Ironman Coeur d'Alene : Official Thread (Page 6)

Thanks, I'm usually one of those people that freaks out more than I need to, because once I experience it for myself, then I'm like - Oh! That wasn't so bad! I'm stronger than I thought   I think I will likely start towards the back as well. 

Started a thread in the weightloss challenge section for anyone interested in dropping some weight prior to training ramping up.  Feel free to join if you're interested.

x2.  I was freaking out about the swim in 2007.  Before that I was having panic attack issues during race swims.   I had similar panic issues at the start of CdA in 2007.  After about 15 minutes I settled down and completed the swim without incident.  In 2009 I actually enjoyed the swim.  I too am a slow 1:30ish swimmer.  Both times I stayed right and back for the start. In 2010, I might mix it up a little more and start in the middle of the pack in hopes of swimming faster. 

My only other advice is it is way to early to start worrying about the swim.  Worry about other things that are more important - bike & run fitness, along with race day nutrition.

Last thing - enjoy the entire experience, training AND race day!

Thanks man!

Another question - are you guys planning on riding a road bike or a tri bike? I currently have a road bike with a compact 12-28, great granny gears!  That bike is really comfortable with my road fit, but the more I've tweaked it with aero bars, the less comfortable it's been.  I ride hill a LOT, so I'm not in aero as much as I should be (um, hardly much at all).  I'm making it a goal to get out and ride at least once a week where I can be in the bars and do some weekly trainer rides to get more comfortable.  I really want to get a tri bike (it's my reward when I hit my first weight loss goal), so I know that I need to be comfortable in aero.  I like the idea of being comfortable in that position, and then sitting up if I need to on the climbs.

I'm curious if a large percentage of racers will be on a tri bike, or if I should just stick to my road bike. 

I will, baring some kind of financial windfall or one heck of a deal coming along, be on my road bike. I have spent countless hours tweaking my fit and spend tons of time aero. So much, that when I tried road racing this summer my hands and wrists hated me for days as they were not used to holding the weight up.

Ride what you got, unless you can afford a new tri-bike. Notice I don't say "want" or "need", it is a given that we "want" and/ or "need" more bikes.

R U calling me FAT!!   jk  

Hehe, nah, couldn't remember who else was interested when I threw out the option awhile back.  Dude, I gotta get this done in the offseason, which means fighting Halloween candy temptations, Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

Add me to the list of 1:30 swimmers. In 2007 I started out to the right and ended up to the left next to the buoys. The jostling seemed the same to me so I just stayed next to the buoys for the remainder of the swim. In 2008 I deliberately started out next to the buoys to swim the shortest course and plan on doing so in 2010. It saved me three minutes. You're going to make contact no matter what so why not swim the shortest distance possible?

I have a question about lodging. 

Has anyone got advice to share with respect to finding a place to stay?  Do most folks coming from out of state stay in the area for the week prior, etc?  I figured I'd start with the CDA lodging list and go down it till I find a place, but would welcome any input. 

Thanks!

I am actually doing the Kansas City Marathon this Saturday but nothing this year after that....

Ride what you own.  I have done CDA twice on a road bike and three times on a tri bike.  I have not seen a huge difference in times between the two bikes.  Keep tweeking your set-up.  You should be able to find a comfortable aerobar set up for your road bike.  Riding lots over the winter will also help.

CDA will be my first IM too! My coach (Q here in BT land) did it in 2008. He is also racing it in 2010. I will be doing the ride on my P3 but I am planning on putting a compact crank on it for the race. I currently have 3 marathons and possibly a 50k planned for this winter. My first will be Nov 22nd  (my first full mary). Then Disney and Gasparilla. Then run maintenance will I hammer bike and swim training in the spring. St.A's in April, a HIM in May. All leading up too JUNE 27TH! Oh, I am hoping to get as close to an hour for the swim as possible. So I will be up in the washing machine start!

Funtimes!!!

I'll bet that you can not last 5 minutes.  After about 1 minute you'll be standing on the beach by yourself.  4 more minutes of standing there watching everyone swim away would drive me crazy.  At CDA I generally count to 20 and then hit the water.

I am in the 12+ hour club.  I really don't have any delusions of dropping to sub 10 in ten months of training.  I can see dropping 5-10 minutes off the swim, 30 off the bike and 10-20 off the run and well that would be way awsome.  Mostly I want to go from 12 something to 11 something this year.  It is going to take me another couple years to get my bike speeds up I am thinking.  The bike is really the only place I can make up any serious time, but I just enjoy doing a marathon in the winter.  Oh well.  Maybe after CDA I can get in an early mary and then a late IM in 2011 and go bike focused inbetween.