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IM Louisville-What am I getting myself into?

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SneakySpeed

Apr 29, 12 15:55

Post #1 of 55 (3529 views)

IM Louisville-What am I getting myself into?	Quote \| Reply

I just signed up on a whim...a little less than 4 months away, it's going to be a tight training plan. I love the challenge, so this shall be interesting. For the vets out there do you have any tips regarding this race?

******************************************

He is a good buddy, but this fucker needs to get taken down a peg or 2...... -IRONwolf

JT_Dennen

Apr 29, 12 16:26

Post #2 of 55 (3472 views)

Re: IM Louisville-What am I getting myself into? [SneakySpeed] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Going to be hotter then hell, hope you deal well with heat!

Ultra-tri-guy

Apr 29, 12 16:30

Post #3 of 55 (3460 views)

Re: IM Louisville-What am I getting myself into? [SneakySpeed] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

SneakySpeed wrote:

----

Well I don't know how you are going to go but man am I looking forward to the next four months of smacktalk here on ST.

Train hard,stay healthy and keep it fun..

----

crolson24

Apr 29, 12 16:32

Post #4 of 55 (3455 views)

Re: IM Louisville-What am I getting myself into? [SneakySpeed] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I wouldn't call myself a vet, but I'll give a few tips anyway. Don't hammer the rolling hills, it'll get you back in the run. Last year was in the 80's, don't expect the same this year, work on your hydration plan. Swim was superfast, probably due to the current, stay close to the buoys for maximum speed. Make sure your goggles fit water tight, I had a small leak and it made my eye red for the whole day. Try and stay at the race venue (galt house i think) or you'll waste a lot of time and energy commuting to the event throughout the weekend. Thats probably all the worthwhile info I've got.

________________________________________________________________________
"That doesn't make any sense at all, you can be second, third, fourth... hell you can even be fifth." - Reese Bobby, Taladega nights

SneakySpeed

Apr 29, 12 16:42

Post #5 of 55 (3433 views)

Re: IM Louisville-What am I getting myself into? [Ultra-tri-guy] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Ultra-tri-guy wrote:

SneakySpeed wrote:

----

Well I don't know how you are going to go but man am I looking forward to the next four months of smacktalk here on ST.

Train hard,stay healthy and keep it fun..

----

Smack talking like a BOSS:) You know I'm good for it...

******************************************

He is a good buddy, but this fucker needs to get taken down a peg or 2...... -IRONwolf

Ultra-tri-guy

Apr 29, 12 16:49

Post #6 of 55 (3421 views)

Re: IM Louisville-What am I getting myself into? [SneakySpeed] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I think now would be the time to launch the "What is SneakySpeed going to wear?" competition and the winning design can then be submitted to Emilio De Soto for the production of a special "one off " outfit...

----

SneakySpeed

Apr 29, 12 16:56

Post #7 of 55 (3401 views)

Re: IM Louisville-What am I getting myself into? [Ultra-tri-guy] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Ultra-tri-guy wrote:

One could only hope and dream...I'm sure I'll have something saucey lined up on race day.

******************************************

He is a good buddy, but this fucker needs to get taken down a peg or 2...... -IRONwolf

tricrazy

Apr 29, 12 17:02

Post #8 of 55 (3379 views)

Re: IM Louisville-What am I getting myself into? [SneakySpeed] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

you have 4 months and you are worried.......plenty of time, that is, if you are a wise person!

japarker24

Apr 29, 12 17:05

Post #9 of 55 (3372 views)

Re: IM Louisville-What am I getting myself into? [SneakySpeed] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I think people make too much of a big deal about getting to the swim start early to get in the front of the line......................

------------------------------------------------------------
2x IM Finisher. Only 10 more to go!

LEGENDwaitDAIRY

Apr 29, 12 20:25

Post #10 of 55 (3228 views)

Re: IM Louisville-What am I getting myself into? [japarker24] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I am also doing it this year and the bike course has me alittle worried with the heat and hills

Ultra-tri-guy

Apr 29, 12 20:35

Post #11 of 55 (3214 views)

Re: IM Louisville-What am I getting myself into? [Livestrong191] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Livestrong191 wrote:

I am also doing it this year and the bike course has me alittle worried with the heat and hills

---

That should only worry you if you spend the next four months training in a cool,dry,flat place....

---

LEGENDwaitDAIRY

Apr 29, 12 20:38

Post #12 of 55 (3210 views)

Re: IM Louisville-What am I getting myself into? [Ultra-tri-guy] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Ultra-tri-guy wrote:

Livestrong191 wrote:

I am also doing it this year and the bike course has me alittle worried with the heat and hills

---

That should only worry you if you spend the next four months training in a cool,dry,flat place....

