Anyone else notice the Cozumel bike course was 113? Just curious how often this happens in an Ironman. I checked my garmin , 113.1, then clicked on a few racers on strava all are 112.8 to 113.2. Would have liked my bike pr to be a few minutes quicker and a little more energy for the run.
Edit: I understand from replies its 113 now every year.
Courses are often a bit off. But if you had a run that didn’t meet your expectations I doubt an extra mile on the bike caused that
Where’s the report? Likely doing this 2016
Anyone else notice the Cozumel bike course was 113? Just curious how often this happens in an Ironman. I checked my garmin , 113.1, then clicked on a few racers on strava all are 112.8 to 113.2. Would have liked my bike pr to be a few minutes quicker and a little more energy for the run.
Was it just me or were the winds super tough on the back half of the island?? I was something like 10’ off my expected time.
Courses are often a bit off. But if you had a run that didn’t meet your expectations I doubt an extra mile on the bike caused that
Where’s the report? Likely doing this 2016
I don’t usually do reports on here since I think most are into the fast guy reports, but since you asked I’ll give a quick rundown.
Background, my first full Ironman since 2007, I did AZ in 06 and 07, at 12:48 and 12:20.
Swim: Rolling start, we were all in corrals split by every 10 min. It didn’t seem to have the issues I heard about in AZ this year. Even though the corrals were large they had us jump off the pier at about 3 or 4 at a time. Word of warning , the water was shallow, I know at least 2 who hit their butt or foot on the ocean floor when jumping, thankfully I missed that. I started the swim and immediately had issues with my goggles, wish I had tested them more but eventually got the water out and got going. Slow swim 1:33:02, and thats with a current. I don’t get tired or stop, just poor stroke form, I’m committed to actually getting lessons for this in the off season.
Bike:
Knew what to expect, flat and windy, this is what I got. I heard another post on here say it was the windiest in the history of the race, cant really speak to that as this was my first year doing it but definitely felt the wind on the opposite side of the island from the swim start, not sure if this is south? Got a good rhythm going and was able to ride strong but conservative. I like to pace off people who seem to know what theyre doing so I found a few to stay a few bikes length, not draft, and pace. This sometimes helps, sometimes hurt, cause I may hold back a bit. Saw the women pro line come through and actually felt like their pace was great, I worked myself into the group, all legal distance between as they were, thought I was fine, but I think I annoyed a pro because she rolled up next to me and said “this is the womens pro race, you need to drop back”. Not knowing what the rules are on this, not wanting to interfere (Im a guy) I told her sorry and let that pace group go. All was good the rest of the way, fire on end of 2nd loop was interesting, went through billowing black smoke. On 3rd loop the wind had increased but I seemed to be able to power through it, about 17-18mph through this part. Skipped special needs and somehow never had to pee. What made me post this is I saw my garmin coming up on 112 and was kind of excited to maybe get a split of 5:39 (slow to most of those on here but fast for me). Then the course kept going, so it kind of discouraged me a bit and I dropped off my pace wondering if I had somehow missed the turnoff as my garmin was at 112.5…I asked a couple riders and they said I hadnt so came into transition with a 5:44:15 bike split for 113, and new PR by 1 minute.
https://www.strava.com/activities/442024458
T2: LONG, I mean 14 min long. Since I hadnt stopped on the bike I needed to take some bio breaks, and since I hadnt stopped for special needs I needed to fuel up and eat. Just me but Id rather do my stopping in transition then bike but I realize I rested too much here.
Run:
I love this course, 3 loops, like AZ, but I feel it’s so much more fun. I was very conservative on my run as I had my girlfriend and Tribe So Cal tri club supporting and didnt want to DNF in my first attempt in 8 years. I slowed down and actually walked aid stations and ate some pretzels etc. Also the humidity was killer so was icing my head at every stop. A lot of this was just in case, since I wasnt sure how my body would do at this distance again. When I got down to the last 6 miles I realized Id be able to finish so increased my pace. The results show my last 7k was as fast as my first 14k. I have to say the spirit in the town, the energy of the people cheering and the music along the course, so much better than Cabo 70.3 which I did 5 weeks ago. I finished the run in 4:54, (my slowest IM run) race finish 12:34.
All in all I enjoyed my first time completing an Ironman in my 30s and I feel excited about doing more. I don’t know if I can find another IM as enjoyable as this one in N america but I would love suggestions. Organization, atmosphere, aid stations, all were wonderful. Would just re measure that bike course and get it closer to 112, a mile off seems like a lot. Hope to be back at this one next year!
Thanks for the report. Nice race and sounds like good pacing, you must have been passing people at the end of the run! I’ve been there for the race twice during dive trips so know what you mean about the party atmosphere. I figure that’s gotta make the run hurt slightly less… 
I did the race in 2010 and 2012 - bike course was 113. IM courses aren’t exact. I’ve done 11 IMs and I can’t think of one where any of the 3 distances were 100% exact based on my garmin data. If that bothers you then don’t sign up for Chattanooga since that bike course is 116 miles. There is only so much you can do considering you are riding around an island with not a lot of roads for IM Cozumel. I can guarantee that 1 mile less on the bike would not have made any difference on your run.
Got it, thanks. No, just need to know to expect that in every race in the future. I thought I had missed the turn off and would have to double back.
Yep. From the Rasta Bar all the way to Mezcalitos was all stiff headwinds, although the third loop seemed easier for some reason.
