Ironman 70.3 New Orleans : Official Thread (Page 4)

I think he's talking about the fun after the race.  It's New Orleans for heaven's sake......

opiejoe - 2009-03-01 6:08 AM 2 inches of snow this am (yes, in Central Alabama)= another long weekend bike ride that is not gonna happen  I'll be ok on the run/swim, but I'm just not getting my long rides in.

I was in bizaro world, too.  Snowed out here in central Mississippi.  Very odd.

Each wave will have a different color swim cap.  Follow your color and you shouldn't go wrong. Although, with as many waves as there are, I wonder if they will find that many different color swim caps.

One of my tri club members sent me this from another forum, if someone's looking for a hotel room it might be worth checking out:

Jeffrey Jednat has sent you a message on iAmTri

I dont know where else i could ask this question but here.. So here goes. I signed up for the new orleans half ironman and bought a hotel on priceline. I cannot go to the race because of finances. However priceline does not give refunds. Question"Is there anyone out going to the race or just going to new orleans that weekend???"If so i would give some a really good deal on a 4 star hotel at the jw marriot off of canal st. check in friday april 3rd checkout tues april 7th. 4 nights.3/4 of a mile to the convention center were the packet pick up is as well as the busses. rooms are going for $239 a night i paid $490. If you are going or know someone who is going give me a call or email me.
Thanks
jeffrey
843-251-4575
[email protected]

To reply to this message, click here: http://iamtri.com/profiles/message/listInbox

Oh man that is a great bargain,  hate that I missed out on it.  I'm already booked and paid in advance for a good saving @ Hilton Garden, but nothing like what he was offering for a Marriott stay. 

I smell a great week and weekend of warm weather here in TN, cant wait to get in a long ride followed up by a long run.

This Sunday marks the 4 weeks out point!  Getting excited....warmer weather....daylight savings time....just got my bike tuned up....etc

Had a good 10 mile run last night....a swim workout this morning and going to play hookey from work this afternoon for a ride.

skipg - 2009-03-02 6:54 PM

zia_cyclist - 2009-03-02 3:40 PM

Ram Run - 2009-03-02 11:48 AM I have a rookie question. What if there is more than one wave start for your age group. How do you know which wave you are in? P.S. I am tired of the cold and "WIND" every weekend. I sure hope the wind dies down before April.

Each wave will have a different color swim cap.  Follow your color and you shouldn't go wrong. Although, with as many waves as there are, I wonder if they will find that many different color swim caps.

Have you gotton over starting in wave z yet?

No.

wwyd?

i'm trying to decide about whether or not to even go down for this event. 

i wasn't as enthused about winter training as I thought I would be (coming off a DNF at Wisconsin last year) and once I really got going, I have a hip injury that I can't seem to shake. First thought was to go and swim/bike/dnf (would be my 2nd DNF ever in 11yrs), but mentally easier to deal with as it was planned. Unfortunately I am one of those that gets emotionally wonky while injured and haven't done much of anything for 3weeks. I know I can do the distance (albeit slowly on the bike), but idaknow. 

(sitting here on my sore hip struggling with a decision)

k

One of our club members went to the "Hometown Advantage" clinic at the race site and posted his notes on our message board:

* Swim course is expected to be in the upper 60's or lower 70's
* The swim course follows a beach
* You can practice the swim with someone walking the course in
case you need help
* There is a group that swims in that area (not the actual course)
weekly (didn't get the date / time)
* There will be some people at the swim exit to help you strip
your swim suit if needed
* If the water is too rough, it will be replaced with a 4-5 mile run
* If the water is questionable you will have an option to skip the swim
* If you skip the swim you will wait in the transition area until
the last swimmer exits the water, then you can do the bike and run
legs (will not qualify for awards)
* The bike route will have 3 "Bottle Exchanges" at 15, 30 and 45 Miles.
* The first (and only bridge I believe) will be covered with carpet
* You can throw away a bottle there and pickup Gatorade bottle with water
* I believe there will be power bars and gels their as well
* A few yards after that will be bottles of Gatorade you can pickup
* The bottles will be pre-opened so you don't have to fight with that
* There will be portable bathrooms at the bottle swaps (with bike racks)
* All roads will have at least 2 lanes closed for the race with
some local traffic allowed on the outside lanes in some areas
* The run will have a water station every 1.5 miles
* Every other water station will also have power bars and gels
* The 8 hour cut off for the race starts after the last swim wave starts
* You will have at least until 7 PM to remove your bike. The 5 PM
time printed was wrong
* There is a lot of free parking right at the transition area
* The city of New Orleans was very cooperative about shutting down
roads for the event

Awesome, bear.  Much appreciated. I'm really hoping the water isn't too rough.  I definitely don't want to run any more than I have to.

If the water is too rough to swim, the bike ride is gonna be really tough.  Hope that doesn't happen.

Thanks, Bear. for the update. Very helpful info.

Hey Bear - I heard from someone that was at the clinic too and it was my understanding that the bridge with carpet (Chef Mentur Hwy) has now been taken off the course?  The course now goes for about 5 miles or so on Hwy 11 near the original turnaround in order to take this bridge out completely?

FYI - they have revised bike and run maps now posted online.  Both the bike and run maps were slightly altered in order to have the routes completely closed to traffic during the race (at least that was my understanding). 

Also, from the post above, that JW Marriott is an excellent hotel.  Just stayed there 2 weekends ago for a wedding shower.  Very nice and well worth the $490 for 4 nights.