2018 70.3 Florida (North American Championship) - Who's Going? UPDATE

Brenda Ross

If you have not heard yet (you must be under a rock) we won the 2017 IRONMAN 70.3 Pan American TriClub Champion for division I! Our team trained hard and showed up ready for the challenging course in Puerto Rico and proved that it was worth the effort!

 

Their efforts not only secured us the Triclub Championship Win, but it officially qualified us for 2018 IRONMAN 70.3 North American Championship which will take place during IRONMAN 70.3 Florida. The tentative date for IRONMAN 70.3 Florida is April 8, 2018.

Who wants to make history?

Bill Manard

I'll be there next weekend, but not sure if I can swing it for next year...

Paul Hough

I saw Liz' note but I'm thinking about IM Texas and this would be too close.   Grrr.

Derrek Sanks

It's on my calendar!

Mary Moore

Maybe????  I enjoyed most of the race this year.

Brenda Ross

Team, priority registration for this event has started.  Tomorrow early registration opens. If you are representing our team in the Triclub competition you should have gotten a link already to register, so what is stopping you?



We won this competition this year and would love to have a strong showing for this coming year.  Please consider putting this race on your agenda for 2018. Let's dominate again!!!!!

Rory Gumina

I'm in ...

Paul Hough

I'm in ...

Rory Gumina

Has anyone targeted a specific hotel yet?

Brenda Ross

Team, just received an update on this race>

Currently, we only have 3 members signed up for this race. Remember that is one of our KEY races for 2018.  To compete in the 2018 IRONMAN 70.3 North American TriClub Championship our club must have 5 members racing. As soon as our club has 5 members racing, we will be ship you a qualifying flag!

 

We will also have free events for your club members and their families during race week, making it an exciting and enjoyable experience for everyone.  

 

FRIDAY - evening social mixer - dinner, music, hosted wine and beer

SATURDAY - kid and adult Dip and Dash. After the IRONKIDS Dip and Dash, adults wishing to see what multisport is all about are invited to participate in a 200 meter swim, followed 2 mile run - non timed, costumes encouraged!

RACE DAY- TriClub Village tent spots will be assigned based on total number of members racing

Beer and BBQ provided beginning at 10:30am/11:00am. Flower and champagne ceremony at 4pm.

Paul Hough

We definitely need a lot more than 3 people!!

@Rory Gumina - I am at the Holiday Inn Express in Davenport (I-4, exit 55).  There isn't squat in Haines City and this is a quick drive up the road.  I stayed there the last time I did this race.  Comfort Inn and Quality Inn are at the same exit. 

Scott Renick

Um, I think I am one of those 3 people but agree w/ @Paul Hough that we need more, especially if the goal is title defense.  This is set as a c+/b- race for me...plus I'm not fast to begin with  

Also staying at the HI Express.  The one other time I did this race we stayed at a VRBO house nearby in Haines City that was OK.  Our experience was that they wait to accept weekend reservations in hopes of longer bookings.

Haines City isn't a particularly exciting destination, but easy access (40 miles) from Orlando airport.  It is one of the more spectator friendly venues (3 loop run, centered around park with stuff to do for the family).

Paul Hough

@Scott Renick, I will be treating it as an 'A' race.  In fact, I rode the course virtually on my trainer just yesterday.  I'll probably ride it once a month between now and April.  

Bill Eckert

I am in.  Staying at Holiday Inn Express Orlando South - Davenport at Exit 55.

Paul Hough

@Bill Eckert - I'll be in the same hotel, but only 1 night.  This race is in my backyard, so I will literally drive over to the venue on Saturday to take care of everything before going to the hotel, do the race Sunday and drive home.  This will be my 5th FL 70.3 (3x Disney, 2x Haines City).  I may pull the plug on the race after this edition unless it moves to Clermont.

Bill Eckert

@Paul Hough  That is awesome to be so close.  I will get in late Friday and stay there through Monday.  This will be my 1st FL 70.3 and 4th HIM.  Looking forward to this one as all of my others have had a goal of just finishing and for this one I have set some pretty lofty goals for myself.  I know that physically I can do it but I have to lose weight to get the times down to where I want them to be.  For right now my goal is to get to January 1 at the same weight I was at IM Louisville and so far I am on track.  After that I will begin a definite focus on getting the weight down.  Thanksgiving did not help much but things seem to be settling back in so I should be good.

Rory Gumina

@Paul Hough thx for the hotel heads-up!  Not sure how, but I missed it?  In any event, I'm in an AirBnB somewhere in Haines City.  Looking forward to it! ... and yes we need some more EN Peeps! 

Paul Hough

@Bill Eckert - since I'm flying to all my other long course races in 2018, I deserve at least one nearby!   If it's any motivation, low weight will be key for the Fl 70.3 which has a pretty hilly run.  And it's a hot day, which it very well could be, you will doubly appreciate not carrying any extra insulation.  I just came off a two week break from myfitnesspal and have work to do also. 

Paul Hough

@Rory Gumina - at least you will be right there although there isn't much there, there in Haines City.    

Paul Hough

PSA to FL70.3 athletes.  There is street parking all around the venue, but close parking will fill up quickly.  However, some residents will set up reserved parking for $10 or so.  In the past, there has been pay parking set up around the block boarded between 1st street, 2nd street, Maple Hill Drive & Ledwith Ave.  This is only 2-3 short blocks from T1/T2 which is in the large parking lot between 3rd street and Lake Eva Community Park ... providing nothing changes.  

Mark Hickman

I've been in for a while as well; not sure if I'm one of the 3 mentioned.  Raced here last year, so looking to go back and use that knowledge to bust it up and steal some more souls on the last lap of the run!  

Reference parking; I got there pretty early last year, parked about 4 blocks away and was done with transition...by the time I left transition there was a line a mile long to get in; totally worth the piece of mind to get in, get out, and relax and focus.  Will be staying with friends again this year about 30-40 minutes away.

Sabra Gonzalez

Officially registered! 

Jeff Horn

We parked in a Church parking lot last year for $10.  They had excellent bathrooms, and amazing hospitality for so early in am.  

Paul Hough

@Jeff Horn - do you remember the name of the church!

@Sabra Gonzalez - yay!!!

Virginia Edmonds

I am in also! Registered last week.  I live close also and stay at friend's house.
Participating with the team was a big motivator for me when I signed up.  

Rory Gumina

I agree @Virginia Edmonds!  The TeamEN event vibe was awesome at IMMT this year!

Jeff Horn

@Trent Prough It was the New Horizon Church on corner of Oak and S 3rd St. Literally a block from where bikes are racked.  Very convenient.

Paul Hough

@Jeff Horn  - Thanks, I think that was directed at me.    I parked at Iglesia Rosa de Saron ... maybe 1/2 block closer but they didn't have bathrooms open.  I think I'll try New Horizon.  

Jeff Horn

Oh yeah, sorry @Paul Hough

Jeremy Behler

Training for a March race while residing in Wisconsin is not awesome...but the allure of Puerto Rico was enough to get it done.   For some reason Haynes City FL just doesn't have the same pull for me.

Paul Hough

@JeremyBehler - you may regret that decision when you are in the 'microwave' section of the run!