Ironman Chatter

[joenali]

Now that made me smile!! <3

[texassmith]

Apr 29, 2014 13:21:45 GMT -5 kams said:

I sent my parents my bib# this morning. My dad e-mailed me back with this:

"I can recall that number! '***' was Grandpa's C-130 plane number when he flew his squadron down to the Antarctic (my note: they did research down there). I'm sure he'll be there watching with us!"

I know I'm super emotional right now, but this brought on some serious waterworks.

Um,this is making ME tear up! I love it. He will most definitely be there with you.

[shorewife]

Apr 29, 2014 8:32:17 GMT -5 joenali said:

Apr 29, 2014 8:29:54 GMT -5 shorewife said:

I'm really excited for you both! I just signed up for my first 70.3 in the fall and I have a full IM on my brain for next year so I will be following both of you closely and really looking forward to hearing all about the experience. Best of luck and have fun!!

whistler 2015?

I was thinking of something more.....FLAT.

So how much more time consuming would you say a full IM is vs a half?  Double?

[kams]

Apr 29, 2014 13:57:11 GMT -5 shorewife said:

Apr 29, 2014 8:32:17 GMT -5 joenali said:

whistler 2015?

I was thinking of something more.....FLAT.

So how much more time consuming would you say a full IM is vs a half?  Double?

I was around 12hrs/week for a half. I peaked at 18 hrs (3 times) for this full. Lots of 15s.

[shorewife]

Apr 29, 2014 13:59:43 GMT -5 kams said:

Apr 29, 2014 13:57:11 GMT -5 shorewife said:

I was thinking of something more.....FLAT.

So how much more time consuming would you say a full IM is vs a half?  Double?

I was around 12hrs/week for a half. I peaked at 18 hrs (3 times) for this full. Lots of 15s.

So like 1.5 times the training. 

Would you both send me your bib #'s too, kams and chw57?

[joenali]

Apr 29, 2014 13:57:11 GMT -5 shorewife said:

Apr 29, 2014 8:32:17 GMT -5 joenali said:

whistler 2015?

I was thinking of something more.....FLAT.

So how much more time consuming would you say a full IM is vs a half?  Double?

I started at 6 hours a week and peaked at 20 hours for two or three weeks I think?

Come on Whistler is only 6000+ feet of climbing.

[chw57]

I read the race report of a girl who had 5 bottles on we bike and said it was a great decision. I'm thinking I might do that... 2 Perpetuem, 2 fizz, 1 water. I really don't want to be wothout fluid!

[clseale]

My fluid intake doubled when I was marathon training during the summer. I might not know one single thing about IMs, but I know heat & humidity. Don't take any chances with your fluids.

[chw57]

Apr 29, 2014 14:57:29 GMT -5 clseale said:

My fluid intake doubled when I was marathon training during the summer. I might not know one single thing about IMs, but I know heat & humidity. Don't take any chances with your fluids.

I'm listening to Florida here! 5 bottles it is!
The blogger I mentioned lives in Texas.

[kams]

Apr 29, 2014 14:57:29 GMT -5 clseale said:

My fluid intake doubled when I was marathon training during the summer. I might not know one single thing about IMs, but I know heat & humidity. Don't take any chances with your fluids.

What about your calorie intake? I keep hearing from coaches that I need to take in as many calories on the bike as I can stomach. I anticipated doubling my salt intake. Any input there?

[clseale]

Apr 29, 2014 15:07:36 GMT -5 kams said:

Apr 29, 2014 14:57:29 GMT -5 clseale said:

My fluid intake doubled when I was marathon training during the summer. I might not know one single thing about IMs, but I know heat & humidity. Don't take any chances with your fluids.

What about your calorie intake? I keep hearing from coaches that I need to take in as many calories on the bike as I can stomach. I anticipated doubling my salt intake. Any input there?

Definitely salt! I never trained with anything but gels & water, but over the summer, I had to start using Nuun as well. Water just wasn't cutting it anymore. You're losing so much salt!

I'm not sure about calories. They do say you burn more in the heat (since your body is working to keep cool), but I didn't notice a significant need to take anymore in. Maybe a little though. When our 18+ milers looped past our house, I would eat something solid. On our really hot sweaty runs, I was taking anything I could get.

