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2015-12-22 9:31 AM


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Subject: Just signed up for Raleigh 70.3
First of all, thanks to all who responded to my previous thread asking about the Raleigh course. I just signed up, which will be my first HIM. Any words of advice, specifically for this course are much appreciated.

Thanks!


2015-12-22 2:35 PM
in reply to: linkslefty

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Subject: RE: Just signed up for Raleigh 70.3

Never done Raleigh but check out the race reports if you haven't done so already. A lot of good information in the race reports section of BT.
2015-12-22 2:47 PM
in reply to: #5157557

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Subject: RE: Just signed up for Raleigh 70.3
It's a pretty straightforward course - no major climbs on the bike or run or weird swim course issues. Make sure you get to downtown early because you need to take the shuttle to the swim start. Also, you won't be able to get to your bags for awhile after you're done, so have someone at the finish bring something to change into. If you don't have anyone there, I'd have a car key in your bike flat kit so you can access some clothes there.

Good luck and good training. It's a good choice for your first HIM.
2015-12-23 10:07 AM
in reply to: Patrick E

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Subject: RE: Just signed up for Raleigh 70.3
Originally posted by Patrick E

It's a pretty straightforward course - no major climbs on the bike or run or weird swim course issues. Make sure you get to downtown early because you need to take the shuttle to the swim start. Also, you won't be able to get to your bags for awhile after you're done, so have someone at the finish bring something to change into. If you don't have anyone there, I'd have a car key in your bike flat kit so you can access some clothes there.

Good luck and good training. It's a good choice for your first HIM.


No major climbs? I did it several years ago having trained exclusively... those were some crazy hills. And the downhills... don't get me started. No aero position on those. The run was equally difficult.

Well, this was all before the IM-branding. Has the course changed?

To the OP... try running in the shade. For some reason, everyone ran right smack in the middle w/the blazing sun.
2015-12-23 12:53 PM
in reply to: #5157666

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Subject: RE: Just signed up for Raleigh 70.3
Raleigh has always been an IM branded race. I think you're confusing it with something else.
2015-12-23 5:35 PM
in reply to: #5157784

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Subject: RE: Just signed up for Raleigh 70.3
It's all your perspective. The bike has rolling hills, esp.on the back end. I'm not a climber but I wouldn't say any hill was a "big hill"...I never got out of my big ring and I am not an FOP cyclist by any means, and I didn't have to stand on any hill despite being in my big ring, and stayed aero on the downhills. Some wouldn't have had the same experience and that's ok. It just depends where you are coming from and what you are used to. What terrain do you train on?


2015-12-24 9:50 AM
in reply to: GMAN 19030

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Subject: RE: Just signed up for Raleigh 70.3
Originally posted by GMAN 19030

Raleigh has always been an IM branded race. I think you're confusing it with something else.


Ooops, you're right. I was thinking the Duke Liver Center Half.
2015-12-24 6:21 PM
in reply to: #5157803


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Subject: RE: Just signed up for Raleigh 70.3
Must you train hills to be good on a hilly course? Or will hard interval work on my trainer over the winter and spring also make me successful on this Raleigh course?
2015-12-25 8:20 AM
in reply to: linkslefty

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Subject: RE: Just signed up for Raleigh 70.3

Originally posted by linkslefty Must you train hills to be good on a hilly course? Or will hard interval work on my trainer over the winter and spring also make me successful on this Raleigh course?

I did Ironman Canada - Whistler in twice and it's flat as a board where I live.

Raleigh is a rolling kind of course so no big deal.  Just ride consistently and avoid power spikes.

2015-12-27 7:58 AM
in reply to: linkslefty

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Subject: RE: Just signed up for Raleigh 70.3
Originally posted by linkslefty

Must you train hills to be good on a hilly course? Or will hard interval work on my trainer over the winter and spring also make me successful on this Raleigh course?


I did Raleigh in it's 1st year (2013). I live at the beach ie pancake flat and on top of that a lot of my training was done indoors on rollers. I did fine on the course. As others have said. No specific hill work required.
2015-12-27 8:04 PM
in reply to: linkslefty

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Subject: RE: Just signed up for Raleigh 70.3
I just signed up as my first 70.3 as well. I live in Raleigh and think the biggest challenge is likely the heat. It's usually pretty hot in early June.


2015-12-30 10:42 AM
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Subject: RE: Just signed up for Raleigh 70.3
Along with some others on here I'm a local and a regular. Happy to answer any specific questions.

In general, the swim is straight forward lake swim. As has been said, the ride is rolling but save some gas because the back half feels hillier than the first half. The run is straight forward and is considered flat but does have some incline/decline that can hurt in the final stages. Depending on the temp that day and what wave you start in, heat can definitely be the biggest consideration.

And I suppose it's probably the about that time of year that we get the "will it be wetsuit legal or won't it?" conversation started.

Oh and feel free to read my race reports.

Edited by smoom 2015-12-30 10:43 AM
2015-12-30 7:52 PM
in reply to: smoom

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Subject: RE: Just signed up for Raleigh 70.3
Originally posted by smoom

Along with some others on here I'm a local and a regular. Happy to answer any specific questions.

