Ochsner Ironman New Orleans 70.3 : Official Thread (Page 8)

I was warned for not dropping back quick enough when i was passed, I saw the drafting police way to much. for a while there i thought they were picking on me.

100% agree.  Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't the prior race director use jet skis in the water? 

Well it is over and I am back home.  I got to meet to new friends due to this site and thread (Martin and Jay from NC).  It sucks the swim was cancelled but it is what it is so I just went with it.  I had the slowest half bike split I had ever had 2:54, but I made a point not to draft and I didn't.  I had numerous draft packs blow by me and one pack ran me off the road.  It was on the one lane leg on the way out and I had to cross a rumble strip to keep from getting hit.  Just as they passed I had an official come by on the other lane and I sat up and pointed to them and he never payed a bit of attention. 

The race was a considered a success for me overall though.  I am trying to improve on my run and I wanted to PR the run.  My fastest HIM run time was 1:53 and my PB open HM time was 1:48.  I ran the half in 1:45:08 so I was stoked.  I made a risky decision when I came out of T2 and that was run as hard as I could till I hit a wall.  At mile 11 or so it felt like I got ran over by a mack truck but I kept chugging along till the finish.  I did the last mile averaging 9:07 and I knew I had left it all on the course.  If anyone saw a short fellow in a black trisuit with bright red shoes that looked like he was running for his life it was me.

Duanerice - 2011-04-19 7:58 PM Left feeling unsatisfied. I know they had to do what they had to do but it wasn't a tri. Waited a while for this and spent a lot of money on it... But that's the way it goes. Saw quite a bit of heavy duty drafting but it doesn't affect me. Instead of 75th I could maybe come in 65th in my age group if I drafted . Although there were times when it was hard not to be behind someone. I always made sure if I was close to someone I stayed off to the side. Thought the bike course was fine but after battling the headwind all the way out I expected more help coming back. Other than after the first turnaround (awesome tailwind) I didn't feel as much wind on the way back. It seem to have shifted and was coming from the side. Loved the run. thought they did a great job. Lots of support. Made a mistake and was about a mile too late in taking my last GU. By the time I took it I was toast. Had to walk a minute at mile 10. Bummed but just had to. Oh well lesson learned for next time. Finish was awesome. First Iron branded race. Overall a good time. We had 22 people from our club racing which made it even better. Disappointed with the swim. The swag bag was a joke as was the after race party. I just expected more from an Ironman race.Enjoy,Duane

I'm with you.  I was with a group of three and all of us had a similar feeling after the race.  The after party did not compare to many of the local sprints I do.  Plus, the medical tent right at the finish was full when I walked by it.  Want to hear a good one.  My friend wrecked on the bike at the 30 mile turn around when someone cut him off getting a bottle.  The water station had no aid bag.  Just tampons and butt chafe packets.  My buddy rode off covered in blood and found someone at transition to clean him up.  

I spoke with a local race director that also sent athletes to the race.  He said the swim was totally doable with boats and jet skis.  We have lakes here in Dallas that get really choppy when it's windy and all of the local directors use boats as help. 

I did think the aid stations were very well done, as was the feel of the finish.  However, I don't think I'd ever do that race again as they clearly did not think through the swim support.  It's too bad as the course is super fast and fun.  I PRed the bike and run by a huge amount, but who gives a crap as without the swim it's just a two sport race.     

Well i'm in the same boat with being a little down about  no swim.  After swimming SAT afternoon, I don't see how they could have kept safety people in good enough position for 1800 people.  Maybe like its been said, boats and jet skis?!?!

For my first Mdot race, I thought they did a very good job.  I've never seen so many cops, the last 3 or so miles on the run had someone about every block, pretty crazy.  The pizza and bagle wasn't high on my list for finisher food, but the ABIDA was GREAT!!!    Aid station seemed to be pretty good, everyone on the run seemed to be very helpful.

I was in the 40-44.  Were you on a red Specialized?  Sorry to hear.  My buddy crashed at the 30 mile turnaround when someone cut him off.   

Hey Chris, i saw your wreck at the bottom of bridge, i'm just glad your ok i saw some blood and wondered how it turned out. Other than being bummed out about the swim i had a great time myself.

Chris, sorry about your race... this was almost exactly my story at HIM Galveston the week before... caught a groove in San Luis Pass bridge. Split lip, blood pool, the whole thing...knocked out cold. And I heard there was another rider that went down after I did, and I feared the same thing - that they hit my blood and went down. rode the red bus to the hospital

Oh well, come race with me in Kansas :-)