I've heard top line that the swim is fair- protected waters and wetsuit legal - the bike is flat but expect strong cross winds - and the run is flat and tends to be hot?? Is that a pretty fair 50,000 foot view?? :0
The swim is not a fast swim despite being wetsuit legal and in salt water. You're going to get some chop and it's generally not bad but there have been years where it was a tough swim (2010 and the first 600m or so this year).
The bike is flat as can be but the winds keep things tough and honest. Expect some sort of southerly wind (the bike course runs SW the first half and NE the second half) so you can usually expect some sort of crosswind/headwind the way out and crosswind/tailwind the way back.
The run is also flat and it's usually the warmest day of the year up to that point so expect some sort of suffering. The 2015 race is three weeks later than it was from 2011-2014 so that should mean warmer temps than what has been seen the last four years. 2010 was the last year it was in late-April and the temp hit 85 degrees (about 90 with the heat index) which made for a tough run. I actually ended up in the hospital after that race but that's a story for another time.
Wow thanks!! Perhaps post race in April we can grab a cold bevvie and you can tell me your story!! One last question (for now LOL) - there's a group of us racing from Toronto and we're looking at renting a house. Most places are over on the gulf side - I'm assuming it's pretty easy to get around by car? I was born up in Freeport but haven't been down that way in a loooong time!! Any recommendations on places?
I was thinking about it for 2015, but that's the same day as the Shiner GASP in Austin (usually the first weekend of May, but for some reason was moved to April next year).
I've done Galveston 70.3 (aka "Lonestar") a few times, both before and after it was an "official" 70.3. Eva and Bob's analysis has been consistent with my experience.
In 2015, I'll be doing NOLA 70.3 instead, which is the weekend before Galveston.
Wow thanks!! Perhaps post race in April we can grab a cold bevvie and you can tell me your story!! One last question (for now LOL) - there's a group of us racing from Toronto and we're looking at renting a house. Most places are over on the gulf side - I'm assuming it's pretty easy to get around by car? I was born up in Freeport but haven't been down that way in a loooong time!! Any recommendations on places?
It's pretty easy to get around on race morning. Galveston island isn't that big so you can be anywhere on the island in short time. I usually stay at the host hotel but I stayed at a condo a couple of miles from the race site this year and was able to get around no problem. If the house/condo is on the Seawall (bike course) there could be issues with getting in and out while the race is going on. More an FYI for your spectating friends and family.
Check VRBO.com or airbnb.com for places. How big of a place do you need?
We'll be either 3 or 4 couples - will know for sure in Jan/Feb... And we'll all be racing so should be ok if we rent over on the seawall.. We may spend a couple of days after the race exploring... I looked at VRBO - we've had good luck with them so far and there are a few places that look great!! Looking forward to it even though we still have Christmas to tackle!!
I signed up for it. This will be my 2nd 70.3. Going to Galveston after Christmas for a few days to scout the area for the race. Looking forward to the swim in the salt water. Any advice from anyone on the swim?
I signed up for it. This will be my 2nd 70.3. Going to Galveston after Christmas for a few days to scout the area for the race. Looking forward to the swim in the salt water. Any advice from anyone on the swim?
Salt water, diesel smoke and oil. That's the taste profile of the water in the Galveston area!
I'm in! Last year was my first 70.3. I set a low bar to just finish and I crossed at 07:41:08. Its too soon for good targets but I'd like to cut out a big chunk of that time this year!
I know this isn't a "key" race for EN but... There are 4 of us coming down from Canada and it sounds like a few more from around the States.... Maybe we could coordinate a meet up somewhere down there?? Before or after the race perhaps??
I'm in if my knee surgery recovery continues and progress is made over the next several weeks. I'm losing weight fast now that I can exercise again and hope to be in able to finish decently shape by race day. The first 3 hour long training ride in 3 weeks will tell me a lot about my current abilities.
I did this race in 2013 and since then I've had a new baby, gotten a lot fatter/slower and torn the meniscus in my left knee in two places. This will be my first HIM since. I had to DNS Austin last October.
Everything Bob said is correct. The swim is fine; it's fair. It's not the best water, but it's better than a lot of TX triathlon swims. Unless you love treading water for a long time don't jump in at the start of your wave. The bike course is windy. I vacation in Galveston a few times a year and ride the coastal road often. It is always windy. The wind will wear on you over the course of the ride. It's rarely ever a headwind or tailwind, it's typically just a relentless crosswind. Relentless... not particularly gusty , but relentless.
The run is hot with very little shade. You simply pound asphalt and concrete all around Moody Gardens. It's great for spectators and pretty good for course workers but it's pretty rough on the legs. I switched running shoes a few weeks before this race in '13 and later learned that was the cause of my horrendous lower back pain. Bring proven shoes you know that you can run 13.1 on concrete with you.
I'm on the JOS then 1 week of swim camp (was supposed to be 2 but I had to shuffle due to being sick 1 week).. Then into the HIM plan... Worried about the run - not my strength to begin with but our Canadian winter hasn't been very kind and I HATE THE TREADMILL!!! I'll do it but 5 mins in and I'm bored out of my mind...
JOS'ers - I was thinking about popping out after the week 8 testing and switching to HIM plan for the last wish weeks ( I've been maintenance swimming). When do y'all plan to make the transition?
W/o March 16 I switch over to HIM but - Coach patrick recommended setting the HIM plan to end on April 26 so you're doing the final weeks pre-race... beginning of March I switch over to the swim focus plan for 2 weeks - i've been maintenance swimming too and missed a week of JOS due to a chest cold so I may push the swim focus to just 1 week....
