Ironman Florida : Official Thread (Page 9)

Yep, headed back to BSLT. Third time will do it for me, good bad or ugly I will be done with Lubbock. lol  I raced there in '09 & '10. Too close after IMTX last year... it got me through IMFL in '09. If you can finish BSLT... you can finish IMFL, that's how tough of a half that is.

Run training is going very well and I am starting to log some bike miles too... the swim is where I am lacking...can't seem to find my way back to the pool. HA!

I haven't been this excited about the IM journey since late '08! Rekindled love of the sport for sure!

The line in the afternoon on the 1st can be 2-3 hour wait or it has been last couple of years. Check in on the first day takes about 5 minutes.

Ok, I think we will change things and drive down on the 31st. Still on the fence on bringing the kids. They didn't come to my first IM in 2008 but they were small and it was hard for me to take the "Mommy" hat off. Now they are 8 and 10. I think they would get a lot out of it and enjoy the Gulf. I just hate that they are going to miss school. Plenty of time to think about it.

Despite the multiple colds that my daughter "brings" home from school and my travel schedule for work, training is going ok.  Its just so hard to get on the treadmill/bike or in the pool when my head is stuffed-up and nose is running....but alas, spring is just around the corner...

BTW, since I'm spending alot of time on my treadmill and indoor bike watching movies (and I assume alot of you are too), does anybody have any good movie recommendations?  (Netflix was made for folks like us...)

Thanks.

ps.  If I did my math right, 267 days to go...

I heard on ST that IM has partnered with gu as official gel for IMs and HIMs. I looked on the IMFL website for nutrition on course and no gels are listed.

In 2010, we arrived very early on Thursday morning.  This year, we have planned to arrive on Wednesday the 31st and take care of registration etc. as early as possible.  The only issue is, I would like to do Augusta 70.3, and that trip just might take a day away from my IMFLA trip so not sure if it is worth it.  Because of injuries, I have not done anything over a 2-10-2 duathlon since IMFLA 2010, and I would like to at least have a recent 70.3 going into IMFLA.

There aren't really many 70.3's withing New Orleans I can do that will fall on the calendar when I have adequate time to prepare.

That would be great!  I used to train with GU because I like them that much better but switched last summer to get ready for IMFL.  I'd prefer GU.  But, I just place and order at REI for another 50 Power bar gels.  Can't beat their deal, 20% off and free shipping.  But I could have easily bought GU.

My only hope, although I doubt it would happen, is to get rid of the Ironman Perform.  I just can't handle that stuff.  I can drink almost anything but that.

enjoy,

DUaDuane

I'm just the opposite...I have only been able to handle powerbar gels.  I guess I have time to get used to GU's if it is true.

Yea, that's why I switched to Power bar gels about 8 months ahead of IMFL. I think I switched just before New Orleans 70.3 or 69.1 as it ended up (no swim).  But, remember the gels are small enough that you could easily carry enough to get you through.  There are so many ways to carry gels on the bike that you wouldn't have an issue.  Same with the run. I thought of that but since I could stomach the Power bar gels it was just easier to switch. 

It's that Ironman drink I cannot stomach.  I am OK for the little amount I take on the bike but I'm usually at my limit by the time I get to the run.   

enjoy,

Duane

Here's my suggestion regarding gels and stuff.  You've got a long season to train.  Use your long training bikes and runs to also practice your nutrition.

I suggest you try lots of things so that you can have a plan, plus a back up plan for your nutrition.

For instance, I use Perpeteum on the bicycle, but can use Power bar gels as a supplement, or change to them if my body does not want the Perpeteum any more.

One more note, they usually have one, or maybe two flavors at any given rest stop.  Know what works for you and which flavors your can use.   I use the Powerbar gels all the time, but there is one flavor that makes me sick.  Still I decided on my last IM that I could try that one.  Took me a good 20 miles to get over feeling nauseous.

There are lots of threads about nutrition, you might search them.  I remember one where the participants were discussing which candy they liked the best on the bike.  It might have been in the IMFL forum from 2010.

nice bike!

Cason - you can also use a bento box for nutrition on the bike as well as carry stuff in your pockets.  at 56 miles you can access additional nutrition from you special needs bag.  13 miles on the run.

Lots of folks run with a fuel belt to carry nutrition and hydration.

Still others 'live off the course,' using only what's provided at the aide stations.

To add onto what Jasha said.  I did refine my nutrion through my long rides.  I found out what didn't work and what could work.  I even used powdered Ironman Perform.  To be honest, I didn't really have it dialed in until the IM but I knew what didn't work and that is important.

I just live off the course for the run.  Can't imagine what I'd take with me as they have pretty much anything you'd want.  But I don't use any special formula so maybe that's why. 

enjoy,

Duane