Steelhead 70.3 Triathlon : Official Thread (Page 2)

Hey peeps  hows it goin?      considering I cannot get a close hotel to this event  I suspect lots have entered.    But not much activity here.    For me  I'm just hoping for that "perfect" weather day.    Honestly every single Triathlon I have EVER done  has been in blistering heat.    So I just have to figure that I'm due for some great weather.    You all get to enjoy the nice weather we will get due to it breaking my unlucky streak!      

Either way  we need to get FIRED up!!!!!    Let's get this party started!

(crickets chirping)  I guess we're all still in the med tent from Racine, haha!

I got tickets to the pizza hut dinner...anyone else?

Q

getting nervous

i did a 50 mile ride last week and planning 56 tomorrow.  Looks like storms, so I will do 3 1/2 hours on the trainer. 

Think its OK to do 50+ next week Wednesday or Thursday???

Is a 10-11 day Taper enough??

Crap, this snuck up on me.

I think its totally fine to do a 50 miler with 10-11 days to go.  perhaps dial down the intensity tho.

wnevala - 2011-07-31 9:00 PM Hello Gang, A friend and I are coming to Benton Harbor in a couple weeks to participate in the Ironman 70.3 Steelhead. We are from Rochester, Minnesota and are looking to have a great race. Just wondering if any of you have been in the water there to give us an idea of what it is like? Temp? Waves, etc? I am preparing for the worst, but hoping for the best. Anyway, pray for less humidity on race day. Bill in Minnesota

This will be my first 70.3 and second tri, but from what I've heard, you just never know what you are going to get in Lake Michigan.  The water has been warm.  I'm hoping I won't feel too warm in my full wetsuit.  Here is a link you can check for water temps.  I don't know how accurate it is, but I'd imagine it's pretty good.

http://www.coastwatch.msu.edu/michigan/m5.html

Did a 4.75 hour brick today.  I'm psyched for the race.  You will all know me when you see me.  I'll be the slow one

Hope that helps.

wnevala - 2011-07-31 9:00 PM Hello Gang, A friend and I are coming to Benton Harbor in a couple weeks to participate in the Ironman 70.3 Steelhead. We are from Rochester, Minnesota and are looking to have a great race. Just wondering if any of you have been in the water there to give us an idea of what it is like? Temp? Waves, etc? I am preparing for the worst, but hoping for the best. Anyway, pray for less humidity on race day. Bill in Minnesota

Temps, conditions, waves can all change in about an hour. I have heard the lake can turn it self over in 4 hours. So it could be 60 or yesterday they were saying it might hit 80 at some point during the day. We have had a very warm summer so far but I would be shocked it if were not wetsuit legal.

Here is a link to the wave times http://ironmansteelhead.com/course/swim-waves/

2011 Athlete guide is up:

http://c28638.r38.cf1.rackcdn.com/2010/11/Steelhead-Athlete-Guide-2011.pdf

WTH!! I'm in the next to last wave!!! Not excited about that at all. why in the world would 25-29 go last!? This is my first 70.3 so I'm just trying to enjoy the day but knowing that I'm going to be going last has me bummed. I'm #1741, no thoughts on that haha.

as far as temp, water should be plenty warn without a wetsuit.  I use mine for flotation.

I just saw that there is no race day packet pick up.  I am bummed that I have to go 80 miles each way on Friday and Sunday.  Oh well.  Did 14 miles running on Sunday and 50+ ride today.  Starting to feel the nerves.  Feels pretty good.  My first 70.3.  

Good luck everyone.  

See you in 11 days.

A question for anyone who has been to Steelhead before as a spectator or athlete:

Are dogs allowed with the spectators?

FWIW  15 day forecast on myforecast.com

high of 77, 0% chance of rain, 5 mph winds, mostly sunny.

should be perfect.

Two days ago it 82 with 15mph winds and rain.  I like yours better but I'm not holding my breath.