Ironman Arizona : Official Thread (Page 47)

Something tells me you are going to be just fine.  Maybe its that 121 mile day.  Nice job.

But, yes, I will join the chorus of hoping for not too much wind, but being prepared for it anyway.  And of course it will switch each lap.

Agreed on the wind today Jasen - that was brutal going uphill.  We rode 107 (18mph avg), with 2 loops up to Bush Hwy and the 3rd just to Shea (all Beeline riding).  That wind was crazy - must have seen you out there somewhere, it was busy with all the IM Azers on the road.

We can always count on some crazy wind I suppose, but it would be nice if it was a bit lighter than today.

You weren't with the Race Lab guys, were you?? I did the the same exact route, but started at TTL instead of the gas station. I chatted it up with someone for about a minute and they were doing the same route too.

I managed to get my 6 hour ride and 4500 yard swim in but am going to have to skip my long run this week unfortunately.  Culmination of poor sleep, heavy training, and a weather change has me sick.  Tried to train through it for the last three days.  Now I need to be smart and take a few days off to get over it. 

Any issue with a two week taper instead of three?  I can add some training to this coming week to make up for my lost long run.

I just started a thread in the Triathlon forum asking the same question, there's some good answers slowly filtering in.

Everyone is different, and it really depends on how your training has gone up to today, and if you feel strong enough and confident to finish (or reach your goals).  A buddy of mine literally does very little training (and nothing long) for the last 4-5 weeks building up to a full IM race.  He is no speedster, but he feels strong going into the race and it works for him.  Personally, I am starting my taper this week (if you call a 14-15 hr week a taper), and will lighten up each week for the next three (3) before the race.

Did my last long run on TRASHED legs from yesterday...Did a run/walk (5:1) for the first loop (9.5 miles) and ran the entire 2nd loop until about 3 miles from the end. I really screwed up my hydration/nutrition on this run and paid for it. I only had two bottles of water on a pretty hot day and took in ZERO calories. I was on pace to come in under 3 hours, but started getting really light headed and thought I was going to pass out for a second. I was preserving what little water I had left and just didn't have enough in me...As soon as I felt feint, I stopped and walked and started sipping on the water that I had. Luckily there was a park with a water fountain about a mile away. As soon as I started feeling better I jogged straight to the park...The water was nice and cold and I was able to hydrate and fill my water bottle. Ended up finishing in 3:06.

I'm sure it didn't help that I swam 2 miles earlier in the day and had only consumed 510 calories between the run and the swim.

Oh, well...these are the things we learn from. An extra reminder to stay hydrated and nourished on Nov. 18th!!!

ZERO Calories?!  Especially starting at some stage of glycogen depletion from the previous days ride/swim...gutsy!

On the opposite side of the coin, I put in 90 miles on the computrainer at the Bike lab on Saturday, swam 80 laps Sunday morning, then last night put in my 20 mile run.  In 20 miles, I consumed 4 packets of Gu, 2 bananas, and one king size pack of peanut butter M&Ms.  I think right around 1000 calories.  I'm past where I'm trying to train my body to run on fumes...Last few weeks I've been trying to see how many calories I can make it absorb without getting sick.  Oh, and about 80 oz of water - (10 of those little nathan flasks).

OK - with less than three (3) weeks to go, the weather and temp watch will begin!  Thus, please forgive if these get repetitive.  I will post temps every few days to give an idea of what we are looking at for race day:

For Monday, October 29.......

Tempe temperature (6:50am) - 61 degrees (expected high of 89 at 3pm)

Tempe town lake water temp (6:50am) - 69 degrees

Unless a warm front moves in and hovers sometime closer to race day, we can expect water temps to be about 60 degrees, close to previous years.

Sounds like some of you had great weekends and some of didn't quite get in what you wanted.  I was one who didn't get in the workout I wanted, at least on Saturday.  The cold and the wind on the bike were just too much for me and I ended up going home and riding the trainer.  This Texas girl is not use to 40 degrees and 15-20mph winds on the bike, even with all the layers I had on.  I could probably handle each one on it's own, but combine the two and I was done.  I did get in my 3 hour run on Sunday with an easy spin Sunday evening so I feel good about that.

Taper technically starts for me, but this coming weekend is a 4 hour ride/30 minute run Saturday and a 2 hour run Sunday, so still a decent amount.  Time to start working on the lists and make sure I have everything.  The bike is going in today for it's final tune up.  It won't be long folks.

Is the air temperature typically this warm at this time of year? 90* is HOT. When I was picking a race everyone said "oh, do Arizona, it's beautiful that time of year...in the 70s, no humidity, blah blah blah' but at 90* less than 3 weeks out I dont know how it could drop into the 70s. I'm going to have to start mentally preparing for the heat.

Did a 1hr swim, 5hr bike, 1hr run race sim workout Friday.  The weather here got warm for the day with a high of 85 and light winds, so it sounds like I got a good simulation of the weather in AZ as well.

I feel pretty good about the race overall, but I do fear that marathon.  I've ran two fulls, and I'm fully aware of the fun that starts at about mile 20-21.  I'll just have to mentally not let the run suck until about mile 19.

Fixed it for you...

Of course the last 6-7 miles suck during a marathon...But in this case I think the fact that you're only going to be 6-7 miles away from becoming an Ironman will kick in and you'll get that 2nd (or 3rd, 4th or 5th) wind!!

The air temps will most likely drop by about 15 degrees in the next 3 weeks.  We are probably looking at mid to high 70's on race day.  Last year it was warm up to a couple weeks before the race, then the temps dropped drastically and they came right in line with projections.

My year continues to be great (not). Although this won't affest the outcome of how my race goes, I now have to work 11-12 and the 22nd, (thanksgiving day).

Orginally I was set to be off work and headed out to AZ on 9th and not returning to work until after thanksgiving weekend.

It'll be interesting to see how work goes that day. Hopefully I'll be walking ok by then, lol.

Anyway, only goal is to fininish, and this part wont affect weather that happens, just have to adjust my trip planning.