Ironman Florida : Official Thread (Page 40)

First time posting after having read all the previous 49 pages.

Getting nervous about the event and my preparation.  First time doing this distance.  Don't have a coach and have not been following a structured plan.  Probably why I am nervous about my preparation.

Started seriously training 11 months ago when I signed up.  Completed the 1/2 distance four times and the Gulf Coast twice (kicked my butt both times but especially this last May).  Learned something new each time I do this distance.  The bike course is so flat it just makes me want to go fast but I must pull back.

Concerned that I am undertrained but it may just be me starting to freak out!  Last two and a half weeks:  390 mi on the bike, 50 mi run and 3 mi swim.

Did 124 mi ride on Sat, 11.5 mi run Sun and 1 mi swim Mon.  Feeling run down and the beginings of a chest cold. 

Still need to complete a 16 and 18 mi run and another 100 mile bike ride in the next two weeks. 

FREAKING OUT!

Its a mental game at this point,,if you did all those other 1/2 ironman races you should be confident...  Just trust your instincts.

My first Ironman, I'm going.  Nothing better to do that night.  Bought a ticket for my wife too.  I am getting the full Ironman experience

enjoy,

Duane 

I posted this in my blog this morning. IMFL will be my 4th IM and I have done 2 IM ABs as well as an IM relay as a biker. I'm determined BOPer. My goals have changed with the year I've had with injuries and other things....

Random thoughts about IMFL...just 30 some days to go

• I'm not nervous
• I'm excited as Ironmans are like Disney Worldx100 for adults who love to s/b/r
• I have zero expectations for swim and run....goal is only to make the cut offs
• Bike I want to improve from last year and would like to be sub 6:30
• I realize I may not finish and that's okay
• My training has been less than ideal this year due to injuries, life and how both effected on my head
• Training for IM makes me happy most of the time
• Training for IM helps me with food/weight issues
• I tend to eat better when IM training as often I'm training during lunch
• Sometimes I struggle getting out the door but enjoy my workouts during and after
• Participating is good enough for me
• I may not be able to do more Ironman races so I want to enjoy this one
• I sort of miss running but don't miss the pain I had from running
• My knee is handling short runs in my walks
• My whole family has become fit and changed over last 8 years...and I'm proud that I help start that for our 5 kids when I started losing weight back April 2003. This has always been one of my biggest goal..help motivate my kids to live healthy and be active based on watching me not words but being an example
• I like riding my bike long
• 2 hour rides seems short
• I do better when I follow my plan and not try to move things around
• I look for all improvements in bike split with free speed...better position, 2 cm to 9 cm drop, latex tubes, low CdA tires, rear wheel cover, Torhans aerobottle...all these things could be worth ~10-15 watts
• My husband is very supportive of me and without his support I probably would have dropped out of IMFL.
• My BT friends are the best and have helped me in so many ways deal with all the issues
• Thinking of getting custom tech shirt for IM run portion to wear to let spectators know it's my 50th birthday and some other things....working on what I want it to say...ideas?
• Doing an Ironman with many other BTers improves the experience for me
• I look forward to some Mellow Mushroom Pizza on November 6th
• Ironman day after my 50th birthday will be super way to celebrate being fit and 50

Very inspiring!!.

On the rear wheel covers,  What brand/type do you use?  I have plastic ones that screw together (can't remember the name of them at the moment)... I was thinking about using them in Florida...  not sure would make a big difference for me as I most likely will be averaging about 18mph..Your thoughts?

Socks - 2011-10-05 8:27 PM Just complaining...I can't run because I got no skin on my foot (2 if the 4 on my left foot 

I can't bike because I got no skin on my (saddle sores no you are not getting pictures)  and I'm annoyed because its the last build before IMFL............Thanks for your attention

dammit socks that sucks, i got a couple sore spots but come on man!!!!!

Fine Words of Wisdom Kathy!!

Can anybody tell me what to expect on the bike course.  I know its pretty flat, but thats about it, how are the roads etc...   I have also read a few race reports that mention strong headwinds on the course is this common on the course??  Mental preparation in full effect these days, we are getting closer and closer........

check out the jldicarlo (jen) bike course report here

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=233071&start=521

Definitely read my ride report.  Someone else posted a link.  I also put up some updates a few pages back because I just rode the course two weeks ago too.

As for the headwinds...it really just depends on the day.  Some days there is no wind.  Other days there is SOME wind.  NONE of the wind is ever as bad as Texas wind.  Even last year it was only about 20-25 mph gusts (for the entirety of 20 westbound...so it did kind of stink!).

Pray for a wind out of the NNW...at least that way you get to ride the tail home.  I did the course once with a wind out of the south and that was no fun at all!

I would be interested to know this too. I read on one of the PCB websites that they are targeting Jan. for completion. Makes me wonder how much will be completed by Nov. 5.

Yes and no.  I posted some pictures a few weeks ago of what the Front Beach and Thomas intersection looks like and it's NOT pretty.  Half to three quarters of the width of the road is torn up from Front Beach to the Shores of Panama.  However, just east of Pinneapple Willy's they have actually repaved two lanes of the road...all the way to the Boardwalk.  Brand new gorgeous asphalt...no shoulder because it's obviously half of the width the road is intended to be (i.e. the other half is still torn up).  It's interesting to note that the way it's paved there is NO PAVEMENT between the Boardwalk Parking lot and the newly paved part.  So, that should be fun.

At the end of the road near the Alvin's Island they have a small detour.  The "plywood section" from last year is still completely torn up.  But they have diverted the road 50 feet to the north and it's paved there.

Now...all of their torn up sections looked like they could have been repaved within a week's worth of work.  I am headed out there again Saturday.  I'll take another drive down to the road to scope it out.

All in all, still pretty lousy.   But not as pot-holey as other years.

Edit: Oops, thought I posted the pictures here...I apparently only posted them on Facebook.  Sorry.

There was a lot of glass when I rode it two weeks ago.  I hope they sweep it for you guys.

But the roads are very smooth for the most part...and the one road that isn't can be mitigated with decent handling skills.