I know this was discussed quite a bit following IMLP, but I just read the latest update from the IMNA people about Wisconsin, and it clearly states that we will not get the special needs bags back. I never knew that it was so openly stated before. So in addition the the ridiculous entry fee and all the money to get to and stay in Madison for several days, I’m going to lose the:
-CO2 cartridges, inflator, extra tubular, and nutrition from my bike bag;
-long sleeved shirt, spare shorts, and older pair of shoes from my run bag.
To me this is completely insane. They could even just dump them on the side of the road and say, “if you want it, find it.” My plan is to not stop at either special needs, but I want to be prepared in case something happens (like I drop the spare from my bike, like I did in my last race). That’s a pre-glued and pre-stretched tire! I would think, if we are paying all this money to do the race, they should at least have the courtesy to not throw our gear away.
So a more important question is this, do they just throw it all away? Couldn’t it at least be donated to TSR or CAF or some other worth cause like that?
From what I have seen, it has been clearly stated that Special Needs stuff is not returned
Not sure why you need all that stuff in your Special Needs bag(s). They were originally used for extra food and that was it. Now people seem to toss everything but the kitchen sink into them! There is an aid station every 10 miles on the bike and every mile on the run in most IMNA events. Other than food the one thing that I could possibly see a need for in Special Needs, would be a long sleeve shirt in the run bag for people finishing well after dark when the temps drop.
They do hand over what is left to charity after removing food items that have spoiled.
They do give it to charity? Well, that’s excellent, I’m very glad to hear that.
Here are my thoughts on the contents of the bags. It’s my first IM race, and I really don’t quite know what to expect. I’ll have CO2, inflator, and spare tubular on my bike. But what if I lose one? Or what if I get a flat in the first half of the bike? Is it worth risking the whole race and not put that stuff in the bag? What is the mechanical support like on the course?
For the run, the big thing is the shoes. I’ll be running in slightly lighter shoes than my everyday training shoes. These shoes are great, but I’ve never run a marathon in them. Just in case I decide at the half way point that I need the extra padding, I thought it would be good to have the other shoes in there. But I also thought a change of clothes would be a good idea. Like, what if I piss all over myself (or worse) and want to run in clean shorts?
I’m sure that I’ll be less cautious in later IMs, but right now it’s a big unknown for me. Am I being TOO cautious?
Flats/ Punctures happen, but relativly speaking they are rare. However, one tube/tire and Co2 cartridge should get you through should lightening strike. I see no point in putting tire stuff in the Special Needs bags. What if you have the second flat 40 miles from the Special Needs drop. What good will it be then. best thing to do is to ALWAYS start an IM race with new rubber and don’t be stingy - get the best tires that you can afford.
As for the shoes. Choose the shoes that you know that you can run the whole way in. You don’t know this now, but you will get it afterwards, an IM race almost always comes down to the last half of the run.
If you do happen to pee on yourself, just grab a waterbottle with water in it and have a little shower. A complete change of cloths at T2 after the bike is not a bad idea. It takes about 30 seconds to do this and if it makes you more comfortable, go fo it.
In IMWis '02, they had taken all of the bags and brought them downstairs where we had packet pick up at the terrace. Lots of boxes full of the bike and run special needs, which we were able to sift through if we wanted. I actually got lucky and in the first box I found my spare tubie and CO2.
But, you have to accept the fact that anything you put in the bags you’re not getting back (except for the T1/2 bags), because things will be taken. Probably by the same people who will not hesitate to draft in a race…and this is just from firsthand experience looking at a guy who seemed to be pulling random bags and searching in them.
If you are prepping for your first, this is all you’ll need-
Bike Special needs-
If running tubie, one extra with CO2 and adapter, one lever. If running clinchers, 2 extra tubes and one extra tire, 2 CO2 if you’re flat prone, or 1 one of each if you’re confident.
Run Special needs-
Bad karma/mojo aside, all you need is a coolmax shirt. If you want to go with the logic of extra shoes, you’d be better off with a change of socks than a change of shoes.
I’ll have CO2, inflator, and spare tubular on my bike. But what if I lose one?
Tie them up well. If you lose them, you lose them.
Or what if I get a flat in the first half of the bike?
KestrelKerri’s and my friend got 3 THREE flats in the first 15 miles at IMC. Having all that stuff in her special needs bag wouldn’t have done squat for her in that situation.
Is it worth risking the whole race and not put that stuff in the bag?
I don’t think you are risking the whole race.
What is the mechanical support like on the course?
