Ironman Louisville : Official Thread (Page 58)

Way to go gentlemen! You are representing the IMLOU field well.

Did a 3+ hour ride on the trainer today, which was forever long for me. I am working on getting Episode 10 of the Road to Ironman Louisville up and running, but it takes a really long time to load. I'll let you know because I'm sure you are anxiously awaiting anther thrilling episode.

I have my first race of the season this weekend. It's a local 50k and I couldn't resist since it was 10 minutes from my house.  I'm basically tapering this week only and I think I won't be as rested as I would like to be; however, I'm just looking to have a fun day of trail running.

I see some talk about nutrition for Ironman - I've basically started in my panic mode this weekend trying to figure out what I'm going to do for Louisville.  Ugh *gulp*.  I guess I still have some time to figure it out and practice all of that.  Nutrition during races has always been my problem and I'm determined to nail it this year in all of my races.

Everyone seems like their training is coming along nicely. Very awesome!

Ah, thank you. I was under the impression that everyone's chip started at the race start time, but that obviously not everyone would have started swimming at that time. So I guess this time trial start is really only a pain because

1- You're not sure where you are in the field relative to your age group/gender. Even if you pass someone, that's no guarantee that you'll have a better time than them

2- If you start "late" (near the end of this 35' interval), you'll have that much less time to finish the course before the cut off. I guess this makes a difference should your ability be near the cut-off time, or should something happen during the race (and, as they say, ANYTHING can happen). 

Carrie- Good luck! A 50K actually sounds very interesting to me. Of course it sounded more interesting to me pre-Achilles issue, but interesting nevertheless. Regarding your race nutrition for IMLOU...take a deep breath because you are right, there is a lot of time to figure that out.

Krystyna-Yes, correct on both counts.

Anyone-Ok, the Road to Ironman Louisville, Episode 10 is up (right hands side of my blog if you want to use that link). You probably won't need to buckle up or have popcorn.

Had a solid 3,250 yd. swim this morning. I felt really comfortable, yet steady. Good stuff.

Peace.

So, if I'm the last one in the water and it takes 35 minutes to get everyone in the water, I have less overall time to finish the race?  Does this make the swim cutoff shorter for me as well? I really need all the time I can get in the water.  UGH

Congrats to all for the great racing.

Been a bit of a rough training week personally. A mid week out of town work trip screwed everything up. I had the best of intentions but it didn't happen. I ended up taking two days off mid week and then missed the long ride on Saturday. At first I was really beating myself up about the missed workouts but now I'm ok with it. I guess that after 14 weeks of the BIF plan I did just need a few days off. 

Today is the start of week 16 and I feel re-energized and refocused. Eye on the prize, right?

On a side note, I don't know how people like Cube, that travel a lot, can do it. I leave town for two days and everything falls to crap. My hats off to you folks. I can't imagine juggling training and travel on a consistent basis.

Peter B

The way I understand it is the 2 hour 20 min. swim cutoff time starts as soon as the last person enters the water. The 17 hour cut off remains at midnight. So if you are worried about making either of the cutoffs it will be best to be towards the front of the line.

Peter B

The way I understand it is the 2 hour 20 min. swim cutoff time starts as soon as the last person enters the water. The 17 hour cut off remains at midnight. So if you are worried about making either of the cutoffs it will be best to be towards the front of the line.

Peter B

This is my understanding as well.

Thanks for the update Sam!

Rain ALL this week in NYC. That means extra swim/bike trainer time.

This tendinitis needs to go away already. Oy 

Okay, I'm cool with that.  I don't need more than the time allowed - just worried about it being shortened :-) I stink really bad at swimming. 

I am signed up to do Louisville this summer.  I had to take 3 years off from last triathlong due to injured knee.  Knee feels fine and feel it's time to get back into it.  I have been lurking at this site for awhile.  Here's my question.  I need to get another race or two under my belt again.  My last race in 07 was a half ironman.  Right now my training is about at a par for that.  I signed up to do an international race on June 5.  I didn't want to jump right back into the half irons again.  I just found out that a spot in a half iron on June 18th just opened up. 

