IM 70.3 GALVESTON 2023

Mar 9, 23 14:24

Post #1 of 38 (3107 views)

I am entered in the upcoming IM 70.3 in Galveston in April. Its has been several years since I have done any type of Triathlon. I did this event a few times about a decade ago. It was always fun and am looking forward to this one.

My brother who lives at San Luis Pass( along the bike route) received notification yesterday in his mailbox of the upcoming race next month pertaining to the road and bridge closures that will affect him. He was jacking with me about this Inconvenience that will only affect for a few hours. He lives on the Freeport side of San Luis Pass so he is not really affected to much. I thought it was a Good job on Ironman's part to notify residents almost a month in advance of this April race.

Anyway, looking forward to it. Appears to be around 2300 or so peeps signed up so far and think Registration is still open.

Who else is going to be there?

G Money

Re: IM 70.3 GALVESTON 2023 [gwk100] [ In reply to ]

Mar 9, 23 14:42

Post #2 of 38 (3092 views)

I had only one good experience with this race after doing it several times so I stop doing it. Damn windy, cold, run was interrupted by storm… it’s just no fun. Most of all, it’s impossible for me to get in a wetsuit and practice OWS in March. I’ve heard new pavement feels fantastic. Good luck!!

Re: IM 70.3 GALVESTON 2023 [s13tx] [ In reply to ]

Mar 10, 23 7:35

Post #3 of 38 (2946 views)

s13tx wrote:

I had only one good experience with this race after doing it several times so I stop doing it. Damn windy, cold, run was interrupted by storm… it’s just no fun. Most of all, it’s impossible for me to get in a wetsuit and practice OWS in March. I’ve heard new pavement feels fantastic. Good luck!!

.

Galveston coastal weather...you never know what you are going to get. I have been fortunate to get decent weather when I did these in the past.

I am most worried about being older now ( 60-69 age group) versus toeing the line was I was 45 or so. Definitely lost some speed, not that it was ever blazing, but have enjoyed getting back to training for these type events. I feel like my swim has actually improved but guess will find out for sure on April 2nd.

Re: IM 70.3 GALVESTON 2023 [gwk100] [ In reply to ]

Mar 10, 23 8:46

Post #4 of 38 (2914 views)

I am doing this race for the first time. It's also going to be my first 70.3 since 2015. I have heard mixed reviews from past participants, but most of the negatives center around bi-polar Texas spring time weather. I am looking forward to hopefully a good race.

Re: IM 70.3 GALVESTON 2023 [gwk100] [ In reply to ]

Mar 10, 23 9:38

Post #5 of 38 (2890 views)

I'll be there and looking forward to it. This will be my 3rd time. And I guess I'm fortunate the last two, in '16 and '18 I believe, the weather was good. If not a little warm. It's a fun weekend. We're staying on site. Several friends going. Group dinner the evening prior. Can't wait.

cock-up before conspiracy

Re: IM 70.3 GALVESTON 2023 [gwk100] [ In reply to ]

Mar 10, 23 10:46

Post #6 of 38 (2875 views)

Local race for me, I’ll be there. I think this will be #7

the world's still turning? >>>>>>> the world's still turning

Re: IM 70.3 GALVESTON 2023 [gwk100] [ In reply to ]

Mar 10, 23 11:57

Post #7 of 38 (2850 views)

I'll be there - it's a shakedown race for me and, having been dealing with some lower leg issues, I may pull the plug at the run. But looking forward to the race, nonetheless!

Re: IM 70.3 GALVESTON 2023 [gwk100] [ In reply to ]

Mar 10, 23 18:41

Post #8 of 38 (2794 views)

See you there! First race of season…

Re: IM 70.3 GALVESTON 2023 [gwk100] [ In reply to ]

Mar 11, 23 0:40

Post #9 of 38 (2754 views)

I’m going as a first timer as well. Anybody know what the swim leg there is like ?

Re: IM 70.3 GALVESTON 2023 [TriSi] [ In reply to ]

Mar 11, 23 12:53

Post #10 of 38 (2705 views)

TriSi wrote:

I’m going as a first timer as well. Anybody know what the swim leg there is like ?

Saltwater, mild “waves” at the furthest out but relatively calm for an “ocean” bay swim.

There’s a nice riverboat ferry thing you can sight to see how far you are from the swim exit.

