A post a few days ago asked about tips for the Oceanside 70.3. The response was fantastic! As a first time HIM competitor, I was wondering if any Florida 70.3 vets had any insight they wanted to share about their experience in Orlando.
- It is a really well run race, but get ready for a crowd at the start and trans.
2.Get use to running on grass and mud in the direct sun with no wind.
- Be patient with the transportation situation
I think it is a great race overall.
Typically, it is quite hot. If you are coming from a cooler (northern) climate the run can be torturous. I recommend acclimating the best you can prior to race day.
The run course is (or at least was) a three loop course that included running on some relatively uneven terrain. I wasn’t used to that so my calves hurt for days afterward.
These are just things to be prepared for. All in all a good, well run race.
Dwayne
Find a good map of Disney, so you won’t get lost! I programmed my GPS, so I could get there the days before. As others said, sandy, uneven run, but I think Tom’s changed the course. Coffee colored water as in all Florida inland races, but an exceptional race.
The heat is the number one thing that I am concerned about, as Dwayne mentioned. I used to live in Florida (as the Gatorbait name suggests, a UF grad), but have since moved to the Northeast. For those who didn’t carry their own hydration on the run, were you satisfied with the fluids offered on the loop?
It was pretty hot in the sandy areas, as there was no wind. There was plenty of fluids, though. You should be fine, just prepare your mind for the heat. I find most people could do better in heat if they were to focus more on the effort. Not saying you, but try to concentrate and the heat becomes secondary. As I said, I never felt there was not enough wtare, g’ade, ice, whatever. Just the good old Florida sunshine.
if you can survive the capitalistic traps of todays biggest money traps (Ironman and Disney) you’ll be fine. Be prepeared to find everything branded with Disney and M Dot from toilet paper to Waffles.
Strongly advice to get a rental car although you may not need if you stay in the resort. Race is great! Unlike most 70.3 events this has a big international field, swim is warm and nice without the wetsuit. Bike course was great and NOT packed like other races half the size. Get ready to tackle running on dirt! Do NOT wear new shoes, most of the 3 loop run is on grass/dirt (it is a soft ground) so easy on the legs. I didn’t like the un even running surface but it was a great mixture of trail and pavement. I wouldn’t mind the dirt section if they somehow have a running path there instead of single track.
Oh and the SUN! no shade almost on the entire run, specially on the dirt section and it gets HOT!
I might be there again.
The heat is the number one thing that I am concerned about, as Dwayne mentioned. I used to live in Florida (as the Gatorbait name suggests, a UF grad), but have since moved to the Northeast. For those who didn’t carry their own hydration on the run, were you satisfied with the fluids offered on the loop?
I did the race in '06 when it was in the upper 90’s by the time the run started. I was in an earlier wave and there was plenty of hydration on the run. Ice was key and they had that for me, but I heard later waves saw the aid stations running out of stuff. Not sure how '07 was.
Ironman 70.3 Florida is a great race - remember these things -
Parking - for both registration/expo and on race day - if you are not staying in the campground or at the Wilderness Resort, you MUST park at the Magic Kingdom Parking lot - a schuttle bus will take you to the site inside the campground.
Bike Check-in at Saturday - You MUST rack your bike on Saturday. You are allowed to ride/walk your bike from the parking lot at the Magic Kingdon to the race site. (1 mile) Follow the directions on the Access Map on the web site.
THERE IS NO SWIMMING IN THE LAKE BEFORE RACE DAY!! Disney boat traffic is on the lake and no one is allowed to swim.
BE EARLY - the race starts at 6:45 AM and you must arrive early on race morning to park, ride the bus to the site and get ready for the start.
It will be HOT and HUMID on race day. Central Florida in May is hot. It also might rain in the afternoon, so be ready for a shower on Friday or Saturday afternoon during the expo/packet pickup.
Be sure to enjoy the weekend with your family! Disney is a wonderful place for the family to enjoy a vacation while you participate in Ironman 70.3 Florida.
Z
Are we naming a camp fire song after you Mr. RD? You promised to fix you know what.
Sorry - tried my best, but you’ll have to save the song for another RD. Z
Bump…getting very excited for this race! Anybody have anything else they want to share?
Id make sure you are used to staying aero the whole time, no real reasons to be sitting up. Dont stay at disney unless you are a kid or have kids. No swim warmups. Run in the hottest weather you can to prepare yourself. Have fun, if you can deal with heat its a FAST course.
I’ve done the race every year. My .02…
- Bring a flashlight or headlamp for transition. It will ease getting ready in the dark.
- The “new” bike course is better than years back - cuts down on drafting and has some false flats.
- Run course is mostly on grass (which I’m not fond of but whatever) water stations are fine but strained in years of high heat. If you are concerned bring a fuel belt.
- As someone else said, don’t bring new run shoes.
- Biking pre- race: ride in Ft. Wilderness as you’ll only have bus traffic to contend with. Otherwise, head out of the Disney area.
- Remember that this race is a Clearwater qualifier and that different divisions have tight races - save the family picture for in front of Magic Kingdom. In 2006 a guy and his four daughters forced me to slow down as they took up the entire finish line with 15 feet to go. Behind me there were three guys I raced all day sprinting toward the line. I qualified for Clearwater but it was closer on paper than it really was. Plan ahead in case someone else is that inconsiderate of other racers. Last year, I started to kick a lot earlier and didn’t have a problem at the line because I was able to get around another “family finish”.
- It’s Disney…chill out after the race and enjoy.
- There will be a ton of more family oriented racers
- There will be a ton of really sick fast racers - so if you aren’t sick fast but aren’t really a “family” racer understand where you are and keep the attitude in check - you’ll have a better experience.
In T1, do we place our stuff right next to our bike or is it in a separate area like full Ironman’s? Should we bring our own transistion bag to hold all our stuff for both T1 and T2?
Are there mile markers on the run course? How’s the ability to pass on the run course? How’s the road quality for the bike? Any advice for where to watch the run?
Thx.
Bring a transition bag, The roads are good. the passing on the run gets difficult in the grass (specially on the third lap). The best place to watch the run would be right where the athletes take a right to go on to the next lap of the run.
will the NEW bike course be slower than last year’s race?
Can someone clarify the new shoes comment? Besides grass is the course dry dirt etc inferring shoes will be covered and dirty afterward? If it rains will we be running in mud?
your shoes and legs will be covered in dirt, but it is about the same as running on a golf course fairway. I can’t really say what would happen if it rained.