sounds good! I like hills anyway and in cool weather, I would love it! Hey Paul, I'm doing Waco also... need at least 3 races so I threw that one in for the end of the year...
Also, most of Marine Drive is pancake flat, but it bowls up with one light hill on the University end and some rolling hills on the Kings Beach side. Again, nothing to fret over.
How can they say 2100 ft of elevation with 5 climbs; one of which is 200 ft high and the others are just over 100ft. The first climb is 200ft high over 5 miles <1% grade. The elevation numbers supplied by WTC (if supplied) are all over the place. Why can't they get these somewhat close?
@Robert Sabo - beats me, but I am not going to lose any sleep it. Depends on what you are used to, but this bike course could not be described as anything but "moderately" difficult, and that's a conservative, high-side estimate.
I agree the course does open with a hill, however with patience it could be screaming fast.. key I think is maintaining a pace at first that keeps us close, should be a fun challenge
The following FYI is my training schedule for the week in Port Elizabeth in case anybody wants to join:
Mon. Aug 27 arrive early afternoon / Staying at THE BOARDWALK hotel.
Tue. Aug 28 08:00am bike course inspection by van, followed by bike training on course key segments (escorted by the van). / followed by run on part of run course. 15:00 Registration
Wed. Aug 29 08:30 official swim course 10:00 run course 10k
Thu Aug 30 09:00 escorted bike course training (not ideal as it will be crowded and slow. Rather rent the escort van again if others from EN care to share, which in turn would allow to swim in the official course at 08:30) 11:00 easy run
Wed - show up, check-in, build bike, easy run. Thu - escorted ride just to see the new beginning of the route. Swim somewhere. Welcome dinner and whatever. Fri - tour all day. Sat - easy run. Watch the women pro's. Sun - race. Celebrate at fancy restaurant. Mon - tour all day. Tue - out of there. Used up too much vacation in Norway and Iceland.
Robert - my hotel dinners were excellent so I only ate out for dinner a couple of times. The De Kelder, which is adjacent to my hotel (Protea Marine), was fancy, but really with the exchange rate so good, the price was just under $60 for my son and I when it came through the credit card. The breakfast buffet at the Boardwalk is also very good. We walked down there twice for that. We also did lunch on the beach at Something Good Roadhouse ... a decent grill with good atmosphere if the weather is pleasant (we ate outside).
Paul, I was just reading all your comments in the 2018 Ironman 70.3 World Championships – South Africa facebook group regarding water temperature ..... that sounds SCARY cold!!!! 55 Fahrenheit / 13 Celsius OMG !!! Don't think I ever swam in that type of water with my Brazilian thermostat. Would you say if that is the case boots and cap are a DESIRABLE MUST??
Polar cap is the most important since you lose heat through your head. Booties are personal, I will wear them if it is below 58. I will put a thin layer of vaseline on my face and back of my hands, and on the tops of my feet if I don't wear my booties.
Pattie, for WTC 2018 rules they are legal under 65 degrees. There were a few folks wearing them at IM Norway and the water was 64. That's a bit much for me but everyone has different tolerances.
I'll be wearing booties! and a cap! When I did escape from Alcatraz it was 66 and I wore both... I guess my last few long swims will be in Barton Springs (68)! The long swims in the Quarry (85) here are like swimming in the bath tub! 55 sounds awful!
Ironman swim temperature range is 52 - 88 so we are going in for sure. I'll bring my earplugs, I'm not sure I'll use them (did 58 in Naples this past Jan without earplugs). I know from Motola Sweden (57) was a total shock getting in but within 5 mins of the start I was perfectly fine (and I did not use booties). The coldest water around here is the Rainbow River (72). I'm doing one last swim there on the 25th and will probably go with just a pair of sim shorts and embrace the suck.
Comments
Mon. Aug 27
arrive early afternoon / Staying at THE BOARDWALK hotel.
Tue. Aug 28
08:00am bike course inspection by van, followed by bike training on course key segments (escorted by the van). / followed by run on part of run course.
15:00 Registration
Wed. Aug 29
08:30 official swim course
10:00 run course 10k
Thu Aug 30
09:00 escorted bike course training (not ideal as it
will be crowded and slow. Rather rent the escort van again if others from EN care to share, which in turn would allow to swim in the official course at 08:30)
11:00 easy run
Fri Aug 31
08:30 official swim course
Looking forward to see you all in South Africa.
Wed - show up, check-in, build bike, easy run.
Thu - escorted ride just to see the new beginning of the route. Swim somewhere. Welcome dinner and whatever.
Fri - tour all day.
Sat - easy run. Watch the women pro's.
Sun - race. Celebrate at fancy restaurant.
Mon - tour all day.
Tue - out of there. Used up too much vacation in Norway and Iceland.
don't forget earplugs!