Ironman World Championship 70.3 : Official Thread (Page 3)

It's a little late now, but I have yet to find a long 3% hill nearby.  I can ride flat, or I can ride flat w/ steep hills, but I haven't found an area with long gradual hills.

I'm imagining something where you don't have to get out of the saddle and can cruise up with only a decrease of a few mph.

Well, the 3% was more for the run. The bike will be all over the place, but it doesn't sound like there is anything ridiculously hard. More that there are a lot of hills to deal with, so the overall volume (and net ascent with separate T1 & T2) slow you down quite a bit. If you know how to ride hard and manage your effort, you'll be ok there. Just expect it to take longer to finish.

Well I took the BT advice in all its infinite wisdom and rode 46 miles today.  Felt good even with the gusty wind preceding our visit from Ivan.  I'll hit the trainer 1 more time this weekend, then do a 35 mile shakedown with the race wheels on Monday before packing up the bike Tuesday.

I did have an interesting thing happen today though; for the 2nd time in a month I got a tire "bulge" during my ride.  Both were old training tires with >2000 miles on them.  The last time when I took the tire off I could see light through the tread if I held it just right.  Haven't taken this tire off just yet, but I don't think it will be as bad since the bumping was less prominent.

Neither tire showed signs of being completely worn out before the rides started; anyone have a good way of knowing in advance when your tire is about to burst?

I'll usually replace if I see material breaking down. Or more than a few pokes/light cuts. Bulges? I'd replace because it could be the thread inside the rubber breaking. I'm thinking of ones like an inch or bigger. Are you seeing something substantially smaller?

Some tires do have wear indicators. They'll almost look like small poked hole, but will be a little too perfectly shaped.

That sounds brutal!

Yeah, the tires are toast... they're definitely breaking down when this happens and they won't ever go back on the bike.

(Tire Bulge.JPG)

(Tire Bulge 2.JPG)

Waited until noon time so I could do my training in the heat - aren't we all so sadistic!!!! Got in 37 miles on the bike and a 6 mile run off the bike in low 90's temps. HR was elevated by a few beats on the bike and 5 bpm on the run, but I felt pretty solid.

First time taking in salt pills (I know - nothing new on race day, so I tried a week beforehand!), and I think it helped. The plan is to probably take in around 10 SaltStick caps during the race. Hoping that will combat some side stitch issues I've had in my last two races during the run.

Should we start commenting about the weather yet???? My bet is that it may be a bit warm!

Honestly, it wasn't that bad. I thought it would be a lot worse. Some earlier summer runs in regular gear were worse. Could be the overcast part, or maybe that what I wore has good regulation properties too. Maybe put on a heavier vest next time to be sure? 

And definitely replace the tires. The bulge is an s-shape that I had on one a while back. Definitely the threads breaking, as you saw. It could flat at any time.

Nate, I don't think 10 salt caps in that time should be an issue. So long as you can swallow them ok while on the move.

And since we are now within the 10-day forecast, it is perfectly acceptable to amp up the weather watching! I see 77 for the morning and a high of 97.

Yes!  I'm alternating between enjoying the extra rest and feeling guilty for not being out there training.

It looks like we're safe to not pack the wetsuit; Lake Mead water temp at 3 and 10 ft depth is 84/85 deg F.

Since I'm flying out tomorrow AM, I want to pack as little as possible;

WWBTD?

I'm not planning on bringing the wetsuit either.  Pretty doubtful 84 degrees will go down to 78 over the next few days, especially with the forecasted highs at 99 and 100 every day between now and Sunday.  That water temp shouldn't be too bad though; my pool regularly gets up above 90 mid summer.  It's unpleasant, but not impossible to swim a decent pace.

I'm flying out Wednesday after work, so I planned to do my last ride today on the race wheels/tires then start packing the bike in case I ran into any issues.  Well thanks to Isaac it rained all day and I just didn't want to take any chances.  35 miles turned into 20 miles on the trainer.   I think i'm going to ride a little bit of the course out towards Lake Mead on Thursday morning... maybe 15 miles or so.

Hope that speed suit gets to you in time Nate.

(packed bike.JPG)

Hey Chris, I'm coming out to Vegas for business on Mon-Tue, arriving Sunday around 10AM. Don't know if I will be in time to spectate - might be able to scam an earlier flight.  Are you going to be there Sunday night? Maybe catch dinner?

Also, will you have a car?  Just assessing options to get from the airport to the race site. Let me know!

PS: good luck to all the fast doodes that are actually going to race.

It couldn't be worse than Boston, right?? It's a dry 100 degree heat

Yeah, I'll be the guy relaxing in the shade nursing a nice cold drink as you run by.....     We'll figure something out, if nothing else I have your race numbers

Rick- we're driving out Saturday, staying in Henderson, but I'll be shuttling my friend down to LLV and then otehrs back up to watch the race Sunday morning.  We're gonna be in Henderson Sunday night and have dinner plans with a friend that moved away, not sure if in Henderson or Vegas or....  but we should try to meet up if we can

I can just feel myself getting fatter by the minute this week with such low activity! Anyone else?

Still see in the 90's for the race, but something not to be overlooked is the "cloudy" bit. Clouds with no rain would be awesome.