Triathlon Thread 2009
- Thread starter Suzann
- Start date
You will be back, stonger than ever! Congrats to Patrick!Carrie- WOW! I am so impressed. It sounds like you had a great time. I can't imagine going that distance (or farther!). I love that you had your camera with you-- I'm thinking about leaving mine in transition for the run (I'd like to do the bike, but afraid of balance issues...
) I loved everyone's pictures.
Quick question- how do you keep track of your time? I thought maybe a sportswatch for the water, then dump it and grab my Garmin in T1. Is it worth the trouble? I have no real time goals, but I'm used to running with my Garmin.
So, I went swimming last night for a quick wardrobe check. Had on sports bra, tri top, tri shorts, running shorts. (Didn't want to walk through the gym in just the tri shorts). Got distracted trying to find my swim cap...You know where this is going... did the whole swim with my running shorts on. What a dork!
Oh, another question-- it usually takes me about 5 laps to start to feel comfortable in the water (I'm guessing it's a heart rate thing like the first mile of a run). It says no practice swimming on the website. If that means we just start out right away without the chance to swim a bit that morning, would I be smart to try to get in a warm up run or would that complicate my life too much? I'm thinking I might have to do it really far in advance so that I can get my shoes back to transition and then maybe it's not worth it...
Jen in GA
) I loved everyone's pictures.Quick question- how do you keep track of your time? I thought maybe a sportswatch for the water, then dump it and grab my Garmin in T1. Is it worth the trouble? I have no real time goals, but I'm used to running with my Garmin.
So, I went swimming last night for a quick wardrobe check. Had on sports bra, tri top, tri shorts, running shorts. (Didn't want to walk through the gym in just the tri shorts). Got distracted trying to find my swim cap...You know where this is going... did the whole swim with my running shorts on. What a dork!
Oh, another question-- it usually takes me about 5 laps to start to feel comfortable in the water (I'm guessing it's a heart rate thing like the first mile of a run). It says no practice swimming on the website. If that means we just start out right away without the chance to swim a bit that morning, would I be smart to try to get in a warm up run or would that complicate my life too much? I'm thinking I might have to do it really far in advance so that I can get my shoes back to transition and then maybe it's not worth it...
Jen in GA
wtpclc
<font color=red>Has three great loves: Mickey, Po
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2004
Jen - rotfl! Our swims seem to paprallel each other. I almost swam in my skirt whne I realized I forgot to leave it in transition. I wear a Timex Ironman watch (you can get hem almost anywhere). Use that fo the swom adn have my GArmin ready on my bike adn keep that going for the run. I actually end up wearing, but just because I am anal and want my Garmin, but want my time from start too. I don't see too many peole do a warm up run. I avoid them at all cost because I feel like the suck all my energy out, though. 
Carrie: Congrats to you, you did GREAT!! I loved your race report and your spelling was very good too. You should be very proud of you performance, and not think too much about the run. I'm very impressed that you took pictures along the way. I hope you are relaxing a bit now.
Mike: Lots of luck in 2 weeks. I look forward to the RR report and to saying that I "know" someone who did an Ironman.
Sandy: Congrats to you son. I'm sure you're very proud.
Liz: So sorry about your injury. It must have been so hard for you to stand on the sidelines. Get better soon. 70.3 is a great goal.
Jen: For my tri I did run a bit to warm up. Most of it was to calm my nerves and it served a second purpose in that I was able to find a distant porta potty with no line. It was a small enough race that I was able to get back into the transition area and get to the swim start with plenty of time to spare. We were allowed in the water before the start so I was able to do a few strokes just to get warmed up. Good luck to you.
Cindy
Mike: Lots of luck in 2 weeks. I look forward to the RR report and to saying that I "know" someone who did an Ironman.
Sandy: Congrats to you son. I'm sure you're very proud.
Liz: So sorry about your injury. It must have been so hard for you to stand on the sidelines. Get better soon. 70.3 is a great goal.
