Ironman St. George : Official Thread (Page 7)

Yep, new toys - I got an 11/28 rear cassette too, and swapped my 52/38 carbon crank from my road bike to my tri bike. And, picked up a much lighter HED carbon aerobar set on slowtwitch classifieds. So, I figure I'll have a much lower low gear, and probably dropped about 1.5 lbs from my bike from last year. I'm putting that in the "saving my legs" category, rather than "wus" category, but maybe it's both.

The reservoir being 56 degrees right now is very encouraging. They'll be some more nice warm days in the coming weeks. Sounds like it is going to be warmer than last year, hooray!

No new toys for me, but I've had a lot of toys for awhile now.

My training was fairly minimal in March after IM NZ - had knee issues, finished up my vacation (i.e. no training) and then got sick after I got back (probably from the flight or from the 3 people who sit closest to me at work were all sick).  Consequently, I went 3-4 weeks with almost no training and was seriously considering a DNS.  Fortunately, in these last two weekends, I was able to start training again and I think I'll be able to train enough to start and (hopefully) finish (although not at my peak), but the next couple weeks will tell.  My tri club is headed down to Lake San Antonio for Wildflower training weekend so I'll try riding a double loop there.  If I can handle that okay, I should be okay for IMSG.

@LittleCat I bet it's going to make a big difference. I bought an Xterra a couple years ago. I bought a closeout '09, but they thought they were doing me a favor by giving me a '10 instead. But, their sizing had changed and where before I was a small-long, now I'm just a small. 

I wore the one that was a bit too big for one race, and seriously it felt like I was towing an extra 20lbs of water around. 

Once I figured out what happened, I couldn't exchange it because I caused a fingernail tear taking it off. But, they ended up patching that one, and gave me a properly sized current year suit one model down. I ended up selling the other and basically had a wetsuit for free. They have awesome customer service.

Swimming in the properly sized suit is 100% better. You'll be happy.

What a drag, literally.  My suit fits me correctly and I've sometimes pulled in extra water into it and could notice that.  You must have been hauling around a lot of extra weight so your swim times will surely improve.

31 days to go....

Got some of new tri stuff... new pearl izumi tri shorts and new tri bike shoes (i had road ones).... On the bright side I think I'll actually get to ride outside for the first time this year! I have a plan 6hr ride/run on friday if all goes as planned. Damn I need to move out of Ohio.

So, 31 days to go -- that brings up the question of what is everyone planning for their taper?

I saw something the other day with a graduated taper:

3 weeks for run

2 weeks for bike

1 week for swim

My wife surprised me with a tri kit (shorts and jersy) from the California 70.3 which I ran last year.

We are getting close to th start date...it is going to be epic. 

Last year I wore a tri suit, which was nice except that it takes a minute to get out of it in an "emergency". This year, I'm going two-piece. Will wear it underneath the wetsuit. Trying to put a jersey or clothing on over a wet body is something I experienced in my very first tri...never again. 

Plus, I don't know what the women's side was like, but the mens changing tent was the biggest scene of chaos I've ever seen. It was hilarious. The fewer decisions you have to make in there, the better.

Hi all,

I'm in St Geoge doing some training and passing on some info.

Today was windy. very windy. Local weather says 45mph with gusts to 54mph. I  don't think i've ever been that sure i was going to 'bite it' in my life. i've done 10 IMs. The whole trip down RT 18 was scary. The gusts coming up thru the canyons were unbelievable. From talking to locals this is not usual but not uncomon. Be prepared. I had regular rims with bladed spokes. If you are going deep or disk you might want to have a 'plan B'.

On a more possitive note. I went to Sand Hollow on Tuesday. According to the water skier the temp is 62. Seemed about right. However the next few days are supposed to be rain and 50s. Tuesday it was 80*!

The course is hard, harder than LP, C'dA, Fla (everything is harder than Fla) Switzerland and Canada (i've done them) but if you pace yourself it's doable. The hard part is getting into a rhythem, between the constant undulation, cracked/potholed roads, chip seal surface it's quiite difficult. And it isn't just the 2 loop part, there are several good size hills at the start, on RT9, Washington Pkwy and Red Hills Pkwy (you'll be running that one too).  

Another point, these roads are worse than any other IM i've done. Probably any roads i've ridden on. Be sure of the tires and air pressure  you want on race day. Also, make sure everything  on your bike is secure. I know there will be bottles launched and spare tires, flat kits and nutrition paks all over the road. If you have a front mounted hydration system, be sure it is secure or it will drive you crazy.

i hope training is going well for everyone,

good  luck

x2 on the tri kit under the wetsuit! At my first practice tri, I tried putting on a bike jersey on my wet torso, and some medics came over ready to give me some anti seizure meds!

@tritoswimbikerun - its interesting to get a perseprctive from a multiple IM finisher on the SG course...this will be my first, and I chose it mainly for the scenery and the challenge. So, now I will be looking forward to similar challenging courses like Canada, CDA and LP! But first....IMSG....

I am looking forward to my 2 week taper, and some full rest days...feeling fit, though! Getting excited as the day draws near...

If you see a tall, red head, lying on the side of the road, please throw her some gatorade

ok. i usually have an extra bottle anyway. FYI, the course drink is Powerbar Endurance so you may want to give it a try. Some people really hate it.

Watch out for the bridge after Eagle Mountian and before Veyo. It washed out earlier and the repair job is just a bunch of loose gravel. You'll see signs 'Rough Road' - believe them.

Also, kinda late notice but anyone planning on riding this weekend - the weather looks like crap on Saturday and only a little warmer on Sunday. But the wind has calmed down : )

good luck

Thanks guys, I'll take whatever I can get! 

Kinda excited... I think I'll be able to get outside tom and sun for the first time this year... woo hoo!

usually, the advice is if it's above the neck, it's okay to work out (within reason), but if it's below the neck (i.e. chest cold), then not to work out.  If you can't keep food down, that doesn't sound like it's very conducive to working out.