General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Oilman (Ironstar) 2012 - Who's in? Rss Feed  
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2011-09-28 1:46 PM
in reply to: #3537574

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Subject: RE: Oilman (Ironstar) 2012 - Who's in?
Anyone planning to ride the course some over the next few weeks? I'm gonna try to get up there at least once or twice on the weekends.


2011-09-29 7:53 AM
in reply to: #3537574

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Subject: RE: Oilman (Ironstar) 2012 - Who's in?
i cant ride this weekend, but i would love to ride it another weekend.  If someone gets a group ride together, i would defiantly be in.  
2011-09-30 5:12 AM
in reply to: #3537574

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Subject: RE: Oilman (Ironstar) 2012 - Who's in?

(from the RD): "OIL MAN TEXAS (formerly Ironstar): Everyone is invited to attend a swim clinic and/or a practice swim at La Torretta Resort in advance of our Oil Man Texas Triathlon in November! Come this Saturday, October 1st-8 am... we will have a swim clinic led by Sandra Sutherland (email is [email protected]) with a cost of $20 which covers coaching for an open water swim of 1.2 miles and the practice swim with buoys and lifeguards/kayaks. You can also just do a practice swim for $10, which covers setting the buoys and lifeguards/kayaks. All proceeds go towards The Woodlands HS Triathlon program. Directions to La Torretta Resort can be found at www.out-loud.org. Groups are also planning to ride all or part of the bike course immediately after swimming. You will need to bring cash or check for the clinic and practice swim."

I am in for the swim and (mostly) a ride on the bike course.

2011-10-05 5:57 PM
in reply to: #3537574

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Subject: RE: Oilman (Ironstar) 2012 - Who's in?

The swim was set up for a half course L shape beginning at the beach behind the kids pool.  For the full course it will loop around to the marina and the exit will be up a set of stairs.  I did one loop with a wetsuit on and it was just too hot - yeck!  My second loop to equal the full distance was without the wetsuit and it felt much better but was slower.  On the half loop the water was plenty deep, with no touching the bottom.  I think it will be nice for race day.

One thing I learned was that you are heading into the sun with the swim course and you really need mirrored swim goggles to be able to sight effectively.  I changed mine out on the second loop from shaded to mirrored and it helped a lot.

I met some really nice people from the Kingwood Tri club that I rode the bike course with minus one out and back part, so we did about 48 miles of the 56.  It was much hillier than I imagined, but still a nice course.  This is my first half iron distance and it is going to be a challenge!

2011-10-06 9:38 AM
in reply to: #3537574

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Subject: RE: Oilman (Ironstar) 2012 - Who's in?
I am in it will be my first HIM!!
2011-10-13 1:16 PM
in reply to: #3537574

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Subject: RE: Oilman (Ironstar) 2012 - Who's in?
I got to ride the course a couple weeks ago after the swim clinic. Good ride, but I need to get out there again. Anyone planning to ride this Saturday (10/15?). I would prefer not to hit that course alone.


2011-10-13 6:00 PM
in reply to: #3722803

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Subject: RE: Oilman (Ironstar) 2012 - Who's in?
I'm taking the day off to do the course on Wednesday 10/26.  I have Andy's tri on Sunday so Saturday is my time with the wife and kids.
2011-10-17 3:07 PM
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Subject: RE: Oilman (Ironstar) 2012 - Who's in?
I rode part of the course Sunday and they put down chip seal road and it is very rough out there all the way to Richards and the almost to Dacus. I am not liking this to much at all. So what is the story on when they are going to be done. I would like to hear from Greg if he knows anything.
2011-10-22 1:15 PM
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Subject: RE: Oilman (Ironstar) 2012 - Who's in?
The new chip seal just about shook the fillings out of my teeth today. What a shame! I wonder how many years it'll take to smooth out?
2011-10-22 9:06 PM
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Subject: RE: Oilman (Ironstar) 2012 - Who's in?

g_shotts - 2011-10-22 1:15 PM The new chip seal just about shook the fillings out of my teeth today. What a shame! I wonder how many years it'll take to smooth out?

i hope it is not permenant.  I can not handle it until may 19

2011-10-26 9:17 PM
in reply to: #3734622

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Subject: RE: Oilman (Ironstar) 2012 - Who's in?

