HITS--Ocala (Page 2)

For the Homewood Suites make sure you call to reserve because they have blocked rooms for the tri at a discounted rate you can't see online for some reason

There are some new hotels and some older hotels in the Silver Springs area.  The drive to lake Weir will be very easy on race morning.  I'm not positive about time, but I'm pretty sure it's a bit closer.  I'd still leave at least 30 min to get there.

Friday night we had a tri clinic at Santos Bike shop, the official HITS LBS.  RD Mark Wilson was there and gave a pretty good clinic.  He also gave some info on the upcoming race.

There are changes on the Bike and run courses for the 70.3 and Full.  What I put here is based on what Mark said, I have not seen a map.  Please don't take this as if it came from a burning bush, but this is what I got from it.  I looked on the HITS site and its still the maps from last year.

Run:  It looks like it's basically the same run course, only the course is modified a little to stay off of some larger roads.  There are turnaround legs on smaller streets instead of the larger road last year.  The run starts by running through the park trail loop before you leave the park and lake a left, only now you go out and back on I think two smaller roads instead of an "L" shaped out and back.  Full does two laps.

Bike:  Big change.  It's now an out and back instead of the figure 8.  The goal was to keep you off of HWY40.  If you look at the HITS bike map.......  You leave the park and take a right on 25C then take a left on 464C, just like last year and what is on the map.  When you get to the three way intersection at SE 95th St Rd a.k.a 314A (Yes, Street Road It's a marion county thing) you will take a LEFT.  You will follow 314A north, cross HWY 40, the course will meet 314 where you will turn right (I think) and follow until mile 28 (short distance, we weren't told specifically how far).  Turn around and follow the course home.  Full is two laps.  You should be able to see what I'm saying by following the race map off of the website.

The sprint and OLY  courses look like they will be the same.

All distances will include running on the park trails.  They're pretty wide and in good condition.  The only thing is that there are some parts that are pretty sandy.  I haven't been out there in a while myself, but the word is that since we haven't had a lot of rain lately some parts are a bit loose.  The simple solution is to pick your lines and run on the grass when it looks loose.  I've heard some rumbling about it, but honestly, it's not a big deal.  My run times last year were right on track with my training so I would say it didn't slow me down.  It only requires that you watch the trail and pick your lines.  Most of the trails are just fine.  I'm planning on heading out there soon so I can comment on them with a little more authority later.

Excellent Jim. Thank you.

I look forward to hearing more.

Me too.. did you ride today?

I thought I saw someone on a TT bike... I was wearing every item of warm clothing I own....  

nope. too cold for me today. I got my long ride in on Friday. I was supposed to swim today but wimped out with the 40 degree difference between the air and the water. Extra rest is not always a bad thing, I keep telling myself. 

I've seen some nice bikes out there though. I'm still on a roadie. I want to make sure I'm in love with tris before dropping that kind of dough. 

I have a Felt B16. I changed out the cockpit, but the bike was about 1700. It was less than I paid for my roadie. 

What'd you change your cockpit to? I have a b16 also and don't like the look of the basebar but don't see any real gains in purchasing another other than it'll look cool I'd love a devox set up

I got Profile Design carbon cobra wing bars and the Profile Design shortie bars. I also changed out the seat to a Specialized Romin Evo.

The feel of the Cobra is fantastic.

FYI--

For Half and Full athletes. Bike check-in is not mandatory, and the packet pick-up will be available at 5am race morning (if you cannot make it to the race site by 8pm the day before).

I reached out to a HITS representative to get clarification, and this is what I received.

Figured I would pass this along.

No kiddin. Chilly run in the 40's this morning. 

I'm doing the Half distance and thinking about what to wear on the bike.. 

Do not want to hear any whining. Got a 3
hour bike ride this weekend and it’s going to be a balmy 40. MY last 2 long
runs where 12 and 18 degrees. The only good side is that you not need to ice
down after the workouts

Getting excited to race the training has gone well and the turn out should be pretty high compared to last year.

I've done my share of cold weather training myself he in Memphis this winter.  Now I have a huge brick(my last big workout) planned for tomorrow when the temps are going to be in the 70s.  The problem, doctor just put me on hi-dose antibiotics for a nose infection and said, "No training for a week".  

So I guess I'm officially on taper.  Guess I'll start packing and getting ready to see you guys in 2 weeks.  Going to be a long(13-14 hour) day for me on March 23.  Can't wait.

I read that the ave. temp of the lake is 60-65 degrees this time of year.