Tips from the IMFL Vets:
Hey Guys/Gals,
I'm looking to start a thread that will help some of us IMFL first timers with the nuances of race day.
Hoping that those of you that have done this race before could share some tips that you think would help.
Anything and everything, random order, random thoughts.
Cold sand? how'd you keep your feet warm?
Current? how'd you you play it?
Arm warmers on the bike? Cold enough for gloves? Disposable stuff?
Why are those transition times so long for so many people?
Stuff like this.
We can do the homework, read the press info, but nothing is move valuable than hearing from those that have been there.
What worked and what didn't?
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Comments
A piece of advice when starting lap 2: Instead of jumping into the water as soon as you can (that yellow buoy right on the beach in the pic), run down the beach to where the swim initially started and start swimming lap 2 from there. Two reasons: 1) you can cover that distance much faster running than you can swimming and 2) you won't have to fight the current.
Chris- I'm not a vet but can answer some of these questions based on my camp last weekend:
Cold sand? how'd you keep your feet warm? Reco old sneakers. Wear em then leave em on the beach. Socks or old flip flops work too but sneaks are best.
Current? how'd you you play it? Depends on the day but in general, when swimming back to shore, take it easy, take long strokes and let the waves do the work!
Arm warmers on the bike? Cold enough for gloves? Disposable stuff? Depends on the day but probably not a bad idea to have disposable stuff. (ie tube socks with ends cut off for arm warmers)
Why are those transition times so long for so many people? Hmmm, not sure on this one but they did say depending on when you finish the segments (ie 1:10-1:20 for the swim) there may be a bottleneck as lots of folks finishing at that time. (I wish... I'm thinking 1:30-1:45 for my swim so no worries for me!)
2. sand is definitely cold. i bring old flip flops or buy cheap ones and ditch them. socks don't work as well. i have done socks and flip flops. keepin' it classy
3. I am a good swimmer but I was also clueless and nervous b/c it was my first IM. I just went down to the starting area and was about 20 rows back on the left side. I was fine. Didn't fight any current, did well. Later I saw a bird's eye pic of participants lined up and people were wayyyyyyyy down the beach to the right. That's just nuts I think, and a whole lot of extra swimming!
4. The swim is gorgeous. You'll leave the ripply white sand, sea a bunch of schools of fish and baby sharks, rays. Nothing biting, don't worry. Gorgeous. There are jellies, just keep swimming. Coming back in and seeing the ripply white sand is incredible. Enjoy the swim. Rinse out your mouth with water between laps.
5. It is FREEZING on the bike until the sun comes out. I was praying for hills to warm up (there aren't really any, just some small ones). Since IMFL I have put some arm warmers on under wetsuit for the swim. That has worked. No struggling to put things on being wet. You will warm up tho. Don't do leggings or jackets unless you want to stop to take them off. The bike is boring, but fine enough.
6. The run crowd is so great, and catching the sunset in the park is memorable. I didn't need an extra layer at night.
7. Have fun!!! Good luck!
1) Don't be a dumbie and book your room a year out (sorry if you have already done this) frankly you don't need to. PCB is a ghost town this time of year. The beach is lined with high rise condos that are mostly vacant. This place is meant to accommodate hundreds of thousands of spring breakers. Ironman has little impact on it. Wait until about October 1st and start looking for places like VRBO for good private condos. Don't be afraid to ask people how low they will go for your stay. In 09 I stayed at the finish like (Summit due to construction on front beach road) for 300 bucks 7ish nights. Also, don't stay at the host hotel it is overpriced and frankly not necessary.
2) PCB is on the eastern edge of central time. In fact it is due south of Indianapolis. Unless you are a pointy end type of dude you will likely be racing in the dark. It can get a little chilly once the sun goes down. I haven't looked to see how this year falls with daylight savings but it is always close to that time.
3) If you are wearing a GPS device for the run that needs to be turned on to sync the satellites use the turn onto front beach road as your cue.
4) Use dottie's tip on the flip flops great idea if you don't have someone to take your sandals.
5) I don't think I've ever caught a cold enough race to need arm warmers, toe covers, or anything like that on the bike. It doesn't hurt to pack them along. I learned after IMOO in 06 when it went from record heat the first few years to 50 and raining to bring that stuff along as you never know what conditions will unfold. Since then it has been perfect weather (doh)
6) Enjoy yourself, IMFL gets a bad rap esp from the ST crowd, there will be drafting there isn't much you can do about it. The course is great the weather has usually been pretty awesome.
Go as deep as you want. The wind isn't that bad there. The worst of the crosswinds are the very beginning and end of the bike course when you're riding parallel to the coast. The wind whipping through the hotels and condos can be tricky. Nothing especially concerning from a wind perspective in the other 90+ miles of the ride.
@ Dan - What do you mean by using Front Beach Road as my cue for my Garmin 310? I don't get the cue part.
Here's something else I've been wondering about....The nutrition, the handoffs, the supply. I'm practicing with Perform. Can I be confident that I'll be able to get a Ready To Go Bottle of Perform at the aid stations on the bike? And on the run, I 'want' to go light, no Fuel Belt, but that's a lot of trust that the run aid stations will have Perform, and that they will actually be at every mile split. Got any insight on this?
The Perform will be in the RTD bottles. They will have water, Perform, cola and chicken broth at every run aid station to drink (plus food items). Don't worry about any of that.
When I raced it, I used a 301 (limited battery, no good on bike) when we turned back onto front beach road that is where I turned by running gps on. So I wasn't one of the people who couldn't get a satellite in the first few miles of the run. If you are using a modern GPS 910/310 disregard.
John, "I don't know honey... I just couldn't seem to get passed mile 2/3..."