---

Great I live by the ocean and flat. Guess computrainer and trips to ashville area to ride are in my future :)

Kilo Juliett

Apr 29, 12 21:20

Post #13 of 55 (3173 views)

Re: IM Louisville-What am I getting myself into? [SneakySpeed] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I did it last year. If you don't stay at the Galt House look into staying across the river in Indiana (Jefferson, I believe) My hotel was literally right across the river. You could see the transition area.

The swim is super fast. I was faster than double my HIM swim time. Don't worry about getting in line early.

The bike course isn't that bad. It is hilly but not as bad as everyone makes it sound. Just don't go crazy on the hills.

The run is dead flat so as long as you trained enough it shouldn't be that bad (I didn't. The run killed me). The worst part of the run is they make you run right by the finish line when you are starting your second loop. When I say right by it I mean right by it. I thought I took a wrong turn because it looked like I was going to cross the line. It's such a horrible feeling seeing and hearing people finish when you know you're only half way done.

As for the heat, if you live in the midwest it shouldn't be a problem.

The finish line is awesome. Look it up on YouTube. It makes it all worth it.

2013 Schedule
IM 70.3 Muncie | Ironman Lake Tahoe

realAlbertan

Apr 29, 12 22:14

Post #14 of 55 (3139 views)

Re: IM Louisville-What am I getting myself into? [SneakySpeed] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

140.6 of hot shittyness.
___________________________________________
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Canadian Record Holder 35-39M - 1500 metre Freestyle

CaptainCanada

Apr 29, 12 22:37

Post #15 of 55 (3124 views)

Re: IM Louisville-What am I getting myself into? [SneakySpeed] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

SneakySpeed wrote:

No worries for you. Guaranteed you will KQ.

===============
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SallyShortyPnts

Apr 29, 12 22:39

Post #16 of 55 (3121 views)

Re: IM Louisville-What am I getting myself into? [crolson24] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

crolson24 wrote:

Make sure your goggles fit water tight, I had a small leak and it made my eye red for the whole day.

X2 on this advice. I made a similar mistake on the Friday practice swim and had inflamed eyes the next day.

Wag More, Bark Less

japarker24

Apr 30, 12 4:24

Post #17 of 55 (3064 views)

Re: IM Louisville-What am I getting myself into? [Livestrong191] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

You don't have to go all the way to Asheville. Have you done the Pinehurst Triathlon? If so, the terrain of the bike course is very similar. Come up and join me. I ride that course all the time.

------------------------------------------------------------
2x IM Finisher. Only 10 more to go!

Greiffster

Apr 30, 12 7:22

Post #18 of 55 (2926 views)

Re: IM Louisville-What am I getting myself into? [SneakySpeed] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Temperature has ranged a great deal for this race. Assume it will be 98 deg. and you get a bonus if it is cooler.

I'm a firm believer in starting this race in the back, for a couple of reasons.
1. Find you a nice park bench near the start, stay off your feet for 45 mins. and take a nap while the cattle are led to the watering hole.
2. You'll find that T1 is smoother when 95% of the bikes are already gone.
3. It is funner to race when passing people, rather than being passed.
4. Check the hourly wind forecast before the race. Winds can change direction during the bike and it may be more advantageous to start later (it was in '09). (Of course it could be worse as well)

The Ohio river tastes like diesel fuel. Just be ready for that. Swim as far out in the main channel as you can where there is the most current. If the kayaks aren't pushing you back to shore, you're not out far enough.

If it is going to be hot, put a spare pair of socks in your run special needs bag. There will be plenty of hoses on the course and you'll want to be cooled off, but it will soak your feet.

asclepius

Apr 30, 12 7:26

Post #19 of 55 (2910 views)

Re: IM Louisville-What am I getting myself into? [SneakySpeed] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

a friend is doing it. he is using the matt fitzgerald training plan and hammer nutrition for prep. i know he was able to complete the 1/2 IM on a road bike sans aero bars. for the LA full IM, he got trek tri/tt bike. gl!

terencejk05

Apr 30, 12 8:05

Post #20 of 55 (2851 views)

Re: IM Louisville-What am I getting myself into? [asclepius] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I did it in 2010 and finished right at midnight. It was terribly hot. Some tips:

