Just wanted to send a query out in the tri-forum as to whether anyone can shed insights on the Cozumel 70.3 coming up in 9 days. I know some folks who have done the full IM there - but any intel on this time of year, the race course, or local stuffc to keep in mind would be helpful. There is no tribike transport for the 70.3 ther way there is for the full IM, so I am boxing up and toting the bike myself. I am guessing the event is going to be hot (the swim is wetsuit verbotten) and they not allowing disc wheel per the website (I hope they have no issue with my HED 3D trispokes…) How hilly can the run and bike aside from winds can the course be? I am guessing the bike and run route are similar to the full IM route (just single loops of both as opposed to doubles for the full? Chime in anyone on any/alll - would be appreciated .-Adam
I dont think you can find a flater course than cozumel.
Roger that -maybe IM FL could say they have the flattest of the falt though…so then maybe the wind will be the only enemy on the Cozumel route based on the disc wheel ban.
Trade winds should be moderate to strong on east-side of island, cross wind not head wind, while you head up noth along coast, btw its pretty awsome since its just crashing waves along the beach the whole way up east-side. Then you have those winds as a strong tailwind into town.
Still its a ez bike to just sit in aero and set your pace.
Sounds about right. so will I be okay then in the cross-winds on the east side of the island with the HED 3Ds…? Not a novice, and know my bike balance really well, so I can certainly handle the bike in ‘reasonable’ cross-winds, and gusts if i know they are possibles. Are they just being overly cautious with the Disc ban because of the east side?
In 2009 i didnt think it was that bad, ~20-30mph, i had 808’s and was just fine with it. Ones who got in trouble were those who really pushed it to hard on 1st time up coast and paid for it in IM distance later on.
I don’t mean to hi-jack the thread, but my questions is pretty related and not worth a new topic:
Can someone please explain the logistics of the separate transition areas? There is not much info on the race website. Do we need to setup two separate transition areas (i.e., set up your run stuff at T2, and then move over to T1 and setup your bike stuff - the website seems to suggest that you only go to T1 in the morning? Does the equipment get transported between transitions (e.g., if you leave goggles and swim cap at T1 does it get transported to T2, or do you come back later to pick it up). Any info would be appreciated. Sorry if I am missing something obvious here.
from reading it. it looks like you fill a bag with your running gear which is brought to T2 for you. you leave all your bike stuff in T1, you finish in T2 and collect your run gear … but i dont know and i am doing this race as well…
the course will be on the same route as the IM. EVERYTHING is flat down here. 
No hills, maybe 1 rise on the bike but you wouldn’t notice unless you live here or a flat area. The weather has been cooling down lately - it was 22C this morning when I was getting the kids ready for school (dawnish). It feels like midday isn’t nearly as hot as it was a couple weeks ago, but this is from a local perspective. I’d say it has even been a little more cloudy (not overcast in the least but a few clouds in the sky) the last week or so also. Water still very warm on this side of the channel (10km from Cozumel) but our bay is much more shallow than the COZ swim venue so it will be a bit cooler over there than here but that is useless to you. Water here is warm until you get a cenote outlet.
BTW, I am absolutely DESPERATE for someone to bring me a pair of shorts (De Soto Forza) that are sitting in my mailbox waiting to come down. I can have them sent to you, your work or general delivery and pick them up from you in Coz, otherwise I won’t have anything to wear for the HIM. If you can pack them in your suitcase and bring them down I’d be eternally grateful and bring you a t-shirt or hat from our local dive shop.
I don’t mean to hi-jack the thread, but my questions is pretty related and not worth a new topic:
Can someone please explain the logistics of the separate transition areas? There is not much info on the race website. Do we need to setup two separate transition areas (i.e., set up your run stuff at T2, and then move over to T1 and setup your bike stuff - the website seems to suggest that you only go to T1 in the morning? Does the equipment get transported between transitions (e.g., if you leave goggles and swim cap at T1 does it get transported to T2, or do you come back later to pick it up). Any info would be appreciated. Sorry if I am missing something obvious here.
It is exactly as the IM and since these guys did the IM it should be pretty seamless. The swim is in a protected (national?) at least state park (and we have very few of those here) and out of the way of boat traffic. Swimming can pretty much be done only on the west side of the island so there are few places without any boat traffic that can accomodate it. So T1 is a little south of town and they’ll bring all your swim stuff to T2 - right in the middle of town. On the day of the race you go to T1 and swim from there, get your bike and end the bike in town at T2. then you head out on the run and come back to T2. The organizers will have all your bike and swim stuff in the underground parking of Mega to collect after the race (you’ll be finishing right at that area).
Kathy,
Might be able to help you out on what you need IRT the DeSoto gear.
