Ironman Arizona : Official Thread (Page 63)

I just polished off the rest of an Oreganos pizza for breakfast...Not my kind of pizza - Probably because I was raised on cheap ingredients.  Can't speak for there pasta, but Yupha's Thai food (Pad thai chicken) was amazing!

They did sweep the glass off the Beeline, but there is still some there.  Before, you knew you were entering a landmine...now you have to keep your eyes peeled for the little pieces. There is also some new glass further up the Beeline.  Perhaps they'll give it one more sweep before raceday.  Or, if we can ride on the new paved driving lanes, then the glass on the shoulder is irrelevant.  Oh, and they started putting up the village yesterday.  I'm heading that way now for a little run.

I asked a few people and that was the common answer....going to try it out tonight. Man walked throught the village why they were setting up and the chills began to arrive....just seeing the lake and bike racks up is really getting me excied and of course nervous.....

anyone running tomorrow?  if so when and where....I will be swimming at the LA fitness at 5:30am.  but free anytime after 11am......let me know

Yum

Well, got the bike clean up, including taking the crank off and greasing it. Got my magnet on my disc, but for some reason I'm getting all kinds of speed/cadence sensor errors. I could care less about speed, but for whatever reason cadence will not work unless speed is working.

I would really like to have cadence, but can live without if need be. Everything lines up, the only thing I can think is the magnet, do they have to go a certain way for it to work? Maybe I used the wrong kind, it wasn't a cheap ceramic magnet, but one I found at Hobby Lobby.

Maybe the battery needs replaced?

So many questions flying about?  Here are my thoughts:

1.  For a basic type carb restaurant, Oreganos on University (west of Mill) is ok, but I would recommend Boston's, which is right by Oreganos, but on the north side of University.  It has a diverse menu, and the pasta there has less spice to it, so it should be easier on the stomach.  Jasen gave a good recommendation (although I have never eaten there), and I would say "support the local recommended places whenever possible"

2.  For those riding tomorrow, go ahead and ride the Beeline to get a feel for it.  

3.  Regarding Beeline road conditions, for the race they close the southbound lanes for Ironman and we ride up and back in those lanes, so you can ride in the car lanes and stay off the medians if you choose (just make sure you leave room on the left for the speedsters to roll by).

I drove by Tempe Beach park on the 202 today going to my coach's swim studio, and got a glimpse of IM Village, and it never ceases to give me butterflies.  Cannot wait to head over there tomorrow at mid-day and get checked in and wander around the village.

Water temps are REALLY looking good for race morning (hit 66 degrees today for a high water temp).  My swim coach and I both agree we think it will be no less than 63 on race morning, with a chance it could be at 64 or 65, as air temps up to race day will top off at the low 80s.  That means sleeveless wetsuit for me (which will save my weak should a ton of misery)!!!

Spread the link now, or tell them to go get the free app on their iPhone (I do not know if they have one for Android yet).  All they have to do on race morning is pull up the race and select you as the athlete and away they go!

in

Do you know what the water temp was the last couple of years on race day? Just curious. I knew a few people racing and I'm wondering if it'll turn out to be warmer this year.

Hope you have a good day out there, best of luck!

I'll be riding the Beeline tomorrow morning. Probably mid-late morning, since quite a few people have mentioned that the winds pick up later in the morning/early afternoon. I'm volunteering this year, but I want to get a good feel for what race day might be like during the 2nd & 3rd loops.

My question, though, is where should I ride from? I drove in tonight on the Beeline, then took McDowell, then Alma, then McKellips (sp?) to N. Scottsdale/Rural Rd Rd (where my hotel is) Other than the Beeline, I did not see any shoulder to ride on!! I was hoping to just head out from my hotel room & hop on McKellips, but it seems like those 3 roads are pretty busy. Is there a better place to head out from?

Scott you can ride it from your hotel, I did tonight from the hospitality suites just up the block from you.

There are bike paths here and there. The cars were friendly and I had no problems. Just take McKellips over like you said.

Took the dog for a walk again at Tempe Town Lake. Walked down from the swim start towards rural rd. After I got about 15 mins out I noticed a sign said the park closes at 12 so after a bit I turned around thinking nothing of it. Got about halfway back and looked at my watch, it was 2346. At that same time I realized I was on the homestretch for the run and if this was race day I'd be close enough to make it.

Got a tiny bit emotional thinking this is a possibility for me sun if things don't go well. I should be in a few hrs earlier, but you never know.

Last year we swam at 61 degrees, and I believe it was 63 in 2010 (if memory serves me well).

Temps as of 6:00 this morning are 62 degrees, but we still have 3 days of 80 degree high air temps to stabilize it at 63-65 for race morning.

On McKellips and McDowell (on the race course) there really is no true bike lane.  However.....bike traffic is very common there, and most motorists are courteous.  If you still want to avoid all that, drive up to McDowell/Beeline and park at JR's gas station, and just ride up Beeline from there.  That will give you the best feel for the winds and the slight incline for the race (the rest of the course back to Tempe is flat).

Check in today!!!

I will be at IM village early afternoon (1:30-2:00ish) and wandering around in my Tri4Him jacket.  If any BTers see me, feel free to say hello.

I drove by IM Village on the 202 yesterday afternoon and it is looking as cool as ever!

Wishing everyone good luck.  Heading to AZ tonight from the LA area.  Working the Bike Aid Station #2/Beeline/Gilbert, afternoon shift.  The G/F and I will be dressed as hippies (as we all are).  Have fun and Peace! 

A co-worker of mine who has done a few Ironmans including Kona sent me this yesterday. I'll probably read it over and over during the next few days, so I thought I would share it here:

"Your commitment to the training has been the journey.  The race should be just the vacation. 

 Enjoy the moments (all of them).  Enjoy not being able to sleep the night before after checking all your equipment for a 5^th time.  Enjoy jumping into Tempe Town lake with the other 2500 competitors.  Enjoy the music blaring while you float at the start line.  Enjoy exiting the swim and getting your wetsuit ripped off by one of the volunteers.  Enjoy the first 20 minutes on the bike where you begin to realize you are really doing this.  Enjoy starting the run.  Enjoy the aide stations and all the crazy ASU co-eds.  Enjoy the final lap of the run, enjoy the final turn, and enjoy the finish chute.  Enjoy the tears that will roll down your face as you cross the finish line.  Enjoy the day.  Pain is temporary.  Finishing lasts forever.  Enjoy it all.  It’s just a race, yes.  But it’s also one hell of an accomplishment that you will have forever."

On my way to Tempe today! Let's do this!

Today at the office SUCKS!  I'm antsi...  I just want to go home and pack and get everything ready for my departure tomorrow morning...

Enjoy the special pre Ironman time.

Have a super race everyone. Post list of names and bib numbers would help us watching on line.