Ironman 70.3 Pocono Mountains : Official Thread (Page 6)

It looks they are expected to get a decent amount of rain this week in Stroudsburg.  I am hoping this does not hinder road repair.  Ugh.

My "taper" has kinda turned into "not do much of anything," so I'm feeling pretty good.

Just got my bike back from a tune-up, new chain, and re-wrapped the bars.  Getting my first ever bike fit on Sunday, so hopefully that'll make things much more comfortable for the ride.  Not much else I can do at this point that will affect the outcome other than screw something up!

I'm feeling rather sleepy, but excitement will pick back up in a few more days.  I can't believe all the complaints either.  One way or another, things will be taken care of one way or another.  Ironman is fiercely protective of their brand name.  They will push to have roads fixed, or they will reroute to safer areas.  I should video some of the sections I ride through regularly.  You don't need the entire road to be perfectly smooth all the way through.  A 3" wide continuous line is it.  It sounds like a lot of first-timer jitters and they don't know what to do with their anxiety.

I'm starting to wonder if the swim will be modified too.  Maybe move the start upriver if it's strong.  Set a new "Bag of Doritos" record.  We are not going to have to swim against a 4-5mph current.  There are not going to be piles of logs or trees trying to take us down.  Well, not unless the beaver are in cahoots with the "flesh-eating deer".  Whatever happens, we wait until race-day and just go with it.  There really isn't much of any adjustment to race strategy.

I'm still pretty confident there will be a swim.  Plenty of time for everything to get back to a decent state by race day.

However, assuming you're right, what format do they use for a duathlon?  Will they replace the swim with a shorter run segment, or would the 70.3 become 69.1?

It depends on the venue.  Both have been done by IM races.  This year Steelhead and New Orleans just dropped the swim though.  Pro's started in TT fashion, but I forget what age-groupers did.  A foreign IM race put in something like a 3 mile run.

Here are some pictures I took today. 

Rode the first 15 miles of the bike course. Nothing major to point out just be prepared as some parts have potholes.

(Swim Exit2.jpg)

(Swim Start2.jpg)

(Hidden Lake Drive 2.jpg)

Dream Chaser - 2011-09-23 2:56 PM There are 53 BT'ers signed up for this race!  Where the hell is everyone!?!  How is everyone feeling??

I'm pretty psyched as I signed up for this race back in February.  So next to Lake Placid, it's my 'A Race' this year.   This race reminds me a lot of Ironman Rhode Island 70.3.   I did that race back in 2008; also it's inagural year.  Also a race where the transitions were not only separate; they were separated by an entire State!!   And guess what -- there were no issues.  Also, the roads were not baby butt smooth from start to finish, but we all did just fine.  What is with people on Facebook complaining?  And now they are whining about the roads being chip-sealed pavement!?!?  WTF, 80% of the roads I ride here on Eastern Long Island are CHIPSEAL!!  Nothing wrong with them.  Most back roads (which are the roads us most triahlete cyclists ride are back roads).  Who the heck is doing all their Long Rides on pot-hole free, velvet smooth 100% asphalt roads???   I'm not a violent person, but I want to smack half the crybabies on Facebook.  If you want a simple, easy, 100% safe course, stick to local Sprint Triathlons that are held within the confines of a county park.  Really.  

Again -- how is everyone feeling?   

I've gotten in some good volume, but had to taper my overall volume more than I wanted the last few weeks to rid myself completely of Ironman Lake Placid fatigue.  But overall I'm happy with my consistency and I'm ready to ROCK AND ROLL!!!  

Oh, and does anyone no more about the Oktoberfestival at the finish line?  I'm hoping my wife and children can enjoy that while I'm out hammering some hills.   

I love the fact that you're trying to get ppl involved. Where is everyone?

I"m feeling good. I've felt really strong in my workouts and am hoping I can put together a solid race. I did Timberman this year, which was originally my "A" race, but I slacked off in training and it didn't turn out as well as I would have liked. Since then I've been really focused and training my @$$ off (literally, I'm down 10 lbs), and I'm excited for this race. I'm hoping they don't cancel the swim, and I'm hoping the hills on the bike don't kill me

Dream Chaser - 2011-09-26 7:54 AM Final week!  Hope everyone enjoys the Taper this week.

Dream Chaser, you're one of the few who keeps this (and as I recall IMLP) discussions alive. Thanks man!

Let the Tapper begin. Hopefully the weather will cooperate!