…I for one am getting quite antsy. What are your thoughts on the race and what tips would you Ralph’s vets have on the course and what to do while in Oceanside? This is my first trip to the race and want to do it right! Questions: what do you do about spectators. Do they really have to stick around until 4pm when the shuttles to parking start running? Where would be the best place to position spectators for maximum exposure? Where are the tough spots on the bike course? I see there is a big hill late in the ride, are there others to watch out for? What about the 25mph speed limit on that downhill? How does the course compare to Wildflower or 1/2 Vineman? Any input would be great.
I did Ralphs last year, my first (and so far, only) 1/2 IM.
Re: spectators, it is walking distance from the start / finish to the car park. No need to wait for shuttles.
Spectators won’t see you on the bike at all, except at the start / finish, so best exposure for spectators will be along the run course, they’ll see each competitor 4 times (out and back, twice)
The course map is deceptive, unless they’ve changed it. The toughest hill is the first one (9 km/h, baby) the next 2 aren’t too bad. The 25 mph downhill isn’t a problem if you have decent bike handling skills, but the more wobbly athletes could have a problem there, so better safe than sorry.
The other thing is that the first 15 miles or so, until you turn inland to the first big climb, is basically a long false flat. Depending on the wind direction that can really sap your strength, so don’t get to worked up about your speed. I just used a HRM, no computer, and go through it fine (until I hit the run anyway, rookie mistake and not enough calories on the bike)
Oh yeah, the other thing is the run. Pretty flat, so its easy from that perspective, but most of the run is on concrete. My feet were really sore afterwards, I’d recommend making sure you do a few runs to acclimatise yourself to the pounding, and also consider whether your shoes are adequately cushioned.
But what do I know about running, I run like a swimmer.
Me. I am getting excited about Ralphs. It won’t be my first 1/2IM, but the first time at Ralphs. I got a little worried about the hill(s) so I put a compact crank on my ride. 172.5 cranks and 50/34 feels so good, I think I will leave it on even on flat courses. I like the looks of the run course, nice and flat.
what to do while in Oceanside? Leave. Stay in Carlsbad or Encinitas if you can. Visit Nyrto, B&L, Swamis in Encinitas for Breakfast or Lunch. Meditation Gardens at Self Realization Fellowship in Encinitas.
what do you do about spectators. Do they really have to stick around until 4pm when the shuttles to parking start running?
Spectators should park around the pier and take the shuttle or walk to the swim start. It is only about 1/2 mile from parking to the swim start in the harbor. They can come and go as they please, they just have to walk back to the parking near the pier. There were bleachers at the harbor last year and there are restaurants there also.
Where are the tough spots on the bike course? There are two steep hills, they are not that long though, nothing to worry about. Other than that you will have a head wind heading North.
How does the course compare to Wildflower or 1/2 Vineman? Any input would be great.
In my opinion the bike course is about the same difficulty as Vineman, much easier than WF. The run is pretty flat so much easier then Vineman or WF for the run. Swim is in a Harbor, pretty calm except near the turnaround where it gets a bit choppy but nothing to be concerned about.
30days, 20hours, 46minutes to go, and I’m home from work today, trying to get over a yucky cold. I’m just trying to get myself better before I make myself worse!
Spectators, I’d hang out at the transition area, then after you start the run, have them walk a 1/2 mile into the run course for encouragement just before/just after the run turnaround.
The run course was windy last year, too. I remember running as close as I could to the condo’s to get some wind protection. There was a tail wind on the run out, so I didn’t let myself get discouraged by my slower speed on the way back.
n my opinion the bike course is about the same difficulty as Vineman, much easier than WF.<<
I’d have to disagree. I think Ralph’s is harder than VM and not much easier than WF. Fewer hills at Ralph’s than WF, but you have that major headwind the last 15 or 20 miles. Or maybe VM isn’t a tough course to me since I’ve ridden it hundreds of times in the last 14 years.
Multisports.com did a 5-part series on the Ralph’s course back in late 1999.
Well, I’m just getting over a cold and missed two weeks of training. I’m pretty nevous about my physical condition right now. Back working out, but the weeks off really hurt my performace and it’s been tough working my way back up. Still haven’t done a 52 mile bike ride yet, 46 miles is the longest. Haven’t done 13.1 miles yet on the run, 10 miles is the longest. Swim: shouldn’t be a problem. Yikes!!!
