Thanks everyone for replying to my question regarding bike shorts, gloves, socks, etc for 1st Ironman, since all the replys were great, I have another question:
As I mentioned this is my first Ironman and it is out of town, I am in Fl and doing Arizona IM, I have done several half’s but all have been in Florida, and i have traveled via car just two days before (ie, left Friday night after work arrive at race site friday night, check in and do easy workout on Saturday, and race Sunday), how many days before do you suggest for an out of state ironman that you have to fly to. I have limited vacation time from work, I was thinking of taking off 3 days before the event, that will be one day of travel and two of chill time, and then one day after the event to relax.(Total of one week or so)…what advice would you give…I want to be well aclimatized to the environment…etc
I’ve done Canada a few times and found that Wednesday to Monday worked best… Time change from east to west is in your favor and temperature is probably not going to be much of an issue for you. Just relax and enjoy your first one. You’ll be hooked after that…
For a Sun race:
travel on Thursday
chill Fri/Sat
Sun = Race!
Mon is recover & awards & Kona roll-down
(if things don’t go well in the race you will want this day to feel normal again before heading home)
Tues travel back to the homestead
I’d go along with a Wed to Mon schedule. If you’re taking your family along and can possibly swing the whole pre-race week that would be perfect. The extra days allow you to do all the pre-race things you’ll need to do and still spend a little of each day with the family. Plan and book their activities way ahead of time. You don’t want to be running around that week making arrangements for them or worrying about how long their patience will hold out. Most IM families have already put up with enough during training!!! Throw yourself as deeply into the experience as you can. Good Luck!
Frank
Wed to Mon for me too. If it is your first, you really will want to stick around for the Awards Banquet on Sunday. My GF did not want to and now can’t believe she almost passed it up.
I’ve only done Halfs as well that have required travel and I have been great with leaving on Wed or Thurs and then coming home Sun night after the race or on Monday.
I’m also racing Ironman Arizona and have been stockpiling vacation time for a year now. I’ve been able to work with my team to get at least the entire week of before the race and then the week after the race as well. It’ll be a nice two week break in Arizona.
If anyone wants to train/hang out that week leading up let me know.
Whatever you do, make sure you get there early enough to pick up the registration packet. They don’t offer it the day before usually so it requires arriving AT LEAST 2 days before. You might want to check the schedule on the website to make sure. Other than that, two days before is enough time to relax and get set up and not freak out about everything.