Timberman - Half Iron : Official Thread (Page 36)

Ray - you have made my morning. I *really* want to be in a wetsuit for this swim....in fact I hope it snows up there between now and next Sunday!

Fingers crossed!

Simon...easy on the "S" word man.

Good point Sam - just realized 56 on the bike and 13 on the run in snow would be less than pleasant. Let's hope for a balmy 75 degree day and clouds to keep us all cool.

Brownie, I think I love you.  Wetsuit legal!


Edited by manfarr1974 2010-08-13 8:46 AM

I remember last year was in the middle of a heatwave and the water was borderline and they allowed them.  I'd be surprised if they didn't.

Either way...not much anyone can do about it now.  It's show up and get it done time.  Your fitness is your fitness at this point.

We get snow here in October, that is early enough.

Sorry if I raised the question unnecessarily. I'll be swimming without unless it gets a WHOLE lot colder. I get too hot in the darn things, and the benefit to me seems so mild. Maybe when I get a good suit it'll be worth it.

+1 on this.  I've been looking @ 10 day forecast and there is much rain & coolness predicted between now and 8/22.

I had the same "vision" while running yesterday; it was a cool day in NJ, and thoughts drifted to the same evaporation off the lake on race morning, wetsuit swim, "chilly" start to bike, and wrapping up the run as the mercury hit 80 or 81 on a partly cloudy day. 

Yeah, I saw that "Your fitness is your fitness" quote and cringed. I'll join you in the big big dodo!!

I'm cringing too.  Plan was to lose 5lbs this past month to be at a better race weight.  Instead I took a bunch of vacation days and went to Cape Cod and gained 5lbs eating fried seafood and drinking beer every day....need to clean it up a little this next week

Hi All,
This too is my first 1/2 IM. I'm also am from Jersey. I have traveled to NH the area many times cause my son goes to Plymouth State University right now. Ive found the best way to go if you don't mind some country roads is to go up to Albany and go through Troy NY and follow Route 7 west towards Bennington. Then i work my way west. Its country roads but not very busy and very litttle traffic. Google maps says its about 25 min longer to go that way but it seems to take less time for me then going TZee bridge and 95. 
I decided to stay at Gunstock for the weekend and camp with camper to get the full exp. figured i wouldn't sleep much anyway.
See you all there. and good luck.
Races for this year.
Black Bear sprint, PA
Fast Cheap and Easy, Island Hts NJ
Lava Man, Lavalette, NJ
Randolph Tri, Randolph NJ
NJ State Oly, Mercer, NJ
Born to Try, Abury Pk, NJ
yet to do
Timberman, NH, Great American Seaside Hts NJ,Versa Visa, Allenhurst BC, Clam man, and EOS Seaside PK.

Go JSTriathlon club.

Edited by tswan21 2010-08-13 10:17 AM

Jay - I am very jealous of the seafood and beer vacation and am now thirsty! I'm sure you'll be fine on race day!

WALLY! I saw you doing laps around Mirror Lake  at IMLP!

For those of you traveling with spouses and kids, what is your spectating strategy for the day?  Looks like they will have to park at Gunstock?

they will park @ gunstock and will grab the bus down to the race site. tell them to find some shade and bring chairs and beach blankets. staying in the shade will make their day much more enjoyable.

FAMILY @ EVENT: Thanks for the family tips. I can tell you right now, I would go nuts. I give my wife A LOT of credit. I always offer the option of staying home when I have an event, but she likes to go and she handles things very well. Those of us with children know that when we finish, that finisher's medal we get belongs to our significant others who have dealt our with kids for hours on end. Bathroom breaks, food, complaints, and general child-type behavior. It's a long-a** day.

WATER: I just got done with my non-wetsuit 1.2 mi swim. It was about three minutes slower than with a wetsuit, but felt like ten. Let's go wetsuits!

PLASTIC BAGS IN TRANSITION: Even though we won't need them, because it will be a dry and beautiful day, bring small plastic bags to store your cycling shoes and running shoes in (different bags for each). This way if it rains (which it won't), you can at least START with dry feet (even though we won't need to worry about that). They are also helpful for storing wet stuff after the race.

STRANGE ITEMS: Consider bringing with you duct tape and scissors. (I'm just sayin').

DON'T FORGET: Vasiline, biofreeze (if you use it), and BodyGlide. Arm warmers (which you won't need); Yellow/Clear...lenses (which you also won't need).

