Ironman Chatter

[kams]

I think of all of the things I'd like to talk about, and I think the post could be as long as the race itself...

I'm hoping that maybe some of you would be willing to share some tips, thoughts, reminders, mantras, or whatever else you feel like telling me/us. chw57 may not be as infomation-needy as I am, but I feel like I can't take in enough, even if I've heard it a thousand times. I just don't want to miss anything. 

And, a few questions off the top of my head:

Pre-race: I'd like to have my phone with me early, because I know I will be hearing from friends, and I want to soak up as much of that as I can before I get going. I'd also like to have it at the end of the day. Maaaybe I will feel present-minded enough to check in with all of you while I'm getting massage/food/gear packed up. Should I just hand it off to H? Or is it something I can leave in my morning clothes bag? Also, do you have a recommendation for marking transition and special needs bags? Colored tape, ribbons, etc?

Swimskins: are they supposed to have a ribbon attached to the zipper like a wetsuit? My girlfriend loaned me hers and it doesn't have one. I know volunteers can help me, but just wondering if there is an easier fix.

Special Needs Bike: planning to pack 2 extra tubes, extra co2, a pair of socks (not planning to start the bike with socks), body glide powder for feet, chamois butter, sunscreen, chapstick, a small baggie of pringles potato chips as my special snack, replacement nutrition (all liquid). Missing anything? I've heard I should wrap frozen nutrition bottles in a cold, wet hand towel and foil to keep it cold for that long in that heat.

Special Needs Run: extra pair of socks, replacement nutrition (all liquid), body glide, baby powder/body glide powder, chapstick, bandaids/advil/tums. Feel like I'm missing something.

I've also written out a long card for my family and girlfriend that are coming. I would like for them to have it while I'm on the course. Is it something I can put in special needs (run) and hand it to them from the course? Or maybe just slyly leave it in the hotel room when H & I leave in the morning (they will return to hotel while I'm on the bike)? Maybe I can slide it in the backpack I am packing for them with snacks/sunscreen/etc for race day.

I have a garmin 310xt. Think it will last me all day? Or at least bike & run? Suppose I should have left it on for the remainder of the day after a long ride to see what kind of battery life it has (longest time on there is 7hrs).

Seriously, I am sure there are a thousand more things that I will come up with. The nervous energy is already creeping in. I did take a nap today! Taper win!

Advice welcome from anyone.
trigal coconutbug reginaphalange72 joenali katandkevin 

[runblondie26]

I'm a mere mortal who just runs marathons. I'm going to follow this thread for educational purposes.There's so much to know and prepare for, I find it fascinating.

You're going to kick some ass. And look way too cute while doing it. You can't train for that.

Edit: mortal, not martial

[Wines Not Whines]

I don't have advice, but I just want to say you're going to rock this! I'd love to track you on the course and virtually cheer if you're comfortable PMing your bib number.

[joenali]

I think of all of the things I'd like to talk about, and I think the post could be as long as the race itself...

I'm hoping that maybe some of you would be willing to share some tips, thoughts, reminders, mantras, or whatever else you feel like telling me/us. chw57 may not be as infomation-needy as I am, but I feel like I can't take in enough, even if I've heard it a thousand times. I just don't want to miss anything.

And, a few questions off the top of my head:

Pre-race: I'd like to have my phone with me early, because I know I will be hearing from friends, and I want to soak up as much of that as I can before I get going. I'd also like to have it at the end of the day. Maaaybe I will feel present-minded enough to check in with all of you while I'm getting massage/food/gear packed up. Should I just hand it off to H? Or is it something I can leave in my morning clothes bag? Also, do you have a recommendation for marking transition and special needs bags? Colored tape, ribbons, etc?

I gave my phone to DH. He did fb updates and I just took after I was do e. Do not put anything in any bag that you can't live without: phone, wallet, etc. you may not get it back. ( I got my morning clothes bag back obviously, just don't put anything of real value in it. You do not need to put any special marker like ribbon on your special needs bags etc. the volunteers will call out your number and they will hand you your bags. I had zero problems.

Swimskins: are they supposed to have a ribbon attached to the zipper like a wetsuit? My girlfriend loaned me hers and it doesn't have one. I know volunteers can help me, but just wondering if there is an easier fix.

You better double check in the legality of a swim skin. You may not be able to use it. There are wetsuit strippers! Someone will be able to help you!

