General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Buffalo Springs 70.3 Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
 
 
of 2
 
 
2007-03-21 10:25 PM

User image

Expert
762
5001001002525
San Antonio, TX
Subject: Buffalo Springs 70.3

Is anyone doing Buffalo Springs 70.3 this year? Or better yet...has anyone already done it?

I'm going up this weekend to get the lay of the land. Swim on Friday, and then feel some pain on Saturday with the full bike and run. It will be my first time doing the full distance together and want to take it easy so I know how much I need to push or pull back. More than anything, motivation to stay on course with my training over the next three months.

Anyone have any suggestions or words for the wise?

K

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."
— Oliver Wendell Holmes


2007-03-21 10:36 PM
in reply to: #732608

User image

Elite
2796
2000500100100252525
Texas
Subject: RE: Buffalo Springs 70.3

I did it last year as my first half IM. I loved it and I'm going back this year.

The best advice I can offer is to ride hills, have a good nutrition plan in place with stuff you've tested in training (ESPECIALLY on hot training days), and get acclimated to the heat as much as possible. I did a lot of my training before the race at midday to get used to running in the heat.

The thing I found most challenging on the bike course is that because it's in a canyon, when you get to top a hill, there's no downhill right away. It's flat and it can be windy, though it wasn't too bad last year.

Here's a link to my race report from last year. My goal this year is to go under 5:45. I didn't have much of a base last year and I'd underprepared for the bike course. Good luck!

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=47164

 

2007-03-21 10:55 PM
in reply to: #732608

User image

Mesa
Subject: RE: Buffalo Springs 70.3
I will be there. IMAZ first though!
2007-03-22 5:57 AM
in reply to: #732608

User image

Master
2381
2000100100100252525
Frisco, Texas
Subject: RE: Buffalo Springs 70.3

I'll be there.  This will be my third year at BSLT.  Bill has great advice.  A couple of things to add.  I run a 12-27 cog set on my bike for BSLT.  The 27 comes in handy on the toughest hills.  Also, you may want to decide now if you will run the hills or walk the hills; and then practice this in training. 

TJ

2007-03-22 7:42 AM
in reply to: #732608

User image

Expert
944
50010010010010025
Waller County, TX
Subject: RE: Buffalo Springs 70.3
I'll be there...

Already have my 12-27 cassette and will be heeding the advice of those who've gone before; TJ, Bill, et al.
2007-03-22 8:40 AM
in reply to: #732616

User image

Expert
762
5001001002525
San Antonio, TX
Subject: RE: Buffalo Springs 70.3

Thanks for the great practice advice. The heat is the one thing I REALLY need to work on. I feel like a rock star when it's cool but fall apart in the heat.

Practicing nutrition will be a huge thing for me too. I have a tendency to take Gu's without enough water and end up with major GI issues for up to 8 hours after a Oly. I'd hate to see what I would do after a half. Hydrate...Hydrate...Hydrate.

I'll resist the urge to do all my runs in the morning. With my South Texas heat here I should be ready to go.

I'll also take a look at my cog set.

Can't wait to meet everyone in BS. I'll do a novice recap when I get back from Lubbock this weekend.

K


2007-03-22 8:57 AM
in reply to: #732608

User image

Expert
919
500100100100100
Subject: RE: Buffalo Springs 70.3
I'm in for this one as well. Agree with the hills, luckily in Austin we have plenty of this.
2007-03-22 10:44 AM
in reply to: #732608

User image

Crystal Lake, IL
Subject: RE: Buffalo Springs 70.3
Bill, wasn't there a brutal hill right out of T1?  I think I remember reading from you guys that you really want to make sure your bike is in the smallest gear necessary to get up that thing.
2007-03-22 11:41 AM
in reply to: #732608

User image

Elite
2796
2000500100100252525
Texas
Subject: RE: Buffalo Springs 70.3
Yeah, the first hill right out of transition is 7.5% grade and you reallt don't get much chance to get your legs before you are on it. I racked my bike in an easy gear on the advice of TJ and Dumpster. Very good idea.
2007-03-22 12:20 PM
in reply to: #732608

User image

Expert
944
50010010010010025
Waller County, TX
Subject: RE: Buffalo Springs 70.3
BTW, please post the results of the training and your impressions of the course.
2007-03-22 12:23 PM
in reply to: #732608

User image

Expert
762
5001001002525
San Antonio, TX
Subject: RE: Buffalo Springs 70.3


I'll make sure I remember...I'm sure if I don't my legs will go into revolt before I even get started.

Just check the weather forecast for this weekend up there and it's thunderstorms Fri-Sun. Think I could ride and run with my wetsuit? lol. Hope their weathermen are as accuarate as mine.


2007-03-22 2:22 PM
in reply to: #732608

User image

Expert
919
500100100100100
Subject: RE: Buffalo Springs 70.3




(elevation.gif)



Attachments
----------------
elevation.gif (40KB - 15 downloads)
2007-03-22 2:31 PM
in reply to: #732608

User image

Expert
919
500100100100100
Subject: RE: Buffalo Springs 70.3
that looks like alot of fun above
2007-03-22 3:39 PM
in reply to: #732608

User image

Expert
762
5001001002525
San Antonio, TX
Subject: RE: Buffalo Springs 70.3
After looking at that I made an appointment with my massage therapist for a flushing on Monday.

