IM training book recomendations

I can help you with this one.  My wife and I did Louisville in 2010.  It was really hot that year and my wife needed medical attention.  This caused me to have to run all over the place to get the bikes and gear.  The finish line is a long ways from the transition area, and adding in the long haul to the hotel made things tough.  If everything goes smooth it's not a big deal to drive, but you can't predict that.  I'd spend the extra money for a hotel close to the finish just to be safe.

I know a lot of people who have used Be Iron Fit by Don Fink for their Ironman training.  I used it as a guide for IM Louisville this year, but I never bought the book (got a basic outline from a friend).

Although the IM Louisville finish line is not at the transition area, I wouldn't say it is a long way from transition.  About 8-10 blocks.  I guess near/far is relative.

Hotels:  The Marriott and the Hyatt are both at the finish line (I stayed at the Hyatt.  Could see the finish line from my window).  I will stay at the Hyatt again.  The Galt House (host hotel) is about half way between finish and transition.  Too much going on with the expo, etc for my taste.

Good Luck!

Alan

Just remember that regardless of how close your hotel is to the finish line, you or someone you designate, will have to go back to transition and claim your bike, etc prior to 12:30am deadline. You won't need to drive if you are staying at one of the close hotels, but you will still have to walk back to transition.

Can't answer the Louisville specific question - but others seem to be providing good advice.

I did my first IM this year - IMFL.  I used the Huddle/Frey Ironman 'Start to Finish' book but also got the 'Be Iron fit' book as well.  In the end I found the specificity of the Huddle/Frey plan to work for me - Fink is a little more vague across all of the training plans - and many will say that his swim workouts are, ehm, less than inspiring.  But I did cross reference the plans a lot.

FWIW I found the weekly discipline of 2 swim workouts, a Turbo brick workout, a ride with my local cycling club  a track workout and long run / long ride worked for me.  I added in the other daily workouts in the book but didn't do much of the strength training and certainly not all the optional workouts. 

YMMV.

Adrian

According to mapmyrun it's about a mile, but after 140.6 it felt like 2.  On the way back with both bikes and all the bags I'm pretty sure it was 3 miles.  ;)

One thing I forgot, Put the bike/gear claim ticket for your spouses stuff in your post race gear bag.  IM Lou's support staff won't call down to the transition area or give you a claim ticket if someone is in medical. 

I found Be Iron Fit to be the best plan for me.  The book also had a lot of very good advice and information apart from the plan.  It was very helpful, for instance, to have a countdown on race week.

In regard to the swim workouts I found them to be just fine.  Swimming is my strongest discipline and I know the workouts took off at least 10 minutes of time, from a 1:10 to a 1:00 2.4 mile swim.  Fink also suggests joining a Masters team which I will try as well.