Timberman - Half Iron : Official Thread (Page 38)

There were quite a few 70.3 folks on Friday last year when I went to packet pickup, I don't think it really matters.  However, you'll need to get to Gunstock on Saturday regardless for the pre-race meeting (I believe it's at 3pm) so you might want to just take care of it then.  I'm sure it'll be a madhouse at registration as most people will be doing the same thing, but it might be worth a wait in line rather than driving up to Gunstock twice (which of course all depends on where you're staying).  Just a thought. 

Line shouldn't be too bad.  I remember getting everything pretty quick last year.  Then you get to take in the scene and walk around the expo at Gunstock before cruising over to the Transition.  It's a pretty nice setup overall (well compared to Rhode Island!).

The only painful parts I remember was traffic into park in morning and then shuttle busses after race back to gunstock.

Plan for dinner is fine- keep it simple!!! Does anyone know how friends and family at home can keep track of your progress in the race? Is there some kind of athlete tracker system that will send text messages to people's phone or a website to check your bib #? Since NH is so far from NJ, my supporters will need to check in on my progress throughout the day--thanks!!!

Denise - Have them go to ironman.com, there should be an athlete tracker link on race morning that give updates post-swim, post bike (sometimes with a few bike splits) and post-run (again, sometimes with a few splits). 

Jay (or anyone else who's done Timberman before) - What time did you show up on race morning last year?  And you still found parking at that time, correct?  I don't mind sitting in a little traffic, I just don't want to have to show up at 4 only to sit around four hours for my 8:10 wave start.

http://www.ironmanlive.com - They will have the link available race morning on the bottom.  They can enter your bib number (or last name) to see your progress.  It's usually 15-20 minutes behind.

Safe travels everyone and good luck!  Starting the trip tomorrow night (visiting relatives along the way).  My wife, dad and I are doing the race and it's my wife's first 70.3, so we're psyched for a good time!

Brownie, I showed up early to Gunstock and took the shuttle to the transition area.  It was the way to go for sure.  Lots of people were stuck in their cars as we just pulled on in.  It only sucked waiting for it on the way back after the race.  Just had a duffle bag with me for all my stuff.  I was there a little after 4 I think.  I'm one of those early people though that doesn't like to be late and doesn't like the drama of rushing around.

Either way, everyone gets kicked out of transition to the beach at the same time so you'll be spending your time standing on the beach or sitting in the water waiting.  I'd suggest not even putting your wetsuit on and carrying it over there with you.  I did that last year and it was smart.  I saw people standing around in their wetsuits for 45 minutes before starting...all set with that

This year I'm with family and friends.  Four of us are doing it and we are close to the site so I'll probably just get dropped off as close as I can get before the traffic. 

Get ready to yell on your left a lot buddy....one negative for our AG in this race is the starting wave.  You will basically pass about a thousand people on the bike (since I think this year is even a few hundred more people).  It can get annoying in spots if people are blocking you but it wasn't too bad after the first 20 miles or so last year. 

Anyway...I'd recommend getting there early so there is no stress.  You probably will be up and chomping at the bit anyway.
 

Good stuff, thanks for the info Jay!  I think if John and I are gonna be up and driving by 4am then I might as well go straight to Ellacoya, I'd rather wait in a half hour of traffic early than an extra 10 minute drive to Gunstock then deal with the shuttle on the way out. Good call on the wetsuit, though as cold as it's been overnight we might want to throw the wetsuit on just for warmth!

John, if for some reason we don't link up on Friday I have your number, I'll give you a call to work out Sunday morning details.

Re: the bike traffic, yea, I think I'm looking forward to that about as much as a root canal.  I think most people ride best when they get in a groove, just kinda shut the mind down, hit a good candence and cruise...that's impossible to do when you're constantly on the lookout for people pulling off to the left, and the prospect of draft violations has me worried that I might hammer things to pass groups and kill the legs.  Hopefully the aid stations aren't a nightmare, I've never dealt with big-race bottle handoffs so hopefully things go smooth.  Oh well, it is what it is...I need to keep reminding myself that this is my first HIM, I need to enjoy the day and if my goal time comes and goes then so be it, I have years to better this first time. 