Jen: For my tri I did run a bit to warm up. Most of it was to calm my nerves and it served a second purpose in that I was able to find a distant porta potty with no line. It was a small enough race that I was able to get back into the transition area and get to the swim start with plenty of time to spare. We were allowed in the water before the start so I was able to do a few strokes just to get warmed up. Good luck to you.
Cindy
wtpclc
<font color=red>Has three great loves: Mickey, Po
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2004
laxdef69
Messed with Texas...
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2008
ROTFL! I'm not bad when I actually spell check!
Firefox will fix that...it highlights the spelling "questionables".
ironz
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2003
Mike....
Don't stress/obsess too much about the weather. 10 day forecasts aren't very good. And, weather falls into that category of "Things I Can't Control." The best bet is to be prepared. Take a little of everything with you (space permitting). The expo and race weekend are not the time you want to be looking for: a rain jacket, arm warmers, extra sweat pants, long-sleeve tech shirt, etc. Definitely put some sort of sleeved item in your run special needs bag, per my other email.
Do you have a race plan? I forget if you are training with a coach. Now is the time to make that plan and make a plan B and maybe a plan C. Especially with regards to pacing and nutrition. Especially especially nutrition.
So long overdue, but I have a few moments, so what do I remember about the course?
Swim...so cool that you can hear the cheering throughout the whole swim with people lining the walls of Monona Terrace.
Don't start too far forward unless you're a fish, but don't start too far back, because then you don't have as many feet to choose from to draft off of.
Pick a good wetsuit stripper...have you had this done before? I can give you a couple of hints.
The run up the helix isn't bad...don't blow all your energy, just jog easily. The crowds will cheer you up the ramp.
Transition: be focused, but efficient. It's inside the building. Have a plan for exactly what you need to do/change out/etc. The volunteers should be able to help you, but if you get out with the masses, maybe not as much.
Bike:
I assume you will pre-drive the course. It's hilly and from what I recall, the hills are kindof relentless...no major breaks of flatness. Do find places that are less technical and try to use those areas to get a lot of your nutrition in. I try to eat/drink every 15-20 min on the bike...but if those times always happen when you are going up a tough climb, or screaming down a hill, then it doesn't work so well. So it helps sometimes to try to match the nutrition to the course.
When you scout out the course, get a feel for where you will need to push, where you can relax a little, where you will need to be mentally strong. I found the climb to Mt Horeb difficult the 2nd time through. Verona was the most rockingest place ever and I loved it! Felt like the TDF. The "bitxx" hill will have a zillion spectators like TDF as well.
I do not find it helpful to set a mph goal for the whole course. That's not going to make a lot of sense. I do want an overall goal, but I do not expect to be at that goal the whole time. Why? Because there will be into the wind or more uphill sections that will bring the average down. And there will be better sections where the average is better. So if you happen to look at your avg mph at a tougher spot, you will get discouraged. But do what you know.
The ride up the helix at the end sounds like it would be tough after 112, but it's not.
I do distinctly remember at mile 105 my year out there...I was riding along, coming back into town and it dawned on me, "I'm doing an Ironman, just like on TV!!!" That is one of my most cherished memories of that whole day, and ranks way up there for all my IM experiences. Dang, I'm getting teary just thinking about it, and it was 7 years ago!
T2: Again, be efficient. You will be happy to just drop off your bike to the bike handlers. Warn them if you have peed on your bike seat.
Run: Follow your plan. Hopefully you got all your nutrition in on the bike. But I will warn you...if you fell behind, don't cram a bunch of nutrition in right at the end of the bike or in the first mile of the run. Your stomach will thank you. Your digestion will change a lot from bike to run and you just won't be able to process as much. Trust me on this.
The crowds will be amazing.
If you run/walk...try to follow your plan as best as you can.