I’ve done this race in each of its first four years (full IM in 00 and 01, Half IM in 02 and 03), and I’m in for the half this year as well.
Each year, the weather is different.
In 2000, the coastal portions remained overcast, but the inland (hilly) portions were hot. Probably a 20 to 25 degree temperature differential between the coast and inland portions.
In 2001, the whole day was basically overcast, with the sun peaking out in the late afternoon, but it never really got hot.
In 2002, the whole course stayed near the coast, and it was overcast and foggy.
In 2003, there was a strong threat of rain in the days leading up to the race. The rain stopped a few hours before the race started, but there was a strong headwind from the north that you faced all along the coast. In the inland portions, the wind was calm.
I think the bike at Ralph’s is, not necessarily tougher, but slower than the 1/2 Vineman. If not prepared, those 3 hills can suck the life out of a person. And last year’s winds were a tad wearing.
Although I was quite a bit faster at Vineman, I really much prefer the course at Ralph’s…more my style, for sure.
The run at Ralph’s is faster than the run at Vineman, but harder on the legs 'cause of the concrete. And I thought the wind was pretty brutal last year.
I worried myself sick about the “cold” water…wasted tons of pre-race energy on it…but found that it was very tolerable and not worth the worry. Fullsuit, squid lid…you’re good to go.
Getting very excited to be heading back to Oceanside. Can’t hardly wait!
It is a fairly spectator friendly race and North San Diego has great places to visit while you are in town. Oceanside is a military town - lots o Marines, so I’d venture South for better small town charm…Carlsbad, Encinitas, etc. Go visit Nytro - tri nirvana if you can - lots of high end bikes and gear.
Things to ‘worry’ about for the race:
The water is not that bad. Yes it is cold, I would wear a full wetsuit but I think the most important part is
A. the swim is in a busy harbor where lots of boats go in and out all the time. The water smells of fuel and tastes of it too. I try to get as little water in my mouth as possible, but it happens and you will notice it.
B. the swim is out and back and when returning back you are swimming directly into a blinding sunrise. I go with iradium goggles - others use the polarized aqua sphere - seal mask. Whatever, get something that cuts down glare - it is really hard to see if you use regular goggles (and you swim head up occasionally to look where you are going.)
I’m glad bike course comparisons came up. I’d say it is challenging and if windy it is that much harder. I had a faster bike split in the crappy rain conditions last year at Wildflower than I did at Ocenside and I think that was purely based on the headwind at the end that killed me after the ‘hills’ that are a bit mysterious since it’s a military base and you can’t ride them ahead of time. Comparisons to vineman course are tough since there is a lot of up and down but also lots of flat at both Oceanside and vineman so I’ve always thought vineman was easier. Wildflower is definetely an overall tougher course but elements can make easier course more difficult - last year was abnormally windy for Oceanside - wildflower as abnormally wet. Go figure.
The whole 25 mph downhill is due to a crash that happened 3 years ago when this was a full IM event and an athlete died, so they are being overly cautious. The guard rail has a giant blue pad on it and there is an ambulance just in case but it is rather short and has only one big left hand turn to it. It is a steep decent but the back side of Nasty Grade at wildflower is a way bigger and more technical (multiple turns.) At Oceanside you are advised to brake (people with flags yelling “SLOW DOWN!!”), go single file down and be as careful as possible.
The run is flat and scenic. Hope that it is not windy…it was absolutely brutal last year, and since it is basically right on the beach you stand to get some sand blasts if it is bad enough.
There seemed to be lots of public parking places nearby to the South last year and people just walked over to the event area where transition spilled over to the spectator area. There are tons of restaurants in the immediate area for afterwards as well so you can relax and get some food, get out of the hot, wind, whatever the weather is doing that day.
The run course was windy last year, too. I remember running as close as I could to the condo’s to get some wind protection. There was a tail wind on the run out, so I didn’t let myself get discouraged by my slower speed on the way back.
That’s only because you started the run SOOO late in the afternoon!!!
Seriously, I’m hoping for a little calmer day this year. Hope you’re feeling better.
