Look on the bright side, at least we won't be 40 miles from all our warm pre-race clothes.

You think we're swimming tomorrow?

Swimming before a cold race is not real safe. Did at imlt 2013. Did at hits this year. Issue is one is so cold it is just about impossible to get warm clothes on. And starting with the core temp cold is ...

I'm a Florida boy, so only train/race in heat (except tomorrow!), so my question is one of ignorance. How do these IM races in Norway or REAL cold weather locations do it then? Water is way colder than the gulf, and air temp has to be cold too, right?

poor baby... ;-)

Swimming before a cold race is not real safe. Did at imlt 2013. Did at hits this year. Issue is one is so cold it is just about impossible to get warm clothes on. And starting with the core temp cold is ...

Those races are in the summer, when it's at least 50, and more likely over 60. That's perfectly fine cycling weather. Reykjavik (which is the most extreme race I've heard of, climate wise) has a daily mean of just over 50 in July.

Last year on the 2nd day (Oly + Sprint) the air temperature was in the upper 30s and it was very windy. They put them in the water anyway even though it was not swimmable due to the surf. Meanwhile, I turned in my chip and just went for a run.

2) I got a sinus infection on Tuesday, and have been on antibiotics, which typically cause diarrhea. For me, the opposite. I'm stopped up.

Thanks in advance for letting me vent a little.

A Race is tomorrow, HITS 1/2IM in Naples, FL. Here's what's happened the last 2 weeks....'
1) MAJOR cold front has moved it. It's going to be ~45 degrees at the start of the bike. That sucks (yes, could be a lot worse, I know)

2) I got a sinus infection on Tuesday, and have been on antibiotics, which typically cause diarrhea. For me, the opposite. I'm stopped up.

3) 2 weeks ago, I slightly strained my calf. I have stayed off of my feet the last two weeks, in hopes that it would recover. 3 days ago, I purchased new shoes (Brooks Ghosts 10) as I thought my Hokas were the issue. After 20 seconds of running in the new shoes to break them in, my calf started hurting again. So, now, I've got to make a decision....which shoes. Hokas that MAY have caused the calf problem -OR- the Ghosts which MAY solve the problem, but have never been worn in. (Pretty sure my decision will be the Hokas.)

My solutions to all this has been:
- heat the calf as best/often as I can
- take antibiotics PLUS a probiotic
- take Alleve, 1 pill 2x/day Wed/Thurs/Fri, in hopes it will relieve pain/swelling (won't take AM of the race)

Of course, this all mean my stomach may be a wreck tomorrow, all while my frostbitten fingers (drama queen, I know) are in pain.

I know, this is Slowtwitch, not a pity party. But, this is a good release for me. Family doesn't quite get it, even though I've been in tri's for a LONG time. Thanks for indulging.