Re: IM 70.3 GALVESTON 2023 [TriSi] [ In reply to ]

Mar 12, 23 7:53

Post #11 of 38 (2616 views)

Have raced there 5-6 times and always find the swim slow. I can't really identify why but every single race, I come out of the water 2-3min slower than I expect or do in other 70.3s. Water is not too rough, and is salty, and most years, it is wetsuit legal.

"Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." T.S. Elliot | Cycle2Tri.com
Sponsors: SciCon | | Every Man Jack

Re: IM 70.3 GALVESTON 2023 [CPT Chaos] [ In reply to ]

Mar 12, 23 7:58

Post #12 of 38 (2612 views)

Hmm…maybe the distance is slightly longer? Or if there aren’t many buoys, it can be harder to swim the direct path.

Re: IM 70.3 GALVESTON 2023 [TriSi] [ In reply to ]

Mar 12, 23 12:10

Post #13 of 38 (2579 views)

My garmin has always shown slightly different distances some very long some not too much longer, and some of my early races I did not sight as well. Many of my mates have the same swim issues, feels long but doesn't always measure so.... My mental model is just relax with the time on the watch upon exiting and focus on the steps ahead, the bike and run are where the fun is!

"Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." T.S. Elliot | Cycle2Tri.com
Sponsors: SciCon | | Every Man Jack

Re: IM 70.3 GALVESTON 2023 [Tribike53] [ In reply to ]

Mar 14, 23 8:01

Post #14 of 38 (2433 views)

Tribike53 wrote:

TriSi wrote:

I’m going as a first timer as well. Anybody know what the swim leg there is like ?

Saltwater, mild “waves” at the furthest out but relatively calm for an “ocean” bay swim.

There’s a nice riverboat ferry thing you can sight to see how far you are from the swim exit.

I was wondering if the Old Riverboat ferry thing was still there or not. I breath only to the left so the Swim course fits my breathing style with being able to sight using the Moody Pyramids and then the Old Ferry boat.

Re: IM 70.3 GALVESTON 2023 [TriSi] [ In reply to ]

Mar 14, 23 8:34

Post #15 of 38 (2419 views)

TriSi wrote:

I’m going as a first timer as well. Anybody know what the swim leg there is like ?

Not sure if it's still the same, but you have to jump in and tread water for a while till the gun goes off for the age groupers. I usually wait a little and jump in so I don't have to tread water for a while. It's salt water with wet suit on, so pretty easy and not tiring. I think you will have tail wind swimming toward finish line. Wind usually picks up later, so if your age group starts early, that's good for you. No practice swim around swim starts a day before and race day. I saw people swim near Galveston bait & tackle a day before. There's a park. If you want to feel the water with a wetsuit on a day before, that could be the spot for you. Anyways, best of luck!!!

Re: IM 70.3 GALVESTON 2023 [s13tx] [ In reply to ]

Mar 14, 23 15:53

Post #16 of 38 (2358 views)

Thanks for the tip! Will try to get in the water at bait and tackle before the race 👍

Re: IM 70.3 GALVESTON 2023 [TriSi] [ In reply to ]

Mar 17, 23 8:13

Post #17 of 38 (2214 views)

Now the swim is self seated based on corrals like a marathon. You jump off a dock and start swimming. No longer tread water and deep water start.

Re: IM 70.3 GALVESTON 2023 [1Wavemaker] [ In reply to ]

Mar 21, 23 7:43

Post #18 of 38 (2026 views)

1Wavemaker wrote:

Now the swim is self seated based on corrals like a marathon. You jump off a dock and start swimming. No longer tread water and deep water start.

Yes, i just saw in the most recent Athlete Guide that was released stating it will be a " Rolling Start " for the swim.
I seem to remember it used to be an Age group start. Even thought each age group wore a different color swim cap back then to signify your age group. Could be wrong, that was long time ago.

Re: IM 70.3 GALVESTON 2023 [gwk100] [ In reply to ]

Mar 21, 23 8:10

Post #19 of 38 (2013 views)

gwk100 wrote:

1Wavemaker wrote:

Now the swim is self seated based on corrals like a marathon. You jump off a dock and start swimming. No longer tread water and deep water start.

