IMCDA Are you ready? (Page 3)

Get there on Wed and I don't think I leave until tue am.

I'm starting to feel the fatigue too. 

I was checking over my Be Ironfit  calendar, an realized I still had 17 weeks left to get fit.  Give or take a week or two.

I think this has been covered in another thread.  But I was doing my daily daydream and the topic was Clothing/Gear for an IM...     After the swim, should I stick with Tri Shorts or regular Bike shorts and going into the run go ahead an change into my RaceReady running shorts and put on a singlet.        Also I would assume, that clean dry fresh socks would be a given in T2.

I'm thinking about sticking with my tri shorts and shirt under my wetsuit, no socks for the bike, add socks at T2 and then some fresh ones at the run special needs bag.  The second pair of socks will be the only difference from Halfs.  I'm even considering switching shoes at T2 but I doubt I'll go that crazy.

That would be my guess.  I've been on the medical staff at IMCDA the last 3 years and there are two places we get the most patients from:  The finish line of course and then T2.  People get off the bike and just seize up or they lose the mental battle and call it quits.  I'm already psyching myself up to not lose the mental part of the fight.  Hopefully my body won't let me down but there's NO WAY I'm letting my mind do it!

No, I don't think it would be crazy to switch shoes at T2.  A 26.2 mile run in your bike shoes would be crazy.

LOL...I was thinking the same thing, T. but I didn't have the guts to say it. 

Reasons T2 is evil

1) People cramping up.  I don't want to see someone in full hamstring lockup right before I run a marathon.  2) People losing their cookies.  I really don't want to see or smell someone getting sick.  3) People starting to whine.  "It's soo hot, the drinks were warm, I got three flats, packs and drafting, lost my SN bag"  I'm feel bad when others are having a bad race but I do not want to feel sorry for them during the race.  Once you start letting the negative thoughts get in your head its hard to stop them.  4) The volunteers are too nice.  It's too easy to stay in the tent when everyone is getting you cold drinks and telling you how awsome you are.  5) WHEN YOU ARE IN THE TENT YOU ARE NOT GETTING ANY CLOSER TO THE FINISH LINE.

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast. An action performed smoothly and deliberately is faster than an action that is forced and rushed. All day, especially in T1, take a few seconds to gather yourself then go about the task at hand. Chances are you will make fewer mistakes and be faster in the end. - Quote stolen from Rich Strauss.  Take the time to read his race day article, lots of good stuff in it.  http://www.cruciblefitness.com/etips/RaceDayBeginnersClinic.htm

The point is, whatever your "Plan of Attack" is go about it in a relaxed manor.

My plan is to get off the bike, grab my T2 bag, run into the tent, sit down, helmet off, bike shoes off, bike socks off, run socks on, run shoes on, hat on, grab zip-lock bag with salt tabs and gels, (at this point a volunteer will offer to put my bike stuff away), say thank you, out of tent, stop at the sunlotion gals, out of T2.  Last year this all took 1:50.

The nice thing about CDA is the run starts with a short out and back.  About 1/4 mile out of T2 you pass the Run SN, then at 1/2 mile you hit the first aid station, then around 1 1/4 miles you hit the aid station again, then at 1 1/2 miles you hit run SN again.  In the first 2 miles you have 4 opportunities to fuel up.  IMHO there is no reason to hang out in T2 to get nutrition.

In AZ my T2 time was about 10 min., just because the volunteers were sooo nice and the tent was very cool. I just didn't want to leave. After I left the tent I wanted to find a bathroom to take care of some bizniz. I just walked over to the bathroom then strolled over to the sunscreen women (had to walk past 2 sunscreen guys to get to the women) , then started the run. I was in no hurry.

I didn't notice any of the whiners (maybe because I felt like one) but I did notice my training buddy who got in after me. I wanted to get out before him, but decided to wait for a volunteer to bring me a bottle of water so I could take some Advil.

I am not making any guarantees that I will be any faster in CDA this year. I really do like T2

Great advice though, T

T-

 Great advice about T2.  Being an Ironman newbie (tri newbie to be exact) this kind of advice is awesome, especially since it is in front of my home crowd.

Sunday is 17 weeks out!  No fatigue yet....but it is coming.  Looking forward to hooking up with everyone pre-race for a course inspection, etc.  Looking more forward to a post race brew....on me!

Ditto.  My feelings exactly.

DNF is not an option.