Ironman Arizona : Official Thread (Page 45)

Last BIG weekend for me as well (110mi ride on the IM AZ course, 17mi run on the IM AZ course), then I start to taper.

The local buzz has started around here - you can hear peopple talking about the race at the tri shops, etc, and there are far more people on Beeline Hwy these weekends than normal.

I would not recommend wings at Ironman - it might be deemed by the race officials as outside assistance or unauthorized equipment, and you could receive a penalty or be DQ'd entirely.

You can read and hear endless accounts on both sides of opinion as to whether aero helmets and racing wheels actually give you speed.  I have them both, and while I am not really sure they have drastic effect, I like them and believe they are helping, so that really is all that matters to me.  My psyche thinks they make me faster, therefore in my own head I am faster.   There are a couple of things to consider outside of the speed effect:  First, aero helmets wear a bit differently, and if you are not used to them there is no saying you will like the feel of them.  Also, they can be extra drag in the wind if you do not stay in an aero position, thus eliminating any other benefit.  With race wheels, they too need acclimation, as whatever benefit they provide can also be a deterrent if there are high winds, as you could struggle to keep control of your bike (especially if not used to the wheels). 

I suppose my point (and everyone has their own point) is that you do not just put on an aero helmet and/or race wheels and BAM, instant speed.  You do need to get adjusted to them and be ready for the challenges they can also offer.

Excellent points!

What kind of wheel set are you planning on using for the race?  My friend and I keep debating if a front 1080 is too deep and difficult to handle on the winds.  Any advise?

I agree with everything 101abp40 said.  I feel faster with both helmet and wheels, but who knows?  I personally would not go with anything rented for a big day like this.  One thing I will say for the helmet is that helps keep me disciplined riding.  I didn't realized how much I was bopping around until I started wearing it and the helmet will let you know right away if you turn your head, as it will get buffeted.  Another thing is I definitely lost more time than I gained the first time I wore it in the time it took to get on.  It's not hard, I was just used to my old helmet.

Here's the forecast for my final long ride this Friday, six hours:

"HIGH WIND WARNING in effect until Saturday, Oct 27, 5:00am.  WINDS...NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS 30 TO 40 MPH WITH GUSTS OF 55 TO 65 MPH. ISOLATED GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 65 MPH ARE POSSIBLE"

This ride will be in the Palm Springs area where they have all the windmills, so we do get the winds.  I am super bummed, I hope the weatherman has gotten this one wrong.  I was looking forward to this ride for some confidence heading into taper. 

Well I use an Aero helmet and it does take a ride or two to get used to but I also use a regular road helmet for races and really dont know if there is a difference, but I only use the aero helmet for my key races which tells me its go time if I'm using it.

I actually just bought some FLO wheels (60/90 combo) and will be riding on them this weekend, to get used to them, but no matter what wheels you have, it really comes down to the engine there running on.....

I dont know if anyone is making t shirts for their supporters on race day...but I wanted to plug customink.com.

I used them to make shirts for my family and friends so that I can see them on race day( I can pick them out of the crowd) as well as for the support that they have given to my charity. I am raising funds for my coaches 16 month old son who is battling brain cancer. The shirts are awesome!!! I designed them on line. They provide online support as well as telephone support for the design process. The shirts are GREAT...You all will recognize my family in their bright orange shirts!!!

Today I got an email from the company saying that they thought the shirts might be for a charity and THEY wanted to make a donation!!! You NEVER get this kind of customer service.

So if anyone is considering getting shirts I would highly advise this company!!!

Only a few weeks left!!!!

BTW...I ride 404/808 and they were fine in 2010 and we had a pretty rough storm in the middle of the race.

Sbux87-

Thanks for your reply. Haven't changed the bike set up at all. The only thing that really changed was the volume for the last few weeks. My IT band is a little sensitive with the foam roller but I thought, like you, if it was IT band it would be sore on the run.

BTW is your IT better now? How long did it take to get through that issue?

Science is science, physics is physics, and aerodynamics are aerodynamics.  There is no placebo effect with race wheels and aero helmets.  They're faster.  Period.

How it feels or handles or fits or whatever are things to consider but they're faster than a regular helmet and regular wheels.

Aero helmets and Deep wheels give you the potential to be faster than regulars helmets and wheels. If you are looking down a lot, then an aero helmet can become a sail and cause more wind resistance.  If you don't feel confident on race wheels in the wind, chances are you will err on the side of safety over speed.

IT band has been great this year (KNOCK ON SO MUCH WOOD!!!) but it was a long process to get here. It started acting up in November of 2010 and I ran through the pain. I was pretty new to endurance sports and really had no clue that it was even my IT band, or what that was. I finally couldn't take it anymore and went to the doctor in February 2011 and went to physical therapy 2x per week, 1.5 hours/session for 3 months. They told me to keep doing the exercises and foam roll but I was lazy and didn't. Guess what happened next....November 2011 got a shot of cortisone in the knee because it was so bad it would wake me up at night, and another round of physical therapy. I went to the doctor the day before IMAZ sign ups and he told me that if I wanted any chance of doing the race I'd have to be diligent about taking care of it. I incorporated the PT exercises into my strength training during winter/spring and foam roll twice a day, every day, regardless of whether or not I run.

If I had been smart the first time I think the 3 months of PT and then maintenance would have cured me. But since I wasn't it was about a year. I still feel niggles here and there and when I do, I know I have to foam roll and stretch extra that day.

If I were you (and remember, I'm not always smart about this kind of stuff) I would ice a lot, stretch, and roll, and just try to get through the race. Then go see a doctor asap. Off season isn't a bad time for PT if you need it because training volume is low so it doesn't cut into precious s/b/r time.

I hope everything is ok!

mndiver - 2012-10-25 6:15 AM

JasenGuy - 2012-10-25 12:15 AM Can someone explain how the special needs bag works?? Do you just go back to transition or is there a "special needs" area? I assume that they wouldn't have 3500+ bags somewhere on the course. I've only breezed through the athletes guide, but didn't see anything.

. You assumed wrong . They will have one spot about halfway through both the run course and the bike course where they will have special needs bags. It is right on the course just off to the side. They will usually have someone out front with a megaphone calling out numbers for people who want their bag and then a whole crew of people getting them. It's actually an amazingly smooth process.

Jasen - you are familiar with the area.......Special Needs for the bike is just south of the stoplight at Gilbert Rd on Beeline Hwy, on the west side of the road (downhill).  Most people who stop, stop there on loop #2.  The Run special needs is just east of the Mill Ave bridge between the high-rise and TTL along the sidewalk (by the grassy area).  Same as the bike - most people stop on the 2nd run loop.

Question for the group:

With the way our fall weather has gone, getting out for long rides just isn't happening.  I've managed two hundred milers, otherwise a whole bunch more 70-80 milers.  Can overall mileage make up, at least a little, for not getting long rides in?  For example, if I've been spending an hour or two per day on the trainer, 3 hours yesterday, will that help me make up not getting in the 6 hour ride I was supposed to do yesterday?

I look at it from a running perspective, if all I did to prep for a marathon was run alot of 10 mile runs, I'm still not going to be ready to run 26, right?