General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Galveston HIM 2016 Rss Feed  
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2015-09-19 6:30 PM

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Subject: Galveston HIM 2016
I'm signed up. This will be my first HIM and first tri in a while due to surgery and such. I think I've read every race report on the web and overall it looks like a great race. I'm really pumped about this as I've wanted to step up to this distance for a long time. I've done several 3-hour type multi-sport events, to include one OLY.

A few notes I've come up with from the race reports:

Swim: This is my weakest discipline so I'm really hoping it's wesuit legal. I'll be fine if it's not, but would love the extra help. My goal here is to finish in 45-50 minutes. Since the event has moved up two weeks this year, I'm banking on the wetsuit being a go.

Bike: Out and back that seems pretty straight forward. Looks like the 'out' portion can get somewhat tough since it's directly into the south wind. But then again, it gives it back after the turnaround.

Run: Everything I've read says it's 'flat and fast'. Multiple loops, which I actually like and look forward to for the extra crowd support.

I'll be doing this on a road bike, but am considering adding aero bars and a forward seat post. Just not sure yet if at my 'level' it will really matter a whole lot. My goal is to finish in under 7 hours. So 6:59:59 is fine for me.

Anyone else doing it? Any other tips or obersvations based on past experience?

thanks,
Randy


2015-09-20 10:29 AM
in reply to: randym95

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Subject: RE: Galveston HIM 2016

I've either done the race or spectated/volunteered at the race every year it has been a 70.3 branded race (since 2010).

Just a little history on the date.  It was traditionally held in late April before it was an IM branded event.  It was held in late April the first year (2010) it was an IM branded event.  It moved to early April in 2011 because that was the first year of Ironman Texas and they wanted a little bit of separation from that race.  So it was an early April event in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014.  This year it moved back to a late April date because the first weekend in April date was Easter.  The following two weekends were the New Orleans and Florida 70.3's, plus I think something else was booked at Moody Gardens.  That's why the race was moved three weeks later than normal.

Back to an early April date for next year but expect the race date to change drastically in 2017 as Ironman Texas moves to late April.  I expect the Galveston race to move to end of Sept or early Oct.  Just my guess.

The swim was wetsuit legal every year but this year.  Expect it to be wetsuit legal with the April 10th date.

The wind on the bike is no joke.  Expect some kind of southerly wind so usually you'll get some kind of cross/head wind the first half and cross/tail wind the second half.  There were a couple of years it was mostly cross winds though.

The run is a multi-loop and it's flat.  Fast is entirely relative though.  It's generally very hot for that time of the year and if you're not from the gulf coast area the early season heat and humidity can be troublesome.  My brother lives in Boston and comes down each year to do the race and each year it kicks his butt because he's not used to 80+ degrees and humidity in April.

2015-09-20 12:08 PM
in reply to: GMAN 19030

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Subject: RE: Galveston HIM 2016
Great insight, thank you very much! I live in New Braunfels, so I'm very used to Texas heat and humidity.

Randy
2015-09-21 8:27 AM
in reply to: randym95

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Subject: RE: Galveston HIM 2016

I have Galveston tentatively on my 2016 schedule.  I'm only waiting on my 2016 work schedule to pull the trigger.  I raced in 2014 and had a great time but it was an exception.  Stormy and choppy waves to start then overcast, low wind, and cool.

We never had trouble getting in and out of the parking area or finding a spot.  If you have people coming to cheer you on tell them to pack their stuff and find a spot to squat.  There's a narrow spot in the run course where spectators have to cross.  This can get very congested and make it difficult to get from one side to the other.  My wife likes to walk around and check everything out while I'm on the bike.  She finally went and got a chair and parked it.

2015-10-20 4:07 PM
in reply to: randym95

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Subject: RE: Galveston HIM 2016
I did it this year and will probably do it again in 2016. It's a nice event - logistically quite easy, spectator friendly on the run.

Like GMAN, I expect it'll be wetsuit legal in 2016 with the move back to early April, but even if it's not, you'll still have the option of wearing a wetsuit. You'll just have to start in a wetsuit wave at the end. I think there were two such waves this year for those who still chose to wear one.

The wind could be anything. Generally it's a southern wind, but this year we had virtually no wind at all (very unusual), and what we did have was more of a light crosswind, with light rain. Very fast bike this year. But I did the 5150 Oly there in Sep 2013 and we had a 25mph NE wind, which was a direct headwind the 2nd half of the bike, very tough. You never know what you'll get. A northern wind will typically make for a choppy swim. I recommend you look into getting as aero as possible on your road bike, that benefits people of all levels.

Good luck.

Brett
2015-10-20 4:38 PM
in reply to: mbwallis

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Subject: RE: Galveston HIM 2016
Great insight. Thank you for the response.

To accomplish getting 'as aero as possible' on my road bike...I went ahead and bought a tri bike...



2015-10-20 4:43 PM
in reply to: 0

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Subject: RE: Galveston HIM 2016
double post

Edited by randym95 2015-10-20 4:54 PM
2015-10-20 4:54 PM
in reply to: 0

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Subject: RE: Galveston HIM 2016
Trying to attache a pic of the bike, but I continue to fail...

Edited by randym95 2015-10-20 4:56 PM
2015-10-21 11:49 AM
in reply to: randym95

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Subject: RE: Galveston HIM 2016
Originally posted by randym95
To accomplish getting 'as aero as possible' on my road bike...I went ahead and bought a tri bike...

Haha, that's always the best approach. This sport will attack your wallet like no other. I just finished my 3rd year of triathlon, and I'm already on tri bike #2!
2015-12-07 8:51 PM
in reply to: mbwallis

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Tyler,
Subject: RE: Galveston HIM 2016

I'm still on tri bike #1 on the fence of number 2. Bought my bike 2009.  

2015-12-07 8:52 PM
in reply to: GMAN 19030

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Tyler,
Subject: RE: Galveston HIM 2016

I'll also be in Galveston. It's one of my favorites. 



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