I would guess in an IM, you're loading calories on the bike, to get you ready for the run, right? Surely any stored calories are gone by the end of your bike, so you'd basically be starting the marathon empty. Sounds like you'd want to pack in as much as you can. I obviously don't know much about that, though.

[reginaphalange72]

You are going to be fantastic!  Just enjoy every minute!  You've already done the hard work.  The race day is your reward.  You can absolutely, 100% get through it.  So just keep your legs moving and break it down into small sections.  It's easy to start to feel a little overwhelmed when you think about all that's in front of you still. ("I just swam 2.4 miles, and biked 112 miles, and now I have to do WHAT??")

For packing and prep, you've already gotten a lot of helpful info, so I'll attempt to not repeat what everyone has already said.  I have a bunch of stuff in my race reports (packing list, etc.):

IMLP pre-race (includes detailed packing list for every possible bag, ever - ha): geonerdette.wordpress.com/2013/07/29/race-report-2013-ironman-lake-placid-part-1/

B2B (my first IM) pre-race: geonerdette.wordpress.com/2012/10/21/race-report-part-1-2012-beach2battleship-iron-distance-triathlon-my-first-140-6/

You mentioned it already, but one thing I did that made me (and my ironsherpas) happy was packing a bag and cooler for them for race day.  They do a hell of a job spectating and taking care of your equipment, so it's nice to take care of them too.  I made them each a little bag with a brita water bottle (They LOVED these - and you can get packs of two at Target for pretty cheap.  I still use mine to this day - 2 years later.), snacks (bananas, apples, trail mix, etc.), white boards to write messages for me/other athletes, sidewalk chalk, card games, sunscreen, bug spray, some cheap sunglasses, cowbells, glow necklaces (since I am slow and knew I would be out after dark), maps of the course, and my anticipated split times.  I also put together a big cooler for all of them with their favorite beer (cans if possible so there's no glass out on the course) and plastic mini bottles of wine (for my mom, the wine lover), and some refrigerated edibles (bagels and cream cheese for breakfast, stuff to make sandwiches for lunch, etc.).  I also grabbed some little collapsible chairs so they didn't have to stand all day.  Plus a thank you card for each of them.  It was a bit of work, but they really appreciated it, and it made me feel super to be able to do something for them.  I just gave them everything after dinner the night before the race since I assumed I wouldn't catch them in the morning.  Also, I wrote out a little ironsherpa list of what to pick up, and where, and when (like using the equipment pickup card after you come into T2 so they can get your bike and all your stuff and bring it back to your hotel room).

Also, as others have mentioned, DO NOT PUT ANYTHING VALUABLE IN ANY BAG, ANYWHERE.  Yes, you should/will get your morning, T1, and T2 bags back.  However, the only way you are getting any special needs bag back is if you go and pick it up before midnight.  I usually put a long sleeve shirt in my run special needs bag since it can get chilly at night, and leave the rest as just a snack grab bag.  When I go past special needs, I make sure I grab the long sleeve - regardless of if I need it (you can always just tie it around your waist and forget about it, or hand it off to one of your people), and then just forget about the remaining snacks.  As for the morning, T1, and T2 bags - you never know what can happen to those.  There shouldn't be a problem, but hey, you never know.  For IMLP, I was with my sherpa in the morning before the race, so I put everything I was wearing into a bag once I got into my wetsuit, and then gave it to him.  That bag also doubled as my post-race bag, which they should bring to meet you at the finish line. (SUPER IMPORTANT.  YOU WILL WANT ONE OF THESE.)

One other thing that I did for my first that I thought was really neat was writing a letter to myself to put into my run special needs bag (see here: geonerdette.wordpress.com/2012/10/23/race-report-part-3-2012-beach2battleship-iron-distance-triathlon-my-first-140-6/).  I picked it up at special needs (at the halfway point on the run - nearly done for the day, but when you're really tired and could use something interesting/fun), and read it over the next mile or so.  I also had my sister write a funny one because I figured I could use a laugh at that point.  Had I not been in the middle of getting divorced (woot!), I would have had a SO write one too.

My garmin (a 305) didn't last through quite the whole thing (bike and run - I didn't bother on the swim), but it was pretty close.  Also, I was slow, so if you're faster, it shouldn't be too bad.  It did take a bit (about 3.5 miles or so) to find satellites when I turned it on in T1.  I didn't want to turn it on before the start of the swim, since that would just waste more battery.  But really, come race day, all you really need is a cheapo timex to know your overall time.  However, if you're like me, you're a nerd for numbers, and would want all the garmin data.  (also, check out the Bia watches - www.bia-sport.com - they're making them specifically with a 17+ hour battery life, and triathlon OWS, in mind.  I should be getting mine in the next couple weeks, so I'll let you guys know how it is.  I'm super psyched.)