One VERY IMPORTANT piece of advice I learned before my first IM...and I don't know where you'll be in the pack (racing or just trying to finish, etc). Towards the end, esp by the 2nd loop of the run, there will be a LOT of people walking. Ironman is a tough day. Some walk because they planned to. Some have blown up their legs early on. Some are injured. Some are just tired. You will see groups of walkers start to form. It is easy to get caught up in that, as you have people to talk to and chat with as you continue along the course. These groups *can* slow you down. Do not lose sight of your goals! If you must join one of the groups, YOU become the LEADER. YOU Keep them moving. YOU set the pace. I actually got a little bit teased at IMMOO. I was run/walking. By the 2nd half of the 2nd loop, I didn't have much left (finish time was about 15:40ish, to let you know where I was in the overall scheme). I was walking more than running. BUT...I had a plan and I wanted to do the BEST I COULD THAT DAY. I kept trying to run, even if only 2 light poles down, or 4 traffic cones. A group of walkers asked me "why? Why not just walk with them?" I just couldn't. That was not my plan. I was going to run as much as I could, even if it looked terrible and I was only running 25 feet at a time. I left them behind.
The finish: Oh, the FINISH!!! Think: Rock Star, Academy Awards Red Carpet, Super Bowl Introductions, all rolled into one!!
When you get past the Capitol the last time, and you are heading home...you will feel it. The crowds will be screaming, music playing, Mike Reilly's voice on the speakers. Nothing will hurt. Have the time of your life there. Thank the crowds. Give high Fives. Take it all in. You don't get your first one again. Enjoy the moment.
After the race: GET WARM CLOTHES ON. You'll cool down quickly. EAT, even if you feel you don't want to. Drink (a cold coke tastes like heavenly nectar).
And get back out to watch the final finishers.
love ya!! I hope all this is any help!
p.s. need your race # to track you online.
PM me or email if you need anything!
Don't stress/obsess too much about the weather. 10 day forecasts aren't very good. And, weather falls into that category of "Things I Can't Control." The best bet is to be prepared. Take a little of everything with you (space permitting). The expo and race weekend are not the time you want to be looking for: a rain jacket, arm warmers, extra sweat pants, long-sleeve tech shirt, etc. Definitely put some sort of sleeved item in your run special needs bag, per my other email.
Do you have a race plan? I forget if you are training with a coach. Now is the time to make that plan and make a plan B and maybe a plan C. Especially with regards to pacing and nutrition. Especially especially nutrition.
So long overdue, but I have a few moments, so what do I remember about the course?
Swim...so cool that you can hear the cheering throughout the whole swim with people lining the walls of Monona Terrace.
Don't start too far forward unless you're a fish, but don't start too far back, because then you don't have as many feet to choose from to draft off of. Pick a good wetsuit stripper...have you had this done before? I can give you a couple of hints.
The run up the helix isn't bad...don't blow all your energy, just jog easily. The crowds will cheer you up the ramp.
Transition: be focused, but efficient. It's inside the building. Have a plan for exactly what you need to do/change out/etc. The volunteers should be able to help you, but if you get out with the masses, maybe not as much.
Bike:
I assume you will pre-drive the course. It's hilly and from what I recall, the hills are kindof relentless...no major breaks of flatness. Do find places that are less technical and try to use those areas to get a lot of your nutrition in. I try to eat/drink every 15-20 min on the bike...but if those times always happen when you are going up a tough climb, or screaming down a hill, then it doesn't work so well. So it helps sometimes to try to match the nutrition to the course.
When you scout out the course, get a feel for where you will need to push, where you can relax a little, where you will need to be mentally strong. I found the climb to Mt Horeb difficult the 2nd time through. Verona was the most rockingest place ever and I loved it! Felt like the TDF. The "bitxx" hill will have a zillion spectators like TDF as well.
I do not find it helpful to set a mph goal for the whole course. That's not going to make a lot of sense. I do want an overall goal, but I do not expect to be at that goal the whole time. Why? Because there will be into the wind or more uphill sections that will bring the average down. And there will be better sections where the average is better. So if you happen to look at your avg mph at a tougher spot, you will get discouraged. But do what you know.
The ride up the helix at the end sounds like it would be tough after 112, but it's not.
I do distinctly remember at mile 105 my year out there...I was riding along, coming back into town and it dawned on me, "I'm doing an Ironman, just like on TV!!!" That is one of my most cherished memories of that whole day, and ranks way up there for all my IM experiences.
