IM Louisville anyone?

[tuggyruns]

I'm headed to KY this weekend for IM Louisville! A good friend is doing the race for his first IM so my sister and I are headed up to cheer/volunteer. We're volunteering at the swim start, so we'll have a good chunk of the rest of the day to spectate. 

Any advice on volunteering for IM? Also any IM Louisville vets? I'm contemplating bringing my bike- I'm leaning towards it might not be worth it, but I do wonder if it could make spectating easier? 

Any advice is helpful! TIA! 

[bluedaisyus]

My brother is racing! It's his first, too (and probably only), I really wanted to be able to go cheer him on but I can't so I'm bummed. I've never spectated so I don't have any advice, but I hope you have a great time and your friend kicks ass!

[trigal]

Your volunteer captain will tell you what you need to know.

I find it annoying to have my bike when spectating. There are already enough people on the road and they don't need more!

As for spectating, cheer for everyone, not just your friend. If you're standing along the course, keep cheering. If you want to take a break, step away. It's tough to be running by a bunch of people who are ignoring you.

Don't ever say "hang in there" or something similar. It's just a reminder to the athlete that he or she looks like crap. Stuff to say:

Nice job!
You look strong!
You got this!
Way to go!

And, try to read their bib to get their name, then call then by it. It's cool when strangers are calling my name. It feels very personal.

Spectating an Ironman can be very tiring. In fact, I drop harder after spectating than after racing! Make sure you have provisions. A place to sit is always good too.

[tuggyruns]

Aug 20, 2014 9:28:14 GMT -5 trigal said:

Your volunteer captain will tell you what you need to know.

I find it annoying to have my bike when spectating. There are already enough people on the road and they don't need more!

As for spectating, cheer for everyone, not just your friend. If you're standing along the course, keep cheering. If you want to take a break, step away. It's tough to be running by a bunch of people who are ignoring you.

Don't ever say "hang in there" or something similar. It's just a reminder to the athlete that he or she looks like crap. Stuff to say:

Nice job!
You look strong!
You got this!
Way to go!

And, try to read their bib to get their name, then call then by it. It's cool when strangers are calling my name. It feels very personal.

Spectating an Ironman can be very tiring. In fact, I drop harder after spectating than after racing! Make sure you have provisions. A place to sit is always good too.

Good points! I LOVE cheering for everyone- and you're right, it can be tiring! Lucky for me, a Sprouts JUST opened (like today) near my work. So I plan to go at lunch to get some snacks!

Def not bringing the bikes! 

[kams]

Oh man, have a GREAT time! Is it your first Ironman experience? It is electric and amazing - you will love it. And probably be as exhausted as the athletes by the end! Make sure you take care of your body throughout the day - bring snacks, water, and sunscreen. I packed a tube of nuun in the backpack I made for my spectators and they went through them quickly.

All of trigal's tips are spot on, of course. Calling people by name is so wonderful. And, "almost there" is not a good thing to say until you are absolutely sure they really are almost there (i.e. 5k left of the run)

[tuggyruns]

Aug 20, 2014 10:05:59 GMT -5 kams said:

Oh man, have a GREAT time! Is it your first Ironman experience? It is electric and amazing - you will love it. And probably be as exhausted as the athletes by the end! Make sure you take care of your body throughout the day - bring snacks, water, and sunscreen. I packed a tube of nuun in the backpack I made for my spectators and they went through them quickly.

All of trigal's tips are spot on, of course. Calling people by name is so wonderful. And, "almost there" is not a good thing to say until you are absolutely sure they really are almost there (i.e. 5k left of the run)

Thanks! Yes- it's my first IM experince! I'm a little afraid that I am going to come back signed up for one.... LOL! 

Great point on the sunscreen, something my fair skinned self always manages to forget! 

"Almost there" is my least favorite. I have ppl telling me that at mile 5 of my marathon..SMH... 

[sadlebred]

Do you need restaurant recomendations?

[tuggyruns]

Aug 20, 2014 11:41:16 GMT -5 sadlebred said:

Do you need restaurant recomendations?

Yes please! Lunch and dinner! Lunch will include our IM competitor! 

[joenali]

And don't tell them they "only" have three miles to go. That's not going to take someone who is shuffling along a short amount of time! It's not your typical 5k lol!

[trigal]

Yeah. You're only allowed to say "almost there" within a quarter mile of the finish line! Otherwise you might make someone cry. Or punch you!

[tuggyruns]

Aug 20, 2014 13:36:13 GMT -5 trigal said:

Yeah. You're only allowed to say "almost there" within a quarter mile of the finish line! Otherwise you might make someone cry. Or punch you!

Ha, you all are generous- I usually hold on to "almost there" until I can SEE the finish line! That's ALMOST to me  

[kams]

Ok - don't listen to my almost-there-at-5k advice! It appears that is unique to my experience! The later the better!

[joenali]

Aug 20, 2014 14:17:07 GMT -5 kams said:

Ok - don't listen to my almost-there-at-5k advice! It appears that is unique to my experience! The later the better!

It drove me crazy! And then on top of that throw in some kilometer talk and I was all sorts of annoyed!

[sadlebred]

Aug 20, 2014 12:46:45 GMT -5 tuggyruns said:

Aug 20, 2014 11:41:16 GMT -5 sadlebred said:

Do you need restaurant recomendations?

