Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas : Official Thread (Page 7)

bib numbers are out!

I deflated my tires over night and inflated them in the morning before the swim. When I hopped on my bike right out of transition my back tire had blown. Luckily I was right next to transition and the mechanics on site had my tube changed in roughly 2 minutes. It would have take me a lot longer to get it done.

I'd let some air out overnight, but inflate to full 120 PSI the morning of.

No worries of road temperature over inflating tires? I was always under the assumption that on hot days to leave the tires a little under inflated to allow for expansion from heat and friction from the hot road surface.

I just pump to 120 and race. i've done a few hot races (IMKY for one) and they hold up fine. that's just me, though. i'd do whatever you're comfortable with.

OK. Thanks.
Yeah, I also did IMKY in 2012 and 2010, and left them at 110. Maybe I could have gotten away with a little higher, but I will probably do the same thing in Texas.
I ride clinchers, is there any difference in susceptibility between clinchers and tubulars?

Never heard about this issue... I ride in Miami weather all year round and I pump my tubes at 115-120 psi. I ride clinchers. Should I be concerned about this in TX?

Sounds like not. From what I've read on this forum and others, all seem to agree that there is no way a tire will blow due to high temperatures. I'm going to roll with 120 next month.

I wouldn't worry about the PSI, guys, BUT do what you're comfy with. I normally pump to 120 and will do so the morning of, too.

Have a great race!

Guys

I just did Marblefalls last week, I noticed there are IMTX athletes there on training. They did the Full Aquabike I mean that's 3 weeks before the race? Is there any significance to this on preparation for IMTX? Looks like a Very Tough workout that's this close to the race? I could have sworn they we're lead by a coach.

Thoughts???

I normally don't taper until two weeks out so I see no problem with that. Especially since they weren't running long. Swimming and biking long at this point, when done at IM pace, won't hurt. Three weeks is a long taper for some. Also, if they're being coached then it's all part of the plan. I know out rival racing is still in full training mode.

Ok, we are less than 3 weeks away from IMTX!!

This will be my first IM and I don't have much experience tapering (I only needed about 1 week for the HIMs I did). My last 4 weeks I did between 18 and 22 h/week of training that could be broken down as 20% swimming, 30% running, 50% biking.

I am shooting for about 5 hours of "training" the week of the race, 10-12 the week before (next week), but I have no idea what to do this week. I looked at plans and some of them use a 3 week taper while others don't start tapering until 2 weeks out. My 3 main questions are:

1. Should I do another higher volume week (18+ hours) or should I start reducing volume to 14-16 hours? Maybe less than that?
2. What intensity should I be training at?
3. What % of my time should I dedicate to S/B/R? I have been running 45-50 miles/week for the past 5 weeks and my legs felt pretty heavy, so I am not sure whether I should keep running 30% of my time or a little less.

Thanks a lot!!!

I totally agree with this post. An aquabike at IM pace will not stress the body as much and recovery is probably just a few days.

My approach to taper is a little different that papson14 in that I'm going to taper 3 weeks for the run and 2 for the bike, which goes back to the point that the bike is just not as stressful on the body.

Good luck!

Finally booked a room. Just grabbed a room at the Courtyard by Marriott near Walmart. Stayed there a couple of years ago, nothing fancy, not close but not far. Plenty of room for my wife and kids when they get in and an indoor pool to use while I'm out on the bike.

Stay healthy friends.

I feel like I lose conditioning if I taper 3 weeks. I have a sprint on Saturday (mainly because I'm tired of training and want to race) and will probably do my last longish ride on Sunday. Then I will start to bring the volume down. I won't do any intensity during race week and will go by feel on duration. I think everyone is different though.

Goodluck and Godbless Guys!!!

ill be praying for a safe race for you all!!!!

Carl
Bike Aid Station 8

Good luck to all of you now and in a couple of weeks! I had hoped to get down there to volunteer after participating last year and volunteering the year before, but shoulder surgery a few months ago and my wife being due with our second baby within a couple of weeks has obviously nixed any possibility of that!

For the newbies, take it all in...it's unfortgetable.

Race some for me out there and everyone be safe....oh, and has anyone said on here yet to be sure to hydrate?

How much speed/ efficiency have I been losing with 100 PSI inflated tires?

I can't say.

I've always heard to pump up to 100 psi if it's rainy out, or if the road is really rough. In rain, you get better grip. On rough roads, it's for comfort.

I'm sure there are some charts out there that detail speeds at different psi.

Edited by d00d 2014-05-03 8:27 AM

For what it's worth, this is not a one size fits all issue. It depends on your weight and the size of your tires. You can use the calculator at the link below. You might be surprised how low (for a light weight rider) your tire pressure should be. Mine is well below 100.

http://www.dorkypantsr.us/bike-tire-pressure-calculator.html

The 10 day forecast has highs of 86 with light wind on Thursday before the race. Let's hope that holds. I know its early but does anyone know where to check water temperatures?

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Swim-Shops-of-the-Southwest/127782025...

they are posting the water temps. as of 3 hours ago, the lake temps were 73F.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed. If the predicted weather holds up, there will be some pretty fast times.