With the Bib #s now posted on the Ironman 70.3 California Oceanside website, the kickoff of the 2014 Ironman Season here in the U.S. is very close. This also means it’s time to start a check-in thread here on ST to see who all is racing, have someone post that awesome “these hills suck” bike profile map, and get daily weather reports leading up the race in hopes of perfect racing conditions.
The pro purse for the race is $50,000 (750 points). Andy Potts will be racing to defend his IM703cali title, where he has won the race the last 5 years. Heather Jackson will be back to defend her title as well.
This will be my third year in a row racing Oceanside 70.3. It has beat me up the last two years, but I keep coming back for more. It is definitely one of my favorite races.
Same, 3rd in a row. Nailed all 3 disciplines with a 4:42 last year, not sure I can better that, but I’ll give it my best shot on the 29th. Love that race!
With the Bib #s now posted on the Ironman 70.3 California Oceanside website, the kickoff of the 2014 Ironman Season here in the U.S. is very close. This also means it’s time to start a check-in thread here on ST to see who all is racing, have someone post that awesome “these hills suck” bike profile map, and get daily weather reports leading up the race in hopes of perfect racing conditions.
The pro purse for the race is $50,000 (750 points). Andy Potts will be racing to defend his IM703cali title, where he has won the race the last 5 years. Heather Jackson will be back to defend her title as well.
So, who else will be racing?
Not in this year, but my gift to those that haven’t done it, youtube video of the infamous “backside” of the bike course.
I did mine in 2012, one of my favorite races as well. Love the location and run course at the strand. I wouldn’t stress that big hill too much… Having done both Oceanside and St. George 70.3, I have to say, the hills at Camp Pendleton is nothing like St. George. My only tip is to load up nutrition on the last descending part of the bike course.
Btw, there is no pre-ride on the bike course even though you have access to the base.
I did mine in 2012, one of my favorite races as well. Love the location and run course at the strand. I wouldn’t stress that big hill too much… Having done both Oceanside and St. George 70.3, I have to say, the hills at Camp Pendleton is nothing like St. George. My only tip is to load up nutrition on the last descending part of the bike course.
Btw, there is no pre-ride on the bike course even though you have access to the base.
Re the bold: Yes, with a caveat, you can preride the frontside, the first approx. 25 miles up to the intersection of Chrisianitos and the base entry. Between that and the exit just outside the harbor, you cannot. The caveat is that sometimes (rarely) USMC will close bike access to the front side, in which case you have to ride interstate 5
Thanks for the video. What is the % grade on those hills? How long are they? I’ve been doing hill repeats on the bike to get ready for them.
I don’t know the specific grades, someone will chime in. First is the steepest, gets probably a bit over 10% for a time, but you can see the top from the bottom and it’s pretty short. The remaining two hills are a bit longer but also not as steep. First one is about .5 kilometer, second probably just under a kilometer, last about the same. All very short. but you need to regulate output the first 25 miles, that will be fast and get you thinking “this course isn’t that hard…”
Honestly, the hardest part is the 5 or so miles of false flat/rollers after the first big descent up to the bottom of the second climb. That’s the part that is always a mind-F&($ for me, because I always feel like I should be going faster. Actually that part, and then (1) the old runway on the frontside, also a false flat and then (2) the wind tunnel back to T2 if the wind is blowing. Those three sections always gave me more problems than the climbs
Honestly, the hardest part is the 5 or so miles of false flat/rollers after the first big descent up to the bottom of the second climb. That’s the part that is always a mind-F&($ for me, because I always feel like I should be going faster. Actually that part, and then (1) the old runway on the frontside, also a false flat and then (2) the wind tunnel back to T2 if the wind is blowing. Those three sections always gave me more problems than the climbs
I’m in…second time, last year being my first. Last year, someone on ST suggested bringing some throw away flip flops for while standing waiting for your wave to start.
And yup, first half before going into the base will be fast…don’t fall for it. Usually headwinds heading back into town. Have fun. Lots energy throughout the run. Good luck everyone!
Thanks for the advise guys. I guess the best strategy here is to ride steady and don’t panic.