TRANSITION HINT #2: I use a multi-colored mat under/alongside my bike (not just alongside...you will be taking up too much room if you do that). I call it a camping mat, but it has a different "real" name I'm sure. It is a weaved-type-dealio. It helps me locate my bike space (when I'm returning with my bike) and allows me to wipe my feet quickly before I put my cycling shoes on. A large beach towel can do the same thing.

I realize that most, if not all of you are not new to the sport and likely didn't need to to get those reminders, but I thought I'd throw them out there anyway.

Reminders are always good, Sam!  I like hearing about different people's transition ideas, there's always something new to consider.  There are a million little things you can do, like on-course nutrtion it's a matter of finding what works best for you and your setup.

I'm torn on race-day spectating for my family.  I'd love for them to be there, and their summer place is just 5 miles from the race site, but logistically it's real tough...not only are there a TON of them (three sets of aunts and uncles with kids, my parents, two sisters, another sister with her husband and two kids) that want to go, but they're on the other side of Ellacoya so they'd have to drive through the race mess to get to Gunstock, take shuttles to the race, then reverse course at the end of the race.  I'd love to tell them to stay home and I'll see them afterward but I know they won't do that...I might see if they'd like to just drive to different parts of the course rather than deal with the Ellacoya madness, I saw some other families doing that last year and it DEFINITELY looked like alot less hassle. 

Brownie-
I think your idea is a good one. Instead of trying to get everyone into the "heart" of things, keep them out where you could use their enouragement more anyway. In fact, that may be the way to sell your idea to them.

Friday Dinner: So my mother's recommendation is Fratello's...a bunch of other people said the same thing when she asked around.  It's a little overpriced but the other options just aren't as good--lower quality, smaller portions, etc.  Please let me know if you'd like to do something else, as I think I mentioned I haven't eaten at ANY of these places so I'm not partial in the least. 

I'm going to call tomorrow to see if I can get reservations (apparently it's a pretty busy place, I'd imagine even moreso on Timberman weekend); if anyone else wants to join or can't make it then please post asap, otherwise I'm going to go with the numbers that Sam has.

Thanks everyone.  I had a FANTASTIC training day today, my last brick before the race (50 mile ride, 4 mile transition run that was far and away the best run I've ever had off the bike), I'm ready for a race!

Brownie-
Thanks for getting on top of this. Reservations would be great. The place you mentioned is as good as any as far as I'm concerned, and if it comes recommended for the size of group we have then my vote is to do it.
I appreciate you looking into this.

Good work with your brick. I thought about a brick but I did a 10-miler and tomorrow (hopefully) or Monday if I have to I'll do 40 on the bike.

Peace.

According the the weather channel website the current forecast for next Sunday is calling for a low 56 degrees and a high of 78 degress with sunny skies. Keep the positive thinking coming! While you're at it, keep seeing yourself crossing the finish line in the time/condition you want to see yourself finish.

Did my last long-ish ride (40mi)...now it's time to ice, stretch, and imagine.

Oh!...and pack, and shave, and go over lists, get an oil change for the van, and stress over what I might not have remembered...but you get the idea.

Peace.

The weather is going to be GREAT for the race!! However, if thunderstorms where on there way at the start of the race what would happen? Please tell me they do not change the swim to a run? If so, how long of a run? We don't need to concern ourselves with this because the weather will be perfect. Thanks for all the tips and the don't forget ideas!!! I did a 40 mile bike ride today and finished right before the rain started! One week from today.....

Denise, Denise, Denise...we don't speak of such blasphamy.

However, I did skim the FAQ & the Athlete guide and didn't see anything...but this doesn't mean there isn't anything in there on this matter.

As a general rule a race can be delayed for only so long due to traffic control, volunteers, etc. If the event does become a duathlon, I've seen the run become anywhere from 2-5 miles on the front end of a 1/2 Ironman. 

BUT...WE SHANT SPEAK OF SUCH MATTERS, because it's going to be all good.

Positive in...positive out.

Peace.

I've never done a duathlon and I'm not about to start next Sunday...positive thoughts, everyone!  Keep the fingers crossed, knock on wood, rub your lucky rabbits foot, pick a 4-leaf clover, pray to God or whatever you worship...just make sure to keep those thoughts positive!

Sam, as official recordkeeper () can you get me the final numbers?  I'm gonna call tonight or tomorrow, whenever you get a chance to let me know, and I can always change the reservation I just want to good ballpark for now.  Thanks!