Raced Coz every year but was injured and discovered Saturday that my bike frame was cracked so spectated.
Worst swim entry platform Coz has ever had. Many injuries. The RD really blew it.
Cozumel bike course is always 113. Least windy year by far. Barely any drafting on the bike.
One of the coolest years except for the years it rained on the run.
Least windy or most windy? This post from the other thread…how many injuries from the swim? Sorry to hear about your bike…I think I would have rented one if I had to unless you got a refund.
gee, i’m very glad to see this. it makes me feel a lot better about my bike time sunday. thanks for this upper for my day.
peggy
Least windy or most windy? This post from the other thread…how many injuries from the swim? Sorry to hear about your bike…I think I would have rented one if I had to unless you got a refund.
gee, i’m very glad to see this. it makes me feel a lot better about my bike time sunday. thanks for this upper for my day.
peggy
Least windy. I spent the whole bike ride going up and down the East side of the island. Winds were almost non-existant (by Coz standards) on the first lap, picked up a bit by the second lap, and were diminishing by 5 hours in. The pro coaches who were out on the course agreed the winds were unusually light for Coz. Light winds allowed firefighters to control the fire at the float manufacturer quickly but kept the cloud of black smoke from dissipating.
Sorry guy, I will diagree, having raced coz x5…all 3 lap where about the same (my power meter dosn’t lie) plus the number of people walking (up the coast) sealed the deal. It was cranking.
The swim entry was a joke…they totally f$&ked that up! Yes let’s send 2000 people down a shity painted plywood Boardwalk (that felt like it was built for 2) and have them jump off into 20 inches of water…with a rock bottom! But it Mexico it can’t be all safe can it?
That “rolling start” was safer the a mass start in the water? No way it’s was bu
Well, you’ve got fewer years at Coz than me, that doesn’t make this year’s wind weak or strong. Because of the wave, now rolling starts there was less legal and illegal wind protection benefit last year, and this year, so people had to face the wind on their own, but hardly anybody was walking the bike this year, and that smoke cloud from the float factory just hung there instead of being blown away. Headwind splits from Punta Sur to Mezcalitos were faster this year. North end tailwind trans-island splits from Mezcalitos to transition were slower than any year, 2009-14. Obviously, it’s difficult to control all the variables rider to rider, year to year, or lap to lap, but if you thought this year’s wind was strong, I seriously doubt your commitment to Sparkle Motion.
Like said my power meter didn’t lie…
And as for the smoke hanging around, The flames where blowing right across the road when I went through. We had to move to the other side of the road not to get the hair burned off our arms. Didn’t see “smoke hang” just flames blowing side ways.
We must have been at two different races…
Raced Coz every year but was injured and discovered Saturday that my bike frame was cracked so spectated.
Worst swim entry platform Coz has ever had. Many injuries. The RD really blew it.
Cozumel bike course is always 113. Least windy year by far. Barely any drafting on the bike.
One of the coolest years except for the years it rained on the run.
NO WAY! my husband brought his bike over - you could have ridden it if you had wanted to. so sorry!
OMG the swim was a HUGE cluster. Hated it. Especially after having the lovely rolling start from Chank (pier) on the half - that went PERFECTLY. Wish they would go back to that original swim but 2012 scared them too badly.
rain? really? i missed it. it usually rains on the run so i was waiting for it but not.
i agree with barely any drafting (i think due to the swim start) but honey, I’ve done as many as you I think and this was the Worst (worse than last year). The 1st lap had about the same as the 3rd in previous years. cross on the transvasal meant only speed you got was going south (along 30th and the malecon).
Like said my power meter didn’t lie…
And as for the smoke hanging around, The flames where blowing right across the road when I went through. We had to move to the other side of the road not to get the hair burned off our arms. Didn’t see “smoke hang” just flames blowing side ways.
We must have been at two different races…
yeah, i have to agree. we saw the smoke from the other side, all along the transvasal and policia stopped us just before we got to the blinding cloud and then said, “go! quick!” totally blind through the cloud and came out the other side. tried to hold my breath but don’t think i succeeded (as i had asthma on run).
Anyone else notice the Cozumel bike course was 113? Just curious how often this happens in an Ironman. I checked my garmin , 113.1, then clicked on a few racers on strava all are 112.8 to 113.2. Would have liked my bike pr to be a few minutes quicker and a little more energy for the run.
2013:
112.8 - https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/411373920
Jesh, Kathy, it’s not like coaches and racers didn’t see and talk with me out there. The bike path that parallels the race course was open from Chankanaab, all around the South end, and East side of the island, and the trans-island was open across the North. I went back and forth six lengths, timing athletes…taking pictures.
Plants and palm fronds were barely blowing. Racers didn’t need fire-proof suits, and their hair wasn’t singed. Most racers never even knew there was a fire. A few floats burned, emitting toxic smoke. The building was reopened and people were working later that night.
Current, wind and heat were all mild, and racers’ splits bear that out. Every day isn’t the most epic in the history of the universe. Calm conditions don’t diminish the efforts anybody gave Sunday
“but I think I annoyed a pro because she rolled up next to me and said “this is the womens pro race, you need to drop back”. Not knowing what the rules are on this, not wanting to interfere (Im a guy) I told her sorry and let that pace group go.”
Did you find out if you were in the wrong here?
Its not against the rules but seems to be etiquette to not be in the mix with the women pros if your an age grouper, maybe being a guy more so, so I dropped back.