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2011-09-29 1:46 PM

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Subject: Galveston 70.3

I'm considering doing this for my first HIM...One thing I'm concerned about is a 4 loop run course...seems brutal.

 

What are peoples' opinions on this race? Good? Bad? Good first HIM?



2011-09-29 2:17 PM
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Subject: RE: Galveston 70.3
I hope its a good first race! I am planning on doing this as my first HIM as well
2011-09-29 2:30 PM
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Subject: RE: Galveston 70.3

I'm considering it for my first HIM too.  I know several people who've done it, and they all liked it.

You might consider doing 5150 Galveston next month.  It's an Olympic-distance race on the same course, with two run loops instead of four.

2011-09-29 2:36 PM
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Subject: RE: Galveston 70.3

GREAT first HIM!  Flat, fast and the run is EXTREMELY spectator friendly.   I'll be making this race an annual  thing. The bike course is absolutely amazingly beautiful.

Having said that, a few things to mention: someone put building tacks on the course this year, the wind is brutal and four laps is hard (but not too bad).

Word of advice?  Stay in the hotel.

2011-09-29 5:46 PM
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Subject: RE: Galveston 70.3

I am signed up for it as my first HIM as well, just under 1 year from my first sprint.

As has been stated the 5150 next month is an Oly with the exact same course except a 2 loop run and an early turn around on the bike.

I will probably do the 5150 too.

It should be a good race, and with a saltwater, wetsuit legal, swim it gives it makes it different than most of our races in TX.

2011-09-29 6:30 PM
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Subject: RE: Galveston 70.3
ponyup - 2011-09-29 1:46 PM

I'm considering doing this for my first HIM...One thing I'm concerned about is a 4 loop run course...seems brutal.

 

What are peoples' opinions on this race? Good? Bad? Good first HIM?

It's a good race.  The one and only X Factor to this race is the wind.  The wind wreaks some havoc on the Texas 70.3 bike course.  You can pretty much bank on 15-20 mph southernly winds.  The bike course is more or less 28 miles out and 28 miles back.  The first 28 miles is SW and the return trip is NE.  You will ride into the wind the first half of the ride and crosswinds will be an issue for the entire ride. The wind can also cause problems for the swim.  The inlet gets choppy.  It was real bad in 2010.

The four loop run isn't that bad.  It was hot the last two years.  Hopefully the earlier date will bring some cooler weather.



2011-09-29 8:04 PM
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Subject: RE: Galveston 70.3
A friend from my church mentioned it to me.  I'm planning to sign up.  Gotta focus on Longhorn 70.3 in a few weeks first.  I'm glad this one will keep me motivated to train through the winter (especially swimming) instead of sitting on my butt.  not that I ever do much sitting on my butt anyway.  
2011-09-29 8:33 PM
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Subject: RE: Galveston 70.3
This race is great. The winds were brutal this year but when you head back to town on the bike, it was nice to have a tailwind!! The run is hard because it was hot and humid but overall it is a good race..
2011-09-30 8:00 AM
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Subject: RE: Galveston 70.3
Good to hear all the positive replies. Everyone is getting me even more excited than I already was LOL
2011-09-30 11:23 AM
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Subject: RE: Galveston 70.3

it was my first HIM earlier this year.  It's not bad at all. 4-loop run course is actually great. Spectators can see you 4 times from 1 spot!  Just make sure you actually  keep track of your loops (it was easy for me since I wore a garmin).

Wind is a factor but not a big deal. It was primarily a cross wind, but if it's a headwind portion, just shift to a lower gear and keep the effort the constant.

Hotel on site too - which simplifies packet pickup, transition setup (both on bike check-in and final setup the morning of the race).  I forgot my nutrition and it wasn't a big deal to go back to the hotel fridge and pick it up.

2011-09-30 1:39 PM
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Subject: RE: Galveston 70.3
m2tx - 2011-09-30 11:23 AM

Hotel on site too - which simplifies packet pickup, transition setup (both on bike check-in and final setup the morning of the race).  I forgot my nutrition and it wasn't a big deal to go back to the hotel fridge and pick it up.

I already have my reservations.... wondering if I should have gotten the hot tub room for the recovery after.



2011-09-30 3:58 PM
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Subject: RE: Galveston 70.3
<===Its a great race....i love the run course..very spectator friendly. JB

Edited by jasonwb 2011-09-30 4:00 PM
2011-10-07 11:32 AM
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Subject: RE: Galveston 70.3
This will be my first HIM too...Looking forward to it. My main concern is the ocean swim..hoping I won't swallow too much water! The swim is my weakest portion..Like other people have posted, I've heard the wind is kind of steady, but otherwise, should be a great first HIM for us..
2011-10-07 11:38 AM
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Subject: RE: Galveston 70.3

texasgrrl - 2011-10-07 11:32 AM This will be my first HIM too...Looking forward to it. My main concern is the ocean swim..hoping I won't swallow too much water! The swim is my weakest portion..Like other people have posted, I've heard the wind is kind of steady, but otherwise, should be a great first HIM for us..

