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2007-05-03 5:44 PM

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Subject: Rock n rollman anyone?
Hi guys who is doing the rock and rollman in macon on june 3rd? Will be my first 1/2 I am getting excited! See ya John.


2007-05-03 5:47 PM
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Subject: RE: Rock n rollman anyone?
I'm in. It's my second HIM, but I need to finish to validate my lottery slot, so I'm significantly nervous. I'll be riding the course Saturday morning, and I'll let you know how it goes.

See you there!

-Josh


2007-05-07 9:51 AM
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Subject: RE: Rock n rollman anyone?
Josh_Berman - 2007-05-03 6:47 PM
I'll be riding the course Saturday morning, and I'll let you know how it goes.


I'm in, too. My OWS training has been freezing my tail off (and arms, legs, feet, etc). Hopefully Lanier will warm up in the next week or two so I can get my swim confidence back. Or maybe I should just suck it up and buy a wetsuit before this weekend. Hmmm......

How was the bike course??

Mike
2007-05-07 1:49 PM
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Subject: RE: Rock n rollman anyone?
There are some hills :-)

Seriously, there are only a few steep rollers, but plenty of longer grades. For what it's worth, the last two spikes at mile 50 didn't look nearly as bad in person, but the initial climb from 13 or so to 16 and later from 37 to 42 seemed harder in person than on the elevation map. How enjoyable it is in June will almost completely depend on how well it's organized / patrolled.

-I had five, count 'em five, dog sprints, including a pack of four really nasty looking ones at once. Parts of this ride are deep, deep in the backcountry. If you carry a dog deterrent, pack it for this race.

-At least 15 miles of the course is on a two lane 55mph road (US80). There's about 18" of shoulder, but it's just the 'rounding error' kind, with road detritus and grass. I know they can't close a lane down, so I'm hoping they have lots and lots of cops out there to calm traffic. Otherwise, we'll end up with a very long no-passing zone at best.

That said, the road surfaces were very good, and the ride even had a few nice views. I think their comments (not the hardest, but hard) pretty much sums it up. I'm sorry, I don't have a gps or anything, but would be glad to clarify any questions at all about the course or roads from my experience.

-Josh
2007-05-08 10:09 AM
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Subject: RE: Rock n rollman anyone?
Thanks for the info! It's nice to have a little context to go with the elevation profile. My initial strategy was to open up after mile 30, but I think I'm just going to play it safe and temper it the whole way and save my legs for dog sprints and the run. My primary goal is just to finish this one. It's always hot in Macon.

Speaking of the heat - what are your thoughts on taking a wetsuit?? I'm leaning towards not. My primary fear is sweating out too much and being in a bigger fluid deficit. Plus the temp is always borderline anyway.

Oh - congrats on the lottery spot!
2007-05-08 11:30 AM
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Subject: RE: Rock n rollman anyone?
I'm doing this one and don't plan on a wetsuit. It's a 2 loop swim, so you will be getting out of the water once, then head back out. That, and the typical heat make it a bad idea as far as I'm concerned. Also, it will probably not be legal by that time as the water will be too warm.


2007-05-08 6:19 PM
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Subject: RE: Rock n rollman anyone?
Thanks for the info I like the hills thinking they mix the ride up nice can't wait to ride down there.

Another question about putting the bike in transition on sat: Do you need to put everything in there like water bottles running shoes set up transition? Or can you go in there on sun? Never done this before so just wondering. Thanks, John.
2007-05-10 9:41 AM
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Subject: RE: Rock n rollman anyone?
I'm in for this race too. I was assuming that the water would be too warm for wetsuits. I almost never turn down an opportunity to wear my wetsuit - especially for this distance.
2007-05-10 10:24 AM
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Subject: RE: Rock n rollman anyone?
green_sea_urchin - 2007-05-10 10:41 AM

I was assuming that the water would be too warm for wetsuits.


The registration site said the average over the past 3 years was 78 degrees. I saw it was around 80 last year, not sure what it was the prior 2 years. It would probably have to rain right before the event to cool it off though. It's always hot in Macon.

On another note, fellow BT'er haygosl plotted out the bike route here - http://www.routeslip.com/routes/20649. You can turn on elevation markers under Map Options and get a feel for some climbs and landmarks.
2007-05-14 8:59 PM
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Subject: RE: Rock n rollman anyone?
I'm in as well. Wasnt plannin on this race, however after getting sick this past weekend on the bike at GC I need to get a 1/2 in before IMFL. Sounds like this is going to be a tough course. Is the run expected to be as hilly as the bike?
2007-05-21 7:54 AM
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Subject: RE: Rock n rollman anyone?
Is anyone planning on riding this course this weekend? If so, pleaes let me know as I may like to join you.


