2015 IM 70.3 World Championships Official Welcome and Introductory Thread

Brenda Ross · December 21, 2014 10:17AM

Welcome to the Sign In Thread!

Please use this thread to introduce yourself to your fellow teammates, telling us a little bit about you, your goals for the race, etc!

zwuba · December 23, 2014 1:58AM

Hiho folks

My name is Stefan and I qualified for this event @ the 2014 edition in Zell am See so if you need any information about the race, the course or anything else just let me know.
I kicked my ass to get that slot in 2014 and my goal for 2015 and especially for this event is mainly to have fun and enjoy the incredible atmosphere at this race.

Stay safe!

Robert Sabo · February 10, 2015 8:21PM

I found the thread!! If I can get healthy I will be there. Qualified at Princeton. Still don't have travel plans. I might go with EST Ken Glah.

zwuba · February 10, 2015 10:44PM

Ok as there may be some others interested too here are the links to my Zell-related threads from last year:
Race-plan layout
http://members.endurancenation.us/Forums/tabid/57/aft/16421/Default.aspx

Race report
http://members.endurancenation.us/Forums/tabid/57/aft/16627/Default.aspx

@Robert - Zell is TINY ... be sure to look out for a place to stay early!! Pretty sure you won't find any room left in Zell itself but there are a couple of nearby villages (Kaprun, Niedersill, Bruck).

I'm currently preparing a detailed "In-depth course review" for this race like I already did for IMAT ... stay tuned

Paul Hough · February 11, 2015 6:39PM

Hope to make it this spring. Will travel with EST or Nirvana since they have the entire planet a certain booked up.

Paul Hough · March 16, 2015 1:13AM

I have my slot and will be joining the team in Austria. For this race I am bringing my oldest son who will be 35 on the day of the race. My only goal is to put in a respectable showing then have some German food and beer with my son to celebrate.

Patricia Rosen · May 1, 2015 10:37AM

Hiya! I think I'll go the Endurance Sports Travel thing as well. Hiya, Paul!

Paul Hough · May 1, 2015 2:59PM

Welcome Patty - now we are up to 4. I'm registered with EST and will be at the Living Max Hotel with my son Jason. The Grand Hotel looks fantastic but I'm already spending a boatload on travel to Europe this summer. I look forward to meeting you in person!

focus · June 13, 2015 12:17PM

I'm registered at the Steinerwirt with EST. I qualified at Lake Stevens in August last year after taking 3 years off from triathlon. Due to circumstances I didn't get back on the bike until late February. My goal is to have a safe race with plenty of energy left for enjoying a week in Austria with my friend. I did two IM races with EST Ken Glah and realized I would need the support again. (especially when I couldn't find any available rooms)
I would appreciate any details about the bike course!

Paul Hough · June 13, 2015 4:33PM

Congrats Ann. I sucked at Lake Stevens last year, but I can't imagine that Austria would be tougher than that.

zwuba · July 2, 2015 1:43PM

World Champ starters I've created a small but hopefully helpfull little "Cheat-Sheat"

Go get it here and feel fee to ask whatever comes to your mind - as I already did this race 2x I'll do my best to answer all your questions

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1LFhH52RFZaT0N3RV9iakVpNDA/view?usp=sharing

Patricia Rosen · July 2, 2015 5:29PM

Wow! that was awesome!

Paul Hough · July 3, 2015 4:16PM

Very good prep Stephan. I'm starting at 1141am with most of the women's field trying to chase me down. My goals are pretty much the same for this race as what I just did in Sweden:

1) Don't stink it up.
2) Don't wreck.
3) Stay ahead of the 'Womens'.
4) Shoot for top half of my AG.
5) Have fun.

When you aren't gunning for a podium (because there is no chance) it's a lot easier to race relaxed.

Mark Roberts · July 5, 2015 7:45PM

Got a spot at Buffalo Springs Lake last week -- booked a Bed and breakfast place in Zell today. Looking forward to it! Between now and then I have to move from Mississippi to Germany and still find some time to train! Not stressing though-- Looking forward to racing in Austria!

Paul Hough · July 5, 2015 9:35PM

How can you not do it if you are moving to Germany! Are you in the military?

Mark Roberts · July 5, 2015 11:19PM

@ Paul -- Yes, Active duty Air Force. Middle of May I was asked to take an overseas assignment in Germany. A little short notice to move across the Atlantic but we're making it happen.

Paul Hough · July 6, 2015 4:13PM

Mark - Congrats on the new assignment. A lot of folks would gladly take short notice for a tour in Germany. Are you heading to Ramstein, Spang or someplace else? FYI - I retired from the Air Force in 2005 after 26 years active duty.

Brenda Ross · July 17, 2015 12:18PM

Hi Team, look like there may be 6 of you going to Austria to rep for your country and the team. Awesome. Can I please get you to put your particulars on the EN Event Sheet. I have also reached out to Stefan to see if he can recommend a place to get together a day or two before the race for you all to meet, take a team pic and just plain enjoy each others company before racing. Hope you all remember to bring your EN kit. Would be especially nice to see pics of you on the podium :-)

zwuba · July 17, 2015 1:47PM

Brenda check your inbox

I hope I can join the meeting but as you all know I'm also part of the "pewag racing team" so you won't see me wearing my EN-Kit this time as I'm not allowed to do so ... but if I see an EN kit don't be shocked if I came by wearing my green-white pewag stuff

All others please just speak up if you have questions or need help somehow and I really hope all of you read my "Zell Cheat-Sheet" (link posted above)!!

