Ironman 70.3 Augusta : Official Thread (Page 9)

Holy crap, just called the Marriott and got a room! Just did it on a whim, thought i'd check and see. Can't believe it.

I believe this is the latest Augusta Chronicle article about the "stuff" in the river.  I sure hope they get this fixed soon!

http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/metro/2010-08-23/more-tests-done-bad-water

Doesn't sound too promising but I am sure they do not want to alter this event and it will test fine by the time we get there.  Just make sure you drown your sinuses with saline, netipot or whatever you can wash them out with in the transition and try not to swallow any water (Ya Right).  Best wishes everyone.  By the way does anyone have any idea of the order of the waves for the age groupers, clydesdales and athenas?
Thanks
Tom

Edited by Tkimble01 2010-08-27 3:20 PM

i think it's too late, but a hep A shot would've been helpful.

Yuck.  We have to swim in that fecal matter!!!  They better get the EPA involved.

How long would it take for E. Coli to hit you, for me as long as it is around 4 1/2 to 5 hrs. after the swim I really don't care!!  Been training to long to worry too much about this, happens.

Time to start the Activia yogurt and take 2 Pepto Bismol the morning of the race--works great in Mexico.

Hey guys and gals. I was speaking to an Augusta Utilities (water department) official this morning as well as for the last two weeks about the fecal coliform issue. He told me they recently smoked (pressure tested) the suspect storm drain and found nothing to indicate a sewer line was connected. That's not to say they won't find something but the search just got more difficult.
Furthermore, the river water testing performed by the lab at Augusta State University was done using a test not approved for water. The test is only approved testing of food for fecal coliform. In addition, the test was not specific to fecal coliform but to coliform in general. There are a significant amount of leaves and vegetation decomposing in the drains and this decomposition can increase coliform colonies.
Given this new information it seems unlikely the water is as bad as first reported.
I recently was quoted in the Sunday edition of the Augusta Chronicle concerning our local tri club, TriAugusta, swimming in the river. I mention that only to say that I am going to ask the reporter that wrote the article to look into this new information.
One more item, prior to finding out that the testing could be flawed, the City of Augusta was prepared to chlorinate the storm drain prior to the race just in case there was an issue.

Brian Patterson
TriAugusta Triathlon Club

So on top of the shirt I get for the race I get a new WHITE competition suit, awesome!
What is the procedure again for treating your wetsuit after being in chlorine?
......
Come race day its either on or its not-won't care much until then. I mean really how many people are going to back out of the race if the officials say its a go but the paper that morning or the day before prints-"risk of ecoli from swimming Ironman Augusta"

Lets talk logistics of the course please. Its my first HIM, first race in Augusta, and I am looking forward to it.

So am I, but if possible, I prefer not to be crapping my brains out for 2 weeks afteerwards.

We have been swimming the river for weeks without issues. The water seems cleaner than many of the warm water ponds and lakes we compete in all summer. Except for losing my hair and the development of a third eye--I'm not worried. Besides, the course is FAST (trust your wetsuit and embrace the current) so just keep your mouth shut and swim fast. 

Trust me, except for a flood upstream, we'll swim as planned. 

Its just that much more in the river for the gators to feed on.

i have a question for anyone who did this race or swims in the water at about the time of the race. is it warm enough to use a sleeveless wetsuit? i just find the sleeveless one more comfy.

thanks
erin

A sleeveless is fine. Race morning the water temp should be about 70 degrees F. It has been this about all summer and is fairly constant until the lake starts to cool later in the year.
Check this web for details about the flow and temp of the race course.

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?site_no=02197000

This whole thing is starting to remind me of the Seinfeld episode when Kramer was swimming in the Hudson

Edited by mktoson 2010-09-01 8:08 AM

anyone riding the course this weekend? Thinking of sneaking over Friday night. Will bring my scuba gear for the swim and hazmat wetsuit.

Does anybody swim/ride on Sunday mornings?

There has been some interest on a Sunday morning swim for this weekend . . . a not has been sent out to TriAugusta as well . . .I'm still recovering from IMKY last weekend or I would be there . . . need my rest for 70.3 in three weeks lol!!!

i'm planning on riding the course sunday morning.  16-18 mph.  7am.

with the fishing tournament in town, will departing from transition be an issue? thanks

posted on the race site yesterday,  general entry closes today.   if you know a late comers better tell them to pull the trigger.

do not know my schedule yet - However, what about a labor day ride?

I just looked at the "schedule" on official website and it says transition closes at 6am...really? Last year it was at 7 right? 

The only issue is possibly parking due to the boat trailers. You may have to park in the lot before you get to the boathouse. Otherwise, the boats should not be an issue for you.