2007-05-21 8:12 AM
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Subject: RE: Rock n rollman anyone?
I'm in.
2007-05-29 1:26 PM
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Subject: RE: Rock n rollman anyone?
Hey, All -

In case you missed it, the detailed info is up on the website (Click on 'Event Details' here).

There is some new information:

-The swim course is now a single lap (no more beach run).
-There is a race briefing (optional) at 4PM on Saturday (at Sandy Beach).
-Body marking on Sunday is from 5:30 to 7AM.
-Waves are 3 minutes apart, starting at 7:30 = 35-39M and Clydes, 40-49M, 30-34M, All women and Athenas, and then everyone else (50+, Relay, PC, Aquabike). Sprint start follows at 7:50.

Swim course closes at 9, Bike course closes at 1 (slightly earlier than in other info), Run course closes at 3:45.

Other than that, I don't see many changes.

Good luck to all!
-Josh

2007-05-29 5:16 PM
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Subject: RE: Rock n rollman anyone?
4 days and a wakeup! I am really excited this is my first 1/2 and I am ready!
See you guys there, John.
2007-05-31 3:05 PM
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Subject: RE: Rock n rollman anyone?
yay.. i'm in the first wave... oh wait.. I still have to do 70.3.
2007-05-31 4:39 PM
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Subject: RE: Rock n rollman anyone?
If anyone's interested, pop and I are likely to get some Olive Garden carbs around 6 or so on Saturday evening. Low key, just drop me a line at [email protected] if you're coming so that I know to meet you in the lobby.

It's about 10 minutes from the course. Directions from Sandy beach are here

Good luck to all!



2007-05-31 9:01 PM
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Subject: RE: Rock n rollman anyone?

Ron and I are helping to officiate the race ... goodness knows I'd rather race it, but might as well volunteer while my shoulder continues to heal.

Quick heads-up: The head referee is a stickler on racking correctly (he also happens to be the Officiating Director for the SE).  Essentially your bike should face out from your number + your tri-gear should be placed next to the tire that touches the ground.

Also, I VERY reluctantly had to DQ a guy at the P'tree City International distance race the other weekend ... he showed up at the dismount line with his chin strap unbuckled.  He was going to argue with me - but then saw the convaluted strap/sling contraption my arm was in and decided against it. (Plus, we let him continue to race the run.)

Do NOT, for any circumstance, unbuckle your chin strap when your top tube is till between your legs.  The mount/dismount line is full of craziness ... so it is not necessarily yourself you have to worry about but all the others as well.

I felt bad for the guy, but that is one rule they will not let us bend one iota on.

Good racing this weekend!  See you there

 

2007-06-01 6:51 AM
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Subject: RE: Rock n rollman anyone?
5/31/2007 Rock 'N Roll Half - Water Temperature 82 F(8:00 PM)
2007-06-01 3:56 PM
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Subject: RE: Rock n rollman anyone?
timberleaf - 2007-06-01 7:51 AM

5/31/2007 Rock 'N Roll Half - Water Temperature 82 F(8:00 PM)


Mwaaah! In other news, it actually looks like it may be wet! Should make for some exciting turns...

Edited by dave_w 2007-06-01 4:01 PM
2007-06-04 8:23 AM
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Subject: RE: Rock n rollman anyone?
Awesome I am now a 1/2 ironman!!! Woooow The swim went well I felt really good on the bike 20mph avg. Felt heavy legs on the run and really hit the wall at mile 9. Was left to a run walk till the finish 2hr20min. Still a 6:04 finish for my first 1/2 in the heat is a keeper.
Now a few weeks off. See ya, John
2007-06-04 4:28 PM
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Subject: RE: Rock n rollman anyone?
Congrats John, amazing the motivation a slot to Hawaii can bring!

My (quitter) race report: Swim was about what I expected with a bottom quarter time of 47:30ish, the "race" starts on the bike for me, and the bike went okay at 2:38 and change, but there was just too much accumulated fatigue. Run went by for a few miles and was just torture, too far from "racing" to be considered as such, so I abandoned at the 5 mile turn and ran straight back to the start/finish. (a lot farther back than I remembered, so I got in about 7 miles of running).
Learned some stuff, mostly that there can be an ebb and flow of energy (and pace) on the run in a longer event, and I should expect it and just deal. Oh well, I'm good today and ready to get back to some longer training for the end of summer IM.


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