K
2007-03-22 3:57 PM
in reply to: #732608

User image

Mesa
Subject: RE: Buffalo Springs 70.3
The hills aren't that much... it only has 1007 feet of climbing which is not much climbing in my opinion.

I'll let everyone know if my opinion changes about the BSLT bike course in my race report... LOL
2007-03-22 4:54 PM
in reply to: #732608

User image

Member
132
10025
Subject: RE: Buffalo Springs 70.3
I am excited about this race. I hear it is the hardest 70.3. Woo hoo!


2007-03-22 6:45 PM
in reply to: #733691

User image

Master
2381
2000100100100252525
Frisco, Texas
Subject: RE: Buffalo Springs 70.3

1000' feet doesn't sound like much, but like Bill said, when you get to the top it's flat for 10 miles.  No coasting downhill to recover.  Besides this and the heat, the other thing that makes the course difficult is the wind.  The prevailing winds are from the west.  If they are blowing then the last 10 miles is dead into a headwind.  This happened 2 years ago.  I was struggling to maintain 16 mph.  Oh, and the Spiral Staircase - switch backs up and down the canyon wall.  It's a pretty technical descent.  Everyone needs to at least drive the course before race day.  Last year, on Saturday, we watched Natascha practice her T1 transition and getting up the hill that's right out of transition. 

TJ

2007-03-22 6:46 PM
in reply to: #732608

User image

Member
132
10025
Subject: RE: Buffalo Springs 70.3
Ok, this is making me nervous!!
2007-03-23 9:00 AM
in reply to: #733890

User image

Elite
2796
2000500100100252525
Texas
Subject: RE: Buffalo Springs 70.3

BamaTriGal - 2007-03-22 6:46 PM Ok, this is making me nervous!!

BamaTriGal - 2007-03-22 6:46 PM Ok, this is making me nervous!!

That will probably last until some time after the second hill on the bike course, when it occurs to you that you're actually out there getting it done. You'll realize those hills didn't kill you and you'll get fired up... until mile 40 when the wind is blowing and you're doing 12 mph on a flat. And then you'll feel good again when you are headed back into the vicinity of T2. Until your feet hit the gtoung and you realize you are having trouble walking... and now you get to run 13.1 miles with "3 challenging hills". You'll feel good again when you get through the first mile and you have your running legs. And when you crest the second hill and see the heat rippling on the road and there's a lot of nothing dotted with miles and miles of runners strung out as far as you can see... you know the drill.

The point is, it's a long day and it's a long enough race that there are some significant "low points" and "high points". I can't say enough good about this race though. The course is tough. But that makes it better. Imagine the let down if you did your first 1/2 IM and afterward you sort of shrugg and say "well that wasn't so bad". That's why I chose it as my first. After that, there's no course in the country that worries me. There might be some that are equally hard, or maybe some sick b*stard somewhere will come up with one harder some day. But that's what makes it good. You learn an awful lot about yourself when you are 65 miles into the race and you're out there in the heat, boiled down to some pretty basic elements of the things that make you tick. It will change you a little maybe. It did me.

<cue Rocky theme music>...

2007-03-23 9:08 AM
in reply to: #732608

User image

Member
132
10025
Subject: RE: Buffalo Springs 70.3
Wow...I am speechless. Thank you for those words...I am ready to ride!
2007-03-23 9:16 AM
in reply to: #732608

User image

Elite
2796
2000500100100252525
Texas
Subject: RE: Buffalo Springs 70.3

90 days!

Plenty of time to get ready, but it's going to be here before you know it.



2007-03-23 9:33 AM
in reply to: #732608

User image

Member
132
10025
Subject: RE: Buffalo Springs 70.3
I've got FL 70.3 first, but that is all flat! I need to get going harder on the leg weights!
2007-03-23 3:15 PM
in reply to: #732608

User image

Elite
3088
20001000252525
Austin, TX
Gold member
Subject: RE: Buffalo Springs 70.3
Granted that 1000 feet is not a whole lot of climbing, but when all but one climb is at 4.5% plus, it can wipe you out pretty quick. Lack of proper gearing can lead to burning a lot of matches.
2007-03-26 11:29 AM
in reply to: #732608

User image

Elite
2796
2000500100100252525
Texas
Subject: 90 Days To Go! Buffalo Springs 70.3

Less than 3 months to go! How's everyone's training coming along? Anyone else have this as an "A" race this year?

2007-03-26 12:25 PM
in reply to: #732608

User image

Expert
919
500100100100100
Subject: RE: Buffalo Springs 70.3
This is my "A" race this year. Besides a cold that kicked my a$$ for about 1 week all is going well. Goal - 5hrs.
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Buffalo Springs 70.3 Rss Feed  
 
 
of 2