I’m heading out for IMFL in a few weeks. It looks like the best (that is, least expensive) flight option for me is to fly out of Panama City at 6am the morning after the race. Is this okay to do? I seem to remember reading some discussion about how flying soon after an even such as this was unhealthy, but I have no idea where that discussion might have been. I did the same thing last year with no problems.
Thanks,
-Colin
I believe you are thinking about deep vein thrombosis (sp?). I think the trick would be to get rehydrated before you depart and you are ok.
I do this all the time. It sucks. I am cheap so put myself through it to savea few bucks. Everytime I regret it. To prevent that blood clot dieing thing you need to walk around, stretch and move about. YOur feet and legs will swell and it will hurt a lot. Its aweful. It sets back my recovery a few or so, but I normally end my season post ironman so I generally dont care. If you are racing agai it might be an issue.
Get some of them socks!!!
I am with you on this one. Although my flight isn’t leaving until about 1:30. I am flying out of Tall, though, so I have a long drive first. I am slightly worried about this too, but thankfully I don’t have a straight flight so I can walk around a bit in between flights. I don’t know too much about the issue though.
I agree, get some pressure socks. They help speed recovery, help mask soreness and help circulation on a plane.
I flew out at 7am after IMAZ this year. I didn’t have a problem at all. I was still pretty wired from the night before so I slept on the plane because I couldn’t get to sleep at night. Make sure to pack your bags the night of the IM so in the morning when you leave you wont have to worry about packing and getting to the airport
Exactly my experience! Not to mention getting up at 3am to pack bike (couldn’t even imagine doing it the night before) and make the 45 min drive to Spokane after CDA.
I was miserable BEFORE my feet/ankles swelled about halfway thru the flight…then it got worse.
I wouldn’t recommend it if you have a choice.
Matter of fact, depending on how long the flight is and how crowded the plane…coming home from Hawaii last year on Monday was pretty rugged…even a day between race and travel might not be enough.
G
Exactly my experience! Not to mention getting up at 3am to pack bike (couldn’t even imagine doing it the night before) and make the 45 min drive to Spokane after CDA.
I was miserable BEFORE my feet/ankles swelled about halfway thru the flight…then it got worse.
I wouldn’t recommend it if you have a choice.
Matter of fact, depending on how long the flight is and how crowded the plane…coming home from Hawaii last year on Monday was pretty rugged…even a day between race and travel might not be enough.
G
Ah yes, but the key to the bike issue is to us inside-out-sports! Last year I just dropped my bike off post-race and forgot about it! It was really nice not to have to pack it with the 6am flight looming.
The difference in plane ticket price is about $400, which is crazy. I agree with an earlier poster, when I did it last year I was still pretty wired from the race. I think that flying out at, say, 9pm might even be worse.
Thanks all,
-C
yep, tri bike transport for me
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The plus is that no one else from the race will be leaving, so maybe the airport won’t be crowded. The downside is you’ll miss your free finisher’s certificate, and all the overpriced finisher’s merchandise and the overpriced awards banquet that night. 
2005 I finished Great Floridian around 8pm and I was on a plane flying home at 10:00am…
I did make it a point to stand a couple of tmes on the flight because of those articles that I read.
I usually feel pretty wrecked after Ironman and need at least a day flat on my back. I have travelled right away and I don’t recommend it. Miserable. You are just so darn fatigued.