I switched to the HIM plan this week. I'm dreading "the long day" this week. I had a terrible OS as I'm still recovering from knee surgery (September) and all the poor me pity weight I packed on last year. Running.... I wish. I'm in the job/walk phase of knee, fatness and current fitness. I'm hoping if all goes well the next 10 weeks I can break 7 hours which would be a huge PB for me at HIM distance.
Jimmy I am with you in the too many Kgs and not enough Watt's club.... You have any surefire way to kick both our tails in the right direction quicker?
Here's a lovely little treadmill workout that you can eat a tub of icecream post:
You'll do 6 total sets.
1 set = 2x 30sec on/ 30 sec rest at each grade of incline - 2 - 4 - 6- 4 - 2 (10 mins total)
Now repeat that for a total of 6 or 1 hour.. Oh - and its all at your ideal/goal race pace - hold the pace for all inclines...
WOOT WOOT here we go Galveston!!! HAHA - considering here in Ontario we're in the middle of a nasty deep freeze winter all we're getting is treadmill work in.. I NEED TO GET OUTSIDE!!! I'm seriously hoping that Galveston isn't my first outdoor ride at this rate!!!
I was all in for the first 10 minutes of that workout.... the next 50 LOL! I'd be in the hospital. Can you bring me my ice cream if I'm in the hospital?
Comments
The swim is not a fast swim despite being wetsuit legal and in salt water. You're going to get some chop and it's generally not bad but there have been years where it was a tough swim (2010 and the first 600m or so this year).
The bike is flat as can be but the winds keep things tough and honest. Expect some sort of southerly wind (the bike course runs SW the first half and NE the second half) so you can usually expect some sort of crosswind/headwind the way out and crosswind/tailwind the way back.
The run is also flat and it's usually the warmest day of the year up to that point so expect some sort of suffering. The 2015 race is three weeks later than it was from 2011-2014 so that should mean warmer temps than what has been seen the last four years. 2010 was the last year it was in late-April and the temp hit 85 degrees (about 90 with the heat index) which made for a tough run. I actually ended up in the hospital after that race but that's a story for another time.
I've done Galveston 70.3 (aka "Lonestar") a few times, both before and after it was an "official" 70.3. Eva and Bob's analysis has been consistent with my experience.
In 2015, I'll be doing NOLA 70.3 instead, which is the weekend before Galveston.
It's pretty easy to get around on race morning. Galveston island isn't that big so you can be anywhere on the island in short time. I usually stay at the host hotel but I stayed at a condo a couple of miles from the race site this year and was able to get around no problem. If the house/condo is on the Seawall (bike course) there could be issues with getting in and out while the race is going on. More an FYI for your spectating friends and family.
Check VRBO.com or airbnb.com for places. How big of a place do you need?
I'm in! Last year was my first 70.3. I set a low bar to just finish and I crossed at 07:41:08. Its too soon for good targets but I'd like to cut out a big chunk of that time this year!
I would be interested in a meetup. Before would probably work best as I expect most people to scatter in case they need to get to work on Monday.
I did this race in 2013 and since then I've had a new baby, gotten a lot fatter/slower and torn the meniscus in my left knee in two places. This will be my first HIM since. I had to DNS Austin last October.
Everything Bob said is correct. The swim is fine; it's fair. It's not the best water, but it's better than a lot of TX triathlon swims. Unless you love treading water for a long time don't jump in at the start of your wave. The bike course is windy. I vacation in Galveston a few times a year and ride the coastal road often. It is always windy. The wind will wear on you over the course of the ride. It's rarely ever a headwind or tailwind, it's typically just a relentless crosswind. Relentless... not particularly gusty , but relentless.
The run is hot with very little shade. You simply pound asphalt and concrete all around Moody Gardens. It's great for spectators and pretty good for course workers but it's pretty rough on the legs. I switched running shoes a few weeks before this race in '13 and later learned that was the cause of my horrendous lower back pain. Bring proven shoes you know that you can run 13.1 on concrete with you.
Erik
I'm on the JOS then 1 week of swim camp (was supposed to be 2 but I had to shuffle due to being sick 1 week).. Then into the HIM plan... Worried about the run - not my strength to begin with but our Canadian winter hasn't been very kind and I HATE THE TREADMILL!!! I'll do it but 5 mins in and I'm bored out of my mind...
Looking forward to the race though!!!!
Thanks
HIM - Half Ironman
W/o March 16 I switch over to HIM but - Coach patrick recommended setting the HIM plan to end on April 26 so you're doing the final weeks pre-race... beginning of March I switch over to the swim focus plan for 2 weeks - i've been maintenance swimming too and missed a week of JOS due to a chest cold so I may push the swim focus to just 1 week....
Jimmy I am with you in the too many Kgs and not enough Watt's club.... You have any surefire way to kick both our tails in the right direction quicker?
Here's a lovely little treadmill workout that you can eat a tub of icecream post:
You'll do 6 total sets.
1 set = 2x 30sec on/ 30 sec rest at each grade of incline - 2 - 4 - 6- 4 - 2 (10 mins total)
Now repeat that for a total of 6 or 1 hour.. Oh - and its all at your ideal/goal race pace - hold the pace for all inclines...
WOOT WOOT here we go Galveston!!! HAHA - considering here in Ontario we're in the middle of a nasty deep freeze winter all we're getting is treadmill work in.. I NEED TO GET OUTSIDE!!! I'm seriously hoping that Galveston isn't my first outdoor ride at this rate!!!
YES they can but - I went back and re-read the workout and I totally MESSED IT UP!!! It is supposed to be :
2 x 30 sec on and 30 sec off at 2 - 4 - 0
THAT you repeat 6 times... No wonder I'm still feeling my glutes!!