Ironman St. George : Official Thread (Page 6)

Congrats on your season. I was just thinking about that too. It will be hard to get many/any training races before IMSG. I'll probably do a half marathon as a training race in March and might be able to squeeze in an early season Olympic in April - but might be cutting it too close into a peak training weekend at that point.... although will probably need the OWS practice anyway!

I plan to do an Olympic before IMSG.  The window is too tight with Winter to burn a weekend with a HIM. 

Re: housing, I have a condo timeshare in St. George booked from 4/29 through 5/6 if anyone is interested in renting a couple rooms with me on the cheap. Kitchen, pool, hot-tub, etc. It is a total of three rooms and common area.

@bryancd, when are the camps/what is the cost?

I'm in for Oceanside.  Works out well for me since it's right here in town.  Boston, not so much.  Nice little long run before taper, I guess.

Like the idea of the 11-23 on the 900.  I'll bring that setup and see if I've got the guts to go for it.

Time to breathe some new life into this thread.

My friend e-mailed the folks in charge at St George to inquire about how many people have signed up.  They declined, indicating that information is confidential.  I wonder if they will sell out this year?

I went to the site and did a cut and paste on the participate list - roughly 1100 folks are signed up as of the 7th of NOV. 

Participate = participant 

1101 then, I've also just signed up

It's my first Ironman and I can't wait.

I live in Barcelona (Spain) so am starting to look at flights/hotels.

What is the best (location and comfort) Hotel to book for the race? I would like to be close to the finish with all the creature comforts...

Thanks in advance for your recommendations - I'm sure I will have many more questions over the coming gruelling training months

Cheers.
Wolf

I'm more than fine with a smaller field.  I bet this race gets around 1,400-1,500 people tops.  It's early in the season.  It's very hard.  The last comment is the main driver.  It's 15% DNF rate is scary.   

I have yet to find an IMer not cringe when I tell them that I am doing this race.  To each their own.  You will never see me at IMAZ, IMTEX, IMFL.  The irony is IMFL sold out in 16 minutes last week.  Nobody wants to brag about a 11:45 IMSG time when they can do 9:45 at IMFL.

I'm really looking forward to this race.  Just doing base work now.  About 10-12 hours a week.  My plan ramps up next month. 

Anyone know if I can rent a bike in SG on a random weekend?  Looking to do a quick over night trip to SG in January to ride the course.    

I'm good with 900 - it will put me in the top 1000...

Anyone think it'd be completely and totally unrealistic and outrageous to sign up for St George as your first Ironman? 

And with only 5 months to train? 

But full of shear will and determination?

I have a friend who is most likely going to do the same thing - although he's an ultra runner and has done a century.  Oceanside will be be his first triathlon and St. George would be his first IM.  I know he wants to "do really well", but I've cautioned that he really shouldn't expect too much in his first one.

My thoughts are if you can handle the peak training weeks, can swim 2 miles in the open water w/o stopping, can bike 100 miles and run 20 miles, you'll get through the day.  17 hours is a long time to get it done.  A 2-hour swim and an 8-hour bike still leaves 7 hours to run/walk the marathon (16-minute miles).  Finding out what nutrition works for you in training - and pacing the day - will get you there.  You don't have to go fast.

IMO the key to finishing is getting to the start uninjured and mentally prepared to handle each discipline's distance.  Putting them all together will happen on its own.  Nutrition and pacing are important as you will be relying on fuel taken on board during the race.  It's trite, but true: you really do need to "find out what works for you."  Long brick sessions are a good time to figure it out.

Don't be intimidated - I'm also doing the StG IM as my first IM. So far I've only done a few Marathons, never ridden a bike more than 40m and can barely swim for 2miles - so really looking forward to it Nearly 6 months to go to train - it won't be easy, but then no IM is ever going to be easy...

There is only one way to find out!

That being said, it ALL depends on what your background, experience level, and fitness is like as to whether or not it is do-able. And you would really want to ask yourself what kind of experience you would like to have before deciding.

Having just completed my first IM in July, I can say that you really do want to do everything you can to feel completely prepared and confident in your ability going into the race. There are plenty of iron distance races that are not as difficult as IMSG and that would leave you more time to prepare mentally and physically. But if you have a good base going into it and have triathlon experience, 5 months is definitely enough time to ramp up!

Good luck with your decision!

Ryan

Thanks for all the advice/encouragement.  My super supportive husband is doing the race too....but he's a machine and its not his first rodeo (CdA and Silverman) and he's been saying the same advice and wisdom filled encouragements.

I have a strong running background but had to take 2 years off of running/cycling due to a nerve compression injury in the knee and tendonitis in both feet. This June I was able to start running short and slow 2 times a week and have worked up to running 3 times a week 3-5 miles without pain currently and just added cycling to the mix a few weeks ago.

I am so excited and relieved to be running again without pain and just feel like I can't wait till 2013 to do an Ironman (because obviously all 2012's are sold out except St George)  because I feel like I've been waiting for so long as it is!

The good part is there is not any pressure to sign up in a hurry because it probably won't sell out  I am going to do my training plan and if all is good in January (injury wise) then I'll sign up. I am not niave and I know its not the best or most ideal situation and the last thing I want to do is "just finish" right before midnight but considering where I've come from with my injury ( I could barely walk without extreme pain and I am super tough when it comes to pain 

Nervous but up for a challenge and what a challenge St George will be

Hilton Garden Inn--Next to the convention center, stayed there last weekend, it's nice but no free breakfast, does have fridge and microwave

Comfort Inn--close to the convention center, very nice, good bedding, newer, good breakfast, would rather stay here than Garden Inn, fridge, and microwave

Clarion Suites (formerly Comfort Suites) sleeps 6, two queens and pull out sofa, clean, recently redone, good breakfast, can't remember about fridge and micro but I think they have it

Hampton Inn--ok, only stayed here once, can't remember anything remarkable, close to outlets (outlets are not a whole lot to speak of)

Ambassador Inn--cheap, clean, I think no breakfast, wouldn't want to stay more than one night here

Budget Inn--it's been awhile, ok I think

Best Western Coral Hills- got a smoking room next to the very noisy pool, wasn't too happy, but I think it's ok

Green Valley condos--we stay here a lot, not much more or about the same cost as a hotel room, condos are a little dated but I like the space and full kitchen.  Great pool.  We've had wi-fi the last few times here, but you might want to verify w/front desk that there is wi-fi

LaQuinta Inn is newer, I haven't stayed there but should be good, the Marriott properties are all fairly new, should be fine.  Note----none of these properties are  close to the finish line, if you want something close to the finish they are mostly older--I would definitely check the trip advisor reviews or somebody on this board who has used one of them.

Well whooptie doo for your husband!  I think maybe your husband THOUGHT he was a machine and then was humbled over the last 3yrs of triathloning. 

My advice is to get off the computer and POUND PAVEMENT!!

  "you can doit put your back intoit"