Special Needs Bike: planning to pack 2 extra tubes, extra co2, a pair of socks (not planning to start the bike with socks), body glide powder for feet, chamois butter, sunscreen, chapstick, a small baggie of pringles potato chips as my special snack, replacement nutrition (all liquid). Missing anything? I've heard I should wrap frozen nutrition bottles in a cold, wet hand towel and foil to keep it cold for that long in that heat.

I would wear socks right off the swim.
Since it's going to be hot you might want to keep extra salt and potassium in each of your special needs bags. I had these little tiny vials that I kept the salt and potassium in . Hair ties! Just in case! Allergy meds! Just in case! Advil just in case! I had all of those things but didn't use them . But they are there if need it. I also used some face wipes ( Say Yes to Grapefruit) in one of my bags just to wipe myself down real quick. It felt good! Plus some dude said I smelled good! It was chilly where I was, so I put a long sleeve tech shirt to put on when it got dark. You most likely will get nothing back from your special needs bag.

Special Needs Run: extra pair of socks, replacement nutrition (all liquid), body glide, baby powder/body glide powder, chapstick, bandaids/advil/tums. Feel like I'm missing something.

I've also written out a long card for my family and girlfriend that are coming. I would like for them to have it while I'm on the course. Is it something I can put in special needs (run) and hand it to them from the course? Or maybe just slyly leave it in the hotel room when H & I leave in the morning? Maybe I can slide it in the backpack I am packing for them with snacks/sunscreen/etc for race day. Leave the card in the hotel room. You might forget about the card and then you won't get it back.

I have a garmin 310xt. Think it will last me all day? Or at least bike & run? Suppose I should have left it on for the remainder of the day after a long ride to see what kind of battery life it has (longest time on there is 7hrs).

I used a timex watch. No HRM, nothing fancy. You've done the training, you know the stats. You know it! Trust it! I also have a basic bike computer. Do you want that giant thing on your arm for 13+ hours?

My mantras:

I am golden!

Rainbows and Unicorns Ahead!

Trust the training!

Keep moving forward! No matter how fast, slow or ugly. Move forward!

Advice:
Soak up every minute, talk to people, smile, encourage others and they will encourage you!
Most of all, have fun! You will never experience a first time again!

Seriously, I am sure there are a thousand more things that I will come up with. The nervous energy is already creeping in. I did take a nap today! Taper win!

Advice welcome from anyone.
trigal coconutbug reginaphalange72 joenali katandkevin

[kams]

Apr 28, 2014 19:04:33 GMT -5 runblondie26 said:

I'm a mere martial who just runs marathons. I'm going to follow this thread for educational purposes.There's so much to know and prepare for, I find it fascinating.

You're going to kick some ass. And look way too cute while doing it. You can't train for that.

It is SO MUCH logistically. In some ways that has felt more consuming than the training itself. It is the primary reason why I can't imagine someone racing an Ironman as their very first triathlon. Not that I don't think it is physically possible, but that I honestly can't imagine all of this emotional/mental/physical demand ON TOP of the nerves that come with your first ever triathlon! OMG it blows my mind. I was a freak before my first sprint! I just can't imagine.

Back off the tangent… you are cracking me up. Why do I think I might get a few disastrous photos to share with all of you after this?? And every time I huff and puff through a long run, I laugh about the girl who called a marathon her cool down. That will never die. So bad.

[kams]

Thanks joenali

Love it!

I like the idea of the vials of salt and potassium. I've had good experiences with saltstick tabs so I plan to pop those all day long.

This skin is legal. Since it is traditionally not a wetsuit legal swim, I wonder if they will still have strippers? Hmmm.

I don't mind my watch. Though, I'm pretty sure there will be times of the day that anything and everything drives me crazy

Great ideas for special needs - thank you. And yes, no valuables makes perfect sense. Face wipes will be SO NICE. Adding those to my list, for sure. "Hey Ironlady, you smell great!"

My 3 goals are to be patient, be present, and be grateful. I am so excited to chat and meet people and make "friends" I love making friends

Thanks for taking the time to sift through that crazy post!

[joenali]

Ohhhhh! Take care of yourself after the race. I'm not talking the day after. I'm talking days, weeks, months. For me it was quite a blow to be all of a sudden done. You've built up for so long and then it's over. Take time for yourself, your family, don't make a schedule for several weeks. Definitely keep working out, but be easy on yourself. Sign up for another race in the weeks or months following your race. A 5k, a swim meet, etc. something to look forward to.
And don't put off seeing a doctor for nagging aches and pains! Lesson learned for sure!

