Feb. Recon Weekend
I'm sure you noticed John's reference to an informal group training weekend in late February to scout out the course. All of you are invited but know that Tom is the brain child of this adventure.
When: February 25th-28th.
John suggested the following Iterneary:
25th (Thursday)--Travel to Southern Utah
26th (Friday)--Bike Course
27th (Saturday)--Run Course
Swim somewhere in between.
I'll talk to a few of my friends to find out about the best swim facilities and about good dinning/food for fueling. I'm personally considering riding the course on Thursday (in addition to Friday) as I'll be down one day early.
Do you have any suggestions for the schedule? Also, please post a response if you plan to attend.
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When we get closer to that time, in addition to other logistics, we'll either have to pick some rendezvous times/places and exchange numbers to be sure we can locate each other when we get there.
Brain child? I wouldn’t call it that. I was just trying to save the Saint George mojo thread.
P
Personally, I'd like to keep this to EN but I'm open to what the rest of the group has to say. I think keeping it to EN only will allow us to get to know each other better than to have others with us and dilute the bonding process.
I am with Stephen - EN only. Unless someone brings a buddy which is fine by me. Just not random individuals.
Just my .02. But I am open.
Coach Dick, are you going? Maybe you can ask the gal you interviewed for the podcast last year to come be our course guide? Walk us through everything?
I am also going to shoot a ton of vid (go figure) and post in the IM SG forum so those who don't make it will get to see the course, transition area, etc.
John
Frick! I forgot about John and his videos.
So how many folks, total, are in for this weekend?
I am going to drive down with John Stark. I will meet up with my brother Peter (non- EN) in Saint George that I will for sure be riding and running with. Another brother might drive down from Boise as well, but that is not for sure. I have three brothers and two brothers in law who I am racing in Saint George. I have talked to them all about EN. My brother Matt from Boise is on board with the EN philosophy. I could not get him to join but he did pay for a 12-week plan.
Anyway, not technically EN folks but they will be with me... 2 for sure (me and Peter), 1 maybe (Matt)
So we're up to 5 at this point?? Six if you come Coach R. Who else can we convince to join us?
My wife and her friend (both triathletes) will be joining us for some of the events. They might start the ride with us but then fall back as they love to chat in slow gear. I also have 2 friends who are doing IMSG that may join us. However, I'm especially looking forward to meeting some of the team in person. I've been chatting with many of you for months and it will be great to meet you, face to face. This has been such a great journey so far with EN. I never thought I would grow fond of virtual peeps (OS October folks you know who you are).
I'm also looking forward to some warmer weather. I'm still dealing with 3 feet of snow on the ground that is only starting to melt.
I'm likely "in" for this event. Good opportunity to ride the course, meet everyone, as well as shoot some video, etc so TeamEN can "own" this race, like we do WI, CDA, and LP. Will likely bring the dirtbike and do a little riding on the front or backend.
I'm doing a little homework on the area resouces. St. Geroge only has 25 meter pools, several around town. Also, there will be a few events such as a Duathlon and a Century Bike Ride on the 27th (Saturday) so we might have some company when we doing portions of the IMSG route. There is a Natural Grocers in Washington, a close neigboring community. I just got the information today and I'll look further into things and pass the word on to you soon. I can't wait to get out of the snow!!!
I plan to swim everyday (Thursday-Saturday) while we're there.
Are you open to meeting one night for dinner as a group with any family or friends we bring along?
I guess we should decide what time/where we'll meet up initially. With different arrival times on Thurs it may make sense to just plan to meet up Friday morning just before saddling up to ride. I would be open to meeting on Thursday night though for a quick huddle and planning session. Otherwise, does it make sense to pick a spot in town to park and then head out. I would assume we could use our cars for a portable Transition Area for a little brick action before we wrap up for Friday. Before parting ways friday night, maybe during dinner at the Mong BBQ place we can make our plan for Saturday. I'm up for group dinner both nights.
I'm up for swimming, but generally less concerned about trying to fit that in if it's too much of a PITA. I'll have to remember to bring the swimsuit, cap and goggles home from the gym before I leave! The Waterpark may be imperative, however...would love to do that following the work!
I'll send my cell number to you guys....
I guess now that we're a week away I need to print maps and decide on that Friday AM meeting place and time.
How early do you guys want to start?
