Full Vineman 2014 Triathlon : Official Thread (Page 3)

Hey Rita, my "official" training plan doesn't start for a quite a few more weeks, but I've plotted out the weeks between now and then to make sure I'm in a good place when the time comes.  Obsessing over stuff, yup.  Loving it, you bet!  On the subject of nutrition, this'll be my first full so I'm not able to give you any sort of definitive answer.  Like you I've done a lot of reading of other's experience and have come to the conclusion that I'm not going to find THE answer based on what others have done because, as you said, the inputs are all over the place.  I think that the best advice I've seen for we first-timers is to start with what we've done in the past on shorter races and during training, build on it and try modifications until you home in on what works best for you - especially in the latter part of the race.  I don't know if I could do all liquid on the bike AND on the run as at some point in need a change in flavor, more salt, or just something more solid.  I posted more detail on my current thinking on page 2 of the thread if you are interested. 

I flew from Kansas last year and arrived on Thursday, thought it was fine. Flew into Oakland and drive up - yep there was traffic but we were not in a big hurry Thursday night, just wanted to get to where we were staying. I did have a friend on-site to put my bike together, so that relived some of my stress. Friday went on a test run and test bike ride around the neighborhood and headed to check-in. Plenty of time for me, even being someone who plans the crap out of these things and worries about time crunches (this was also my 3rd IM though, so maybe that helped).

We stayed until Wednesday after the race. It was lovely to relax, wine taste, kayak on the river, etc. My family went on a fishing excursion. horseback riding, and explored San Fransicso on the way home. Lots of stuff to do!

Jill, I'm planning on driving up on Thursday, but for me it is only a two hour drive and no bike assembly.  I kept up with the thread for last year's race and saw Brian really recommended the Flamingo, so booked there.  And now have a great menu recommendation as well (thanks Brian!).  Looks like one of the key things you'll have to make sure you have in place and are comfortable with is bike assembly.  Are you going to do that yourself or do you have a local bike shop in mind?  There is a good one right in Windsor, but I'm sure you could also find something in Santa Rosa.  Don't know if you could arrange to ship in advance to them and have it ready when you get there, but suppose that could be part of the plan.  At any rate, I'm hoping most people get in on Thursday so we'll all be able to get together for a pre-race dinner on Friday!