Ironman 70.3 Raleigh : Official Thread (Page 5)

The Athlete Guide came today via email...things are starting to get real.  How is everyone's training going?  I'm doing okay; feeling a little beat up and tired.

Hey Raleigh crew...I'm riding the course Saturday morning (4/27).  I'll be starting at 6:30am in Apex from Hwy. 55/Olive Chapel Road, riding out Olive Chapel/Tody Goodwin to intercept Beaver Creek Rd.  Then I will follow the course all the way downtown. 

My final destination will be the NCSU Vet School where I will be meeting my family. 

If anyone wants to ride with me or intercept along the way, the more the merrier.

Thanks-

Bill

You will love it.  The 2nd half of the bike will have a few more hills than the front, but the finish into downtown Raleigh will be a lot of downhill and pretty quick.  The run will be on a route that has not been used yet for a HM I don't believe, and it promises to be scenic but a bit hilly in the middle section.

I am originally from Columbus but now live in Raleigh (I'm coming back up to do Giant Eagle at Alum Creek in July), it is a change from flat central Ohio.  As the others posted, you'll want to leave enough in the tank for the hills on the bike and the first half of the run. 

Keep an eye out for me, I'll have some Buckeye leaf decals on my bike.

No longer live in Raleigh, but did ride that area quite a bit when I started tri's in 2009. I think the key sections are just over the bridge at Harris lake you have a solid 5mi slog to Avant Ferry. Optimist Farm like Gump says is pretty tough with some sharp rollers. It used to be somewhat rough road. fgump how was the surface on Optimist Farm?

Also like fgump said, Lake Wheeler at Penny Rd. so right at Yates Mill pond you have a pretty steep initial pull and then a grind all the way to Tryon Rd. Once over Tryon you have a super fast down until the farmers market and then just get those last few miles done into the city center.

I rode it last weekend and would agree with fgump about Pea Ridge Rode.  It may rattle some bottles out of cages.  Optimist Farm Road was the most difficult section for me.  On Lake Wheeler there are some climbs as you approach the NC State farmland area.  

If anyone is planning to ride it between now and the race, take it easy at any railroad crossings as they are pretty rough.  Ironman said they will take care of that on race day.  I am guessing that means some type of covering.

Thanks so much for the advise! I really appreciate it.  Glad to know there will be other Ohioians there! (or former ones)

Inside Out Sports had three (I think) organized rides of the course planned.  I'm pretty sure the first one has already taken place.....not sure about the others.

I'll be coming from SW Ohio.  And let me tell you we have plenty of hills down here.  If I want to ride more than 15 miles without  doing laps then I have to ride a sizeable hill to get back to my house. This weekend I'm running the Flying Pig Half and it would seem the course will be a good test of my running fitness heading into the 70.3.  I'm excited to see where my training has gotten me so far.

Though with only 5 weeks to go I'm starting to get nervous for this race.

Note about bike aid stations: The Athlete Guide is incorrect.  It lists aid stations at miles 14, 16, 34, and 45 miles.  I knew something was wrong there, so I emailed WTC about this, and got this reply:

Thank you for your patience with this. The aid stations are at 14, 26, 34, and 45 miles. We will be correcting the error as quickly as possible and appreciate your understanding!

While I appreciate 4 aid stations, it seems like the 26 & 34 mile stops are redundant.  Only 8 miles between the two.......

I had a little fun during lunch today with Excel.  I created a finish time calculator.  Simply put in your start time, your anticipated paces and T times and it spits out your finish time.  I created this so my family could have some guidance as to where on the course I might be at any one time so they can be sure to be near the right place as I stumble by.  

I don't know if this forum will allow me to attach it, but if not and you would like it... please PM me with your email address and I will send it to you.

BTW, I am one of the MANY that will be in the M 40-44 age group.

- Adam

for everyone's info...

The 1.2mi and 2.4mi FS Series OWS at Jordan Lake is THIS Saturday. I signed up last night (I had totally forgotten about it) with only 40 openings left... they are now down to about 28 spots. Registration ends soon (1 day left? and no race day sign up) so if you were planning to use this as a training/ prelim swim... best get on it.

happy, happy training everyone.

https://www.fsseries.com/index.php?action=event&event_id=75

I haven't had a chance to ride the bike route yet. Hoping to be able to ride at least the middle section this weekend.

Can anyone tell me how the route compares - hill wise - to Ebeneezer Church Rd over by Umstead Park? My bike route usually involves a few out and back from downtown Raleigh to the end of Ebeneezer Church Rd.

I don't know much about Ebeneezer Church Rd, but here's my take on the course:

There are two significant climbs: 1. Pea Ridge Rd while you are still around Jordan Lake and 2. Avent Ferry Rd after you pass Harris Lake Park.

Other than those 2 areas, the downhills give back what the uphills take away.