The Plan:
Friday Ride: 0800 wheels up from Starbucks. We'll ride over to the start of the loop and do 1-2x, whatever you're up for. Ride is at your own pace and self supported. I figure there's gotta be a gas station, convenience store, or hot dog stand somewhere on the bike course so we'll be good.
Friday Team Dinner: 6pm, location TBD, I will post here.
Saturday Run: 0800 from the T2/Finish location, one loop of the course. Post run lunch TBD, depending on people's travel schedules.
Other: depending on when I get in on Thursday I'd like to ride the stick portion of the bike course, starting from the swim start and just doing it as an out and back. Figure I can be in SG by about 3-4p on Thursday.
Sound good?
Sure thing for the talk, but Friday might be better as it looks like many are leaving Saturday? Probably at/before dinner on Friday, or afterwards at a bar as we drink 2% UT beer. Yeehaw.
My two big goals are to not leave home without my PT or my Garmin or both!
Have you had any opther takers for the Thursday evening ride from T1? Also, do we plan to ride as a group or ride at individual IM pace? Do you have any suggestions (Rich and EN team members) about pace for this weekend for the ride and run?
By the way, Multisport is sponsoring a camp on the same weekend. Paula Newby Frazier and Heather Fuhr are the coaches. We might see their group out training.
Hi Steve,
Not that I know of. I was going to leave LA at about 9am, 6-7hr drive (is there a time change?) straight to the T1 area and ride from there. Maybe 4pm? Dunno. Or I might leave early, but I kinda want to get in a run first.
What are your plans for Thursday?
As for the pace, etc, let's talk about that Saturday before the ride. See what everyone is up for. I think this is more valuable as a recon than a race rehearsal: get out, ride the course, do the hills at race effort so you know what they are like, what to expect, etc, without geeking out about making everything IM-specific.
Per usual, I haven't gotten a hotel yet. Where are people staying?
After John decided to pull out, I have made other arrangements for travel. I have two maybe three driving with me to Saint George. Meeting a fourth Friday morning. Those groups (including two brothers) have some crazy desire to ride the entire course from the lake. Something about getting over the mental hurdle of riding the full distance. We are all first time at the long course and will be riding pathetically slow.
Steve you mentioned your wife and her friend riding. You said something to the effect that they will be chatting away at a slow pace... they will be riding faster then the group I am bringing.
The twenty or so miles to Saint George to get to the loop will not give us enough time to meet up with you by 8:00. I rarely get to see my brother from DC so need to tag along with them for the ride. I do not think I will get in early enough for a ride on Thursday afternoon.
Saturday I plan to run a loop of the course. Again, pace here for me will between 9:30-10:00 minute mile.
I am a little worried about Olivia, last post I saw was she was on the way to the Doctor. Hope all is well.
Side note: In case any of you want to go... I have not been able to talk my wife into watching Avatar, I plan to go see it Thursday or Friday night. 2 billion I have to go see what all the hype is about. Hopefully we can hook up for dinner as well Thursday or Friday.
My cell phone 916-899-9614, pm me, shoot me a text, so we can meet up.
All four of the guys I am travle with are staying at one of the guy’s in-law’s. Not sure exactly where.
Ok, here's the deal
:
Chances are that none of you, certainly not me, have been doing long rides close to the amount of time that you'll be on this course this Friday. So my concern, as a coachy type, is that you peeps will get on the course, thinking all race rehearsaly, etc, and come away with a ton of negative thoughts:
So I've been toning down the whole thing, speaking of it in terms of a recon, just get out and ride the course, no need to ride the whole thing, just ride the part that counts, etc.
So...if you folks can promise to not get all worked up, and let it get inside your head when the ride turns out to be a lot harder than you thought it would be, then I'm down with riding the whole thing. Not sure I'm up for a group thing at 15mph, but I'll ride with/near whoever ends up being at the front.
So...we could meet at Starbucks at...7:20? Consolidate vehicles, drive to the lake and start from there? Whoever drives will need a ride back to pick up their car. I'd like a ride to the lake with my bike so I can just finish the ride in town and go postal at my Mongolian BBQ joint
Dinner recommendation for Friday night, from a local coaching colleague: http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/312/1300887/restaurant/Utah/Benja-Thai-Sushi-St-George
Sound good?
Hello,
Hope it is not too late to add my name to the list of attendees for this practice ride/run. I will fly in on Thursday and arrive at about 11PM.
Looking forward to meeting up with everyone to ride and run.
Allan Couch