And if you would like to start a support group with me let me know!!!

You are golden!

[kams]

Apr 28, 2014 19:20:49 GMT -5 joenali said:

Ohhhhh! Take care of yourself after the race. I'm not talking the day after. I'm talking days, weeks, months. For me it was quite a blow to be all of a sudden done. You've built up for so long and then it's over. Take time for yourself, your family, don't make a schedule for several weeks. Definitely keep working out, but be easy on yourself. Sign up for another race in the weeks or months following your race. A 5k, a swim meet, etc. something to look forward to.
And don't put off seeing a doctor for nagging aches and pains! Lesson learned for sure!

And if you would like to start a support group with me let me know!!!

You are golden!

((((((Ali))))))

Thank you

[joenali]

I'm so excited about your race!!

[CallingAllAngels]

I just want to say that I love your goals and your attitude. I can't wait to read all about your race.

[kams]

Apr 28, 2014 19:23:56 GMT -5 joenali said:

I'm so excited about your race!!

Me tooooo!!! Me too me too me too! I feel like this has been so much more than training for a race, and I know the race itself will be a major celebration of all of that. Totally a life experience. 

I'm tearing up already, geeze.

[kams]

Apr 28, 2014 19:25:03 GMT -5 CallingAllAngels said:

I just want to say that I love your goals and your attitude. I can't wait to read all about your race.

I think staying in good headspace is going to be the key for me. I know it gets deep and dark! Thanks for the encouragement

[joenali]

Apr 28, 2014 19:31:26 GMT -5 kams said:

Apr 28, 2014 19:23:56 GMT -5 joenali said:

I'm so excited about your race!!

Me tooooo!!! Me too me too me too! I feel like this has been so much more than training for a race, and I know the race itself will be a major celebration of all of that. Totally a life experience. 

I'm tearing up already, geeze.

I'm tearing up for you!

[kams]

Apr 28, 2014 19:31:57 GMT -5 @mn06 said:

I'm stalking this thread for general triathlon tips. And reading it made me nervous; like a really excited nervous for you. You will rock this! I cannot wait to hear your story.

Sent from my PH44100 using Tapatalk

It's the best nervous, isn't it?! Eeeeeep! Thanks

If a question pops up, throw it out there! I'm chatty!

[joenali]

Ok I'm super nervous about the heat for you guys. I was lucky to train in the kind of weather I raced in. Has it been hot where you are? What's your nutrition plan for hot weather ? I don't think I could ever do IMTX, it doesn't get hot enough here to train properly.

[chitownbelle]

You ironladies fucking rock.

[kams]

Apr 28, 2014 19:38:06 GMT -5 joenali said:

Ok I'm super nervous about the heat for you guys. I was lucky to train in the kind of weather I raced in. Has it been hot where you are? What's your nutrition plan for hot weather ? I don't think I could ever do IMTX, it doesn't get hot enough here to train properly.

This is a major factor, without a doubt. 

I am confident in my nutrition plan - I have to be! My climate is very different than Houston. High altitude, desert. It is 91 in Houston today, and we haven't seen higher than 80 yet. I spend a few hours a week (most weeks) in hot yoga. My studio is kept at 95 degrees, 75% humidity. That is the most I can do to simulate race conditions. Over the last few months I have noticed major acclimatization to that room, and I think that is a good sign. That doesn't mean it won't majorly slow me down. This is why I don't have time goals - I can't account for how it will feel out there. 

[clseale]

I have no advice, (obviously), but I am so damn excited for you & proud of you. I can't even start to wrap my head around the journey you will cap off in just a few short weeks. I have to work a friggin tennis tournament all damn day, but I will have my phone & I'll be obsessively tracking. <3 You're going to be amazing!!

[kams]

Apr 28, 2014 19:43:22 GMT -5 chitownbelle said:

You ironladies fucking rock.

this whole board fucking rocks!

[katandkevin]

I agree with Ali, don't put anything of value in your bags. I would include our garmin in that. I know someone who had a garmin they had borrowed get stolen out of their t1 bag.

I am pretty sure there are still strippers even if it isn't wetsuit legal, but if not, one of the volunteers in the change tent can help you get out of it. My only advice on the swim is not to drink the water.

Enjoy your day. You will meet so many neat people that all have a story. Trust the training you have done.

[coconutbug]

My last IM was way back in 2008, so I don't remember a whole lot, but:

-Pre-race: Don't put anything in your special needs bags or in transition that you would be sad not to get back. If you need your phone til the race starts, maybe hand it off to H. I didn't mark transition or my special needs bags.