Dang, I'm getting teary just thinking about it, and it was 7 years ago!T2: Again, be efficient. You will be happy to just drop off your bike to the bike handlers. Warn them if you have peed on your bike seat.
Run: Follow your plan. Hopefully you got all your nutrition in on the bike. But I will warn you...if you fell behind, don't cram a bunch of nutrition in right at the end of the bike or in the first mile of the run. Your stomach will thank you. Your digestion will change a lot from bike to run and you just won't be able to process as much. Trust me on this.
The crowds will be amazing.
If you run/walk...try to follow your plan as best as you can.
One VERY IMPORTANT piece of advice I learned before my first IM...and I don't know where you'll be in the pack (racing or just trying to finish, etc). Towards the end, esp by the 2nd loop of the run, there will be a LOT of people walking. Ironman is a tough day. Some walk because they planned to. Some have blown up their legs early on. Some are injured. Some are just tired. You will see groups of walkers start to form. It is easy to get caught up in that, as you have people to talk to and chat with as you continue along the course. These groups *can* slow you down. Do not lose sight of your goals! If you must join one of the groups, YOU become the LEADER. YOU Keep them moving. YOU set the pace. I actually got a little bit teased at IMMOO. I was run/walking. By the 2nd half of the 2nd loop, I didn't have much left (finish time was about 15:40ish, to let you know where I was in the overall scheme). I was walking more than running. BUT...I had a plan and I wanted to do the BEST I COULD THAT DAY. I kept trying to run, even if only 2 light poles down, or 4 traffic cones. A group of walkers asked me "why? Why not just walk with them?" I just couldn't. That was not my plan. I was going to run as much as I could, even if it looked terrible and I was only running 25 feet at a time. I left them behind.
The finish: Oh, the FINISH!!! Think: Rock Star, Academy Awards Red Carpet, Super Bowl Introductions, all rolled into one!!
When you get past the Capitol the last time, and you are heading home...you will feel it. The crowds will be screaming, music playing, Mike Reilly's voice on the speakers. Nothing will hurt. Have the time of your life there. Thank the crowds. Give high Fives. Take it all in. You don't get your first one again. Enjoy the moment. After the race: GET WARM CLOTHES ON. You'll cool down quickly. EAT, even if you feel you don't want to. Drink (a cold coke tastes like heavenly nectar).
And get back out to watch the final finishers.
love ya!! I hope all this is any help!
p.s. need your race # to track you online.
PM me or email if you need anything!
laxdef69
Messed with Texas...
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2008
I've printed it out, forwarded it on, and will consume it multiple times in the next 11 days...
I put my bib number up when I get it; thanks for all the ideas, and encouragement!
Certainly interested in how to pick a quality stripper....of wetsuits!
Mike
I put my bib number up when I get it; thanks for all the ideas, and encouragement!
Certainly interested in how to pick a quality stripper....of wetsuits!
Mike
thndrmatt
Real Life Mickey Wannabe!
- Joined
- Oct 9, 2005
Mike- I haven't been posting much on this thread, but I'll be there with ya! I've got a bright teal blue predominately with some black tri top/bottom as shown that I'll be wearing througout:
http://www.brightroom.com/view_user_event.asp?EVENTID=48245&BIB=1183&LNSEARCH=1&PWD=
I arrive Thursday night, staying at the Best Western with all the other Endurance Sports Travel package people, and don't leave until Tuesday. I'll e-mail ya my phone number if ya like!
Expecting 1:45-2:00ish swim, 6:30-7:00ish bike, and who the hell knows for the mary, theoretically all adding up to sub 17:00.
Although I'm a racer extraordinaire, this will only be my second full IM attempt after a disastrous result at IM China. So I at least have all the race prep and Fri/Sat activities down...
Betsy- Thanks for all the tips, I know over the past few years seeing all your race reports has continued to inspire me to try one of these and more recently, erase that DNF.
http://www.brightroom.com/view_user_event.asp?EVENTID=48245&BIB=1183&LNSEARCH=1&PWD=
I arrive Thursday night, staying at the Best Western with all the other Endurance Sports Travel package people, and don't leave until Tuesday. I'll e-mail ya my phone number if ya like!
