Ironman 70.3 St. George : Official Thread (Page 6)

As stated before, the water temp in 2010 was in the low 50s.  The claim that WTC makes that the water will be 60-64 is plain bogus.  I did a race this weekend at Lake Mead and the water there was chilly as well.  If you have booties or an insulated cap I would bring it.  2010 was freezing.  Took me 20 miles on the bike to warm up and I had a jacket on.  I would bring clothing for anything and everything.  We aren't paronoid, we have just raced in St. George many a time and know that the only thing to expect is that the weather can be crazy.

I know this can change, but the 10-day forecast is looking good, at least for helping warm up the reservoir.  http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/84770  Now for the bike/run, could be a warm one!

I wanted to take a quick poll who was dropping their blue bike bag Friday along with their bike, or taking it Saturday AM on the bus?  I am still on the fence b/c I do like to have that night before to double-check things...though I guess worst case is that if I do the Friday drop-off and then realize I forget something, I just bring it Saturday...

In that case, aero is best. Put those aero bars on. Lots of high speed descents. TT bikes are an advantage on this and most tri courses.

+1

There will not be a repeat of the first years cold water. Sand Hollow has no natural water supply. Water is piped in from Quail Lake and arrives just a little warmer than ice. Back in 2010 they filled up Sand Hollow days before the race and as a result we had those cold temps. The water managers will not repeat that mistake.

Water temp will most likely be what WTC quoted unless we have a wind event the morning of the race like last year and it stirs up cold water from below. It was howling here this morning.

Some of the locals have been out there swimming sleeveless without booties or hoodies. It warms up fast in these hot temps.

Just did a really warm and windy bike ride in Carson City, NV( comparable to St. George)--- chapstick and a few 1/2 pieces of gum were awesome.  

half pieces will make your jaw less sore the next day.  ( learned the hard way)

Bring clothes or whatever for cold and be prepared cause you never know..

But really, It's going to be hot hot hot.  looking like high 80's or 90's

So this may be a silly question, but what do you do with the gum (besides chew it, I know). How long do you chew it, where do you spit it out at, when do you use it? And do you stick the chapstick into the bento box?

And do I need to get a neoprine cap for this? Or will it be ok without? I have only swam in open water down to around 65 degrees. I was chilly at first but warmed up while swimming. Is this going to be much colder? And where do you find the water temp?

So you are saying that I should bring a bike jacket with me the morning of the race, just in case? But what do you do with it once you warm up?

I realize these are probably stupid questions, but it is my first half, so I am trying to be prepared for the unexpected...as much as I can be! Thanks!

Nope. Totally NOT making fun of you. I really did wonder what to do with the gum after you chew it. (Do you just spit it onto the ground? Or put it in the wrapper into your bento?) And whether to use it as a preventative measure or after you already have cotton mouth.

Thanks for the tip on the jacket. I would have used my nice training jacket and NOT wanted to throw that away and never see it again. That would be sad

Having never done this distance, what is a good solution for salt intake? I tried the EFS shot, which has more sodium than the Gu or anything. But it made me sick to my stomach, so I am back to just winging it without a real salt-intake plan. Are there pretzels on the run course?

Thanks for the advice.

Stick it under your seat like you do at church!

For those of you that have run the course is it pretty much 3.5 miles up, 3.5 miles down? Is it a tough run?

I can't believe the race is a week away. I can understand why people get emotional at the finish lines at Ironman/Half Iron races. All the time and effort put into something that all comes down to one day.

Resevoir went from 50 last friday to 56 today.  This next week is supposed to be high 80's - 90 on thurs fri sat.  water should get to low 62ish.

Gonna be a hot one boyz

Question on the spectating.  I have my brother-in-law coming with me.  Would you suggest he bring a bike to ride around? or would that just be annoying?  I was thinking that T2 and the run turnaround are close enough to walk, but a bike would be nice if he wants to move around.

Suggestions?!?!?!

Race week is here!!!

Is the line going to be super long to check in? Does that go relatively fast or should I expect to be there for a while?

Here in So Cal it's supposed to be in the 80's and 90's all week...I can't imagine what its going to be like on race day. 

I never felt like it took very long for check. I did IMSG in 2011 and check in seemed really fast to me. Everyone was very nice. it was my first IM, and only second tri. Needless to save I was freaked out! The volunteers really helped calm me done as did some of the veteran racers.

Hope this helped

Sweet! I hope it doesn't take very long. I'm fully reserved to be in line for an hour or more so if it's not that I'll be happy.

I've noticed that since my taper started all I want to do is eat. I mean pig out. I'm always hungry or I think I'm always hungry. Is this normal?

I am no expert. But, from all the reading Ive done, it is normal to have increased appetite, you are use to eating more to sustain your training and now you are not training as much or as hard, but the body still wants the food. Also because training is down you can get bored and then think you are hungry.

Anybody else want to field this one?

T2 and run turnaround aren't within easy walking distance from eachother. A bike would be great everywhere except maybe near the finish and T2. Going to be a lot of people and congestion in that area. A great spectating spot would be at the main intersection of Redhills/SnowCnyn/Bluff/SR18. Bikes and runners coming and going from all directions.

Thank you so much for the advice.  Maybe a good pair of walking shoes would be best.

Getting close now!  Everybody enjoying taper?