-Swimskins: I've never used one before, but the wetsuit strippers did help me with my wetsuit. Love them.

-Special Needs Bags: The things I put in my bags were similar to yours. I put my socks on right away, and the only things I think I actually used from my bags were my nutrition and chapstick. And tampons, because AF decided to show up the morning of the race. Yay.

-Card: I would leave it in the hotel room for them or in the backpack you pack.

-Watch: I used a basic Timex IM watch to keep track of my overall time. Then I used my bike computer on the bike. And I put on my Garmin for the run.

You've got this!! I am so excited for you and can't wait to track you! Enjoy every moment and soak in the energy of the supporters and your fellow IMers. It will be such a memorable day; I normally have a terrible memory, but I remember the IMs I did vividly and fondly. And know that we will all be cheering you on! Go kams!

[katandkevin]

I thought of one other thing. I was talking to a teammate this weekend who dnf'd IMTX 3 year ago and is doing it this year as a redemption race. He said that a lot of people go balls to the wall on the bike and try to go all out and don't account for the heat taking more out of you than you planned. That is what he did the first time he did Texas and was pulled 2 miles into the run. Take your time and go easy. The heat can be brutal even if you have trained in it.

[taratru]

Fucking A, man...I wish I was going to Texas for my birthday. I am SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!

[kams]

Apr 28, 2014 19:47:35 GMT -5 clseale said:

I have no advice, (obviously), but I am so damn excited for you & proud of you. I can't even start to wrap my head around the journey you will cap off in just a few short weeks. I have to work a friggin tennis tournament all damn day, but I will have my phone & I'll be obsessively tracking. <3 You're going to be amazing!!

I should send you $2 to pay for the Irontrac app . Thank you - I am nerdy pumped.

[kams]

Apr 28, 2014 19:55:10 GMT -5 katandkevin said:

I thought of one other thing. I was talking to a teammate this weekend who dnf'd IMTX 3 year ago and is doing it this year as a redemption race. He said that a lot of people go balls to the wall on the bike and try to go all out and don't account for the heat taking more out of you than you planned. That is what he did the first time he did Texas and was pulled 2 miles into the run. Take your time and go easy. The heat can be brutal even if you have trained in it.

Thanks for the tips - the balega socks you sent me are going to be with me! My favorites.

I've heard a lot of stories like this. I really think patience will be key. Thanks for sharing. I hope he has a great race!

[kams]

Apr 28, 2014 19:52:49 GMT -5 coconutbug said:

My last IM was way back in 2008, so I don't remember a whole lot, but:

-Pre-race: Don't put anything in your special needs bags or in transition that you would be sad not to get back. If you need your phone til the race starts, maybe hand it off to H. I didn't mark transition or my special needs bags.

-Swimskins: I've never used one before, but the wetsuit strippers did help me with my wetsuit. Love them.

-Special Needs Bags: The things I put in my bags were similar to yours. I put my socks on right away, and the only things I think I actually used from my bags were my nutrition and chapstick. And tampons, because AF decided to show up the morning of the race. Yay.

-Card: I would leave it in the hotel room for them or in the backpack you pack.

-Watch: I used a basic Timex IM watch to keep track of my overall time. Then I used my bike computer on the bike. And I put on my Garmin for the run.

You've got this!! I am so excited for you and can't wait to track you! Enjoy every moment and soak in the energy of the supporters and your fellow IMers. It will be such a memorable day; I normally have a terrible memory, but I remember the IMs I did vividly and fondly. And know that we will all be cheering you on! Go kams!

My Ironidol, I wish we could get together to chat about this. Thanks for sharing. Period on race day, BLAH. 

[kams]

Apr 28, 2014 20:04:40 GMT -5 taratru said:

Fucking A, man...I wish I was going to Texas for my birthday. I am SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!

Fucking A, man…ME TOO!!!!

One of my most memorable moments was on the boulder course, when I was running through the end of the first loop and I saw you with your big sign! I needed that hug so badly! That will be a memory that I draw from out there.

[hannahb]

I cannot wait for your race! I'm excited and nervous for you!

[jamalynn]

No advice here but just wanted to lend my support. Y'all have been training so hard for this. I am so excited for y'all.

Good luck kams and chw57. You've got this! Trust the training.

[chw57]

Thank you so much for starting this! I'm starting to make lists of things for all my bags and feeling completely overwhelmed!