Expecting 1:45-2:00ish swim, 6:30-7:00ish bike, and who the hell knows for the mary, theoretically all adding up to sub 17:00.
Although I'm a racer extraordinaire, this will only be my second full IM attempt after a disastrous result at IM China. So I at least have all the race prep and Fri/Sat activities down...
Betsy- Thanks for all the tips, I know over the past few years seeing all your race reports has continued to inspire me to try one of these and more recently, erase that DNF.
ironz
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2003
Aw, thanks, Matt! I'll watch for you (online), too!
Mike, you're number 1465. Bib numbers are up!
Matt...don't know your last name to see what your number is...
Hope this one goes better than China. Having that experience will help though. It all goes in the bank!
You guys go have a super time!
Mike, you're number 1465. Bib numbers are up!
Matt...don't know your last name to see what your number is...
Hope this one goes better than China. Having that experience will help though. It all goes in the bank!
You guys go have a super time!
lklasing
Told that I need DA meetings - Disney Anonymous
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2005
Hey everyone - I've got an OT question for y'all. I'm here at WDW, staying at Fort Wilderness where my tri will be this Sunday. I just checked the tri website and found out I'm number 357. Based on the flyer they are handing out here at FW, there will be approximately 2000 people in this race. Does my number tell you anything about when I'll be starting? Or, is it just that I was the 357th person to register?
Thanks!
Leslie
Thanks!
Leslie
laxdef69
Messed with Texas...
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2008
Betsy: As always, thanks for saving me from myself!
Matt: I'll keep an eye out for you...I have no time frame in mind...I just want to finish (as you said, in under 17 hours). I did the Spirit of Racine in 5:50 but that 70.3 is the longest I have to go by...I think (hope!) that if I dial back the bike and save it for the run, I'll be able to get through it.
I'm sorry to hear about IM China...I didn't see anything about that, but I likely missed it....I hope that you have a great result in Madison.
PM me, and maybe we can meet up for a pasta dish!
Matt: I'll keep an eye out for you...I have no time frame in mind...I just want to finish (as you said, in under 17 hours). I did the Spirit of Racine in 5:50 but that 70.3 is the longest I have to go by...I think (hope!) that if I dial back the bike and save it for the run, I'll be able to get through it.
I'm sorry to hear about IM China...I didn't see anything about that, but I likely missed it....I hope that you have a great result in Madison.
PM me, and maybe we can meet up for a pasta dish!
Hey WISHers! I'm headed down to Disney this afternoon. I thought it was stressful trying to pack kids for Disney and a race, but that's got nothing on packing for Disney and a tri!! I'm going to print a list in a minute to double check.
Leslie- I'm number 498 and I registered about mid July. I did age group 35-39. Since they didn't ask for estimated times, I'm assuming the numbers are in order of registering. I'd like to know when we will start so I can give my family some idea of when I'll be back! They're tolerant of my races, but they'll be wanting to hit the parks..
I'm fluctuating between being extremely excited and complete panic! Thanks for the well wishes, Carrie! I'll try to do the Warriors proud.
Jen in GA
I'm going to print a list in a minute to double check.Leslie- I'm number 498 and I registered about mid July. I did age group 35-39. Since they didn't ask for estimated times, I'm assuming the numbers are in order of registering. I'd like to know when we will start so I can give my family some idea of when I'll be back! They're tolerant of my races, but they'll be wanting to hit the parks..
I'm fluctuating between being extremely excited and complete panic! Thanks for the well wishes, Carrie! I'll try to do the Warriors proud.
Jen in GA
wtpclc
<font color=red>Has three great loves: Mickey, Po
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2004
I'm fluctuating between being extremely excited and complete panic! Thanks for the well wishes, Carrie! I'll try to do the Warriors proud.
Jen in GA
I know that feeling well! I was tehre most of last week. ;-) Nerves = Adrenaline. That is good. BTW, you have already doen teh Warriors proud by jumping in!
Syko - I believe our entries area: hoosmi, CIndyLou, Crazy4Pooh and lklasing.
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