No matter what, just remember that you've done all the hard work.  You are ready - physically and mentally.  You absolutely CAN do this.  Just enjoy the day and keep on moving, and know that we will be here cheering you on!  You'll have a great long thread to come back to with lots of love.

Kick ass!

[kams]

Apr 29, 2014 15:43:44 GMT -5 clseale said:

Apr 29, 2014 15:07:36 GMT -5 kams said:

What about your calorie intake? I keep hearing from coaches that I need to take in as many calories on the bike as I can stomach. I anticipated doubling my salt intake. Any input there?

Definitely salt! I never trained with anything but gels & water, but over the summer, I had to start using Nuun as well. Water just wasn't cutting it anymore. You're losing so much salt!

I'm not sure about calories. They do say you burn more in the heat (since your body is working to keep cool), but I didn't notice a significant need to take anymore in. Maybe a little though. When our 18+ milers looped past our house, I would eat something solid. On our really hot sweaty runs, I was taking anything I could get.

I would guess in an IM, you're loading calories on the bike, to get you ready for the run, right? Surely any stored calories are gone by the end of your bike, so you'd basically be starting the marathon empty. Sounds like you'd want to pack in as much as you can. I obviously don't know much about that, though.

Yes, calories on the bike are way high in order to get off and be ready to run. I will just be loading everything. Can I take in too much salt I wonder? I might be puffy as a balloon!

[kams]

reginaphalange72 thank you SO MUCH for your words and for the links. So much fantastic information - I really appreciate it.

[joenali]

Apr 29, 2014 16:41:41 GMT -5 kams said:

Apr 29, 2014 15:43:44 GMT -5 clseale said:

Definitely salt! I never trained with anything but gels & water, but over the summer, I had to start using Nuun as well. Water just wasn't cutting it anymore. You're losing so much salt!

I'm not sure about calories. They do say you burn more in the heat (since your body is working to keep cool), but I didn't notice a significant need to take anymore in. Maybe a little though. When our 18+ milers looped past our house, I would eat something solid. On our really hot sweaty runs, I was taking anything I could get.

I would guess in an IM, you're loading calories on the bike, to get you ready for the run, right? Surely any stored calories are gone by the end of your bike, so you'd basically be starting the marathon empty. Sounds like you'd want to pack in as much as you can. I obviously don't know much about that, though.

Yes, calories on the bike are way high in order to get off and be ready to run. I will just be loading everything. Can I take in too much salt I wonder? I might be puffy as a balloon!

I suggest straight up table slat. Lick every so often and follow by a gulp of water.

I don't think you'll have too much salt. Id be worried about not enough. You dint want hyponutremia (sp?).

[jene]

Good luck, ladies!!! I can't wait to hear how it goes!

[trigal]

You don't need to bring your phone. When you are done, just enjoy the moment and the experience of the finish line. If people want to know your status, they can follow you on the athlete tracker. If you must, leave it with someone. Don't bring/pack anything in your gear bags that are not gear. They'll get lost or in the way. That includes the letter. Give it to them before you leave. You'll have enough to do without adding more.

Your gear bags will be color-coded, so don't worry about it.

If you want, I have an extensive list of gear that I use for my IM's. It's actually organized by gear bag. I'll be happy to email it to you. Just pm me your email address.

My swimskin has a string on the zipper, but you don't need to worry about it. The volunteers will help you with absolutely anything. They'll even strip you down! Use them! They are there to help!

I didn't use my Garmin. I race by feel. I don't like feeling like I have to maintain a certain pace and get stressed if I'm not. I wear a watch and I have a bike computer, but the Garmin is too much data. Remember that your only goal should be to finish. It's very easy to get caught up in data and have it mess up your day. You're going to feel like crap on the run anyway (everyone does whether they admit it or not). Do you need to think about pace or HR? Just something to think about. Also, will you wear the Garmin in the swim? If not, then that's something else to add to your time/process in transition.

I have other advice about prep, race day calm, etc. I'm happy to share, just ask!

