Ironman 70.3 New Orleans : Official Thread (Page 4)

Bear - thanks for the heads up

Jillian - don't get too wrapped up in the forecast for now as it is way too early.

7 days out and now its predicted high of 76 with no rain.  Now wouldn't that be great temps!  Come this Thursday I will start believing the temps. 

Tapering with my plan calling for today and tomorrow as rest days.  Although I am not sure that loading 40 bales of hay into my trailer, taking it home and putting it in the barn is exactly rest but nice not to have to worry about a workout.

Hey all,

I am going to make a request.  Louisiana is not known for its great roads and you will hit some rough spots.  Please make sure your water bottles and CO2 cartridges are solidly in place.  I have done this race twice and each time I see tons of both on the ground.  In 2010 the guy that just passed me had one of those rear seat water bottle/CO2 cartridge holders.  He hit a bump and a CO2 came loose, bounced off the ground and went flying by about a foot from me.

Please, if you have one of those bottle launchers please lock them down otherwise you will find yourself out on the course with no liquids or CO2 cartridges.

Friday Morning Swim:  9am???  Where is the swim listed? 

http://ironmanneworleans.com/files/2010/09/2012SCHEDULE.B.pdf

I don't believe it's an official event but rather IronTab is offering to meet for an informal swim, telling us he will be there at 9am Friday.

hey all - I swam the course on Sunday and I'd like to offer a few opinions.

First, if you plan on swimming te course before the race, I'd head to UNO before you start swimming to see the swim exit point and make sure UNO security will let you access the beach.  A kid died in the water out there last week, with the combined attention because of the NAVY facilities located in UNO's Research Park, security can get tight.  We swm there and they told us to swim back.

Anothe reason to know the exit point is because there are a few rock jetties you will have to swim around on race day so you'll need to know where to turn.  if you would like to swim the course (or most of it) and UNO Security will not let you access their beaches, you can exit just before UNO by walking up the sea wall.  Use caution as it might have barnicles and might be slippery.  Or, just swim towards the roch jetties, turn around when you hit UNO and swim back. It's probably just over a mile.

For the start, it will be a"deep water" start.  Unlike 2009, I was not able to stand up once I was in the water.  Although, with a wetsuit, treading water is very easy. The water felt mid to upper 70's to me, but with even a slight wind, I'd bet my bike Bille Burke makes sure the race is wetsuit legal for safety reasons.  He'll find a place to measure the temp where it will be legal. 

Now, tips on the course.  You'll have to swim a few hundred yards northwest before making a turn to the east and swimming before UNO.  The sea wall will twist and turn, ignore the sea wall.  As you turn to the east look for an air tower from the Lakefront airport and keep that airport just off your right shoulder.  The wall will be closer to you at times and further at others and some people will follow the wall, just swim towards that tower. 

As you know I mentioned the rock jetties earlier, your right turn (swim exit) to the beach will be beyond the furthest jetty/pier so make sure that pier and the tower stays to the right.

Also remember, you will be swimming directly into a rising sun, so at least bring tinted goggles to make the decision on race day whether or not you will wear the, but unless there is no sun, I advise wearing them.

With a north wind, there will be a chop, there's just no way around it.  Don't fight it, swim with it, relax, stay calm and try your best to concentrate on your form.

I will hold off worrying about the swim until Thursday as I think its still too early.  10day out the forecast was 86 and thunderstorms, 8 day was 76 and no rain.  Today its calling for 74 and light rain with 18 mph winds NNW.

Feels good to taper and have an easy ride tonight on the trainer.  Could get used to this thing they call "rest", kinda nice!

Nobody will ever sign up for this race in the future if the swim once again gets cancelled.

@Colonel....do you work for WTC or for Bill B?  Or are you just speculating due to weather.com?  

Have to agree with GMAN that canceling the swim would be indicative of the future of this particular event on the 70.3 circuit.

I'm with you ballyard....and Triathlon is not supposed to be easy right.  None of us would continue doing it if so eh.

Is protected water a pool  That's a whole lot of flip turns!

At the end of the day we can't control the weather or if there is a swim, but we do know New Orleans is a great city to visit so the trip won't be a waste regardless.

Still looking forward to the event and keeping fingers crossed we get to swim on Sunday too.

That would stink if they cancel the swim 2 years in a row.  They canceled on us last year.  Not going this year but we plan to be back in 2013.

Good luck all!

Duane

2010 had a rough swim but it went on.  There were lots of different perspectives but swimming in 2011 would have been downright dangerous.  A Tri friend of mine lives in NOLA and he said even the local boaters would have avoided that weather.    That said it is too early to get worked up about the weather.  A windy and probably choppy swim followed by a slow and wet ride then a very much appreciated cool/wet run wouldn't be a bad race.  May kill some PR dreams but does add some toughness factor.

Granted I live in Baton Rouge (a slight distance from NOLA) but this moring was cold.  Keep that up and it will be wetsuit legal.  Today is a beautiful day, slightly on the warm side.

Here's hoping the forecast changes tomorrow.

I am wearing a wetsuit period. The water is about 74-75 right now and is still legal.....as long as it stays under 83 degrees.....I am in one.....

I don't think we will have to worry though......weather report from an hour ago has it at 20 mph NNW winds with 35 mph+ gusts.......

wonderful......my first 70.3 was a waste of $.

You would think that after the cancellation of the swim last year and the 5150 swim cancellation....they would have had a back up plan.......I guess things don't work that way in NOLA