Ironman Florida : Official Thread (Page 44)

Thanks for the feedback, I think I'm in on Athlete Tracker.

I used it for IMCdA this year. The GPS unit is pretty small and is in a small pouch that attaches to your race number belt. Unfortunately the velcro holding mine in was loose and it fell out in T1. My poor mother was going crazy thinking that I never made it out of the swim! I figured out that it was missing in T2 and had my coach call my kids to let them know that I was OK. Fortunately I did all of the bike and run with my husband so they were able to track me by following him. It works great as long as you actually wear it.

It's the 5 and 6 hour rides that I dread. Once I get out the door I'm good but I will be happy when these long weekend rides are done. Next weekend is my last one!

What is amazing though is how these long rides have prepared me mentally. I used to think a 3 hour ride (~ 55 miles) was long but now at that point in my ride I'm still feeling good and cruising along. It's not until I reach about 100 miles now do I want to get off.

I can't believe it will be here in less than a month! 

Man,,thats a good question... I have only gone to 6+ once for 112 miles on my trainer in the house,,whatever was on the televison,sterio, etc was keeping my mind occupied,,,on the road it would the scenery and living in the moment, going to sleep in motion, meditation, sorta losing track of time,, eventually thinking about getting off that saddle......

Wow!  Over 4 hours on the trainer.  A couple of you guys do that, don't know how. 

As for long rides, really don't know what I think about.  Think about every ting actually.  Sometimes you zone a bit but need to be careful as anything can happen at any time.  I know I think a lot about the race.  How I feel, how I'm going to feel during the race.  How am I going to feel knowing I have another 26 miles t run once of the bike, that kind of stuff.  But as someone else said, if we have a 3 hour ride schedule (which it's been a while) it would be like taking the day off

Going out of town again today, will be back Thursday.  Used to be 3 days with no exercise, but not anymore.  I'll get my run in this morning before i leave, take Wednesday as a rest day then run again when I get back Thursday evening.  

I have my plan for this weekend.  If I make it through I'll be ready   Fri, 5,000 yd swim; Sat, 5 hr ride followed by a 1 hr run; Sun, 3.5 hr ride.  But once I get through it will be time to taper.

enjoy all,

Duane

Here's another question...Where are the special needs locations on the run and bike? Are they at the half-way point of each or further towards the end of each leg?

I hope the tracking device works out well. I believe my wife is going to order one for me. She's not as worried about it for herself, but her parents and my parents are coming and we thought it would make the day easier for them.

OK RE special needs on the run its at the exact 1/2 way point as its a 2 loop course so its right near transition.  On the bike they had moved it last year.  If you look at the bike course map it will show you whereit is but its roughly at the 1/2 way point

RE registration lines they were bad on thursday.  I had registered on weds so I didnt' stick around to check it out.  I can tell you that gettingthere later rather than earlier is proabbyl better.  My first year I didnt' get there intime on weds to reg.  I went at what ever time it started and the line was awful.  Came back a few hours later and walked right thru.

things I worried about my first IM that didnt' happen

1-I was worried I'd be hungry for real food.  Like I would want a tuna sandwich or something in the middle of the bike.  Didn't happen

2-I was worried I would get tired and want to curl up on the side of the road and take a nap.  Didn't happen.  You won't feel tired cause there SO MUCH ENERGY

3-RE hours on the bike........I didnt worry but someone asked.  THere are 2400 athletes on the course and aide stations every 12 miles.  its really fairly engaging and you will spend less time alone than you expect.  The run course is even more engaging with crazy spectators and aide stations every mile.  Its a bit dark in the sate park.  GET A LIGHT FOR YOUR HAT if you will be finishing after dark like me.  There will be other racers and you won't be alone back there.  No worries.

-Last year it was very cold.  Be prepared for both warm or cold.  I have purchased an under armour cold gear shirt thus insuring the warmest race day on record.

Yesterday while trying to do an open water swim some twenty somethings were hitting golf balls into water and giving extra points if they hit me or one of the boats. I cut my swim short. Today's swim was much better.

Marianne (mav) and I made the paper today and paper's website. While doing an open water swim a photographers snapped quite a few photos of us. Three made the website.

It was beautiful swimming there today.

I am getting tired of the long runs.  last one this Sat at the Balt Running Festival and there should be enough distractions to make it not seem so bad.  I'm also looking forward to shorter swims once this is over.

We have a celebrity!  Although I'm not sure the 2nd photo was the most flattering

I'm at a conference in CT.  The place has 50 yd indoor lap pool.  Last year I would have never given it any thought but because of this crazy race coming up I couldn't help but jump in for a quick 30 min swim after dinner.  I already did my workout for the day but it was just to nice too pass up.  What has happened to me????? 

enjoy,

Duane

Last year 4 on the run, only 2 on bike and 2 on the swim.

Issue is sometimes IMlive doesn't work.

Plus it really does help folks who want to see you finish on line time it right or those in person see you at various locations on the course. I find it helps remove the stress from your spectators...and after all we put them through it's worth it.