Ironman 70.3 Florida : Official Thread

I've done this race every year it's been in Haines City and have yet to see a gator. Might be there I guess but I've never seen one. Not that the water is anything to write home about though.
Duane

Snakes? Seriously??!

Oh geez - good grief. It's in a lake near houses and surrounded by a public park. I'm sure there are snakes and turtles, ducks and fish in the lake because ... it's a lake. But no you do not need to fear wildlife in the swim for this race.

Generally speaking alligators are territorial and local wildlife folks know where they are. The alligator we have in Florida is pretty docile ... in terms of things like that. While I wouldn't go leaping in to swim with them I honestly don't even think about it during triathlons. No self-respecting alligator would be anywhere near 2500 triathletes swimming.

Hi!

I am doing this race and my wife is part of a relay team as well. The person who was supposed to swim on her relay team can't do the swim and we are looking for a person to replace him. Are any of you interested or do you know anybody that would like to do it?

Thank you and good luck with your training during these lasts weeks leading up to the race!

There was a gator roaming about for the practice swim. As soon as it realized people were getting in the water, it bailed. No worries.

Just don't be first or last and you'll be fine jk...like it was said, I wouldn't worry about anything in the lake be it gators or snakes.

Thanks all. I feel much better now... But if I get eatin' by a gator, I'm coming back to haunt y'all!

Everybody ready to rock the heck outta this race?

Heck ya! Weather looks a little sketchy, but hopefully just your standard afternoon thunderstorm. Anyone have the latest on water temp?

I have nothing "official" about the water temp but the RD was on Slowtwitch yesterday saying it was in the low 70s I think. Which in my experience is IM race director speak for "even if it's 85 degrees we'll call it wetsuit legal."

So, I'm bringing my sleeveless suit.