Bone Island Tri - Full Iron Course : Official Thread (Page 9)

Well....this is not going as planned. Been feeling sort of off for the last week or so. Would have a solid workout and would just feel sluggish day after day. Started my long trainer ride on Saturday and got 75 miles but was feeling starved. Got off to eat and never made it back on the bike. Something was just wrong.

Bailed on the rest of the ride. Sunday was to be my long run but by afternoon I knew something was bad. Then proceeded to spend the next 8 hrs hanging out by one of our nice toilets and laying on a cold tile floor. Sick as a dog and giving back everything I think I consumed in the last month.

So here we are to Tuesday. Hopefully getting back cause not much time left

I still haven't made up my mind. It seems at least 60% of the course will be on the Overseas Highway, 15feet above the water, with NO barrier to the wind. Fighting for six hours trying not to get blown into traffic or over the railings will not be fun.

So, I have my HED Ardennes [25mm] that I use for training and my HED Jet 6& 9 for racing. I have a feeling I will end up bringing both and make the final decision in Key West depending on the wind. 15mph or less it's the Jet's if over 15mph looks like the trainers.

I thought about renting a pair of 40's but for a bit more I could own a pair. I would love to have a pair of Jet 4's but I don't think I will find them under the Christmas tree. So I will most likely work with what I have.

Here's hoping for low winds for the bike and swim, because I also don't feel like swimming with 4 ft swells.

Hi Kat.

Stay warm in training. Less than 5 weeks out.

Just checked the BI website.

Looks like we will have a tight group for the full [149 at the moment] and half [322]. I can't imagine to many people adding at the last moment.

Should we do a group photo at the swim start for the full.

Ditto...   Had a nice long ride on Sunday, a good swim Monday and yesterday was going to be my long run.   Severe stomach cramps and nausea had me in bed instead.  Trying to get out there this afternoon, but body is in slow motion.  I am sure the extra rest is actually doing more good than harm though as it has been a busy few weeks of training.   Good luck and feel better.

Can't say that enough.

Hey all just wanted to say hello from KW. This is my first post on this Site and looking forward to being part of the community. I am, unfortunately, not ready for prime time yet with the IM, but I am one of the few Keys residents to be participating in the HIM. Nervous and excited as this is my first HIM. We just had the TRIKW here December 3 and I completed the Oly. Weather was great with winds about 13 mph and seas about 2'. The year before we had 20 mph winds and seas were 3' with white caps, not fun.

Keeping fingers crossed that January is more like this years TRIKW instead of like the year before. Can't ever tell.

I don't want to scare anybody but the biggest challenge will likely be the bike ride on the Overseas HWY, or more exactly, the ride back into town. It is Saturday morning during season, so could be lots of unaware tourists and the locals aren't so respectful of cyclists either. No one would intentionally try to hurt anyone, but there are some distracted folks down here. Hoping for the best though.

Happy to answer any questions I can and hopefully next year I will be ready for the IM.

I've never been to Key West before so I'm not sure what to expect.  My wife's birthday is 1/14 and I'd like to do something nice for her since it's her birthday and she's having to deal with my training.  Any suggestions for something nice to do during the day and a nice place for dinner would be great

A lot depends on the weather, but if it is decent, then I would go out for a sail or catamaran trip to the reef where you can snorkel if you want or just enjoy the water (in an entirely different way than you did the day before.) If you don't want to get out on the water, then taking a historic tour and just walking off of Duval to see the great historic homes and a few museums it also nice. Really kind of depends on what she likes to do.

Dinner I would suggest Blue Heaven down Petronia Street, good food and unique atmosphere or Michaels on Margaret St.. Great food and really nice atmosphere and awesome service. Michaels is very popular with locals and tourists that know how to get off the beaten path of Duval. You can find both on traveladvisor and also they have their own websites.

