Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas 2012 : Official Thread (Page 39)

I didnt wear a wet suit last year, but I remember on the practice swim monthish prior to race that TJ set up, the Friday practice swim prior to race day and on the bike on race day..people were second guessing the choice to wear wetsuit. Each person said they were burning up and one lady I chatted with on the bike leaving town said she stopped a few times to put water down her top to cool off.  Now I think the months leading up to race last year were warmer than this year, so take that for what its worth.

I swam last year's IMTX in a 1:20 with a Torque Speedsuit.  I don't remember exactly where I was positioned, but it was likely in the middle of everything.

For me, there were two "bad" places: 

1) the entire first stretch before the turn.  Being a 5'4" woman and with the field being 75% men, I was turned into a human bobber.  I would get hands placed in the small of my back from people taking a stroke, and instead of being nice about it and moving their hand, they'd just go right ahead and push down (on me) to complete their stroke.  I was never kicked in the head but I did get kicked in the breastbone pretty hard.  Maybe if I had a wetsuit on, I wouldn't have bobbed as much... but I hate wearing a wetsuit, so it was what it was.  Luckly, I don't get panicked in the water.  This was my first IM and I just wanted to enjoy the day.  I ended up being highly amused by all the craziness - I mean, who does stuff like this?

2) the canal.  During the race meeting, they said "do not stand up in the canal, it is 4 feet deep and it may have rebar, metal and glass (construction debris).  In this section, we became salmon swimming up a river.  The only cool feature was the fan support.  How often do you get to swim a good stretch with fans on both sides of the water, cheering?

The stretch after the first turn but before the canal was awesome.  Tons of open space.

I hit my goal time exactly, so I think I had a good swim even with all the craziness.

Yep, Monday the 7th of May for me

sulross - 2012-04-25 4:05 PM

sulross - 2012-04-25 4:02 PM

txjp - 2012-04-25 9:53 AM

How do you know which swim skins or speedsuits are legal? I don't see anything about that in the athlete guide. Is it on the Iroman website?

Thanks

Pretty sure I saw a side bar on the right of the Athlete Guide that stated illegal wetsuits. Might check it again

YEP, on page 10 of the Athlete Guide.

Thanks

I have been using Bonk Breakers the last couple of weeks alternating half a bar and a gel every 25 min on the bike. I really like them - they are more moist than Cliff Bars and seem to sit well in the stomach.

Are these a new item? I tried at two shops today and neither store had even heard of them. I think I will try to see if I can order some tonight to at least try them prior to the race.

Thanks for the link. I am ordering a sampler pack just to give em a try and see what I think.

Chilly here in Cincinnati too.  At least I had some heat training running the Boston Marathon.  Looks like that is all the heat conditioning I will get before the big day. 

Moving these past few days - so tired!  Last big training weekend.  So ready for taper!

Just became number 346 to like you

Hoping the air temperature hits 75 once here in Michigan before heading south in a couple of weeks