Ironman 70.3 California : Official Thread (Page 10)

Hello all-

Checked in Yesterday...Wow.  Ironman events are slightly more high profile than the Bakersfield Triathlon

Couple thoughts:

1) I bought a "squid lid" at the expo.  The folks around me (Very experienced...i could tell from their 4% body fat and dialogue) said its a must have.  I figure...might as well be a little uncomfortable with the chin strap than cold. 

2) Bought some elastic laces for my running shoes.  I'm using my Asics Kayano's so i just bought 15 seconds and eliminated the possiblity of a blow out on the run (untied shoe)

3) The run has changed from Athlete Guide.  For some reason, they do not want folks on the wooden planks of the pier and we will instead have to run up the ramp for a total of 4 times.  2 on each loop.  After you get checked in...head south to the expo area and there is a booth on the left hand side where they give great descriptions of the course, and allow you to ask whatever questions you want.  I cracked a joke about sprinting up the entire big hill...it was received with uncomfortable laughter, some serious Pros out there!

4) The shirt and SWAG BAG are located on the far opposite end of the Expo and you get them after you register and watch the brief video.  I forgot my USAT printout...if you have a smart phone, you can pull up your number on the USAT webpage and show it as proof.

5) I'm not sure if i drove the correct road...but it looks like there are quite a few little rollers on the run portion...but I may have been driving on the final part of the bike course...??

6)Run Transition bag.  I'm debating turning it in early for 2 reasons.  #1) What if it gets stolen?  Highly unlikely, but possible.  #2, I'd have to come into T2 and unload the bag and fumble around with my stuff.  Even though its a long race...2 extra minutes burned in transition equate to 10 sec/mile of time.

Its the nerves talking.  I have to admit, I'm very anxious...but excited at the same time.  Its encouraging to know I'm not the only one.  At the end of the day...we have all trained and have to trust the work we have put in, and not discount the fact that Pure Adrenaline always helps during the race.  I'm sticking with my game plan...SAVE IT FOR THE RUN. 

Phillipians 4:13- I can do ALL THINGS through CHRIST who strengthens me. 

See you guys out and about!

Yeah, I'd say the run is rollers on the first lap, honest to god hills on the second! 

I'll clarify today, I guess but I don't understand the above, how we can run up the ramp 4 times....  The map I saw on Coach Vance's site showed us running on Pierview onto the pier only far enough to get to the ramp to turnaround, not on planks. 

One thing i know for sure, I sure as heck won't be first so guess I'll just follow everyone else 

As for T2 bag, I am dropping mine off, but make it simple.  All  you need are shoes and a hat (well, all I need).   I will have my socks on, I will have my sunnies on, I will have the race belt on.  I do have an extra pair of socks in there as well as a visor (in case) and a gel to start out with, but that's it.  Everything else I plan to have with me, so dump out the shoes and hat, leave everything else 

BE CAREFUL with speed laces - nothing new on race day    Sometimes the bungee can come out of the little grommet if you pull too hard, then you are fumbling with it.  Happened to me in a sprint once. 

"I'll clarify today, I guess but I don't understand the above, how we can run up the ramp 4 times....  The map I saw on Coach Vance's site showed us running on Pierview onto the pier only far enough to get to the ramp to turnaround, not on planks. "

The way i understood it...Out of T2 we go up/down the ramp and out to the north, turnaround, up/down the ramp again, then proceed with Loop #1.  Coming back on Loop #2, its the same thing, going up and down twice more (4 total).  Its very goofy, but it looks like they had to change it last minute as the map she showed me had the run on the pier blacked out.  All i know is that its a steep little guy and doing this 4 times 4 hours+ into a race could make a little difference.  I'm giong to "spin" up the hills with a higher cadence like on the bike instead of muscling up them.

I agree with you...I'm going to drop my back at T2 later this afternoon.  Its worth the extra time saved tomorrow, and all i have to pull out is my shoes, gels, hat, and wrist band (that my Garmin will transfer to).

Wear the full sleeve.   Spend 5 minutes getting it on, at least.  Way up in your crotch.   Way up over the shoulders.  When you put your arms in, twist the rubber so the rubber return to center pulls your arm in.  Make the wetsuit work for you.  THere's lots of reasons I wouldn't wear a sleeveless tomorrow.

Checked in and hanging at the hotel.  Getting pumped!!!   And Jessica, saw your name on the back of the t short that has all the names, it was the first one I saw 

I didn't confirm the run course so guess I'll just follow the crowd!  

Sweet! I registered yesterday and dropped my run gear on my way home from work. I'm starting to feel a little better. I haven't done anything all week and hope all of the rest has helped me kick this bug. I guess we'll see tomorrow. Planning on heading to bed early tonight. Rest well everyone ... have a great race tomorrow.

I have only one complaint about that race. I started in the last wave, and I had to bike through MANY competitors who rode all over the roadway. Blocking is a concept that most people just don't know about. I'd like to see more education of rules like that. I don't care if you're in a pace line, but please don't ride 4-abreast and block the entire roadway.

Also, I yelled "on your left" to a guy and he swerved right so hard that he hit someone. Sorry about that, to both of you.

One of the problems starting that far back is that you have perhaps competitors that aren't as well versed in the rules because they are more trying to finish than to race, so they don't get caught up in the details.  I had some of that too, yelled on your left a lot, but also got to do a lot of legal drafting and leapfrogging

Good point, ChrisM. I don't think there wasn't a moment of the ride where I wasn't passing someone (or in a no pass zone.)

I didn't really like the run area north of the pier, too narrow.   I understand they have to keep pacific open for residents so have to use the strand to end the bike, but I hope they can find another way to do this next year.

Wait, did I say next year?  After swearing I wasn't going to sign up for an early season half again??? 

Ha! That's what I said last year. 

The tight lanes north of the pier were a challenge, especially on the second loop when there was far more traffic to navigate.  It was a bit disappointing that they ran out of mylar blankets, as with the cool breeze off the ocean they would have been nice once you cool off after finishing.  Oh well, it happens I suppose.  One other recommendation (this is the first time I have done this race so maybe they have never had this) is to have an actual post-finish photo background and area after you go through the finisher's chute.  They had a photographer standing where they were removing timing chips, but I missed him the first time by, and did not notice he was there until I waited for a friend who came through later.

Regardless, WTC puts on a first-class event, and nothing seems to compare to the IM and IM 70.3 experience.

Congrats to everyone!