Three Bullets Advice Needed!
Folks -
It's almost time for me to fire up the next edition of THREE BULLETS, this time for Ironman Louisville....but...I am low on ammo. 
I have ridden the course and been on the run, but never done the race. What do you think are the critical parts of the swim / bike / run that I should include? Please tell me by Thursday if you can, thanks!!!!!
Patrick
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Comments
2. While the elevation chart says the last 30 miles are downhill, it sure doesn't feel like it! There are plenty of uphill slopes on the way back. Especially if there is a head wind. I have ridden the course three times and we had a headwind coming back into town twice.
3. Chances are the temps, humidty and heat index will be oppressive. That will make for a challenging run despite the flat course.
4. The first 8 and the last 8 miles are flat along the river which is great. The roads are not in the best of shape so watch for potholes especially along the nonexistent shoulders.
5. They have patched the biggest potholes on the bridge that is part of the out and back portion of the course. The first time I rode the course the potholes were there but the second time they had been fixed for the most part. It is still pretty bumpy but much improved over years past.
6. The Special Needs section looks to be at around mile 68, not at the half way point which may throw some people. FYI.
These comments are IMHO!
Only Sherpa's there, but my one piece of advice for the swim is this. You get in line for the TT Swim start, the gun goes off, and about 10 minutes later you will find people RUNNING (like 10K pace running) down the ramps to the swim. It can be a long run too if you lined up pretty far back. So my advice here is that if you find yourself pretty far back in the line DO NOT be a lemming and run down that ramp to the swim dock. It's already a 140.6 mile day and you don't need to start it off by adding a quarter mile dash.
See this EN 3.0 thread for more detail (and a video) of what I'm talking about:
What NOT to do at IMLOU Start
Here's some:
1. Get in line at 5am (no kidding) if you want to start within the first 5-10min. of the start (its a long walk from t1 to swim start)
2. There's railroad tracks in the first few miles....there a bottle launcer....be careful
3. First and Last 10 miles are pancake flat ....be really careful on not blowing your wad!
4. Bike coursse in no joke.....the hills are not long but can be steep........have enough gearing! this is NOT a flat course.
5. There will some car traffic in the loop esp. before LaGrange.....be careful
6. LaGrange is very easy to surge your power (feel like your in the TdF....be carefull.....you hit it twice
7. the last 28 miles is overall downhill (you will be behind your goal time until you get to tthat point)
8. Run have very little shade.....use it when you can
9. Hit the turnaround....within a block from finish....at mile 13-14mile mark........be prepared for the emotional aspect.
10. Have someone pick up your bike.....its a LONG walk if you have to do it after the race.
2. be prepared to race in the heat.
3. like every other north america IM, 90% of the field doesn't have a clue of how to execute. You Do. Don't Eat The Paste.
Since everyone's hit alot of the race day stuff, I'll throw in some before the race advice....
Fantastic..just make the movie, stay tuned!
P
2. ditto on seeing finish when you are mile 13, psych yourself out in training, run a 2 looped run and see your car (finish) and don't get in it!
3. The last bit riding back into the city, is still about 20 miles! so once you come off the lollipop you ain't done yet!
m