Ironman Arizona : Official Thread (Page 3)

If you haven't checked yet, the revamped Ironman site for the reservations now submits requests directly rather than just listing the hotels.  Last I checked it also gives you a current list of what's available at the event hotels.   When I checked last month, only one of them was already sold out, the Marriott Courtyard downtown tempe at the finish line.   I believe our family is booked at the Springhill Suites.  

Both times I've used the Hampton Inn on Scottsdale Road.  5 minute drive to the US Airways parking building.  King suite with full kitchen so you can cook your own food, freeze bottles, have that post race ice cream ready

Shuttle to the race site race morning, and early breakfast that day.  Breakfast buffet included.  LOTS of racers staying at the hotel, they even have special rags for wiping down bikes (guess they got sick of people using bath towels )   7-11 next door for last minute Special Needs bags items or paydays 

COMFY COMFY beds.  If and when I do IMAZ again, that's where I am staying

Also eat at Pita Jungle one night, pretty awesome

Thanks, any idea on where to get one?

Happy New Year!

To any that already has done the Ironman distance: how much slower should the marathon be than your normal marathon pace? Do you go by gut, or is there a formula? I need to know to plan my long runs accordingly. On the run, do you also need to stay aerobic as on the bike? or you can you allow yourself to go anaerobic, risking to bonk?

Please help.

Ernesto

Hey Ernesto..  hope you are doing well..   The marathon in an ironman is a complete different animal that a regular marathon.   It is important that you do long bricks so you can start practicing the "transition" from bike to run.  I think that for the most part the first IM is about finishing and setting up benchmark.    Don't worry about your pace,   just listen to your body and most importantly stay healthy.    See you at the starting line..  and wait for me at the finish..  

cheers

Luis

Luis, no way I'll wait for you at the finish line, it looks to be exactly the other way around by your training log...

Pacing myself is exactly what I want to do to finish, I'm competitive, but not this one race since it's my first IM and I don't wanna bonk big time. You being a marathoner know exactly what I'm talking about, people that completes the first half Marathon in 1:40 and the second half in 2:30 of walking/running.

I don't want to end up there, like someone told me you better be 30 minutes faster than 15 hours than 30 minutes slower than 14 hours and guess what: it's the same time.

BTW, how much slower is you pace during the IM?

Thanks,

Ernesto

WOO HOO! It's finally here!  I signed up in April 2008 for this race and the start of my training plan begins Sunday, with the running of a local 13.1 here in Huntington Beach, CA.  I am so excited as this will also be my first IM.  No crazy dreams yet   so I guess I'm lucky.  I have a local coach to beat my and keep me motivated.. Ironically, I am actually gonna pay for that so I hope I enjoy it..  I'm a bit scared too but I guess that is expected.  I'm in the 50-54 AG this year since the big 5-0 will be about 5 weeks after the race.  I need to watch what I eat as I am 147 now trying to get to 135-138 by race day, so I guess the beer, tequila, and yogurt will have to wait!  I will stay with the Lee's Iced Coffee every morning though as I am hooked and if I bled, it would be coffee brown.

Well, hope everyone will have a wonderful time training, as that will be the journey to the final destination of race day.  I will have a flashlight for sure, as I am hoping for a 16:55 finish!!

Hey Sinjin77, if you are going to bike train on the Santa Ana River Trail, let me know as that will be my bike training home when I get started so maybe we can ride some together.  GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

Lori.. 

"It ain't about how hard ya get hit, it's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how much you can take and keep moving forward".....  Rocky Balboa

I am going to do the Race the Base in Los Alamitos on 2/21.  It's a reverse sprint and new this year at that venue.  I'll do it for fun.  Nothing yet for March. For April I am already registered for CSULB reverse sprint on 4/26.  As I register for other stuff, I will psot races on my training log and will touch base with you.

I lost my open road virginity on Tuesday night as I had a 20 mile ride with my new IM coach..  We rode along a stretch pf Pacific Coast Highway that scared the crap out of me.  I know the drivers are accustomed to seeing cyclists all the time but that doesn't mean I wanted to be one of them!!  I like the Santa Ana River Trail..  No cars!

The "aloft" just opened this week. It is about 1 1/2 miles from Tempe Beach Park. This should be a good spot. I'm not sure if any rooms have a view of the lake. If so, you may be able to see the swim course from your room. It would depend on the view as the turnaround bouy is just after the Scottsdale Rd bridge.

For those seeking condos, send a not to Jdicarlo. She booked one last year. There are pleny of rooms around.

The coach has me on a 7 day-a-week plan right now and just starting the 3rd week..  Long and slow to start to make sure I have that "base", before he starts crankin it up..  Can't afford any big races yet so will stay with a few sprints until I make a decision..  Looking towards BOD if it's in September, as a last Oly distance race at Bonelli Park.  Just haven't looked that far yet..  Got a reverse sprint this Saturday to do for fun...  This is going to be fun....

Lori..  "If you play with something long enough, you will surely break it"

I just started winter maintenance as a way of doing "something".  It helps that Arizona is in the midst of a bike challenge for the next thrity days!.

My big races up till IMAZ will be IMCA 70.3 in April and American Triple-T in Sept.

IM focused trng will begin in May

Evillarroel.

I too am looking for a training partner/group in the DFW area in preparation for Ironman Arizona. What days do you generally go long and brick? Where do you normally ride? run? To what DFW areas are you willing to travel for training rides, long runs, or bricks?

Joshua Merrill.