Yes please! Lunch and dinner! Lunch will include our IM competitor! 

There was a burrito place that was really good, but it looks like they aren't in business anymore.


Places I've eaten and can recommend. Most are near downtown or Bardstown (pronounced Barge Town).


www.ramsiscafe.com/
www.theirishroverky.com/
www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g39604-d4250777-Reviews-Wild_Eggs-Louisville_Kentucky.html

I'll work on getting more. 

[derbycitycook]

I live in Lousiville. any restuarant on Bardstown Rd is going to be good. There is a great place called Mussell Burgers and Bar--it's outside the downtown area in to part of town called Jeffersontown (Jtown). It is phenomenal!

[trigal]

Aug 20, 2014 14:18:44 GMT -5 joenali said:

Aug 20, 2014 14:17:07 GMT -5 kams said:

Ok - don't listen to my almost-there-at-5k advice! It appears that is unique to my experience! The later the better!

It drove me crazy! And then on top of that throw in some kilometer talk and I was all sorts of annoyed!

Or "last hill!" Liars!!!!

[taratru]

There are a ton of awesome places to eat near downtown as well. Let me know if you would like some recs. Bardstown is quite away from the finish line if you don't have transportation but the bus system is actually pretty good.

Also I'm pretty sure the finish of the race is straight up fourth Street which is a huge hill. Please save any you're almost there for literally the last block.

[taratru]

Shoot! I also forgot to say I took my bike to Boulder IM and it was the best decision I made. You could totally take your bike to Louisville and be just fine.
There are plenty of places to ride that won't interfere with the course.

[sadlebred]

Taco Punk! That's the restaurant I was thinking of. Think a cross between a really nice Willies, Raging Burrito, and it's own spin on things...and a big beer list.

www.tacopunk.com/

[tuggyruns]

Aug 20, 2014 21:05:06 GMT -5 taratru said:

Shoot! I also forgot to say I took my bike to Boulder IM and it was the best decision I made. You could totally take your bike to Louisville and be just fine.
There are plenty of places to ride that won't interfere with the course.

Awesome! Now I am reconsidering! The catch for me is that it's a 6 hour drive, I can put it in the back of my crossover (along with my sisters) or I can use my rack. I just don't want to haul it on the rack for 6 hours if I won't use it. Also to note- it's a rode bike, so it wouldn't do too well off-road. I do think it could be helpful to have it to get from place to place to cheer though?

[taratru]

Aug 21, 2014 8:01:42 GMT -5 tuggyruns said:

Aug 20, 2014 21:05:06 GMT -5 taratru said:

Shoot! I also forgot to say I took my bike to Boulder IM and it was the best decision I made. You could totally take your bike to Louisville and be just fine.
There are plenty of places to ride that won't interfere with the course.

Awesome! Now I am reconsidering! The catch for me is that it's a 6 hour drive, I can put it in the back of my crossover (along with my sisters) or I can use my rack. I just don't want to haul it on the rack for 6 hours if I won't use it. Also to note- it's a rode bike, so it wouldn't do too well off-road. I do think it could be helpful to have it to get from place to place to cheer though?

I took mine so we could ride around not only to cheer, but also to go eat, grab drinks, whatever.  It was nice to not be in the same place all the time.  And I think your friend will like seeing you in different places, not just once.

[sebd12]

No IM experience, but Louisville is currently under a heat advisory for the weekend, so hydrate well! Check the news ahead of time for street closures - those for the IM and those for the major construction. Many sidewalks are closed as well for construction. Be safe and have fun!
Manny and Merle's on Main Street has wonderful tacos and margaritas. There is also a Wild Eggs downtown now too - fabulous breakfast/ brunch sit down meal.

[tuggyruns]

Aug 21, 2014 15:31:55 GMT -5 sebd12 said:

No IM experience, but Louisville is currently under a heat advisory for the weekend, so hydrate well! Check the news ahead of time for street closures - those for the IM and those for the major construction. Many sidewalks are closed as well for construction. Be safe and have fun!
Manny and Merle's on Main Street has wonderful tacos and margaritas. There is also a Wild Eggs downtown now too - fabulous breakfast/ brunch sit down meal.

This sounds amazing! I LOVE breakfast/brunch- my FAVORITES (oh and mexican!)

[sebd12]

Aug 21, 2014 16:09:49 GMT -5 tuggyruns said:

Aug 21, 2014 15:31:55 GMT -5 sebd12 said:

No IM experience, but Louisville is currently under a heat advisory for the weekend, so hydrate well! Check the news ahead of time for street closures - those for the IM and those for the major construction. Many sidewalks are closed as well for construction. Be safe and have fun!
Manny and Merle's on Main Street has wonderful tacos and margaritas. There is also a Wild Eggs downtown now too - fabulous breakfast/ brunch sit down meal.

This sounds amazing! I LOVE breakfast/brunch- my FAVORITES (oh and mexican!)

Along with a fun eggs/bacon etc selection, they have a bananas foster waffle.... Yeah.

[trigal]

Aug 20, 2014 12:46:45 GMT -5 tuggyruns said:

Aug 20, 2014 11:41:16 GMT -5 sadlebred said:

Do you need restaurant recomendations?

Yes please! Lunch and dinner! Lunch will include our IM competitor! 

Your IM competitor will not (should not) want spicy food! Save that for your dinner or race day!