-Hotel - use priceline. There are only about four 4-star hotels in the city. I went to Lville twice (training ride and for the IM) and used it both times. Once I got the Galt House for $50 a night and once I got the Browne Hotel for $60 a night. Probably the 2 nicest hotels in the city. Priceline is key!
-Swim - I got there early, but people still cut in line. So if you're not shy, get there whenever and just walk up as far as you can and cut people. I didn't do this, but probably 50-100 people did. Swim is the easiest part of your day, take it slow. Biggest advice is to be mind-ful of other swimmers. I'm a good swimmer, but wasn't looking and was kicked in the face by a guy swimming on his back. Took in a big gulp of the Ohio River and coincidentally threw it all up later in the day.
-Bike - Take the 1st half as easy as you can. It gets HOT out there. I hammered the 1st half in 3:10 and finished the 2nd half in about 5 hours (no joke). Take in a ton of fluids, I cramped from mile 60 of the bike until the finish. Probably a few hundreds times, terrible.
-Run- pretty flat and borining. I walked the majority of it. Again, just keep taking in fluids as it can still be very HOT during the run

I'd never been to Lville, so toured Churchhill Downs and the Louisville Slugger museum. Both take about 30-45 minutes total. Other than that, not much to do there. I got down there on Thursday and was pretty bored by Friday afternoon. Enjoyed the athlete dinner on Friday night though.

If you haven't already, join the IMKY 2012 group @ iamtri.com. There are hundreds of members and each posts great info about the course, training rides, etc.

Good luck!

Billabong

Apr 30, 12 9:46

Post #21 of 55 (2755 views)

Re: IM Louisville-What am I getting myself into? [Livestrong191] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Livestrong191 wrote:

Ultra-tri-guy wrote:

Livestrong191 wrote:

I am also doing it this year and the bike course has me alittle worried with the heat and hills

---

That should only worry you if you spend the next four months training in a cool,dry,flat place....

---

Great I live by the ocean and flat. Guess computrainer and trips to ashville area to ride are in my future :)

I did it in 07 I live in Virginia Beach and just went to Williamsburg once a month to ride the hills there

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Fruitcake

Apr 30, 12 11:13

Post #22 of 55 (2668 views)

Re: IM Louisville-What am I getting myself into? [Billabong] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Billabong wrote:

Livestrong191 wrote:

Ultra-tri-guy wrote:

Livestrong191 wrote:

I am also doing it this year and the bike course has me alittle worried with the heat and hills

---

That should only worry you if you spend the next four months training in a cool,dry,flat place....

---

Great I live by the ocean and flat. Guess computrainer and trips to ashville area to ride are in my future :)

I did it in 07 I live in Virginia Beach and just went to Williamsburg once a month to ride the hills there

So, would you equate the hills in williamsburg to those in Louisville?? Very similar "rollers" or is Louisville tougher? I've done Patriot half in Williamsburg and didn't think it was that bad. I know there are some hillier parts of williamsburg that the bike course doesn't cover though?

What about kinetic half's bike course?

FatteLatte

Apr 30, 12 11:17

Post #23 of 55 (2660 views)

Re: IM Louisville-What am I getting myself into? [IronLance] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I haven't done those races, but my Garmin recorded 1272 meters of vertical for the bike ride (4,173 feet). For comparison Hawaii was 1202 meters.

Didn't find it very hilly, it rolls pretty consistently but the last 25-30K is downhill to flat which is a nice way to finish up the ride.

toughie96

Apr 30, 12 12:22

Post #24 of 55 (2592 views)

Re: IM Louisville-What am I getting myself into? [SneakySpeed] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

When viewed from above, the bike course looks like a lollipop with finger pointing out from the "stick." Unless you are out in front of the field, this area is likely to be crowded. Combine the crowds with some of the steepest hills on the course and an aid station, you have high potential for crashes. The "finger" is still early in the day, so I would recommend some defensive and alert riding through that area. I think most people overstate the "nastiness" of the river, but each person responds differently...I had no issues with water in the eyes or the taste. The run is flat, and I liked the two loop run...I knew what to expect the second half...I hit the turn around and it was "game on" to the finish.

jmt8345

Apr 30, 12 12:41

Post #25 of 55 (2559 views)

Re: IM Louisville-What am I getting myself into? [toughie96] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Good points. That little finger had at least one big crash last year that I can remember (dude went down into the ravine) and it was pretty busy in what feels like a small space. I swim open water in Lake Michigan and did not find the river that much different or that big of a deal. Oh, pay attention to the bike aid station layout, there is a large gap without aid, then one only a few miles from the finish.

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