Nice data for same course / conditions. Not a huge variation in rider weight, but enough to illustrate W/kg vs. bike time.

In an ideal world you want to be at the bottom left of this graph, but that's not reality....the reality is you need to be at the top left to be at the left. This stupid graph has me thinking about doing Tahoe!!!

Based on our limited sample, though, it doesn't look like you're too far off the ideal lower-left. It is clear that good aero is worth 10's of minutes, not just minutes in an ironman.

My disappointment (and surprise) was that bestbikesplit had me at 5:15 or so on 200 W AP, and their prediction was very close for Wisconsin, Florida and Raleigh 70.3. But, I came up short at 5:26. Did the wind shift at all during the day? I should probably go back and re-run the simulation with my actual power profile....

Yes, wind shifted. We had a weird headwind going down to Pemberton, which rarely happens from what I gather. Then on the way back the wind flipped and it was mild headwind back up the climb to Whistler. Normally the wind flows consistently from Squamish to Pemberton. We had an interesting day with the race start at 8-10C and then the temp rising to 36C (according to my Quarq which likely over reports as it is picking up radiating heat from the pavement....that's not what my body feels, but it is what the strain gauges in the Quarq feel). Earlier riders like ourselves got lucky though. if you recall on the run, heading back from the Green lake was a solid headwind heading towards Whistler. People riding 1-3 hours slower than us, really got hammered coming back to town.

People riding 1-3 hours slower than us, really got hammered coming back to town.

In an ideal world you want to be at the bottom left of this graph, but that's not reality....the reality is you need to be at the top left to be at the left. This stupid graph has me thinking about doing Tahoe!!!

I was re-reading your post and had the exact same experience at IMMT this year:

Guys-gals kept passing me while climbing, if I was around anyone. This mostly happened from Alata Lake to Callahan. Then, I flew by on the downhill and kept power up. No coasting, for the most part. I would push the power to get my speed up for every downhill.

It was almost comical especially when I was sitting and trained on the PM to keep the Watts low on the hills and these guys were standing up and hammering the hills. EVERY TIME!!! I actually was able to master the aero downhill with one arm tucked behind my back to gain 1-mph.

I was just wondering if you had a race report for Whistler. I will be doing it next year and am hoping to break 10-hours. What is your open Half and/or full Marathon time? Was it a mass swim start or in waves?

I would say that I am a stronger biker than runner so I will be starting a run focus this fall while also trying to increase my FTP from 265W at 75Kgs. I did IMMT in 5:18 at 210NP/199AP with 2300m?? elevation gain. I felt great on the run but might of pushed it a bit at the start and between miles 13-19 and cracked with 4km to go as my legs were trashed and finished in 3:55 instead of 3:30 where I wanted to be.

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Mike

Interesting! Looks like I need to study gear ratios.

You are the strongest cyclist of our little sample size of 180lb riders (based on an IF of .70 at NP of 223). What chainring did you run with the 11x32 cassette? Any by standard crank, do you mean 175mm? Your VI of 1.03 proves your point that it worked well!

Assuming you ran a 53/39 like fs16scott, I can see you guys would have a lot more power for the descents.

Scott

Jaymz
W: 180 lbs
Gearing: 11x32, 53/39, 175mm
NP: 223
AP: 216
VI: 1.03
IF: 0.70
Cadence: 86 rpm
Bike Time: 5:21

fs16scott
W: 179 lbs
Gearing: 11X28, 53x39, 170mm
NP 225
AP 207
VI 1.087
IF .81
Cadence: 80 rpm
Bike Time: 5:24

GreatScott
W: 180 lbs
Gearing: 11x28, 50/34, 172.5mm
NP: 198
AP: 180
VI: 1.1
IF: 0.72
Cadence: 73 rpm
Bike Time: 5:59

Well, your result is certainly a little off our scales! Great bike, Jeff, and even better run.