[kams]

Apr 29, 2014 19:54:22 GMT -5 trigal said:

You don't need to bring your phone. When you are done, just enjoy the moment and the experience of the finish line. If people want to know your status, they can follow you on the athlete tracker. If you must, leave it with someone. Don't bring/pack anything in your gear bags that are not gear. They'll get lost or in the way. That includes the letter. Give it to them before you leave. You'll have enough to do without adding more.

Your gear bags will be color-coded, so don't worry about it.

If you want, I have an extensive list of gear that I use for my IM's. It's actually organized by gear bag. I'll be happy to email it to you. Just pm me your email address.

My swimskin has a string on the zipper, but you don't need to worry about it. The volunteers will help you with absolutely anything. They'll even strip you down! Use them! They are there to help!

I didn't use my Garmin. I race by feel. I don't like feeling like I have to maintain a certain pace and get stressed if I'm not. I wear a watch and I have a bike computer, but the Garmin is too much data. Remember that your only goal should be to finish. It's very easy to get caught up in data and have it mess up your day. You're going to feel like crap on the run anyway (everyone does whether they admit it or not). Do you need to think about pace or HR? Just something to think about. Also, will you wear the Garmin in the swim? If not, then that's something else to add to your time/process in transition.

I have other advice about prep, race day calm, etc. I'm happy to share, just ask!

Thanks so much for all of this great info! I will pm you my email address. I'm so intrigued by the fact that you and other opinions I respect have mentioned going garmin-free this time. I am really going to be thoughtful about that.

I would be so interested to hear all of your other advice, but I know it might be time consuming for you. Please share as much as you have the time/energy for. I am going back to read your race report again, too. 

[Deleted]

Lurker chiming in! I can't give advice (never trained for an IM) but I live in the area and spectated the past 2 years. I'll be there again this year (there's a bridge over the Lake where it all starts, perfect to see the swim start!) Friends and I biked into town late that night to watch at the finish. It was so inspiring! I thought the finish chute was great, it kind of twists and turns till you get to the straightaway and its packed with people - you can high five people all the way to the finish :-) Hearing the MC say "....YOU are an ironman !!!" its exciting for me to hear - I can't imagine what the athlete finishing feels like!

If I can answer any questions for you about restaurants, running store, bike store etc you can PM me or just ask here!

Best of luck! 

[joenali]

I could watch this over and over. My friend made this for our team from the live feed. I'm second one in the video and my cousin/coach is the crazy lady jumping up and down.

www.dropbox.com/s/gzvoa2xekr0g4px/Ironman%20Canada%202013.mov

[kams]

Apr 29, 2014 23:10:06 GMT -5 joenali said:

I could watch this over and over. My friend made this for our team from the live feed. I'm second one in the video and my cousin/coach is the crazy lady jumping up and down.

www.dropbox.com/s/gzvoa2xekr0g4px/Ironman%20Canada%202013.mov

Oh Ali, this has my crying again as much as I did the first time!!! You are so amazing! Love seeing the excitement from your cousin

[kams]

Apr 29, 2014 22:59:19 GMT -5 @yalie said:

Lurker chiming in! I can't give advice (never trained for an IM) but I live in the area and spectated the past 2 years. I'll be there again this year (there's a bridge over the Lake where it all starts, perfect to see the swim start!) Friends and I biked into town late that night to watch at the finish. It was so inspiring! I thought the finish chute was great, it kind of twists and turns till you get to the straightaway and its packed with people - you can high five people all the way to the finish :-) Hearing the MC say "....YOU are an ironman !!!" its exciting for me to hear - I can't imagine what the athlete finishing feels like!

If I can answer any questions for you about restaurants, running store, bike store etc you can PM me or just ask here!

Best of luck! 

Thanks so much for chiming in!! Iove hearing your experience.

I do wonder if you maybe have a recommendation for a restaurant that's sort of fresh? Like where I can get grilled chicken not drenched in butter, maybe a sweet potato, and a small salad? That's my fave prerace dinner I can google, but if you have somethjng off the top of your head I will take it

[kams]

m.youtube.com/watch?v=ryAzeIdSvmw

This is a link to a 7ish minute video - a preview of race day - if anyone is interested.

I can't tell you how many times I've watched this! At least once on every trainer ride since December!

