Ironman Florida : Official Thread (Page 35)

Thanks!  I'll check them out.   I appreciate a firsthand recommendation

Thank you, thank you for all the advice everyone ! I really appreciate it.  Off to purchase that light as well. Great points about the bags.  I let the volunteers handle that last year at IMAZ but will make sure they are all tied when I am done with them this year. Better safe then sorry.

And the mechanic's name is Dale Morrison.  Dale rocks.  He worked on my bike all the time!  Dragon is actually a bike shop in Fort Walton Beach.  They set up shop in PCB (Alvin's Parking lot) for most of the week before the race.  If you shipped your bike to your hotel I'm sure Dragon would be more than happy to help you put it together!

They emailed me back promptly, saying they'd be there.  My hesitation with counting on this is twofold:  will they have shelter if it's raining while they're putting my bike together?  Also, they said two mechanics and no appt necessary.  We're talking 2500 racers here.  And yes, they will probably arrive at slightly different times and the pros will have their own teams and some people will not be shipping their bikes, but still....  I don't want to be white-knuckling it and hoping to get in one short ride to make sure everything's good Friday night, y'know?  If you used them there, what was the crowd like?  Was there a wait?

I had a little wheel issue last year. I dropped in to see them and I had to wait no more than 5 minutes. They were in a tent, which also had sides to the tent, so it was out of the weather. Fortunately my issue was taken care of fairly quickly.

They have a tent so there is shelter.  THere is no line whatsoever as they are not part of the IM village proper.  They have been set up in one of the alvins island parking lots the last 6 years....there are a lot of alvins islands but if you exit the athletes village with the ocean to your back and make a right they are down the street on the left..less thana 1/4 mile.  BTW youhave to check in your bike on friday...sat is race day!!

Id you r last name really Ott?  Cause mine is too AND my dad is also a halloween baby!

Thank you, blueraiderzone and jldicarlo!  I'm going to give them a try.  They'll be closer by than the shop I was considering and they were quicker about answering and more positive in tone  

And yes, I know I won't have my bike Friday night!  Which seems so weird when I think about it...

When is everyone else arriving?  I'll get there Tuesday evening and intend to sign in on Wednesday.

We have a group of about 5 kids, ages 2-12, and we will be taking them trick or treating.  We will start out at just a few of the hotels/resort, but alot of people will not arrive until Thursday (11/1), so if is kinda dead we plan on taking them to the neighboorhood on the run course.   

We are leaving New Orleans about 4 am on Wednesday morning and plan to arrive about 10 am and head straight to Ironman Village to handle athlete check in, etc.  After check in, we plan on going to get a massage and wait until we can check into our room.

September, as planned was the biggest month of the year.  And that includes missing a few days because of Hurricane Isaac and a short beach vacation:

Monthly totals:
S:  20050.00 Yd
B:  562.22 Mi
R:  122.03 Mi 

Leaving Michigan on Halloween morning, stopping in Alabama overnight and then arriving Thursday morning, check in and unpack in the condo.

I will get in on weds.

Ok it time to think about BT swims!!

Traditionally we have met on the boardwalk at 8am thursday and friday.  Whacha think?

I had a good month in September.  I did my long run in the wind and pouring rain  on some tired legs and averaged 9:00 miles for 20 miles.  I will take it.  Monthly Total

I had a good month considering I thought in the beginning I would have limited running in.

Monthly totals:
S:  44730.00 Yd - 14h 26m
B:  0.00 Mi - 45h 06m
R:  102.00 Mi - 14h 16m 50s

I admire your dedication, but you may have to work on that speed a little before race day.

Yes, it is early.  yes, it will change, but over the next month weather will start to become a very hot topic.

Currently, the gulf water temp is coming in at Pensacola Beach at 80.1 (http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/dsdt/cwtg/egof.html), so obviously, water temp will be wetsuit legel by next month.

As far as weather, Accuweater is not expecting any big cool fronts to come through the next few weeks, but more of a gradual cool down.

Ill be there on Halloween and def be up for a Wed./Thur

s./Friday swim.