Is this too much.  I would love to get another half iron man in before Louisville.  I have done this race before and it would be a chance to gage my training.  However, I have always done the international and I am thinking of doing both. 

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Me too!

detscourt- Welcome!

My thoughts are that you will be just fine to do both triathlons. I would use the first one to remember everything that you forgot from racing previously. You will likely walk away with a lot of "Oh, yeah, that's right," moments. You might also learn things that have become inovative since being out of the triathlon scene. I also would not hesitate to do the 1/2 Iron distance if you are healthy, but treat it as a training day if you can help it.

However, if I were your coach, I would prefer that you did your 1/2 in late mid-to-late July, but either way you will gain experience. In your case, re-experience that should set you up with either learning points or added confidence. Good luck.

Wow!  Lots happenin' with everyone in the past week.

Fesslern:  Congrats on your AG win!

Sam:  Your wife turned in an awesome RBR time!  I was a bit slower this year, but my 17-year-old daughter improved by almost 10 minutes, so I was quite happy for her.  My wife and other daughter had fun at the 10K.  If the last daughter didn't have a college exam Saturday, we coulda made it a family affair.

Carrie1:  I'm planning (hoping?) to get into the water at Louisville fairly early so I have some "wiggle room" since my swim is definitely the weak point for me, too.  Hopefully, I can get out of the way of the "flipper folks" and not cause too much trouble if I stay a bit on the outside.

Tailwinds, all,

Todd

Just ran into this article and thought I'd share.  Not sure how old it is but still seems relevant.

11 Keys to a Successful Ironman Louisville

I'm curious as to everyone's strategy in terms of the swim start.  Assuming a person isn't a weak enough swimmer to warrant an early start time, is it better to start early or late?  I'm leaning toward a later swim start.  My thought is that I'll have more people to (legally) draft in the swim/bike and may get a bit cooler temperatures on the run.

Thoughts?

Thanks for the link, just read over the article.  Good information.  As for the swim, I'm really still not sure my strategy.  I'm pretty confident I can make the swim with plenty of time to spare, but then again it will be the first race for me with no wetsuit, unless this weather decides to stay around for a while.  I'm thinking middle of the pack.  Good for drafting and far enough away from the contenders to not get ran over in the water.  Any thoughts on the swim from race returners are definately welcome!!!

Adam

Swim Start Thinking: I can appreciate the perspective of starting farther back in the line for drafting off swimmers. I can understand the perspective of starting later due to finish the bike later and in theory starting the run in less heat. I can also recognize the wisdom in sleeping as long as possible. These are all good reasons for starting later in the swim line, and I encourage anyone who wants to start farther back due to any of these reasons, or for no reason at all, to do so.

However, I will likely do the same thing I did last time, which is sleep until 4:00-ish, get my limited amount of gear around (most of our "stuff" will already be there), and be at the starting line by 4:45-4:50-ish. At this point, I will lay down on a blanket provided by my "team" and relax...or use the porta-john as needed. Then, once the pros are off, I will likely wait 15-20 minutes before my start. I will have about 200 people ahead of me, which will be plenty to draft off from, and I will not be waiting anxiously in line. Later, when it is hot, I will either be hot on my bike, or hot on my run.

Having said all of this, I am NOT trying to sell anyone on getting in line closer to the front. I am simply more comfortable being on site, rather than not. I am also more comfortable with getting started in short order from the actual start (rather than standing around gathering nervous energy), I also believe my heat savings on the bike vs. the run won't be dramatic enough for me to time that out 35-45 minutes later. AND...I might be full of crap, but I'm going to do what works for me.

I actually encourage you to start later, this will help ensure I get my spot toward the frong.

I am not recommending to anyone to get in line earlier or later, I think everyone should do what makes them feel most comfortable. Ok, no time to proof, students in need of instruction.

Is it safe to assume that the faster/ more aggressive swimmer will be more toward the front, or at least try to be, or is it safer to assume that all will be mixed in somewhat randomly?

Adam

I'm more like Trisam. I'd rather be there and in line then gathering nervous energy. I also don't imagine I'll be getting much sleep anyways.

Also, by being towards the front of the line I can guarantee there will be one slower swimmer at least starting near the front.