I couldn't quite picture what "chip seal" was until I rode the course today.  From mile 5 to mile 22 the road is horrid!  It's a new surface that has the texture of riding on a sidewalk that has concrete mixed with pea gravel and it goes on, and on and on just where there are some of the toughest winds and toughest hills on the course. 

I did not want to get in aero position because it hurt and if you get going more than 20 mph it feels like you are out of control.  There are many spots with loose gravel.  You can tell where they are in some spots because the road signs say "loose gravel". 

The good news is that after mile 22 the rest of the course feels as smooth as a baby's bottom comparatively!  Before then I honestly thought I was going to have to change to touring or hybrid tires before this race - either that or just bring my mountain bike!  Please tell me this will be paved over or the course will change, because I am not looking forward to doing it again on race day!



2011-10-27 8:20 AM
in reply to: #3739803

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Subject: RE: Oilman (Ironstar) 2012 - Who's in?
Would not anticipate it will be paved over by race day. In Grimes County Chip and Seal is pretty much the standard.
2011-10-27 8:29 AM
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Subject: RE: Oilman (Ironstar) 2012 - Who's in?
Is it possible they could change the course?  if so how likely is that to happen this close to race day?
2011-10-27 9:26 AM
in reply to: #3740166

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Subject: RE: Oilman (Ironstar) 2012 - Who's in?

email update....

"We are less than 2 weeks away from the inaugural yet 9th annual triathlon at La Torretta Resort-Oil Man Texas Triathlon!  A couple of quick things-there is plenty of water for our swim even though the lake is low-no worries there!  also, the water is tested each month by the San Jacinto River Authority and the water quality is excellent.  FM 149 from Montgomery to the county line nears Richards is currently being repaved (nice timing!) with the 1st surface-wonderful chip seal. Plans are to go over that with the 2nd surface-smooth asphalt like before with the final completion uncertain. I am looking at another option but have to go through the proper channels-police and DOT. I hope to have  the answer by Friday if we can switch part of the course.  thanks for your patience-i'd love to be doing other things than chasing this 2 weeks out from the race!  Be careful with your last week of training!  Don't forget there is an athlete dinner Saturday night at the resort-you can still buy tickets at packet pickup..."

2011-10-27 4:05 PM
in reply to: #3537574


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Subject: RE: Oilman (Ironstar) 2012 - Who's in?
I am hoping they can pave it before race day, because the first 22 miles is the easiest stretch of the course!  I'm afraid that is wishful thinking though.  What alternative routes are there?  I can only thing of the return route on Johnson Rd. 
2011-10-31 1:39 PM
in reply to: #3537574

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Subject: RE: Oilman (Ironstar) 2012 - Who's in?
OK, so we are less than a week out and i need help with my gear.  I have all the basics( bike wet suit, shoes, ect....) but what things will i need specific to this race on this weekend?  Will it rain?  If so what to i bring to prepair?  Will it be cold?  Do i need gloves for the race?  what about food/nutrition?  What will my wife need when she is sitting waiting for me to finish?  Any and all help will be appreciated.  


2011-10-31 5:51 PM
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Subject: RE: Oilman (Ironstar) 2012 - Who's in?

right now weather forecast looks perfect

but it is Texas i would bring any and all cold weather and hot weather gear.

 



Edited by txjp 2011-10-31 5:51 PM
2011-11-01 9:05 AM
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Subject: RE: Oilman (Ironstar) 2012 - Who's in?
Any word on if they changed they will be able to change the route or not?  From the email it looked like they were trying, just curious if they were able to get it done.
2011-11-01 10:41 AM
in reply to: #3537574


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Subject: RE: Oilman (Ironstar) 2012 - Who's in?

Yes, here's the latest email from the race director:

"Less than one week til Oil Man Texas! 