Send me your regular email address and I will send you my mail address in Tampa. If you can get your gear forwarded ASAP to it (I am leaving for Cozumel on Thur next week…) I’ll be happy to bring it with me.
Adam
You turn in your T1 & T2 bags on Saturday the day before the race. When you get to T2 they will be screaming your number and someone will bring you your bag so you don’t have to look for it. When you are done you just hand your bag to one of the volunteers. At the end of the race they have your bike and transition bags all grouped together.
You turn in your T1 & T2 bags on Saturday the day before the race. When you get to T2 they will be screaming your number and someone will bring you your bag so you don’t have to look for it. When you are done you just hand your bag to one of the volunteers. At the end of the race they have your bike and transition bags all grouped together.
All good info. Thanks everyone.
i know there are some who participated in IM COZ and have your opinion, but since i live here and ride here almost daily year round, did 2 IMs here and will do both this year, my opinion should shed some light for those who want to know.
what was mentioned about the winds is SOMETIMES the case. the other day there was no wind. the next day brutal head winds from about cedral (20 or so min south of chankanaab) all the way to the cross road. another day this past week i had a tail wind going north and a head wind going across. it can change directions quickly.
bottom line, you have no idea what the winds will be. we may have choppy waves on the swim side and be smooth as silk on the “wild” side. we may have head winds going north, then the wind direction changes as we have to return to the park before the turnaround.
it is flat as a pancake, but cozumel isn’t rated the 4th HARDEST ironman in the world for nothing. the winds are tough. i have standard alum wheelset and sometimes it is hard to stay in aero due to the cross winds. they knock me over.
i will say that the likelihood of a nice flat swim is very high. and the likelihood of a hot as hell run is high. be safe on the run guys and drink drink drink. when this half IM was in cancun, there were tons of cases of heat exhaustion. so expect longer 13.1 times for the average joe. no hills on the run course. not real ones at least. there is a small rise in the road near the marina.
great news is that my massage therapist, who is a PT and specializes in sports massage and therapy, will be in charge of the massage area again this year! if you need her before or after, her name is jesica and she is in spa del sol located on calle 5 between the water front and 5ave. also barefoot sally does an amazing job with her feet on your back. you can google her and get an appt. both are excellent massage therapists.
the island is READY to cheer you on and from what i hear from everyone is that you won’t find a better crowd than here in cozumel!
Athlete’s guide is out. May answer questions. http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asdeporte.com%2Forganizadores%2Fimages%2Feventos%2Finformacion%2F3247%2F703_IRONMAN_ESPANOLok.pdf&h=uAQHANfq1&s=1
That’s great succinct assessment -much appreciated and exactly what I was hoping to to glean for an overview from someone who really knows. The only question left though, is the website is not allowing Disc wheels for the bike. Understandably…certainly due to the possibility that it’s one of ‘those’ type of potent crosswind days on he east side as you described as possible on any given day. I can understand then, that my only question remaining is whether I can still used my HED 3D trispokes (definitely not discs -but obviously ‘cross-wind catchers’). Are the HED 3Ds going to be dis-allowed along with discs (I would think not -since they are categorically not discs by a long shot)) but even if not, is it wise to plan using them? Or just go with ZIPP deep 404s (40mm I think…). Bottom line is I will likely use them regardless, if they are allowed regardless of the die roll for winds on race day. Your opinion would be greatly appreciated.
Adam
I’d check with the folks on Facebook - they seem to be answering questions there pretty regularly. Also, don’t count on no wind. The days without wind are RARE.
i lot of people use 404s with no problem. the really fast guys who can truly take advantage of 808s are the only ones who can use them without problems. i am referring to those who maintain 36-38kph the whole time.
i would say that either one will work with you. and yes, kathy is correct… about both comments! they are answering questions and don’t count on NO wind.
today we did 120km, def more wind that yesterday plus torrential downpour the final 20km. that was fun!
fyi, if anyone still needs a place to stay, there is a great apt 2 blocks from the finish line, 1 block from the grocery store, 1 block from the waterfront. 1br but also with pull out sleeper sofa, kitchen, etc. $50 a night. send me a PM if interested. very quiet neighborhood and great apt! (posting for a friend)
I’m doing the full in November, but have been doing some early research, and I think my questions are related to both events so I’m posting them here.
Is the water at the run aid stations in cups or tubes? I think I remember reading on another thread that water was in tubes, like Freezie Pops. If so, any idea how many ounces each tube is? What about the Coke? Is that in cups? And is it de-fizzed? I didn’t see anything about cold sponges. Do they have those on the run?
I read in the Athlete Guide they have regular Gatorade and not endurance formula. Is that true? If so, that throws a big wrench in my nutrition plan.
Thanks.