Ironman Arizona : Official Thread (Page 30)

One thing about riding hills is different muscles are recruited and position on the saddle/bike changes.  Riding on the flat is about being comfortable in the one position.  I trained for a hilly HIM last year and when the course was changed at the last minute to a pancake flat course. My body was not prepared for flat gradual climbs.  This year I have done the hill training for strength as well as the flat long rides to get comfortable in the one position.  This is where you hear bike fit being so important.

now Im from Pa and this will be the first time traveling to Arizona, and Im trying to understand what this dry heat feels like....am I really going to feel the heat or is it gonna be like a nice day here in PA when its 75 and sunny with no humidity.......

You'll be fine, I'm sure there are negative effects of dry heat, but nothing drastic. 

As mentioned, you won't feel like you are sweating, because it's evaporating right off of you, and you may not feel as if you need to drink as much.  But you will be sweating.

A tip from our very own bryancd (who lives there)....  chew gum on the bike.  It will cause you to continue to create saliva and prevent that dry mouth feeling.

I just rode the IM course today and I am happy to report that the Beeline has been completely repaved...Riding on that new asphalt was/is gonna be so nice!

That is all.

That is great news!  On my long rides I have started to really notice the pavement conditions, so having a big chunk on new pavement will be so nice.

Long ride today, 90+, and came off the bike feeling pretty good.  I'm really having to remind myself to go easy at the start of the day.  I know it goes without saying, but pacing is going to be key.

I've gotten some long rides in myself...The thing I need to figure out is my nutrition. After my first 100 miler my legs weren't terrible, but I just felt totally drained. It took a shower, 2 bottles of Gatorade and some cookies to start feeling right again. Tracking my calories I consumed less than 100 an hour. My next ride I got in about 150 calories an hour and felt a lot better, but towards the end of the ride my stomach started growling. That's not gonna go over too well with a long run ahead of me...

Yesterday had a brick (70.6/5.20) which was a good day but I def got a taste of the kind of winds I may see at Arizona.  I had a head wind going out in which I was going 14mph in Aero...brutal!!!..I did three loops and on that third loop it really tests you mentally. 

It was a good training day and a great metal toughness training day....started to feel like things are starting to come together.  Now off for a 2 hour run...

Nice to hear everyone's training is coming along nicely.  Yesterday was my last good rest day for a while.  Today starts a new week and the final big build and big mileage weeks in my plan.  Starting off with 4200 in the pool this morning.

I think doing those loops has a lot of benefit for race day, or at least that is why I'm telling myself. I'm doing more loops these days to get used to the mental effort of going out once again when I'm tired.  Race day will be 3x both the bike and run course, so I think its good to get used to that type of effort. 

You do not have to worry about the heat at IM AZ, unless we are in for some strange weather.  November in Phoenix is usually beautiful, and the weather will be in the 60's or low 70's.  The water temp will be the low 60's as well.

The weather at last year's race was awesome.

I'm so happy to hear this.  We have a lot of chip seal where I live and it just beats me up.  When I go from a chip seal part of the road to a smooth road, I can instantly go 1-2mph faster with less effort.    Smooth asphalt will be so nice.

So i have a problem...i strained a muscle last week. Took a couple days off but still not better. Uncomfortable when sitting very tight in that area...sometimes cant lean against that area. Should i take a couple more days off or just keep training with the injury?? Anyone

So i have a problem...i strained a muscle last week. Took a couple days off but still not better. Uncomfortable when sitting very tight in that area...sometimes cant lean against that area. Should i take a couple more days off or just keep training with the injury?? Anyone else

So i have a problem...i strained a muscle last week. Took a couple days off but still not better. Uncomfortable when sitting very tight in that area...sometimes cant lean against that area. Should i take a couple more days off or just keep training with the injury?? Anyone else had

So i have a problem...i strained a muscle last week. Took a couple days off but still not better. Uncomfortable when sitting very tight in that area...sometimes cant lean against that area. Should i take a couple more days off or just keep training with the injury?? Anyone else had this

I feel your pain.  I wrecked on Beeline Hwy riding a few weeks back.  Fortunately nothing broken, but my neck and back are stiff much of the time.  Several deep tissue massages, anti-inflammatory meds, hot yoga, stretching, and a heat pad while sitting at work and I am able to operate (even raced an Olympic this weekend).  I took 5 days off after the accident, and then eased back into training (30 mi rides, 4 mi runs).  If your hip is swollen or stiff to where training is painful (change in form or adjustment) I would think you need to turn it off for awhile (but would first recommend seeing a sports doc to confirm).