Can't answer #1, but I don't think people take in nutrition after loop one though I could be wrong. Arm warmers seem to be the call here. I think you're supposed to have them on under the wetsuit as it's pretty damn hard to put on when you're wet. But what the hell do I really know?
1. The swim is in Lake Coeur d'Alene not Hayden Lake, but I'm not sure if it's always choppy or not. If I recall correctly, I think it was a little choppy last year, but my perspective as a spectator was very different then the athletes. It probably just depends on how windy it is on race day.
2. Yes, it is a two loop swim. I believe they provide water and Perform between loops. I will likely grab a cup of water (as long as I don't swallow too much lake water) but will not take in any calories during the swim (personal preference). If you plan to take in calories, make sure you can stomach it before race day. I wouldn't want to risk getting a bad side ache half way thru.
3. If it's cooler then about 60 degrees on race morning I will do what Tucker suggested and wear my arm warmers under my wetsuit. I have done that for a few races and it's nice that you don't have to think about them during T1. If it's warmer then about 60 degrees, then I'll go without the arm warmers because I know that I'll dry off fast and will likely only be a little cold for maybe 10-15 minutes.
I've raced CDA 3x and been up there just about every year since 2003. One thing I can say is that you won't know the weather on race day until you wake up...on race day. I've seen conditions change dramatically from Wednesday to Sunday. Bottomline is bring everything you think you'll need, then figure out what you'll actually do the night before the race. Not really worth thinking too much about it now, as it will change...and change...and change :-)
And don't worry about the lake water temp at this point. At this point in the season the air temps rise, the water temps rise, the snow packs melt, the water temps drop. Major water temp changes often and usually take place the last week prior to race day.
Two questions here, what's the swim like and what to wear on the bike
Having done all the IM CDAs, I can say from an in the water perspective, Rich has the right info. I've swum in 58F and 69F water. I've swum with no wind, and choppy pyramidal waves with high winds. There are two fairly common issues to be prepared for: the sun will be in your eyes on the way out if you breathe on the left, or in our eyes on the way back if you breathe to the right (and for the 150 meters at the top of the loop, it's in your face - be prepared for mass hysteria there as people go haywire trying to sight into the sun.) Second, the most common wind direction is from the south, meaning it's a slog on the way out, and a ride to the beach on the way back. Those two return trips can sometimes be a time to take it "easy" a bit, and go with the wind.
We do get out of the water for 50 meters. Most people run along the beach. I usually walk fast, and aim to my left, as we're allowed to cut the tangent on the rectangle there. It's a good place to do a few dolphin dives along the shallows at the start of the second loop. No one stops to eat or drink that I've ever seen; they don't provide any food or drink there.
I always wear sleeves (DeSoto cooler, not arm warmers), either under the wet suit, or rolled up and slid on during the first few miles, as Scott says.
@Al...thanks so much! That was really what I was looking for!
A follow up on the bike wear question...I am kind of a cold wuss on the bike, so, I am guessing arm warmers wouldn't really be a bad idea...? I have never worn them, but, I am guessing if I ended up getting warm I could get rid of them for the second loop...right?
Yep, you can either get rid of them and/or just push them down around your wrists when you get warm. I'm guessing its hot where you are, but I would throw them on before race day and try them out so they'll be no surprises on race day, but the arm warmers are pretty simple.
Comments
1. Is Hayden lake always really choppy?
2. It is a 2 loop swim, right? So, does anyone plan to take down any kind of nutrition during exit/re-entry for loop 2?
3. What should I plan on wearing when the bike starts? Seems like sleeves are in order...
1. The swim is in Lake Coeur d'Alene not Hayden Lake, but I'm not sure if it's always choppy or not. If I recall correctly, I think it was a little choppy last year, but my perspective as a spectator was very different then the athletes. It probably just depends on how windy it is on race day.
2. Yes, it is a two loop swim. I believe they provide water and Perform between loops. I will likely grab a cup of water (as long as I don't swallow too much lake water) but will not take in any calories during the swim (personal preference). If you plan to take in calories, make sure you can stomach it before race day. I wouldn't want to risk getting a bad side ache half way thru.
3. If it's cooler then about 60 degrees on race morning I will do what Tucker suggested and wear my arm warmers under my wetsuit. I have done that for a few races and it's nice that you don't have to think about them during T1. If it's warmer then about 60 degrees, then I'll go without the arm warmers because I know that I'll dry off fast and will likely only be a little cold for maybe 10-15 minutes.
And don't worry about the lake water temp at this point. At this point in the season the air temps rise, the water temps rise, the snow packs melt, the water temps drop. Major water temp changes often and usually take place the last week prior to race day.
Two questions here, what's the swim like and what to wear on the bike
Having done all the IM CDAs, I can say from an in the water perspective, Rich has the right info. I've swum in 58F and 69F water. I've swum with no wind, and choppy pyramidal waves with high winds. There are two fairly common issues to be prepared for: the sun will be in your eyes on the way out if you breathe on the left, or in our eyes on the way back if you breathe to the right (and for the 150 meters at the top of the loop, it's in your face - be prepared for mass hysteria there as people go haywire trying to sight into the sun.) Second, the most common wind direction is from the south, meaning it's a slog on the way out, and a ride to the beach on the way back. Those two return trips can sometimes be a time to take it "easy" a bit, and go with the wind.
We do get out of the water for 50 meters. Most people run along the beach. I usually walk fast, and aim to my left, as we're allowed to cut the tangent on the rectangle there. It's a good place to do a few dolphin dives along the shallows at the start of the second loop. No one stops to eat or drink that I've ever seen; they don't provide any food or drink there.
I always wear sleeves (DeSoto cooler, not arm warmers), either under the wet suit, or rolled up and slid on during the first few miles, as Scott says.
A follow up on the bike wear question...I am kind of a cold wuss on the bike, so, I am guessing arm warmers wouldn't really be a bad idea...? I have never worn them, but, I am guessing if I ended up getting warm I could get rid of them for the second loop...right?
Not what I am expecting in CdA!