If it’s like any other IM race, lots of neutral service, roving the bike course. And they can likely change a tire a lot quicker than most. Plus, they will have a floor pump with them. I was very happy to see them in NZ in the first 10 miles. Sometimes you may have to wait a bit for them, but they will get you back on the bike.
But I also thought a change of clothes would be a good idea. Like, what if I piss all over myself (or worse) and want to run in clean shorts?
Like Fleck said, change in T2. And hey, until you’ve crapped yourself and carried on, well…a little piss isn’t too bad.
Am I being TOO cautious?
Yeah, but it’s normal.
And hey–if you were doing IM Hawaii, it specifically states that special needs bag may contain FOOD ONLY.
In past years at IMW they have brought the special needs bags back to the Terrace (T1&2) the next morning and left them out on the grass for a few hours. I believe last year they took them all to the Allient Energy Center parking lot to sort them before throwing the junk out. I agree it’s a pain in the ass to get your stuff back.
At least on the run they don’t dump the bags until close to midnight so if you finish early just walk back up (about 200 yards) and pick up your bag once you finish. I did that last year.
If you ask the IMNA people on Sunday where they are taking the bags you can go pick up your stuff. You just have to sort through everyone else’s. It’s worth it if you put an $80 tubular in there, but probably not for a pair of tubes and a C02 that you can’t take home on the plane anyway.
I agree…the Specials Needs is just for nutrition. Thats all I ever put in there! Even the T2 bag was nearly empty. I race the entire race in one skinsuit. No changing clothes.
I ALWAYS make sure that when I race an IM, my bike has brand new tires, mounted one week prior to the race. I carry one tubbie and 1 co2 cartridge mounted on the bike.
I still think its nuts not to gather the bags in a parking lot and let people sort through them. I’ve never needed anything from my special needs bag excerpt nutriticion, but I had a small bag on my bike with a cartridge, tire and rudimentary tools. My special needs had another tire and cartidge just in case. With tubulars if I got a second flat on the first loop I figured that I could ride in if I was less than 10 miles out. If I only got 1 flat I could grab what i needed out of special needs for spares on lap two. In two races I never had a flat, but its good to be prepared for anything. Look at the tacks episode at IMC, a few people couldn’t finish because even the on the road help ran out of stuff.
Seems to me if you think you really might get two flats, carry two spares and adequate C02 from the start. They aren’t going to slow you down any. I carry 2-3 tubes, 3-4 C02, patch kit, and tire boot. Never had to use any of it in an IM, but had I flatted early on I wouldn’t be freaked about getting another flat. I am amazed that anyone other than a pro for whom a second flat would mean game over would start an Ironman with only one spare. The second spare isn’t going to do you any good in the special needs bag if your second flat is before then - for example special needs at IMC is at mile 70, after most of the rough pavement, the area that has been tacked in some years, and long after a slow leak will have caused a problem if it’s going to. The nutrition, you’re going to pick up and use, you don’t need to get it back.
As to the run, pick the right shoes to start with, and if you’re having foot trouble that is severe enough that you’d actually want to change shoes, the shoes in and of themselves aren’t going to make much difference - but taking the time to change socks, deal with blisters, apply lubrication etc. might help and you can do all that without committing a pair of shoes. Warm top - just pick it up and wrap it around your waist - again, at that point it’s not going to cost you any time worth worrying about.
As Steve pointed out, “special needs” are just that - “special” nutrition you might want more of that isn’t available on the course. You should be prepared to ride 112 miles and run 26.2 miles from the start without needing full on equipment resupply. If you do have a disaster, the support infrastructure will be there to help you finish.
AT IMFL last year the run Special needs bags were failry well organized by number and available to go thru. The bike special needs stuff was pretty much in a big lump and I wasn’t about to dig thru someone elses half eaten PB & J sandwich.
Personal opinion. Food only in the bikes need bag. Use the free Gatoraide bottles or som eother cheap bottle for special fluids and leave them. For spares, CO2 etc. I just don’t see me taking my little rear seat bag off getting me much extra time…so it stays. I can jam a spare, possible 2, a few CO2 cartridges inflater etc in the bag. It may cost me 30 seconds or so in aerodynamics & on the hills…but I’m not Peter Reid so who cares.
Runs special needs. About the only thing I can see is maybe a change of socks or possibly a long sleeved T and or special fluids, food. It takes alot for me to get cold adn depending on teh weather this year I’ll likely not have anything but a pair of soicks in my run special needs.