[katyintx]

Apr 30, 2014 9:17:49 GMT -5 kams said:

Apr 29, 2014 22:59:19 GMT -5 @yalie said:

Lurker chiming in! I can't give advice (never trained for an IM) but I live in the area and spectated the past 2 years. I'll be there again this year (there's a bridge over the Lake where it all starts, perfect to see the swim start!) Friends and I biked into town late that night to watch at the finish. It was so inspiring! I thought the finish chute was great, it kind of twists and turns till you get to the straightaway and its packed with people - you can high five people all the way to the finish :-) Hearing the MC say "....YOU are an ironman !!!" its exciting for me to hear - I can't imagine what the athlete finishing feels like!

If I can answer any questions for you about restaurants, running store, bike store etc you can PM me or just ask here!

Best of luck! 

Thanks so much for chiming in!! Iove hearing your experience.

I do wonder if you maybe have a recommendation for a restaurant that's sort of fresh? Like where I can get grilled chicken not drenched in butter, maybe a sweet potato, and a small salad? That's my fave prerace dinner I can google, but if you have somethjng off the top of your head I will take it

There's a place up there called Pure that seems pretty promising.  www.liveandeatpure.com/about-us.html  I've never personally been there but I've heard good things.

Depending on if you're staying in Houston or TW, you could check out Ruggles Green as well.  I don't believe they have one in TW, but there's a few in Houston.  I love them!

I'll also be up there cheering you BAs on!  I have a wedding so I have to miss the finish, but when you see random women along the course, one of them could be me! 

[kams]

Apr 30, 2014 10:13:18 GMT -5 katyintx said:

Apr 30, 2014 9:17:49 GMT -5 kams said:

Thanks so much for chiming in!! Iove hearing your experience.

I do wonder if you maybe have a recommendation for a restaurant that's sort of fresh? Like where I can get grilled chicken not drenched in butter, maybe a sweet potato, and a small salad? That's my fave prerace dinner I can google, but if you have somethjng off the top of your head I will take it

There's a place up there called Pure that seems pretty promising.  www.liveandeatpure.com/about-us.html  I've never personally been there but I've heard good things.

Depending on if you're staying in Houston or TW, you could check out Ruggles Green as well.  I don't believe they have one in TW, but there's a few in Houston.  I love them!

I'll also be up there cheering you BAs on!  I have a wedding so I have to miss the finish, but when you see random women along the course, one of them could be me! 

That is SO PERFECT!!!!! Oh my gosh, hero! I will buy some prepackaged meals to throw in the cooler for my family, too. We are in TW, but we will be in Houston a bit on Friday and I wasn't sure what I could do for lunch (my biggest meal on that day), so I will check out Ruggles Green's menu. Thank so much

I'll pm you my bib number so that, if you happen to see me, you can yell "I'm Katyintx" and I can give you some sugar!

[Deleted]

There is also My Fit Foods. You can check out their website. They have a store across the interstate from TW and they also sell meals at the local grocery stores, specifically Kroger.

Cafe express on Market Street (this is the central town area) makes great salads too, not sure if they have a sweet potato side though (they do have sweet potato fries).

HEB grocery store, also by Market Street has a fresh foods counter with salad options and I've seen sweet potatoes as a side there on occasion.

Lots of great places to eat/drink after your race so enjoy!

[trigal]

Apr 29, 2014 13:57:11 GMT -5 shorewife said:

Apr 29, 2014 8:32:17 GMT -5 joenali said:

whistler 2015?

I was thinking of something more.....FLAT.

So how much more time consuming would you say a full IM is vs a half?  Double?

"Flat" does not mean "easy."  No Ironman is easy.  Flat is just a different kind of hard.

[bostonmichelle]

I just wanted to jump in and wish you girls the best of luck! I am in awe of your ability to train and finish this. I'll be cheering you on from here! Also if you don't mind sharing your bib#'s, I wouldn't mind watching and tracking you.

[shorewife]

Apr 30, 2014 19:17:53 GMT -5 trigal said:

Apr 29, 2014 13:57:11 GMT -5 shorewife said:

I was thinking of something more.....FLAT.

So how much more time consuming would you say a full IM is vs a half?  Double?

"Flat" does not mean "easy."  No Ironman is easy.  Flat is just a different kind of hard.

True.  But I live and train on flat.  More than 200 feet of elevation change is a big deal over here.

[hannahb]

FYI I will be stalking both of you come race day! PM me your number please!!