It's not an ocean swim.  It's actually in a very protected bayou and not on the ocean side so conditions are similar to a lake swim.   Last year, we couldn't do a practice swim in the bayou so I did a practice in the seawall side.  There were 3-5 ft waves there but the bayou was calm. 

 I'm looking forward to this next year and it will be my first race of the 2012 season if all goes well.

2011-10-07 12:16 PM
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Subject: RE: Galveston 70.3
I've done this race twice. I love it. Very well run. Personally, I like the loops on the run because after the first time around you know what to expect. The volunteers are enthusiastic and the course is as flat as it can get. Winds can be an issue if you don't already train in them. If you're in the N. Texas area, I would highly suggest going out to the Texas Motor Speedway for a few training rides. It's always wind out there!

It's a perfect first 70.3 race. I'm going to try out New Orleans this year, so have fun!
2011-10-07 4:04 PM
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Subject: RE: Galveston 70.3
m2tx - 2011-10-07 11:38 AM

It's not an ocean swim.  It's actually in a very protected bayou and not on the ocean side so conditions are similar to a lake swim.  

People say that all the time but it's not exactly accurate.

It was pretty rough in 2010.  They had to cancel the swim for the Oly (which used to be the day before the 70.3) because it was capsizing boats and kayaks for the emergency staff.  No way people could safely swim that day.  The water calmed down enough for us to swim the 70.3 the next day but it was a tough swim.  I normally swim 1.2 miles in 31-34 minutes depending and it took me 41 minutes and change to finish the 2010 swim.

Yes, it's less prone to severe conditions than the Bay but it can still be a handful if the winds and current are whipping in the right direction.



2011-10-07 4:06 PM
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Subject: RE: Galveston 70.3

spuphal - 2011-10-07 12:16 PM It's a perfect first 70.3 race. I'm going to try out New Orleans this year, so have fun!

I'm doing NOLA 70.3 next year as well.  Also doing Galveston.

Hopefully we'll have a swim next year and not another NOLA 69.1.

2011-10-07 5:54 PM
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Subject: RE: Galveston 70.3
m2tx - 2011-10-07 11:38 AM

It's not an ocean swim.  It's actually in a very protected bayou and not on the ocean side so conditions are similar to a lake swim.   Last year, we couldn't do a practice swim in the bayou so I did a practice in the seawall side.  There were 3-5 ft waves there but the bayou was calm. 

 I'm looking forward to this next year and it will be my first race of the 2012 season if all goes well.

So this is my quesiton... where can I get into the water with a simmilar experience as the bayou?

It doesn't look like there are any public beaches on that side of the island.

2011-10-11 8:55 PM
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Subject: RE: Galveston 70.3

Considering it as my first too, but worried about the wind and the saltwater.  I'm best at the swim, coming from a swim background, but I've never swam in saltwater and most concerned about sucking in a bunch of saltwater and getting a stomach ache after the swim.  Wind on the bike doesn't bother me that much, I'm a strong rider and we have a road here in Austin that is great for wind riding/training. 

I was not aware the run was 4 loops.  Was hoping for a 1 loop course.  My first experience with a multi loop course was not great, I found that I struggled on the 2nd lap because there was nothing new to look at, I'd seen it all before and I knew what was coming up including a long grade uphill run.  :-(  Guess we'll see what happens....if there are still registration spots open when I finally decide to commit. 

Does anyone know if the race sold out last year?

2011-10-11 9:06 PM
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Subject: RE: Galveston 70.3

Clyde-

Swim on the beach side of the island.  It really is good preparation for what you'll be doing. At the worst, similar conditions, at the best, only slightly worst than actual conditions.  Just make sure you have a spotter if you can.  Just my opinion.

Bru-

I registered 4-6 weeks before the event.  It really is a great event.  The four loops were hard at the time, but I really look forward to this race again for those four loops.  It's really spectator friendly.  And if you have family coming, you really couldn't ask for a better course for them to see you on.  Just my opinion.

