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2010-09-24 9:53 AM

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Subject: Ironman 70.3 Boulder - Thoughts?
I'm looking for more info on this race and there are only a couple RRs with not a lot of detail. Anyone do it? Know someone who did? Hear anything about it, good or bad? I'm considering it for '11 but would love some feedback before committing.



2010-09-24 10:21 AM
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Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Boulder - Thoughts?
I've done it 5 times, once as 'Ironman Boulder 70.3' and 4 times under it's old name & mgmt, but same course.

Overall I think it's a good race!  It's well managed.  The swim is in a reservoir and has always been wetsuit legal in the past.  The bike course does not go up into the foothills and therefore is pretty fast.  A few rollers/false flats in first part, then fast in the second half (and then repeat since it's 2 loops).

The run is mostly flat, largely on dirt roads, but very exposed.  It can get quite hot.

The altitude can be a challenge, it's at 5430 feet above sea level.

But overall, good event.  I'd recommend it

Just let me know if there's anything specific I can answer for you!

2010-09-24 10:23 AM
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Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Boulder - Thoughts?
ersmith29 - 2010-09-24 11:21 AM I've done it 5 times, once as 'Ironman Boulder 70.3' and 4 times under it's old name & mgmt, but same course.

Overall I think it's a good race!  It's well managed.  The swim is in a reservoir and has always been wetsuit legal in the past.  The bike course does not go up into the foothills and therefore is pretty fast.  A few rollers/false flats in first part, then fast in the second half (and then repeat since it's 2 loops).

The run is mostly flat, largely on dirt roads, but very exposed.  It can get quite hot.

The altitude can be a challenge, it's at 5430 feet above sea level.

But overall, good event.  I'd recommend it

Just let me know if there's anything specific I can answer for you!



I wondered about the altitude... I'm assuming you live there? I live below sea level so I imagine I'd feel slightly lower energy.

The course sounds nice, glad to hear it's well managed. How is the experience in the town? A lot of energy? Places to stay? I've done a few now where the race was nice but the overall experience a total let down so if I'm going to travel I want to make it worthwhile.

2010-09-24 10:31 AM
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Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Boulder - Thoughts?
Yes, I live here (Colorado, not Boulder proper  The main thing with the altitude is feeling out of breath, even walking up stairs, etc.  Many people say they feel it during the swim, b/c of the breathing.  I've always heard that it's best to arrive either 2 weeks before to really acclimate, or less than 48 hrs before to minimize the effect.

Boulder is an amazing outdoorsy/triathlon town.  There are so many pros who live there, it's not usual to spot them out training.  Really cool.

That said, the race takes place at the Boulder Reservoir, which is a little ways out of town.  There is not a lot of crowd support outside of the rez itself.  Hotels would be about a 5-10 minute drive or more to the race site, there's nothing walking distance.

Edited by ersmith29 2010-09-24 10:31 AM
2010-09-24 1:06 PM
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Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Boulder - Thoughts?
What time of year is this...? Hmmmmmmmmm.... *wheels turning*
2010-09-24 1:19 PM
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Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Boulder - Thoughts?
Aug 7, 2011 


2010-09-24 2:08 PM
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Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Boulder - Thoughts?
ersmith29 - 2010-09-24 11:31 AM Yes, I live here (Colorado, not Boulder proper  The main thing with the altitude is feeling out of breath, even walking up stairs, etc.  Many people say they feel it during the swim, b/c of the breathing.  I've always heard that it's best to arrive either 2 weeks before to really acclimate, or less than 48 hrs before to minimize the effect.

Boulder is an amazing outdoorsy/triathlon town.  There are so many pros who live there, it's not usual to spot them out training.  Really cool.

That said, the race takes place at the Boulder Reservoir, which is a little ways out of town.  There is not a lot of crowd support outside of the rez itself.  Hotels would be about a 5-10 minute drive or more to the race site, there's nothing walking distance.


Such great info, thank you! It sounds perfect. I don't mind that the race site is a drive, I'd have to have a car anyway. I can't imagine spending a few days in Boulder would be a letdown. This one is looking pretty good for '11.

