Ironman Austria Qs

Triathlon Forum
1

As I start to freak out about my first IM, a couple questions hopefully someone who has done the race can answer. It APPEARS (but is somewhat unclear) that on each of the bike and run courses, you will have access to your special needs bag more tahn one time. Is this true? How does it work? Do I pull over, grab what I want and hand the bag back to someone? Will it be available on the “next loop”? Is it different on the bike and run? Any “strippers” for wetsuits, or am I getting naked on my own? I’m starting to think that, with the 3 loop bike, there will be a bunch of drafting. I REALLY want to do my own race (no, I won’t qualify for Hawaii) - but do I need to be mentally prepared for this? Is it rampant? ANy ideas on what the weather has historically been like? Anything I should bring from the US that I might want but would have a hard time finding/getting over there?

Thanks in advance

2

Lamar

I have done Austria on two occasions but have not used thw special needs bag so cannot answer your question, however in relation to drafting, there tends to be a bit for the first 20km of the first lap, but the long climb soon splits this up, as with every race you will get a few small groups but it is not that bad compared to others.

There were no wetsuit strippers last year, there was 2 or 3 assistants in each tent but their time was taken up by moving your bag to the bag stand, it was up to each ind. to strip themselves, there was also no one to apply sunscreen ( it gets very hot), last year the max temp was 30 C, previous year it rained for a large part of the day, temp about 20 C, in 2001 the max temp when I was on the run was 37C, the scenery is stunning, when on the long climb look right, its spectacular.

The expo is OK but nothing special, energy drinks etc were limited to those that were being supplied during the race so if you use something else bring it with you.

The run is good and takes you through a couple of public beaches where the support is amazing in more ways than one.

Hope this helps. Nimbleblade

3

The run is good and takes you through a couple of public beaches where the support is amazing in more ways than one

HELLO! Maybe I’ll run with a camera.

Seriously, thanks for the information. It sounds like it should be warm. Any idea if the rain you saw was out of the norm? Is it typically dry there this time of year, or is it like the US, where the potential for summer thunderstorms is ever-present? Again, i appreciate any response

4

Its generally a\warm race, rain was out of the norm
.

5

I am also going to IM Austria from the U.S. I posted questions about the special needs on Gordo about 2-weeks ago. If you do a search on the forum you can probably find it

6

http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=89043;search_string=IM%20Austria;#89043

This should give you some answers. The race centre (the lake) is in a valley between mountains, hence thunderstorms should not be unexpected. Although we only had one all week in 2000, when I raced.

Wetsuit strippers tend to be a North American phenomena, I can’t recall seeing this in the European IMs I have raced, if you prepare for none the opposite will be a bonus.

Have a great race, it is a lovely area and I would definitely race there again as it is fast!!

7

Thanks all. Great information. So Jon, what did you decide to do for your special needs? Will you stop once, twice, or not at all?

8

I got sick in my first IM last year with a 1000 calorie bottle of concentrated Carbo-Pro. So this year I am carrying two 200-calorie bottles of Infiniti nutrition, and I am going to stop at special needs twice on the bike. I just hope I have no problems getting on an airplance with a canister of powdered nutrition.

9

That’s funny. I was just having that discussion with a buddy who is going to the race with me. We both will be travelling with what looks like bricks of cocaine (for me, carbo pro and cytomax). not sure if we’re better off bringing them in carry-on, and telling airport security in advance and letting them taste it, or “rolling the dice” and packing it in luggage. I’ll be the guy in handcuffs at the airport

10

Too funny. I’m headed to Austria too, and had the same concern about transporting suspicious-looking powders. See you in lock up.

11

Hilarious. I’ll be the American guy there with shaved legs

12

I tend to pack my tubs of carb with the bike, never been stopped yet and never any issues
.

13

I noticed in one of the prior threads about the race that some/all of the run was on “roads” that may not be conducive to wearing a racing flat (or very similar minimalist shoe). Anyone know anything about the run surface for this year? Were prior years’ standard, or was it something that was supposed to be improved upon?

Thanks for continuing to indulge my neurosis.

14

It’s funny how neurotic we get about this activity we do for fun. Did you get a stomach ache when you saw the race guide was up on the IM Austria websight (or did I just give you a stomach ache by telling you the race guide was up?)

15

Not sure if I am offended by, or resemble, that remark. Or both, or neither. Actually, I think the neurosis adds to the fun. NOW ANSWER MY QUESTION (kidding, sort of)!!!

16

Your feet and lower legs are going to hurt so bad by the middle of the marathon that the running surface won’t matter anyway. Also, I don’t even think the pros wear racing flats for an IM (because your feet and lower legs hurt so bad at the end of an IM you need more cushioning).

17

Can you give some details about your impression of each race segment?

How easy/difficult was it to get to the race? What about accomodations?

What are the roads like? Is it TdF type stuff on the hills?

I am longing to do this race in the next few years. $$$$ to pull it off though.

18

Klagenfurt where the race is held is not the msot inspiring town, thankfully the race ie held in the lake about 5 Kms from the town centre, accommodation is plentiful near the lake , best to search through the various information sites as opposed to using the official race hotel.

The swim was a huge fight last year 2200 people, it spread by the time you hit the beach after 2km for a 40 metre run, the last 800 metres is up a canal with spectators either side which was awesome.

The bike is three loops and it is FAST, three years ago I managed a 5.10 split, the first part follows the lake and is flat with a couple of mild undulations, after about 20k, you turn off this road and start to climb, the first part is a long gradual uphill before you have a short respite into Ekyden where you turn left and meet the worst of the hill, at its steepest I was using a 39/25 on a blade and having to grind up, the steep section lasts 800 metres before it becomes another drag to the top, then it is very fast downhill for 4km, then you need to keep the legs spinning to keep the speed up as the lap come to an end by the lake, repeat another twice.

The run is on a mixture of pavement , loose track with a few grass areas, you head south from the transition and go through a couple of public beach areas, then the run turns along a railway line ( no supporters, lifeless) before heading back towards the transition area, it then heads back to the canal and heads into the centre of the town , before heading back, this is and out and back part of the run, it is two laps.

Organisationally it is pretty good, although there were a few things that went wrong last year re the pasta party and awards dinner, the expo is OK but not spectacular.

Hope this helps, friends and I will probably head back next year

19

sound awesome - thanks for the description.

20

Thanks for the details. I can not wait to get a crack at that course!!

So how was the spectating on the hills? From what I’ve seen they line the hills and many other places on the course.

What did your place cost per night? Did you make a trip to anywhere besides the race?