2011-10-12 6:50 AM
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Subject: RE: Galveston 70.3
Mrs Bru - 2011-10-11 8:55 PM

Considering it as my first too, but worried about the wind and the saltwater.  I'm best at the swim, coming from a swim background, but I've never swam in saltwater and most concerned about sucking in a bunch of saltwater and getting a stomach ache after the swim.  Wind on the bike doesn't bother me that much, I'm a strong rider and we have a road here in Austin that is great for wind riding/training. 

I was not aware the run was 4 loops.  Was hoping for a 1 loop course.  My first experience with a multi loop course was not great, I found that I struggled on the 2nd lap because there was nothing new to look at, I'd seen it all before and I knew what was coming up including a long grade uphill run.  :-(  Guess we'll see what happens....if there are still registration spots open when I finally decide to commit. 

Does anyone know if the race sold out last year?

If the water is real choppy, like in 2010, odds are you're going to guzzle down some salt water.  Last year wasn't that bad.

I doubt there's anywhere in Austin that can replicate the wind conditions at Galveston.  It's an island and 95% of the ride goes along the coast and it's completely unprotected.  For example, it's not like the beach front section of IMFL where you're somewhat protected from the coastal winds by all the condos and hotels lining the beach.  The Galveston ride is wide open for the most part.  The wind is what brings character to the Texas 70.3 course.

The four loops aren't that bad.  There's a lot of twists and turns to keep you occupied.

The race has never sold out.  It may some day but I don't think it has come close yet.  Very few Ironman 70.3 races sell out.



Edited by GMAN 19030 2011-10-12 6:52 AM


2011-10-12 2:14 PM
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Subject: RE: Galveston 70.3

If anyone is training in the Kingwood area, I am doing the trinewbies HIM program starting next week. Let me know if you want a partner!

2011-10-12 8:19 PM
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Subject: RE: Galveston 70.3
GMAN 19030 - 2011-10-12 6:50 AM
>I doubt there's anywhere in Austin that can replicate the wind conditions at Galveston.  It's an island and 95% of the ride goes along the coast and it's completely unprotected.  For example, it's not like the beach front section of IMFL where you're somewhat protected from the coastal winds by all the condos and hotels lining the beach.  The Galveston ride is wide open for the most part.  The wind is what brings character to the Texas 70.3 course..



We do have one that works just fine for wind...and I'm sure its the road Mrs Bru is talking about too....Parmer. I thought I was going to blow over backwards climbing on it one time last spring. Its wide open and has some nice little climbs as well.

Mrs Bru - you will be just fine practicing on Parmer - especially if we have another spring anything like last spring. And as far as the loops on the run - promise there won't be any long uphills to face. The "elevation changes" at Moody Gardens are similar to Town Lake.
2011-10-12 8:20 PM
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Subject: RE: Galveston 70.3
kcwoodhead - 2011-10-12 8:19 PM

GMAN 19030 - 2011-10-12 6:50 AM
>I doubt there's anywhere in Austin that can replicate the wind conditions at Galveston.  It's an island and 95% of the ride goes along the coast and it's completely unprotected.  For example, it's not like the beach front section of IMFL where you're somewhat protected from the coastal winds by all the condos and hotels lining the beach.  The Galveston ride is wide open for the most part.  The wind is what brings character to the Texas 70.3 course..



We do have one that works just fine for wind...and I'm sure its the road Mrs Bru is talking about too....Parmer. I thought I was going to blow over backwards climbing on it one time last spring. Its wide open and has some nice little climbs as well.

Mrs Bru - you will be just fine practicing on Parmer - especially if we have another spring anything like last spring. And as far as the loops on the run - promise there won't be any long uphills to face. The "elevation changes" at Moody Gardens are similar to Town Lake.


...forgot to add when I moved to Austin from Houston, I was expecting to trade some wind for some hills. Wrong. I just got hills added to wind!
2011-10-21 2:27 PM
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Subject: RE: Galveston 70.3

I have done this race the last two years. 2010 i was signed up for the sprint as my first tri, but like a previous post says, the swim was cancelled. they were supposed to do a time trial start for the bike but it looked more a shotgun start, so i turned in my chip unused, not willing to risk it. Brain burp on the way back to the house - "I wonder if they have any slots open for tomorrow?" i went back and asked, and ended up getting into the half. it wasn't pretty and it wasn't fast, but it WAS a blast.

2011 - a slightly different story... swim was faster than 2010, but i was on the north end of the San Luis Pass anticipating the turn for the tailwind, and bike went down (no, I don't know how - woke up to the face of an EMT staring at me).

Anyway - it IS a great first half, and i WILL be back 2012 to complete it. You guys will enjoy it!

 

and the Parmer Wind Tunnel is indeed good training for Galveston, as is the tollway.



Edited by triplebypat 2011-10-21 2:33 PM
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