At this time, Packet pick-up will be available on 2 days (see below).  Cash or check only for 1 Day USAT licenses. Please bring your card if you are an annual member-we do not have time to look up your information for you!

Wednesday, November 2nd from 12 Noon to 6pm
Bicycle World & Fitness
West University
2519 Rice Blvd
Houston, Texas 77005
713/529-0140


Saturday November 5th from 12 Noon to 6pm
La Torretta Lake Resort (Race site and host hotel)

There will be a race expo with many triathlete vendors in the packet pickup area.
NO RACE DAY PACKET PICKUP OR REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE. Please make arrangements to come on these days.
USA Triathlon requires that each contestant pick up their own packet with photo id and be an annual or one day member of USAT!

SWIM UPDATE: The lake level is still low so we have our final swim course map on line. The swim start and exit are off the same beach just south of the water park. The run to transition will be about 200 yards on grass and concrete. Current water temperature is 73 degrees.

BIKE UPDATE: The infamous chip seal surface is complete AND the final smooth asphalt re-surfacing starts tomorrow morning (Tuesday). They have agreed to do the northbound portion first and their hope is to re-surface 3/4 of chip seal by Friday afternoon.  We are keeping our same course-Police and TxDOT are opposed to a course change at this late date.

RACE DAY: Time change weekend so move clocks back 1 hour-more daylight at 6 am... We are using Tri-Tats for body marking-the package will be in your race packet. Please put these temporary number tattoos on before you go to bed saturday night,not at the race site! Timing chips will be handed out on race morning.
Parking will be in the gravel lot at the front of La Torretta for those not staying at the resort. It is a 1/2 mile walk/ride to transition.

Hope your training has gone well!  Have fun tapering..."

2011-11-03 8:06 AM
in reply to: #3537574


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Subject: RE: Oilman (Ironstar) 2012 - Who's in?
First time here and first HIM. Very excited about this race!!!I hope it will not be as windy as today in Houston!!!!Why many people call it fast, since it is fairly hilly and windy?
2011-11-03 3:09 PM
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Subject: RE: Oilman (Ironstar) 2012 - Who's in?

imiranda - 2011-11-03 8:06 AM First time here and first HIM. Very excited about this race!!!I hope it will not be as windy as today in Houston!!!!Why many people call it fast, since it is fairly hilly and windy?

My guess would be because the majority of people who do this race are from the area and are used to the rolling hills. Also, the race is set up very well and a well organized race with relatively low participation usually makes for a PR time. You don't have to fight 2600 people like at Ironman brand half IM's.



2011-11-03 3:36 PM
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Subject: RE: Oilman (Ironstar) 2012 - Who's in?
is there any updated race day instructions? All I see at out-loud web site is the 2009 RDI
2011-11-03 4:01 PM
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Subject: RE: Oilman (Ironstar) 2012 - Who's in?

imiranda - 2011-11-03 3:36 PM is there any updated race day instructions? All I see at out-loud web site is the 2009 RDI

Yeah, and if you go to the packet pickup page you get the 2010 race instructions. Not current, but at least a little closer.

2011-11-03 4:12 PM
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Subject: RE: Oilman (Ironstar) 2012 - Who's in?

After I picked my boys up from school today I drove some of the course and asphalt is going down right now.  It is nice and smooth.  I did not go past fm1097 west because it is one lane (they are working on the north bound lane first).

2011-11-05 9:17 AM
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Subject: RE: Oilman (Ironstar) 2012 - Who's in?

Good news is the new asphalt is fantastic. Bad news it only goes 3 or 4 miles north of FM 1097. From there to the Grimes County line is fresh chip seal. The chip seal is pretty set up, but there's still a lot of loose rocks on the shoulder. From Grimes County on, the roads are unchanged until you get back to the short chip seal section of 149 headed into Montgomery.

Overall, it's not going to be ideal, but it shouldn't be too bad. I'm hoping to bike in the 2:45 - 3:00 range, and am anticipating 40-minutes of new chip seal on the way out, and 5-minutes on the way back.

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