Ironman 70.3 Kansas : Official Thread (Page 5)

Not going to make the Saturday ride, but was planning on an early morning Sunday ride.  Does anyone know what the traffic would be like, as I'm planning on going solo?  I'm assuming it won't be too bad, but I've never ridden around Clinton before... Thanks!

Good job Lisa.  Obviously the rest of us cant make a decision.  Echo what Lisa said.  It is supposed to be in the 90s on saturday, bring plenty of water/nutrition.  Dont forget to bring some for the run as well.

Traffic wont be to bad.  You do go by an old chuch looking place, so you might get a church crowd?  The weather is warming up so you might get a few boats being towed to the lake, so watch out for those guys blowing by you.  Be prepared for the worst.  There really is nothing out there. 

Got an answer back to my "2 transitions or 1" question:

Hi Lisa-

Thank you for your email. Your patience is greatly appreciated. The 2012 Ironman 70.3 Kansas is still a two transition race as it was in previous years. To view the course maps please visit http://ironmankansas.com/course/ and feel free to contact me with any additional questions!

This still does not explain why the Bike Course map only shows one transition, but there you have it.

^^^^ MOST excellent tips! 

I *think* before Memorial Day it is an honor system for park fees. They have a little drop box you're supposed to put $5 in or something. 

Weather.com says high of 91 still - and we will be in the thick of it. "Very high" UV index and SSE winds 10-15mph.

So after all that planning... I might not be able to make it 
I'm dog-sitting my parents' dog and he is sick with something. He hasn't touched food or water all day, is shaking and whining under his breath constantly, just laying there which is very unlike him. Poor guy. I can't take him to the vet till 8:30 in the morning so wouldn't be out of Wichita till 9:30 at the earliest. And that would be if I even felt comfortable leaving him alone for 10ish hours. Dang. 

If he is magically better in the morning I will head up there, but don't wait up for me.

Be safe! Have fun! 

Yep, My wife and I are both running Lincoln tomorrow.  I signed up for the full, but am just running the half.  I didn't want to spend two weeks tapering and recovering this close to the Kansas 70.3 so I'm just going to run it easy with a baby taper and call it a training day.  

Thanks,nice job to you as well toughing out a ride in that heat.

Hello Kansas people!

I have a few course questions that I am hoping those of you who have done this race a few times can answer for me.

1) Swim-Is it historically wetsuit legal and if so what is the normal temp? At any point are you swimming into the rising sun on the course? What is the water quality like?

2)Bike-I keep hearing about the "hills" on the course, I live and train in North Atlanta so I am thinking my hills are bigger than your hills I have heard about the one at mile 50 (?) coming back into the park, other than that is there anything that you have to small ring?

3)Run-The run profile shows a big dip at mile 2 and mile 9 (I think) what is the length and steepness of that hill? How is the shade on the run? Is the course congested with a 2 loop run?

What is the average temp/humidity for the race?

Thanks! I look forward to meeting some of you and racing in your great state.

1) Swim-Is it historically wetsuit legal and if so what is the normal temp? It has been historically wetsuit legal, but usually barely. It seems the race organizers are able to find a spot where they can get an athlete appealing temperature.

At any point are you swimming into the rising sun on the course? Last year the it was cloudy, but the sun is generally going to be off to your far left at the start, but not an issue. You're more likely to encounter it on the swim to shore as it'll be just off to your right.

What is the water quality like? Good, I suppose. It isn't clear, which is typical of the bodies of water around here. But I wouldn't call it dirty or anything like that.

2)Bike-I keep hearing about the "hills" on the course, I live and train in North Atlanta so I am thinking my hills are bigger than your hills I have heard about the one at mile 50 (?) coming back into the park, other than that is there anything that you have to small ring? Mile 50 is when you climb back up the dam (you'll descend this hill early in the race). It's a bear only in that it comes at the end of the bike course and it "seems" to take forever to get up it. There is also a series of hills starting around 33/34, particularly after the turn at 550 Rd that I've gone into my small ring for.

3)Run-The run profile shows a big dip at mile 2 and mile 9 (I think) what is the length and steepness of that hill? 1/4 mile long? I don't have any data to show the elevation change, but any elevation map would be accurate enough.

How is the shade on the run? The hill portion is likely to be the only part where there is significant shade. There is shade as you run through the campground, but it doesn't directly cover the run course (except in a few small areas).

Is the course congested with a 2 loop run? I would say that the run is full, but I've never found it congested - at least not to the point where I'm constantly dodging and weaving around people. My wave has usually been one of the last to go off, so by the time I hit the run course there are already a decent amount of people on the course.

What is the average temp/humidity for the race? I would plan for mid to upper 80s by the time you're solidly into the run with decent humidity levels. Of course the first year of the race storms blew through and many didn't get to finish, and last year was a little cooler with overcast after thunderstorms skirted by us. I'd plan for warm, sunny, and humid and count ourselves lucky if it is cool and dry.

HI there,

New to the thread and this will be my first year doing Kansas.  Thanks to everyone for all of the great information from those who've done this race in the past.  I saw that there was some discussion regarding one vs. two transition areas.  From the maps it looks like T2 is smack in the middle of the camp ground?  I've never done a tri that has 2 transition areas, any tips?  Thanks!

Amy

It isn't complicated. You will drop off your bike and do a basic set up of T-1 the night before and then head over to T-2 to drop off your shoes or whatever-find your spot etc. Race morning you will get to check on T-1, check your tires load your bottles and so forth before the race starts.

I haven't done Kansas but Branson was that way with shuttles between the 2 areas and a bag to have whatever you wanted(wetsuit) transported to T-2 to pick up after the race. It worked well. Perhaps just have the items needed for the 2 transitions separated in advance so it is easy to sort out. Pretty much everything ends up at T-2 anyway.

Yup pretty much what he said, except there are no shuttles inbetween the transition areas. It's about a 10-15 minute walk. Is that accurate, veterans? I'm usually so excited and nervous it just flies by. It could be longer - it might be a half mile?

But yeah, set up both transitions the day before (I usually put my run stuff in a plastic grocery bag overnight as it sits on grass and could get dewy/wet or windy).

Morning of, people usually visit T2 first and add any nutrition or get stuff out of a bag they might have set there. Walk down to T1 (there will be a large processional!) and do the same there, pump tires, etc.

At check-in you'll get a T1 bag where, if you pack up everything during the race in T1, they will transport it up to the finish line for you. I have done it both ways and recommend taking a few seconds to pack it up during the race.

It better be wetsuit legal, I just bought a wetsuit.  lol

Or perhaps I just jinxed it for everyone and now it's guaranteed to not be wetsuit legal.  ;-)

Thanks Lisa.  I was hoping we could get into T2 the morning of the race.  The plastic bag is the way to go given weather changes but I had no idea T2 was on grass.  It's a tough visual without an overall map of the area. Nothing that can't be figured out though I'm sure.  I really appreciate your help.  Any little bits that help on race day add up!

Amy

Thanks for asking the question.  This is my first split transition race too.  I just figured I'd figure it out when I got there, but its good to hear how others are doing it logistically.  

T2 has a whole 'nother set of assigned bike racks for everyone. No bike catchers so you'll rack your bike and go about transition as normal.

And b/c someone asked here is a aerial map of where T2 is.

(T2.gif)