In general, the swim is straight forward lake swim. As has been said, the ride is rolling but save some gas because the back half feels hillier than the first half. The run is straight forward and is considered flat but does have some incline/decline that can hurt in the final stages. Depending on the temp that day and what wave you start in, heat can definitely be the biggest consideration.

And I suppose it's probably the about that time of year that we get the "will it be wetsuit legal or won't it?" conversation started.

Oh and feel free to read my race reports.


LOL

after 2013 I would be willing to wager that it is guaranteed to be wetsuit legal.
2015-12-31 6:07 PM
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Subject: RE: Just signed up for Raleigh 70.3
I thought it wasn't wet suit legal this year? Did I miss the joke?
2016-01-01 9:00 AM
in reply to: linkslefty

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Subject: RE: Just signed up for Raleigh 70.3
Originally posted by linkslefty

I thought it wasn't wet suit legal this year? Did I miss the joke?


It was wetsuit legal in 13 and 14 despite being right at or maybe slightly over the temperature cutoff. In 13 the RD announced it wasn't legal at the race briefing on Sat so many didn't bring their wetsuits. But then they announced it legal the morning of the race. Those who didn't bring their wetsuits were ticked (I believe fgump and louiskie were among them and it sounds like qrkid might have been too).

It wasn't legal in 15. Each year the temp hovers right around the threshold and causes all sorts or prognostication and speculation. In reality, you don't know for sure until 6AM race morning.
2016-01-01 10:00 AM
in reply to: smoom

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Subject: RE: Just signed up for Raleigh 70.3
Originally posted by smoom

Originally posted by linkslefty

I thought it wasn't wet suit legal this year? Did I miss the joke?


It was wetsuit legal in 13 and 14 despite being right at or maybe slightly over the temperature cutoff. In 13 the RD announced it wasn't legal at the race briefing on Sat so many didn't bring their wetsuits. But then they announced it legal the morning of the race. Those who didn't bring their wetsuits were ticked (I believe fgump and louiskie were among them and it sounds like qrkid might have been too).

It wasn't legal in 15. Each year the temp hovers right around the threshold and causes all sorts or prognostication and speculation. In reality, you don't know for sure until 6AM race morning.


I was not/am not ticked but I was one of the ones that left the suit at home. I swim like a brick coated in concrete so the suit would have been a help. The joke for me was that the water temp was above legal temps all week and then somehow in the last day when the air temp never went below 85 we somehow ended up with water temps that were spot on legal.

I could have taken my suit just like the people that did. My fault. In my mind it just smacked of WTC manipulating the race to make it a little easier to try and ensure great numbers in the future. Like I said I am not a swimmer and would generally seek out easier swims like B2B so I have no problem with the easier swims. I just felt that something seemed fishy in that first year.
They then went and made the run easier the 2nd year and that was, in my mind, was another attempt to make the course more appealing to first timers and bucket-listers (I am a little bias towards having harder run courses for selfish personal reasons)

Overall I had a good experience at Raleigh and think the OP will have a enjoyable positive experience.


2016-01-04 2:06 PM
in reply to: qrkid

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Subject: RE: Just signed up for Raleigh 70.3
Raleigh is a very good race

the swim ended up being a little long last year and it was not wet suit legal.

its a little tricky with 2 transition areas and having to take bus to the start of the race but give your self some extra time to get ready.

If you can stay at the race hotel or nearby the end its really works well on race day.

the run can be hot. The best bet is to finish early but there is great crowd support on the run course. I would call it somewhat hilly but not horrible.

as the other people said before its rolling hills you will need to change gears. I think I was only in my highest climbing gear 3 or 4 times. Watch out one of the harder climbs s in the last 1/2 mile before transitions. you are either gong up or down the whole time. I really enjoyed the bike course because you need to think it through a little bit and not just hammer it.

Over all a very good race. A pretty good one to start with but not super easy beginner course (Augusta)
2016-01-04 4:23 PM
in reply to: BuckHamilton


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Subject: RE: Just signed up for Raleigh 70.3
Can anyone recommend a nearby Marriott?

Thanks again for all of the advice! Training starts in 2 weeks!
2016-01-05 3:18 PM
in reply to: linkslefty

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Subject: RE: Just signed up for Raleigh 70.3
Raleigh Marriott City Center is right by the start finish I stayed there last year great location
2016-01-14 10:38 AM
in reply to: linkslefty

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Subject: RE: Just signed up for Raleigh 70.3
This will be my first time at Raeigh as well. Not my first 70.3

I hope to get off the bike before it starts to get super hot.
2016-01-29 3:10 PM
in reply to: linkslefty

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Subject: RE: Just signed up for Raleigh 70.3
Thinking of making this my first HIM also. Haven't registered yet. In general how long do you guys think I can procrastinate and still get in based on prior years? I'm having trouble with some injuries and having to wait another week or 2 more to gauge whether or not it's in the cards for this year for me.


2016-01-29 3:17 PM
in reply to: ed4000

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Subject: RE: Just signed up for Raleigh 70.3
Its still not sold out.
Depends on your injuries. Broken bones will heal in time to get your mileage up in time.
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