I would have hoped, with the past three weeks of no or less than optimal training, but I am going to give it my best.  I still have a couple weeks to ramp up, and I'll see where that takes me!

See you all in Augusta!

Karen

Had a good week this week on training.  13.5 hours and did a 12 mile run, 4500 yard swim, and a 80 mile bike.  Some good tempo workouts as well.   4 weeks til race and can't wait.  Hope everyone is doing well with your training and looking foward to a great race.  Last year even with the rain was a blast! My future son-in-law is doing the race as well so my daughter and wife will be doing SHERPA duties.  

Good luck

The hurricane put a damper in my training. I got in my 15 mile run on Friday. However, I was going to do a 5 hour brick on Sunday, changed it to a 4 hour brick on Saturday to beat the storm, but it came earlier then expected and only got in a 20 mile bike ride.  I really should invest in a bike trainer.

Going to ride the Augusta bike course at a local bike shop on the computrainer this Sunday, turn that into a brick instead to make up for last weekend. Not too many weekends left for training! I have an OLY on the 11th, then it's taper time--yay!

A little rain during the race sounds nice to me.  At least there would be guaranteed cloud cover. I'm a bit nervous about possible high temps and sun.  We'll see though--don't really get a say in the weather

Happy Training Everyone!

Heather

My family was able to jog from Swim start to Swim out in time to see me out of the water and off on the bike.  Again they were at bike in then walked up the course (it zigzags) to near the finish line.  They sat in the median under the trees and would see me going one way then turnaround and see me going the other way.  When it was the last lap they walked across the street to the finish.  So total for the day I saw them 9 times.  

This course is about as spectator friendly as it gets.  There is a trail that goes from the swim start to T1 and it is about a mile.  The run course is really where they will see you a lot.  They can watch you on Greene St, then cross over to Broad on one side, then cross over to the other, then go across the commons to Reynolds street.  The run course is a double loop so they can catch you numerous times.  A lot of people will catch the swim start/finish then head downtown to a place like New Moon for coffee and breakfast.  New Moon is on Broad at 10th Street so by the time you are done with breakfast, the elites will be coming by on the run.

Hi all,

My training has been going okay.  Not the volume I had hoped for, but I feel pretty good on the run and bike after my crash.  My swim is still pitiful, as my collar bone is still sore and swollen.  But, I am trying my best.  I told my husband I was hoping for a lot of rain the week before the race!

To those HIM-experienced athletes, where do you keep your flat equipment?  I have a bento box, but that will probably be full with nutrition.  I have a wedge bag that I could use, and I have used a spare water bottle in one of the holders before too.  Any preferences as to what is best?

I can't believe that the race is in 3 weeks.  Where did the summer go???

Karen