jpanicaro wrote:
Upstaterun wrote:
jpanicaro wrote:
Changpao wrote:
gwk100 wrote:
A couple of my buds did finish and when I went to Congratulate them, they both said the Hardy Toll road was Brutal!
What made it so brutal? Heat? Wind? Road conditions? I'm doing IMTX in 2022 and would like to know what to expect.
I am doing my first Ironman at IMTX 2022 as well and would like to know the issues as well. Thank you.
1. This is a great race, even though it wasn't my best performance this year. This was my 2nd time, first time was back with the old bike course. I have raced more than 2 dozen Ironmans.
2. Venue is just great. Athlete and spectator friendly with easy walk from hotels to transition, food, expo, grocery, etc. If flying, easy to get to and from airport in Houston only 30 minutes away.
3. Local food options are amazing for my dietary needs -- like 5 close restaurants with lots of vegan, vegetarian, clean food options.
4. Swim is great. 3 person time trial start. I heard swim temps this year was 78+. Plenty warm. Prepare for water to feel rougher coming back and in the canal.
5. Bike - smoothest road surface I have ever ridden. Very well marked, Very well patrolled at all intersections. Pre-race they told us to expect headwinds going out on the Hardy and tailwinds coming back so I was mentally prepared. I only saw 1 drafter, but at least 5 officials out there. (but keep in mind only 900+ athletes). Surprised there were a few smaller hills out there, good to break things up. I like how the bike is broken up - -about 18 miles to toll road, 20 miles or so out, and back and repeat, then about 7 miles back to transition. The "brutal" part is probably the heat if you are not used to it, and then the headwinds on the out section you do twice.
6. Run is fantastic. 3 mostly flat loops. Very pretty along the canal, through wooded area, nice neighborhoods, tons of spectator support through the hotel/restaurant area and other places.
7. Plentiful volunteer support through all of it was among the best even the volunteers running the post race athlete food cheered for you walking in to pick up your food :)
Happy to answer any questions.
Thanks for the information! I believe
someone commented on the expansion joints on Hardy Toll Rd., did those give you any issues? As far as Texas heat, not sure what its like in April but I train in Southwest Florida where its still 90+ degrees here, so heat shouldn't be an issue for me at all. Any other tips you can give for this race would be great as it will be my first full distance. Thanks again.
I expected to feel expansion joints but I felt zero and I am usually sensitive to that. However, I run latex tubes and inflated to 80psi's. It was a soft smooth ride for me . .well, every once in a while going up a hill there would be a slight bump but that's it for me. Other tips, relative to me.
-Swim - I planned for a no wetsuit swim, mentally and physically. In training, I didn't ever use a pull buoy to help with that. Note where the canal entrance is, which is nearly all the way back across the lake from the start. Expect it to be rougher in the canal.
-Bike - have to be able to hold aero position for 80 miles with nothing to look at other than the road in front of you and interstate highway on one side. So, be super comfy in that position and mentally strong. and then the usual, stay on top of hydration and nutrition.
-T2 - they didn't have any water in T2 and T2 was completely exposed to the sun. (other Ironman's they usually have a table with water near the exit). I was so hot! A volunteer handed me a bottle of warm water. No aid station until 1 mile out where I finally got cold water and ice, etc. and then started to come around by about mile 2. Wished I had had a bottle of water in my T2 bag.
-Run - unfortunately, I was out there after the sun went down and it was DARK on some of the paths. Very dangerous to be running in that. I wished I had checked sunset, and if I thought it might be remotely possible I still be out there, to put a light in my special needs bag that I grab the last loop to light the way.