 
 
 
I think I am going to stick with my original plan of picking up the packet on Friday.  Saturday I will be at Ellacoya with my daughter who will be doing the kids race in the afternoon.  I would rather have my bike # already so that I can check my bike in after her race (which is at 2pm) then head to the second athlete meeting at Gunstock.

Race morning I think I will try to get there early and park right at Ellacoya.  Does anyone know how far the parking lot is from Transition?  Just wondering because I would rather bring my own pump to air up my tires and then drop it  back in my car.  

I was AWOL for a bit...up in Montreal for a college tour for my son. (love it up there...although glad I'm in a taper as I pretty much did nothing...just walking.)

But I talked to some people who have done T'man already. One said to take the shuttle, especially because after the race, if you park at the start, you'll be stuck until the last participant finishes, and THEN the traffic to get out starts. He also suggested camping at Gunstock. hmmmm....interesting idea...I'm gonna look into this. Anyone up for it?

I was wondering about that - I am not sure what I am doing yet, but it sounds like a good bet is to take the shuttle...

I'm leaning toward packetpickup Friday - since my family will be doing the kids event Saturday ... just one less thing to do / place to go if I have the packet.

I'm going to suggest to my support crew they park @ gunstock and take shuttle to ellacoya.  Plan is for them to sleep in a bit and get to park by 11 or so.  I dont see a need for them to be there at the crack of dawn to watch me for a few minutes into and out of the water.

Was there anything mentioned about bringing coolers / food into the park? I assume this would be OK, but will have to re-read the AG again.

Parking in one of the Ellacoys lots works for me since I'll be one of the last ones remaining on the course.

Ballpark projections
8:15 - Swim start
8:50 - T1
8:52 - Bike Start
12:00 - T2
12:05 - Run Start
2:30 - Finish

I will be behind you! I start after you do.  So maybe it does make since to park down there. I don't know. I will talk to folks when I get there Thur/Fri and see

I don't know, I'm looking at three forecasts and the two I trust the most say mostly sunny with no rain.  Weather.com--which I've never trusted in the least--shows rain on Sunday, but just passing showers and only a 30% of precipitation. 

Accuweather, Weather.gov, and Weather.com.

Gadzooks, do not disturb the triathlon weather gods man.  c'mon.  It's going to be great.  4 of us are doing a 20 min ride and swim on Saturday.  Maybe see some of you guys out there.

for what its worth, racing in the rain is not that bad of a thing, especially on the run. The rain keeps you cool! Remember the hot/humid run from last year? Would rather not experience that again, especially after doing IMRI last month.

Im in for the 20 mile ride to the liquor store to stock fridge.
Rain, Shine, whatever.. trained in it all at one time. 

minutes buddy, minutes

Agree.  No rain, not good for bike.  Remember, you can get to 50+mph on those 2 bid descents if you take the crest right.

When it gets closer to timing I'll figure out when we're going Saturday

Millman- The athlete guide says that ALL spectators must park at Gunstock and take the shuttle unless they are in the car with you when you pull into Ellacoya so they won't have a choice.  My fam is going to do the same.  I told my husband to sleep in a bit and then pack up the kids and get to Gunstock to take the shuttle.  I don't know what time he is going to be able to get them all packed and to the shuttle though.  He was concerned about keeping the younger one entertained all day in Ellacoya.  

Runnerx- I am in the last wave and am a BOPer so will probably be in the last group of finishers. I guess I won't have to worry about being stuck in Ellacoya lots then LOL.


Does anyone know if there is a playground for the kids to play on near transition that hubby can bring the kids to while I am out on the course?
 

During my scouting ride, my family and I spent the day at Ellacoya.  There is only 2 small swing sets and 2 slides for the kids.  Because of this, our strategy is for my wife and 3 kids (8,5, and 3) to see if they can park somewhere along the bike course at the turn on Rt. 106.  Then they will go to Gunstock and take the shuttle to the park.  I plan to park at Ellacoya, but that all probably depends on traffic.   Do we rack our bikes on Saturday after the athlete's meeting?