Ironman 70.3 Austin (Page 9)

Gary, I'd suggest Salt Sticks or S-Caps over Endurolytes if you're going to take electrolyte capsules.  More than double the electrolytes per capsule compared to Endurolytes.

Did your projections factor in the heat?  You have to be very flexible with your execution plan when temperatures rise like they did.  Have an A Plan, a B Plan and a C Plan.  Count on going with a contingency or two.

No. I'm just not that smart / sophisticated / experience to factor in the heat. My race plan was to swim 40 to 45 min (went 41:30), bike 3:10 (went 3:07) and then see if I could run a 2:00. Turns out I couldn't. ran 2:11. But I'm not convinced that had I biked 3 min slower that I could have ran 3+ min faster. I think in hindsight I should have ran a slower 1st lap. I went 38min and didnt feel like I was working hard. Then all of a sudden I WAS WORKING REAL HARD to do 42 min on lap 2. Then I just didnt much care about lap 3.

Not dissapointed in the slightest with my result though. Plan A was shoot for 6, plan b was walk more and shoot for 615. Plan C was cross the finish line. At 607, I met goals C and B and scared the heck out of A. Feeling really good about it right now.

I totally tripped over the timing mat bumps at the finish.  And they caught it all on video.  I'm the first one to cross in the video.  Go ahead...have a laugh at my expense.  

Oh yeah - and did anyone else in the first M30-34 wave see that guy with the mask and snorkel at the swim start?  What the...?

Nice!  I saw that guy with the snorkel... swam up next to him right after the dude floating at the 200m mark.  I knew I shouldn't have started way in the back... LOL

What a jip.  You didn't even fall on your face. 

Snorkels are actually legal.  I don't see how it would help since your breathing is restricted to a narrow tube.

really glad to see that a bada$$ like tyrell got caught by the mat monster.

I thought that I was the only one. Also caught on video and in one of the pictures. To make it worse, when I tried to keep my feet my hamstrings cramped.

5 days later and I am stil getting little muscle spasms in my quads. very odd.

Believe me - I'm no bada$$.  I'm just another AG'er who doesn't know how to pace myself.  But I do know how to have a laugh at myself.

I said this back on Page 3 but no one wanted to believe me
 
Great job out there everyone - I was on the run holding these signs... did you see me?

Here is what I wrote on Facebook a couple of days ago

Funny spectator signs I saw this weekend at my race: "Puke and Rally", "This sign was hard to make too", "If you can read this sign you are running to slow", "I'm hot too", "You're not almost done", "Of course it's hard it's a freaking Half Ironman!"and "Honey badger don't care"

Another BT'er reminded me of the "Don't get chicked, unless she's hot!"

Thanks for the support!!

LOL, actually I am with you on that.  I looked back at this post as I was emptying my bag and realized that I meant to say "Saltstick caps".  Sitting in my bag was my Saltstick caps bottle.  Somehow Endurolyte just stuck in my mind. 

BTW, never put a wet tri top in a bag with a couple of those capsules in it and then let it sit for a couple of days.  Whew!

@lisa -- I'm still sticking to my original opinion in my post from my pre-race ride  4 weeks ago.  IMO the roads really weren't that bad, then or on race day.  Maybe its just because these are the kinds of roads I've put thousands of miles on over the past few years, but they certainly didn't seem dangerous to me.  What was dangerous were riders who were all over the place and not holding their line on the right, even when there were no cracks, forcing faster riders to either pass them over the yellow line or on the right.  Alas, that's the way it goes.  I really wonder what the rest of the world's cyclists ride on...must be perfectly smooth and flat roads without a crack in sight!

@brad -- that would be me!  I definitely got chicked on that day... numerous times over!  Any chick that can put in a 6 hour 70.3 is hot in my book, too.

I live just a couple hours down the road in Houston so our roads suck too but they're 10x better than the roads used on the Austin 70.3 bike course.  I will never do that race again until they change the race course or properly pave the roads.  I would also not recommend the race to anyone because of those road conditions.  It really was that bad. 

I actually feel bad for you that it was normal for you and you're stuck riding on such poor quality roads like that.  I'd quit cycling or always ride on my trainer if those kind of roads were my only options.

The only real issue I had was with the portion that wasn't paved at all.  I would agree the roads were below par but from what I had read I expected much worse.

The Honey Badger poster was the best of the day! i pointed to it when i ran by...i kept thinking to myself after i saw it..if honey badger dont give a $hit..why should i.....keep on runnin' !

for those who havent been formally introduced to the honey badger....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r7wHMg5Yjg

What can I say, I just like to ride.  I don't care if the roads are rough, if there is a crack here or there, or if its unpaved... that's just part of the adventure!  Just turned the race into a little cyclocross that's  all  

I'm sorry GMAN, but I feel bad for you if you would quit cycling or ride indoors just because of some rough roads.  I think you're missing out on some great rides.  Just a difference in philosophy I guess!  To each his own...

Awwwww DJ.....  You just made my day!

I just call em like I see em!

I stayed at:

Super 8 Austin/Airport North
5606 East 51St Street
Austin, TX  78723
512-926-5100

Actually very clean, nicely furnished and lots of other racers were there.  They opened the breakfast up early the morning of the race.  Not far from the race (5-10 mins maybe).  Thru Priceline I got a pretty good deal.

Around the Airport you have all the chains.  Most of them are new Best Western, HI, Hampton, Super 8, Motel 6.  The Laquinta is really nice. 

About 1/2 way to Bastrop is the Hyatt at Lost Pines, a resort.  Also, downtown Austin has them all.