Ironman Florida 2014 : Official Thread (Page 8)

Yes practice bilateral breathing.  It will serve you well.  To get past the breakers going out dive UNDER the waves.  Get tinted or mirrored googles too.  Race morning the sun will be rising in your face across the top of the course.  Spend time in the pocean getting used to it if you can.  Learn to body surf and play in teh waves.  We usually have a few OWS pre-race for BTers and I have taught many many people how to get past the waves and body surf in No worries

Best of all worlds, follow Sue out though the waves, do what she does.  Join us for the practice swims on the days before this year's race. 

Ok, time to start getting serious.

How was your June?

This is mine, pretty wimpy and it's really time to get serious

swim: 11088

Bike 416 mi

Run 45 mi

Strength 2h 40

Used to be able to copy and past right from log.  Hmmm.

That sounds pretty good to me.  At least you've got a solid base to start from.

Originally posted by midwesttrimom Good job. Here is my June: Swim- 20, 545 Bike- 360.50 Run- 82.85 I feel like my bike and run were both weak. Should have a much heavier month in July! Looking forward to it. I have a couple of questions for the experienced IM athletes: 1) When do you usually show up the race venue the week of the race? I will be arriving in Florida on Thursday so hoping that is enough time to check out the course, swim in the ocean 1-2 times, get comfortable with the temp, etc. I don't really have many other options but suddenly feel like it's not enough time. 2) From airport to host hotel??? Transportation?? Is there an IM shuttle, do I take a cab, or should I rent some sort of transportation? 3) Bike- my husband and three kids are driving from Iowa with my bike. It's a 22 hour drive WITHOUT any stops (so with 3 kids it will easily take 2 FULL days). My bike won't be there until late Thursday or early Friday. This concerns me. Was wondering if you recall how early bikes have to be in transition. Sorry to bore you with questions, but starting to have a TON of them!!

I usually get there on Tuesday, but  I like to make a vacation out of it.

If you get there on Thursday you can swim on Thursday and Friday.  Should be enough to get the feel of the water.  I assume that you're getting in some OWS?  If that's all the time you have, then it will do.  Period.  Sue and I will probably get together for a 'group' swim early on Friday morning.  Plan on joining us.

Airport to hotel, lots of taxi's at the airport, lots of Van taxis, but you won't have your bike.  Piece of cake.  About a 15- min ride if I remember correctly.

I believe that Friday bike check in is from noon till three pm.   I suggest you bring the rest of your gear so that you can get your transition bags ready before your family shows up.  I like to take a short spin on my bike to make sure everything is working right before I turn it in, so you'll need to have your helmet and shoes out of the bag for that, but for me, I like to lay out all my transition stuff on the bed, and look at it and think about it before packing my transition bags.  It just insures that I've got what I need.  Suggest all that be done while it's quiet before your family gets there.  And if they get there Friday you'll have a lot of distraction just before you turn stuff in.  Probably better to get it all organized before.

Lots of people here to answer questions.  And lots of people have the same questions.  Ask away!

edit to add: at bike check in you have to check in your transition bags.  Special needs bags get dropped off on race morning.