Ironman 70.3 Racine : Official Thread (Page 6)

I can't wait to get outside! The trainer definitely has it's purpose but I have had enough of using it for every workout! I am waiting for another rain or two to get all of the salt off of the road they put down this year. According to the weather forecast, rain is expected at the end of this week. So by the looks of it, I should be biking outside next week!

Normally, Racine doesn't sell out due to the heat factor-last year there were 2227 participants in the results section. But, I don't know what the maximum capacity is, anyone know?

How much was temperature last year?

It did sell out last year, but it was pretty close to the race before it did. Here is the weather data from last year. It says it was only 83, but it sure felt hotter.  

http://www.almanac.com/weather/history/WI/Racine/2012-07-15

Here is some other neat analysis of the 2011/2012 Racine races.

http://www.runtri.com/2011/07/racine-half-ironman-results-analysis.html

Accuweather had it slightly hotter, at 88F. Definitely felt as though it was in the 90s. Must have been the humidity.

Training is shaping up. We have what, 14 weeks? This will be my second year at Racine. I've spent a lot of time this winter working on my cycling so I'm hoping for improvement this year. I think my running speed has taken a hit, but the endurance is still there, so not too worried. How is everyone else shaping up?

I'm running a marathon in two weeks; then, plan to take it easy for a week and start up official training for Racine.

I'm looking forward to a HIM this year.  I didn't do one en route to my IM last year since it was so early in the season (LP ~ July); this year, however, I am doing Coz in December so I am really excited about "competing" (my times don't allow me to be competitive...LOL) in another Half.

I'd like to break 6:00 if possible.  I've tried and come close (6:02 PR), so provided training goes well, that will be my goal for Racine.  I was on my bike yesterday for the first time in 6 months ~ ouch.  SO....I've definitely got some work to do!!

Everyone has such different nutrition needs that it's hard to say what works for one...  I tend to take in as much liquid as possible on the bike, salt tablets and then fluids at each aid station on the run.  A hat vs. visor for sure so you can put ice in it to keep cooling!!  That is a golden rule for me since I don't tolerate the heat very well.  Also really depends on the wave times.  If you get lucky enough to be in an earlier wave the high sun will be at the end of your race otherwise you are in the heat of the day on the run.  There isn't a ton of shade but as you head North on Main St you do get some so enjoy it!  The residents on the run route are out with hoses and sprinklers to help us get through.  It's awesome and so helpful!  Great support and volunteers that make a huge difference if it's a super hot one.  Hope this helps. 

Amy

Aid stations will have ice. Dump a cup down your shorts, and ladies, put some in your bra! It feels awesome.

Half of the run course is residential - people will have sprinklers and hoses and they love to spray you in the face if you ask.

I'm not sure what to offer to avoid cramping, other than to take an electrolyte supplement. I use nuun and didn't cramp, but everyone's needs are different. Monitor the weather in the week ahead very carefully and take in extra electrolytes in the days ahead.

Good to see everyone still plugging away indoors.  

As a snow-bound Wisconsinite, thinking about replacing this race (7/21) with the Wisconsin Dells Rev3 (8/11) just to gain a few weeks of outdoor prep.  Anyone else moving their timelines back, or do I just need to suck it up?

I typically wouldn't say this but you asked... Yes Suck it up!!!  I know it's hard with the crap spring we've had but you'll be fine.  Just a few more weeks hopefully on the trainer and the running out in this sucks but it sooooo beats the treadmill.  So now I think you should do both races!  Great idea you had to do that

Well, I guess it had to be said!  Thank you!  I had a 13.1 last weekend, and jumped back into the HIM plan this week with a decent run / swim base.  With a good May, I am going to register June 1st.

I've heard that about the Dells.  Just have a general concern of converting indoor only training in a shorter time span than I wanted to.  Thinking about the Oly for the Dells, easy sell for the family.

Racine is a very simple course. I can't see the indoor to outdoor conversion being an issue. Except if one hasn't been getting enough training in, but that would be trouble for either one given the time frame involved. If moved to the Dells, one would need the extra time to adapt for course difficulty, actually more time than what there is. Some progress could be made to adapting to all the terrain, but the (limited) fitness gains made in a few weeks would still make for a much tougher day up there.

I think the Racine bike has ~500-600 ft of climbing, no notable hills. The Dells has ~3,250 from when I did it, with 3 categorized climbs, iirc per Strava. One is a Cat 3, almost 2 miles long. I've only run the Oly at the Dells, but it has several times the elevation change as the full run of Racine.

I could see the switch being beneficial to an experienced racer who has some sort of smallish injury or life event get in the way for maybe a week or two late in their Racine training. In this case, they would be more regaining fitness fairly quickly as opposed to building it up in the first place.

If you're really concerned about being ready for Racine, it might be better to look at another course besides these two, one that would give you adequate time.

Do you still have snow in the north part of the state?  Say it isn't so!!!!!! 

If you have a solid run base, have been on the trainer putting in the miles and the same in the pool you'll be fine whether you are indoors or out.  75 days until Racine which is a substantial amount of time.  Let us know either way you end up going.  Good luck!!!

Ran a 1:57 half marathon recently, and planning on a mile time trial in my wetsuit this weekend to see where I am at on the swim.  Biking has been light so far, but scheduling a bike appreciation week.  

Snow was gone as of yesterday!  Shooting for Racine and looking for a June Oly or two that fit into our schedule as test runs.  June 29th-30th is wide open, so looking at MinneMan in Minneapolis or Triterium in Verona.  

Good luck everyone, keep up the work!

First long swim of the training season.  2,500 continuous yards.

1 Mile:  37:30

1.2 Miles:  47:18

Easy comfortable pace at about 2:08 / 100.  Lungs and arms felt good, form held up.  Need to do some speed work, but happy with that pace considering it is May.  (Before triathlons, I was a complete non-swimmer, and my first sprint I was 199 / 200 in the swim).