Ironman Coeur d'Alene : Official Thread (Page 87)

As you know I'm a big proponent of a compact crank for almost anyone on this course.  It will help you pace the bike correctly and be able to have a tighter cassette so you can be in the perfect gear more often.

I would not recommend swapping bikes on race day.  If it's the bike you'll ride in the race, you should spend a bunch of time on it in training.  As for getting used to the shifting... it works the same way so not much of a difference.  When it's too easy shift to a harder gear, when it's too hard shift to an easier gear.  Avoid cross chaining if you can... but I suspect you'll find your sweet spot gears for most of the ride are aligned better on the compact crank.

I would appreciate your opinions on this, please. As I mentioned here back in January, I did a nasty number on my ankle ligaments that ended my CDA hopes for this year. I'm still in the situation where I can't run or walk far (and won't be able to for a while) so I still can't complete it, but my rehab is resulting in pretty decent swimming and biking condition.  Neither hurts the ankle so I can do as much as I want, which I'm taking advantage of. I still haven't canceled my entry to get my minimal refund (I have until May 22) so the idea is creeping into my mind of doing the swim and the bike and then dropping out before the run.  Even walking the marathon is out of the question because my ankle just won't be ready for that and I don't want to risk longer term problems so I would know going in that I would stop after the run.  My thought would be to not even put my running shoes in the transition bag so I can't let the moment get the best of me and try to go anyway.

My wife originally suggested this idea shortly after the injury, but I shot it down thinking I wouldn't handle it very well going into an event knowing that I wouldn't finish.  I've never had a DNF, but the more I think about it, the less the idea bothers me.  I'm actually thinking the other way - that I've paid the money and I could still get in two of the three events and get some experience with the whole ironman atmosphere since I haven't done one before.

So what do you think?  Could you start it knowing you wouldn't finish it?  Any thoughts on pros or cons?

Cheers,
Brad 

It looks like you live close so money is not much of a factor.  Me?  I don't see the point.  Enter a race you know you won't finish?  You could swim for an hour at a local lake and ride for 6 hours and get the same feeling.  Now, if you could walk the marathon, maybe.  Otherwise, nah.  YMMV.   

I would appreciate your opinions on this, please. As I mentioned here back in January, I did a nasty number on my ankle ligaments that ended my CDA hopes for this year. I'm still in the situation where I can't run or walk far (and won't be able to for a while) so I still can't complete it, but my rehab is resulting in pretty decent swimming and biking condition.  Neither hurts the ankle so I can do as much as I want, which I'm taking advantage of. I still haven't canceled my entry to get my minimal refund (I have until May 22) so the idea is creeping into my mind of doing the swim and the bike and then dropping out before the run.  Even walking the marathon is out of the question because my ankle just won't be ready for that and I don't want to risk longer term problems so I would know going in that I would stop after the run.  My thought would be to not even put my running shoes in the transition bag so I can't let the moment get the best of me and try to go anyway.

My wife originally suggested this idea shortly after the injury, but I shot it down thinking I wouldn't handle it very well going into an event knowing that I wouldn't finish.  I've never had a DNF, but the more I think about it, the less the idea bothers me.  I'm actually thinking the other way - that I've paid the money and I could still get in two of the three events and get some experience with the whole ironman atmosphere since I haven't done one before.

So what do you think?  Could you start it knowing you wouldn't finish it?  Any thoughts on pros or cons?

Cheers,
Brad 

I would appreciate your opinions on this, please. As I mentioned here back in January, I did a nasty number on my ankle ligaments that ended my CDA hopes for this year. I'm still in the situation where I can't run or walk far (and won't be able to for a while) so I still can't complete it, but my rehab is resulting in pretty decent swimming and biking condition.  Neither hurts the ankle so I can do as much as I want, which I'm taking advantage of. I still haven't canceled my entry to get my minimal refund (I have until May 22) so the idea is creeping into my mind of doing the swim and the bike and then dropping out before the run.  Even walking the marathon is out of the question because my ankle just won't be ready for that and I don't want to risk longer term problems so I would know going in that I would stop after the run.  My thought would be to not even put my running shoes in the transition bag so I can't let the moment get the best of me and try to go anyway.

My wife originally suggested this idea shortly after the injury, but I shot it down thinking I wouldn't handle it very well going into an event knowing that I wouldn't finish.  I've never had a DNF, but the more I think about it, the less the idea bothers me.  I'm actually thinking the other way - that I've paid the money and I could still get in two of the three events and get some experience with the whole ironman atmosphere since I haven't done one before.

So what do you think?  Could you start it knowing you wouldn't finish it?  Any thoughts on pros or cons?

Cheers,
Brad 

I should have clarified that we're planning to be in CDA for the race anyway (as spectators for my cousin) so the only money difference is the $150 I would otherwise get back as an entry refund. I'm also very cautious about the ankle thing and I am definitely monitoring my training along with my PT to make sure I'm not doing too much. I have no problem parking myself if need be.  I can actually run a little at this point (2 miles), but I have no interest in testing the limits of my ability to travel on my feet for 26 miles yet.

That being said, if things keep going the way they are now, I'll be riding more than a 100 miles in training by then so if I'm going to go for a long ride, I figure why not do it there.  Yeah, I know it's kind of an odd thing to consider and I certainly wouldn't do it if I could get my full entry fee refunded or if I'd save a ton of money by not traveling there at all.  Since we're already "all in" with our travel plans, I'm having trouble seeing the downside of giving it a go for the swim and bike as long as I'm actually in good enough shape to do it and don't risk my recovery. Other than the weirdness of entering an event I know I won't finish, that is.

I should have clarified that we're planning to be in CDA for the race anyway (as spectators for my cousin) so the only money difference is the $150 I would otherwise get back as an entry refund. I'm also very cautious about the ankle thing and I am definitely monitoring my training along with my PT to make sure I'm not doing too much. I have no problem parking myself if need be.  I can actually run a little at this point (2 miles), but I have no interest in testing the limits of my ability to travel on my feet for 26 miles yet.

That being said, if things keep going the way they are now, I'll be riding more than a 100 miles in training by then so if I'm going to go for a long ride, I figure why not do it there.  Yeah, I know it's kind of an odd thing to consider and I certainly wouldn't do it if I could get my full entry fee refunded or if I'd save a ton of money by not traveling there at all.  Since we're already "all in" with our travel plans, I'm having trouble seeing the downside of giving it a go for the swim and bike as long as I'm actually in good enough shape to do it and don't risk my recovery. Other than the weirdness of entering an event I know I won't finish, that is.

I would appreciate your opinions on this, please.
... 

Hey btw awesome to hear you are doing this race again!

I'll definitely track you, best of luck!