2010-09-25 12:32 AM
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Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Boulder - Thoughts?

I did the race this year and stayed in Boulder the night before even though I live just an hour away. There is a Holiday Inn Express that is literaly minutes away from the races site. I would say four miles at most. The hardest part regarding traffic is getting in and out of the reservior as there is only one lane each way.

I heard a couple of people say they saw Craig Alexander doing a training run while they were on the bike leg. I remember seeing someone running in that area but didn't even think to pay any attention. Next time I will

2010-09-25 4:43 AM
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2010-09-25 3:02 PM
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Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Boulder - Thoughts?
PennState - 2010-09-25 5:43 AM My biggest worry for anyone doing this race is the altitude. I live at 1,200', but LM lives at sea level. I just think that being a mile up doing a HIM would be tough. Never done it before, just seems like a major disadvantage for the 'altitude-challenged'


That was my biggest concern as well. My coach said it would not be my best performance, but could still be a good training experience, especially if I stay out there a bit. Decisions, decisions...
2010-09-26 9:38 AM
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2010-09-26 12:30 PM
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Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Boulder - Thoughts?
PennState - 2010-09-26 8:38 AM
LazyMarathoner - 2010-09-25 4:02 PM
PennState - 2010-09-25 5:43 AM My biggest worry for anyone doing this race is the altitude. I live at 1,200', but LM lives at sea level. I just think that being a mile up doing a HIM would be tough. Never done it before, just seems like a major disadvantage for the 'altitude-challenged'


That was my biggest concern as well. My coach said it would not be my best performance, but could still be a good training experience, especially if I stay out there a bit. Decisions, decisions...


I'm not an altitude expert but my guess is that you would have to go 10-14 days beforehand to adjust?

Please, any experts know the answer to this one?


Not an expert but from what I know/remember. Altitude has little effect 1500 meters (~4900') and below on performance. Above 4900' it takes about 14 days to be fully acclimatized up until 7500'. Above that altitude it takes another additional week for every 2000'. If you do not have the option to acclimate it is suggested that if you have a race to do it in the first couple of days since 4 days at altitude was when your body performed at it worst before finally starting to adapt. At the 1988 Calgary Olympics the Swedish x-c ski  team stayed at sea level and went up to race the day before to minimize the effects of altitude since they did not have the time to fully adapt.
2010-09-26 2:04 PM
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Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Boulder - Thoughts?
I did it this past year too! Here is a link to my race report from my blog if you'd like to read it: http://trirunveg.blogspot.com/search/label/Boulder%2070.3

Overall, I think it's a great race, but the run is just a killer if it's a hot day. August is usually a hot month, so just be prepared for it to be super hot on the run b/c you are running on a dirt road/path with absolutely no shade or cover. The volunteers and aid stations were amazing though!! I'm still on the fence on where or not I'll be doing it next year.

About the altitude, I am not an expert, but I've also heard to either arrive around 10 days before to acclimate, or within 3 days of the race.

I actually stayed at the Mariott (really nice hotel!) the night before and just rode my bike into the reservoir on race morning. It was awesome! I passed hundreds of cars waiting to get into the reservoir and was able to use it as a little warm-up to ease fears and get my muscles moving.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions about the race!
Aimee
2010-09-30 12:27 PM
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Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Boulder - Thoughts?
Thanks everyone! The advice I've been given on altitude for both this and hiking, is either 10+ days in advance, or 2 days before. Boulder isn't so drastically high that I'm likely to feel major altitude sickness, but will likely feel low energy racing. I biked in Italy this past July at altitudes up to around 5,000 feet (boulder is 5400) and felt winded and a little slower, but still felt good enough to ride every day.

I'm not looking for a PR, I have another 2-Ironman year, I'm looking for a new 70.3 and a nice mini-vacation to go with it!
2010-09-30 1:04 PM
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Subject: RE: Ironman 70.3 Boulder - Thoughts?
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