Week 1-3/9-11 Thread

Scott Liston

IMLOUers

So week 1 training is almost in the books. 590 TSS points with the Sunday ride to go.  Mark Stovall, Barb Spitler and I were in Lousiville yesterday to ride the course.  We managed to avoid the thunderstorms (they went north of us to Cincinnati, my town) and have a good ride.  It was unseasonably hot once the morning cloud cover broke up so very close to race day condidtions.

Here is one tip: What I internalized from the course video is that the ride back to town is downhill and felt like I could therefore take it easy.  I did not find that to be the case.  There are still rollers in the last 25% of the course and you will likley face a headwind back into town.  Also, the ~5 mile stretch on 42 that is close to town is intense with lots of traffic.  We'll probably have a lane of our own in the race but it still was nerve racking.  Net, get your mental toughness on for the whole ride - if you think you can let up mentally at the end of the ride, you will be disappointed.

Barbara Spitler

Scott, great meeting you and Mark yesterday.  Way to get it done guys!  Unfortunately, I had problems with the heat, and had to call it quits after 32.3 miles!  This bike course is relentless!  You are constantly shifting.  That contributed to my lack of proper nutrition and hydration.  Although I had Infinit in my bottle, I had it in my jersey pocket, and reaching back was iffy, at best.  Wore my Camelbak for water, which helped.  However, I WILL install my Speedfill on my bike, so I can fill it with Infinit, and then mount an Aerobar bottle for water from the race.  Experiencing the course with 92 degree heat and 103 heat index, certainly gave us a 'reality check' for race day conditions.  It was good to get into the Ohio for a swim.  The jump off of the dock is something I needed to get out of the way before race day.  Water was definately warm enough that a wetsuit wasn't needed. 

All I can say is that I need to work my @$$ off to get stronger for this bike course.  Being a flatlander, I have tried to bike hills around here as simulation, but NOTHING compares to Louisville!  It will be a true accomplishment for me, to finish this IM within the time cutoffs! 

Scott Liston

Barb,  Glad to hear you are safe while sorry to hear you had to bail out.  You definitely learned some things that will help you come August 29th!  Thanks for being our encourager and motivator so far.  Now, back at you -- you can do it, girl !

aimeefab

Thanks Scott and Barbara for your on-the-ground reconnaissance!  I know I will not be able to ride the course before the race (at least not on my bike) so your input is very helpful. Good to know about the end of the course. Sounds like tough conditions yesterday - take care of yourself Barbara, don't let it get you down!

Fyi I've watched a couple course videos from a person on the IamTri boards:http://www.triathlon-mind-training.com/blog/

Mark Stovall

Barbara and Scott, it was great seeing both of you guys yesterday. Barb, sorry to hear about your day. It was HOT! There were two guys who, even at the 50 mile mark, were saying that they were doing the 112 mile option but both didn't follow through because the heat. Rehydrate and I will see you back out there in July!

Scott, many thanks for chasing me down after I missed the turn on Old Ballard. I would probably still be riding right now were it not for you!

I completely concur with your analysis on the back stretch coming back into town. I was expecting downhill all the way because of the elevation map but it did not feel that way to me. Of course we had a head wind all the way back too. That last hill about 10 miles from the finish was pretty hairy, traffic wise. Surely there will be a lane closed for us. Here's hoping anyway. I plan on doing going back in July for one more go. How about you guys?

Barbara Spitler

Thanks guys! I have a few pics which I will certainly post on iamtri, or email to Bob Baney of iamtri, to post. Will post them here too, once I remember how to do it! Planning on going back July 24th, to try the entire course. Will see, but that's what I'm thinking. And I WILL do it!

Michael Johnson

Last 8 days (which included IMKS 70.3):

Swim 7600m

Bike 650TSS

Run 25m

Actually feel pretty good on Monday after that: Did 2 hr bike at 79% today and ran 3miles

carpej30

THanks for the information about the course! its unlikely I will make it down from Chicago before the race, and any info will help

Barbara Spitler

Jason, ride the biggest, meanest, hills you can find. You will thank me...

Barbara Spitler

Um, of course, I forgot about that IM France thing!! Duh! You'll crush Louisville!

Barbara Spitler

Okay all, how are you doing? I had a good ride/brick today, with a swim this afternoon. I think I finally have my head screwed on straight about this race. I'm excited to go back to Louisville to DO the entire course! It is do-able!! Just prepare for the heat/humidity. That is crucial!
The swim will be fine. The water was warm enough that no wetsuit is needed. I swam in a tri suit, which might be what I wear for the swim on race day. However, I am planning on having fresh bike shorts and jersey for the bike, and fresh clothes for the run. What are the rest of you planning to wear for your race?
Would love to hear your thoughts/plans.
@Michael, looks like you are crushing it! Nice!
Can't wait to see you all down in Louisville for the race!!!

Yasko Howell

Hi Barbara, I am debating if I should buy a skinsuit anticipating wetsuits won't be allowed due to the high water temp. It's hard to let go of my security blanket wetsuits!! Regardless of what swim suit I wear, I don't have any plan on changing clothes for bike and run. I will wear the EN top (will try for the first time at a local sprint race this weekend) and tri shorts. I think they get dry pretty quickly with the heat

Scott Liston

Mark
No problem on the rescue. Happy to do it. I am doing an oly with my wife and brother on Sunday. After that, no more races until Louisville. I don't think I will get back down to Louisville for a RR but could be I'll see you all again before then.

gilliatt

Tried to do the weekend ride yesterday, cracked the steer tube on my fork. Had to get a ride home. Bagged the ride, I'm going out tomorrow morning. Then off for a week then back at it. Minor freak out of I haven't done much yet is starting even though I just did KS 70.3 on 6/6. I'll be better tomorrow when I get my first 4 hr ride under my belt. I need some good mojo

aimeefab

Hi all

I am excited - just got my Scott Plasma 10 yesterday! Hooray - will be doing lot of riding this weekend to get comfortable on it. Going to do a lot of power studying as well as I'm a newbie with that.

I don't have any races between now and Louisville either -seems like quite a stretch..I did race Mooseman, so at least I have some hill work under my belt

Long run yesterday not exactly as long as I was supposed to (time constraints due to having to go watch the Celts lose    but felt pretty good, better than I ever have on a long run. I actually think it may be because I was running later in the day as opposed to early morning. Do other people have this issue?

Want to get out of work and get on my bike!

Barbara Spitler

Hey Dan! Sending mojo your way! Aimee, congrats on the Scott Plasma 10! I sitll have Muncie on July 10th. Still wavering about doing Aquabike or entire race. Will probably try to be smart and do Aqua bike. I need all the energy I can reserve, for Louisville.
got a long run in yesterday in the heat here in NW IN. Did it earlier in the a.m. but still was extremely hot. Walked a lot in the later half. Going to the Y to lift some weights and swim today. A scorcher here today, already earlier in the a.m.
Everyone have a good workout today and this weekend! Stay hydrated! I'm getting PSYCHED about L'Ville!

Barbara Spitler

Hi all! I swam an hour today, and ran 4.3 miles outdoors. It was humid! Supposed to bike tomorrow, but it is supposed to rain. I hope it holds off, as I dread getting on the trainer, but will do it if I need to!! How's everyone else doing?