Yes, i just saw in the most recent Athlete Guide that was released stating it will be a " Rolling Start " for the swim.
I seem to remember it used to be an Age group start. Even thought each age group wore a different color swim cap back then to signify your age group. Could be wrong, that was long time ago.

I did it the first five years it was a branded race and have also spectated three or four other times. I think there might have been a year where they had different colored caps for AGs but it's usually one color for men and one for women.

It was definitely an AG wave start swim up until very recently.

Favorite Gear: Dimond | Cadex | Desoto Sport | Hoka One One

Re: IM 70.3 GALVESTON 2023 [TriSi] [ In reply to ]

Mar 23, 23 9:14

Post #20 of 38 (1904 views)

TriSi wrote:

Thanks for the tip! Will try to get in the water at bait and tackle before the race 👍

I was down at San Luis Pass yesterday and did a wet suit swim in my Brother's canal. Water looked warm with the Sun being out and all, but dang, my 1st response was, "WOW...this water is chilly". Not sure the exact temp, but felt like upper 60's to me. Only swam for about 20 minutes or so and by the time I got out, water felt awesome.

Been many years since I put the Xterra full suit on. Either the suit has shrunk or I got bigger. :)

Re: IM 70.3 GALVESTON 2023 [gwk100] [ In reply to ]

Mar 26, 23 12:26

Post #21 of 38 (1765 views)

Checked the water temp and it’s 66 today at Galveston beach. Hopefully will be ok with a wetsuit for 40 minutes… 😅

Last edited by: TriSi: Mar 26, 23 12:28

Re: IM 70.3 GALVESTON 2023 [TriSi] [ In reply to ]

Mar 27, 23 7:16

Post #22 of 38 (1672 views)

TriSi wrote:

Checked the water temp and it’s 66 today at Galveston beach. Hopefully will be ok with a wetsuit for 40 minutes… 😅

Water temp has never been a problem there. Very consistent and you can't beat buoyancy from salt water. I've always had good swim there. Actually, it could be the best part of the race for a lot of people. Can be choppy if wind is high, but bay area is still not that bad.

Re: IM 70.3 GALVESTON 2023 [s13tx] [ In reply to ]

Mar 29, 23 9:00

Post #23 of 38 (1554 views)

Water temp has never been a problem there. Very consistent and you can't beat buoyancy from salt water. I've always had good swim there. Actually, it could be the best part of the race for a lot of people. Can be choppy if wind is high, but bay area is still not that bad.[/quote]

The early weather forecast is showing good chance of rain on Sunday. Not a big fan of biking in the rain, but swim and run could be OK. Cloud cover on the run always helps. We will see on Sunday what we get from Weather Gods.

Last edited by: gwk100: Mar 29, 23 9:01

Re: IM 70.3 GALVESTON 2023 [gwk100] [ In reply to ]

Mar 29, 23 9:22

Post #24 of 38 (1538 views)

gwk100 wrote:

The early weather forecast is showing good chance of rain on Sunday. Not a big fan of biking in the rain, but swim and run could be OK. Cloud cover on the run always helps. We will see on Sunday what we get from Weather Gods.

What pissed me off was it's always beautiful a day before race day during packet pick up. On the race day, there's always something going on. I've never had a clear sky, warm sunny day at Galveston 70.3.

Re: IM 70.3 GALVESTON 2023 [s13tx] [ In reply to ]

Mar 29, 23 11:05

Post #25 of 38 (1502 views)

What pissed me off was it's always beautiful a day before race day during packet pick up. On the race day, there's always something going on. I've never had a clear sky, warm sunny day at Galveston 70.3.[/quote]

Guess I am due for a crappy weather day at Galveston 70.3. I seem to remember Sunny warm weather in 2012, 2013,etc. Definitely do not remember any rain back on those Sunday race days.

What I do remember is that I felt like dying while doing a HITS Triathlon Series race in Corpus Christi in February of 2012 due to the wind and cold. The water felt like the North Sea when we all took the plunge off the dock. Then the rain took its toll on me during the Bike portion. I was so numb by the time the run started, don't remember the run at all.

Our Partners

transition-DOT-area-AT-slowtwitch-DOT-com

Advertise with us

©1999-2024 Slowtwitch, Inc., and Slowtwitch.com
Reproduction of material from any Slowtwitch.com page
without written permission is strictly prohibited.