I'll be at the venue on 1st of August to check out the bike and run course then I'll give you an update if there's anything unexpected coming along (which I don't expect).

BTW - we're currently facing a massiv heat-wave here in Austria with temps up to 100degF (38degC) and above for multiple days and the Zeller Lake (which we will swim in) is still at chilly 72degF (22degC) ... so please don't forget your wetsuit - you'll need it

Paul Hough · July 18, 2015 8:08PM

I will definitely be racing in EN kit...most likely my 2 piece. However, I have my fingers crossed that my 1 piece EN sleeved suit will arrive before I go. I would love to rock that in Austria!

@ Stephan - I would prefer 68-70 degrees for the water. After swimming in 57F water at Sweden last month, 72 will be pushing sleeveless for me. I'll make a last minute decision on what to bring right before I leave. Apart from the water, the conditions in Sweden were ideal. I'm hoping for a cool day in the 60s for this race.

zwuba · July 19, 2015 3:13AM

Paul - the last 2 years it was always pretty chilly with rain on race-day in Zell.
Typically the lake has about 20-22degC and I really couldn't remember anyone swimming sleeveless. Maybe if it's a hot day without clouds and rain in the range of 25-28degC it would be an option but not in conditions like the last two years with high-temps at around 18degC.

zwuba · July 30, 2015 12:38AM

Ok Team short update here:
Zeller Lake is cooling down rapidly and is now at 21.8°C (and it's still raining with chilly temp around 15°C today) so I expect it to drop by another 0.5°C in the next 1-2 days. Sure it will pick up some tenth again when the weather is getting warmer again but there's no upcoming "heat-wave" predicted currently.
Here you can check the water temperature -> http://www.salzburg.gv.at/wasserwirtschaft/6-64-seen/hdweb/5.2.html

Here are 2 videos from "the climb" - maybe worth to check-out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYS2KbL7Q0k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFuA1dr_tLo

I'm heading out to a race course recon this Saturday and will report back any important changes/updated I recognized asap.

That's it for now - take care and have a safe training!

Paul Hough · July 30, 2015 9:44AM

20C would be real nice but I won't complain at 18C either. Sweden was 13.7C on race day...THAT was cold. As to sleeveless, ITU pro's cannot wear any wetsuit at all if the water temp exceeds 20C (68F). I raced a draft legal sprint tri under ITU rules and the women's field went with no wetsuits with official water measured at 68.1. An hour later the water temperature was officially 67.9 and the men were allowed (not required) to wear wetsuits. A few swam without them. Remember, it's all relative!

zwuba · July 30, 2015 10:53PM

Today's temp 21.4°C

Paul I know the rules but remember it's all about how LONG you are in the water. The PROs usually exit an 1.5k swim in around 17 minutes which is more than 50% less time in the water than a typical AG athlete will need for the same distance

Additionally the austrian triathlon federation specify some pretty complicated way how the measured water temperature has to be "adjusted" in case the air temperature is lower than the water temp (which was the case in 2012 in Zell if I can remember correctly).
Another rule in that rule-book state that the swim has to be canceled if water temps are below 14°C for races over 3000m.

Patricia Rosen · July 30, 2015 11:10PM

neoprene cap and booties? when I did Alcatraz this year my hands were so cold I couldn't put on my arm warmers by myself.... and that was about 68 degrees... outside temp about 50 to 60

Paul Hough · July 31, 2015 8:27AM

Stephan - I generate heat like there is no tomorrow! But I assure you I will wear a full wetsuit if only for the flotation advantages. I don't know the WTC minimum cutoffs, but ITU requires wetsuits for Age Groupers when the water is below 14C, but limits the swim to 750M with 30 mins max in the water. At 14C the swim length can go to 1500m with 1hr 10 max in the water. My wife heard an announcement at Sweden that the water was 13.7C but they had made a firm decision the day before that we were going 1500m.

Patricia - In Sweden the ITU did not allow any booties. I covered my face, hands and feet with Aquafor to provide thin layer of insulation. And I thought Alcatraz water was typically upper 50s, not upper 60s!

zwuba · July 31, 2015 8:42AM

x2 what Paul said - booties, gloves and similar items are not allowed! Your hands and your feet must remain uncovered! You can wear a neopren cap below your colored race-cap.

Patricia Rosen · July 31, 2015 2:31PM

you are correct! temp in LP was 68, 58 in San Fran....

the booties were only good fro doing short fun out of transition anyway, it was the cold on my hands that really caused me issues... guess I'll go swim in Barton Springs for practice without the wetsuit! most of our open water venues around here are too warm. 68 at BS and above that in Lake Travis and Lake Austin. Almost 75 in local quarry. Of course it's triple digits out here anyway, so I will need to bundle up on this race

zwuba · July 31, 2015 3:08PM

BIB numbers are available!!
Check the IM homepage

Paul Hough · August 1, 2015 11:52AM

I am 431, gonna get er done!

Patricia Rosen · August 1, 2015 9:36PM

looking at the IM Canada reports... I am wondering about rain coat and toe warmers/gloves on the bike... thoughts?

2015 IM 70.3 World Championships Official Welcome and Introductory Thread

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