Beach2Battleship Iron Distance Triathlon : Official Thread (Page 5)

Quick question for anybody who has done the B2B full. What is the parking situation at T1 at the Seapath Marine. My hotel is way closer to the Seapath than it is to the Hilton Hotel so in order to let family stay asleep I am looking to drive myself to T1 in the morning and leave my car there and then pick it up the next day. Does anybody know if there is actual parking for racers to leave their cars at T1 and if you can leave it overnight and pick it up the next day or do I need to have somebody pick it up during the day or get dropped off there. Thanks. Going to be an awesome race not having to fight the heat for once.

I've picked B2B as my first Iron distance race. I'll be traveling all the way from Oregon for this race, but it's the one that fits my schedule the best and looks like a great course for a first time IMer who has an aversion to hills on the bike.

I'm following Fink's Intermediate Plan as well. Today starts week 10 of 30. My prep races are the Pacific Crest Oly on June 23, the Stumptown HIM on August 5th, and the Black Diamond HIM on Sept 15th. Black Diamond will be my gf's first HIM, and an easy training race/practice run for me. All of these races are in OR/WA. I've never been to North Carolina and am looking forward to a great experience!

Tim 

I figured I would chime in since it is time for training plans to start!  Unfortunately, I'm not fit enough to start the training plan!  I'm coming off of a knee injury and things still are not quite right, but I think I'm well enough to resume training (albeit slowly).

My IM plan kicks off Monday morning.  I'll be glad to get back into a routine.  But this will be my second Iron distance, so I know what I'm in for.  Sometimes ignorance is bliss...

yes it will eliminate the bridges. you will go from the convention center to Greenfield lake just like the old course but there should not be a turn around. You will go all the way around the lake and then back towards downtown. They will have to throw in a few out and back section or a couple detours to make a 13.1mi. OBV the HIM will be 1 lap and the Full will be 2.

You'll still have the short but steep hills getting down to Water/Front streets.  They may not be long but you feel them on your second lap for certain.  Losing the big bridge after leaving the battleship is a huge savings on the legs though.

Not sure what kind of cyclist you are, but since your not running a compact up front I can't imagine you running out of gearing.  Not sure what favorable winds your referring to.  Last year sounded like a nightmare and when I did it in 2009 we rode straight into the wind for the last 41 or so miles.  Since it's a lollipop type course winds can be your friend at times and your enemy at others.

I only use my Renn disc and Hed deep front (bought used never measured) on races, not sure why you wouldn't use that set up since the disc gives you the best bang for your buck.  I do pull them out on occasion to try out on windy days for practice and familiarization.  Of course if conditions dictate otherwise go with the fastest set up that you can handle safely.

The gearing is fine and I doubt you will need anything (unless you are an uber biker).

As for set up I would not even think twice about the 80 up front and the wheel covered rear with powertap.

Changed that. I guess my prediction/hope of no turn around was a little off. Still an out and back around the lake, They do throw in a little climb up Yaupon going out and a little climb up Wisteria coming back. Even with those it will still be easier than the old course.

The run course map for the full has been posted

http://beach2battleship.com/files/B2BFullRun_from_Convention_Center.pdf

I counted 18 sharp turns on the first loop, including some pretty silly sections.

Still no sign of the bike course. Wonder why that is?

What do you mean silly sections?

I am assuming you are referring to the section after your 3rd left turn. That whole section of the run from T2 all the way to Ann St, looks to be on the actual river boardwalk, so yes there will be some turns around buildings, boat slips etc. Nothing really silly about following the only path there.

Yep, that would be one of them--why run around boat slips when there is a perfectly straight road one block over? (Didn't the old run course go along that road?)

Another one being that contorted triangle by the lake.

Looking at the maps, they do look somewhat strange two different turnaround locations and the little loop to be done in the neighborhood are a little bit of a head scratcher but you'll be on auto pilot and just cruise through it.

The reason I think there putting you along the board walk before hitting Water Street is because the Finish line area will be on Water Street, so you would have to run through the finish area as half athletes are finishing making for a mess, not to mention probably clogging an allready busy area with families trying to see finishers.  Even with the added turns I think the boardwalk will work well for spitting you out past the finish area.  Another added benefit is that it cuts out the short and steep hill on Red Cross St, leaving only the short steep hill on Ann in the downtown area.

This area of Water Street  is always busy early in the race.

At least you miss the larger bridge near the Battleship, kinda seems strange that there wasn't a way to have runners do at least one loop past the battleship, but that always jacks up traffic.

The thing I wouldn't look forward to is walking back to T2 to gather your belongings.  It would be nice if they instituted some type of family pick up of gear, since family would have time to grab things when you do your first loop.  

My husband had the "sherpa card."  Very nice because when I finished the run, the bike was already gone.  He got most of my bags before I finished so we had very little to deal with on the trip back to the hotel.

Its probably too early for this type of question but I am bored today! Just curious as how wide the channel is. Does it start narrow at Wrightsville Beach and become wider as you get to the first turn. Reason for asking is I have heard left side of channel is faster. Is that also the most direct route? Thanks.