Last November I signed up for IM Louisville… I admittedly had been out of triathlon for a couple of years as I was going through my divorce and a rough patch. Likewise, when I was at my peak, I was mainly focused on HIMs and IM Louisville will… err… would have been my first full. I of course, put off training until after the holidays… then I received an email in late January stating that I was one of the lucky 40 SOBs that were chosen to go to Kona for the 40 yr anniversary. Being a middle of the pack kind of triathlete, I never saw Kona as a possibility for me… ever… especially after they killed off the lottery. I'm also not built for the long course or at least training year after year. But it still lingered as a fantasy for me. You can debate the logic and wisdom of Ironman giving away slots vs offering them to more qualified athletes… but as they say “anything is possible” ...so I seized the opportunity.
In any case, I’ve been training my ass off for the last 9 months and think that I’m as prepared physically and emotionally as I’m going to be. How you guys do this, I have no idea. It feels like another full time job and I can't wait until it's over. This week I’m focusing on packing lists and getting my crap ready to go. I’m working on my nutrition plan, have tested some things out and I think that I have it nailed down for the bike - disposable bottles, 75 oz of Infinit Go Far + 4 Hammer Gels… 1500 cals. I’ll probably have 2 more bottles in my bike special needs bag. I’ve been using this on the last couple century rides that I did and my stomach tolerated it well and my energy seem good.
The run however, I’m debating whether or not to use a fuel belt. I generally don’t like the extra weight and the one I have sucks. I live in Chicago and on my longer 20+ mile runs, I usually just stop at a corner market in the city or on the lakefront and grab a Gatorade every 5-6 miles or so. I down half and roll on. I also stop for water every 4 miles or so at a drinking fountain. I may run with one Hammer gel and down it half way. I've run on the some the hottest and humid days here which can be brutal and I held up well. For Kona, I was considering on maybe just using on course nutrition and hydration…. or maybe just rolling out of T2 with a Hammer gel flask. I’d have another flask and a bottle of Infinit Go Far in my run special needs bag.
For you Kona vets… what are your thoughts? What other advice or wisdom can you bestow upon a newb?
In any case, I’ve been training my ass off for the last 9 months and think that I’m as prepared physically and emotionally as I’m going to be. How you guys do this, I have no idea. It feels like another full time job and I can't wait until it's over. This week I’m focusing on packing lists and getting my crap ready to go. I’m working on my nutrition plan, have tested some things out and I think that I have it nailed down for the bike - disposable bottles, 75 oz of Infinit Go Far + 4 Hammer Gels… 1500 cals. I’ll probably have 2 more bottles in my bike special needs bag. I’ve been using this on the last couple century rides that I did and my stomach tolerated it well and my energy seem good.
The run however, I’m debating whether or not to use a fuel belt. I generally don’t like the extra weight and the one I have sucks. I live in Chicago and on my longer 20+ mile runs, I usually just stop at a corner market in the city or on the lakefront and grab a Gatorade every 5-6 miles or so. I down half and roll on. I also stop for water every 4 miles or so at a drinking fountain. I may run with one Hammer gel and down it half way. I've run on the some the hottest and humid days here which can be brutal and I held up well. For Kona, I was considering on maybe just using on course nutrition and hydration…. or maybe just rolling out of T2 with a Hammer gel flask. I’d have another flask and a bottle of Infinit Go Far in my run special needs bag.
For you Kona vets… what are your thoughts? What other advice or wisdom can you bestow upon a newb?
Last edited by:
00Buckshot: Sep 21, 18 18:28
