BT Forum

I'll be there!  I did IM CdA in 2011 and caught the IM bug.  Can't wait for Vineman.  Gorgeous course.  I did Barb's Race (HIM) as my first tri in 2006.

Looking forward to this journey with all of you!

I'm in! Super excited!  This will be my second- I did Ironman Louisville in 2009 and loved it.

This will be my second as well.  I did Beach2Battleship last month.

This will be my first full IM! I just caught the "bug" this summer. I've done 2 sprints and 1 Oly...would be interested in finding others to train with who are in the Orange County area (I'm in Irvine). I'm a very average swimmer, decent on the bike and a pretty good runner (running background.)

Those of you who have already completed the full Vineman, let the rest of us know what to expect...what you'll be doing to prepare for this next event, etc.

Thanks!

I'm in and a few of my fellow "Team Suck It Up Buttercup" members are in as well.

Really excited about this race.  It sounds like it is well run and attracts a fun group.  This will be my fourth IM.  I've done B2B in 2009, IM Lou in 2010, and IM Wisconsin in 2011.

In the past race threads we have done a quick Bio, so I figured I would start:

Name:  Doug

Location: Georgia

First Ironman (if no, how many):  This will be number 4

Why did you sign up?: Some friends talked me into it, and I like to eat a lot.

What questions do you have:  How bad are the roads? 

What is your goal?:  I want a PR (sub 12)

Name:  Ashley

Location: San Diego

First Ironman (if no, how many):  This will be number 2

Why did you sign up?: I like the challenge and I want to redeem myself after IM CdA.  Also, wine tasting afterward.

What questions do you have:  none yet, but I'm sure I'll think of plenty.

What is your goal?:  I want a PR and to do much, much better than I did in IM #1.  Of course, my #1 goal is to have fun.  #2 goal is to finish.  #3 and #4 are above.

Name:  Janyne

Location: North Carolina

First Ironman (if no, how many):  This will be number 2

Why did you sign up?:  Location

What questions do you have:  Transporting my bike

What is your goal?:  Not sure.  Ideally sub 14.  Within 90 minutes of B2B finish would be good, I think.  Have fun and have energy for post-race wine tasting :-)

Name:  Karen

Location:  Alpharetta, GA

First Ironman (if no, how many):  this will be my 3rd

Why did you sign up?:  I grew up in the Bay Area, my entire family still lives in the area, so having them out on the course cheering is very exciting to me.  (They have not traveled to any other IM race, they are so close to Vineman they have no excuse. They better show up!)  And, once I started poking around on the website I got sucked in.

What questions do you have:  What is the best/most economical way to get a bike from east cost to west coast?  How hilly is the run?  Is there shade?

What is your goal?:  As much as I don't want to put a number out there, I would like to PR and go under 13 hours.

Name:  Mitch

Location: Los Angeles

First Ironman (if no, how many):  Vineman 2011 was my 1st IM and 1st triathlon ever.

Why did you sign up?: I need retribution.  As my 1st tri ever this year I learned allot.  I had big nutrition issues and hope if I can get a handle on that I should be good to go.

to answer some questions:  Roads are bad.  Make sure your cages are tight.  Lots of water bottles everywhere.  Make sure to pay attention to the cars.  Kind of allot of traffic.  Mail truck hit a guy this year. 

Run course is very hilly.  Not allot of shade but well stocked aid stations with very helpful volunteers.  I would say that in a stand alone Marathon I would be about 20 minutes slower than my best because of the hills.

What is your goal?:  Better than last year, finish with no nutrition problems and strong.  14 hour would be great for me....

Yeah, some crazy guy down in Murrietta (talking about Jim) making me go on 100 mile bike rides all year.  It's gonna be a good one this year Jim.

Name: Debbie

Location: Aurora, CO

First Ironman (if no, how many): this will be my 2nd

Why did you sign up?: Course looks amazing, Husband can do the Aquabike, wine tasting after!

What questions do you have: None so far, but I'm sure I will come up with some

What is your goal?:  Improve my swimming and bike times substantially.  Around 13 hours

Name: Brett

Location: Orange County

First Ironman (if no, how many): First full

Why did you sign up?: Heard lots of good things about this course.

What questions do you have: Any good places to stay? Looking to do a bit of wine tasting after

What is your goal?: Sub 11 hours. 

I will play!

Name:  Steph

Location: Georgia

First Ironman (if no, how many):  No.  This will be number 3 (IM Lou 2009; IM WI 2010)

Why did you sign up?: Those silly friends.

What questions do you have:  How hot will it get? 

What is your goal?:  I also hesitate to put a number out there, but I'd like to go around 13hrs.  Working on increasing my bike strength so I don't have to la-di-da to have a good run (or at least make la-di-da pace a little faster).

That would be great - thanks!

They were very helpful last year.  Please re-post when you have a chance.  Thanks!!!

I posted earlier, but a suggestion from another was to have a bit of a "standard" form...so here we go:

Name:  Oliver

Location: Irvine, CA (Orange County)

First Ironman (if no, how many):  Yep!

Why did you sign up?: Neighbor got me interested. He did the 70.3 Vineman last year and said the Full would be a great 1st IM. I signed up and am loving the training! 

What questions do you have:  Hotel recommendations....(and where to avoid!) When did you arrive last year...2, 3 days early? Thoughts on wetsuit as I hear the water is quite warm....I'm thinking I will overheat in my full suit. 

What is your goal?:  I'd love to go sub 11, but for my first, I'll say sub 12. (1:20 swim / 6:00 bike / 3:50 run / 10 minutes for transitions. ) 

I was a competitive distance runner in high school...so I feel pretty good about my ability to have a solid run...I did a 2.4 mile pool swim about 6 weeks ago, I'm very "average" but see this as my 3rd training priority...I see the area in which to train the most will be the bike! 

If there are others in Orange County who are planning on doing the Full Vineman, and are looking for a similar time, let me know!

- Oliver

Check out these videos for the run and bike course:

Run

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wA3cK5CoErU

Bike (this one is a little fast)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNTwAvopXsM

I'm considering Vineman for 2012. I did Barb's race last year and the course was beautiful. We enjoyed our time in the area before and after the race.