Great to have you join the group! It's nice to be able to talk to a local being an inaugural year! I have one burning question for you. The race organizers have warned of jellyfish and suggest a full wetsuit. I only have a sleeveless, and I prefer a sleeveless. Are jellyfish really a concern there? Is the RD just covering his own butt? Based on the maps, I can't imagine we're swimming much more than ~500ft off the beach.

I'm sure many people here will think of a thing or two in the coming weeks. Again, thanks for the help and good luck with the half! I sometimes wish I was doing that instead... More time to party while waiting or the rest in my group to finish the full.

Louie's Backyard is on my plans sometime while I am there. Being a big Jimmy Buffett fan I have a ton of joints to hit that he sings about.

Starting to wonder if that is the type of weather I am wishing for??? Training is in the toilet. I am slowly coming back to health and now I hear my 3yr old in his bedroom sick as a dog, can't win here. Maybe torrential conditions would take all time goals out and make this a long sufferfest.

(of course not really wishing for a rough day)

Did see somewhere Key West has never recorded a 100 degree day? Found that crazy, if we had  a couple of them up here in Michigan this summer and they never have???

Wishing everyone quick recoveries from your injuries and illnesses this weekend.  Hang in there!  I just got over the latest leg thing myself and had 3 decent runs this week.  I actually felt stronger having taken 2 weeks off.  Also there's this dodgy shoulder which has me wondering at times if I'm going to make it out of the water under the cutoff but that's a long-term thing that isn't going anywhere so I just have to be careful.  Actually I should be fine but the paranoia sets in sometimes.  And what is going on at work....everyone is sniffling and sneezing!!  Go home!!  I need a bubble for my desk.

Long long ride tomorrow with my training buddies, my and Nicole's first 100+ ever.  Expecting it to be low 40's to start which is below my tolerance level for cold but we have to be done by a certain time so we'll have to suck it up.  I can't squeeze my bottles when it's that cold -- maybe because I cannot feel them???

Happy Friday everyone!

Thank you and glad to help. The jellyfish, and more importantly, the man-o-war chances really depend on the direction of the winds. Last year the first week in February there were thousands of man-o-war that got blown in from the Caribbean on Southeast winds. Hopefully that will not be the case mid-January but we do see a bit more action with this unwelcome visitors February and March. I didn't see any in December for the TRIKW, but I will let you all know if I see some the next time I take a ocean swim.I am wearing a long sleeve suit but more because of the water temps (I am a whimp). The swim is not too far from shore. Heads up for those starting at Fort Zach for the IM, the shoreline there is very rocky/shell covered. Once you are in the water it is fine. I don't know if they are going to put rugs down or not, but just be prepared for a potential "rocky start." The finish though on the transition side is sandy.

As for the folks who are going to Louie's Backyard. It is a nice restaurant and right on the water, but as a local I would recommend the other two restaurants I mentioned over Louie's any day, just for friendliness of staff, as well as food that is just as good a maybe a little bit less expensive (but not much.)

As for the weather. Not only has it never reached 100 degrees here (barely over 90) but we have never in history even had a frost. (now you know why I live here.

Louie's Backyard is nice and worth the experience.  But I'll say that IMHO it is overpriced for the food/drink... you are paying for the view.  But the view is worth it!  Best meal in town, again IMHO, is at Seven Fish... but they have about 10 tables so reservations are a must.  The Blue Heaven suggestion is a good one, but I would go there for a "nice dinner"... much more of a lunch or brunch place.

Attempting a long ride on the trainer tonight, hopefully a longer swim tomorrow and then shooting for close to 20 miles running Sunday. All that could go out the window if I feel like crap though so here's hoping

Good luck to all and let's all get and stay healthy

Completely agree that these are different experiences. If you want a super romantic evening, then Louie's will work, but I would still go to Michael's for the best food and service. But the view at Louie's is great. Blue Heaven is not for a stereotypical romantic experience, but it is great no matter what time of day you do go. I do love breakfast there. We have a lot of great restaurants in town--most of the really good ones off of Duval. Have a great time!!