IronMan

coronalime

Glad to hear everyone with like goals. My goal is to do a HIM, Augusta 70.3 this September. I have several races planned this year and the HIM will top off my schedule.

That is a great 1st HIM!!! Did it this pass Sept. LOVED the swim

I have a small eye on DC's HIM...not sure. DH is/will be training for Florida IM in Nov so I am on the back burner with our kid so he can train all he needs too.

Kilter

Anyone done a race with a sea swim?

I'm wondering how you deal with the salt left over after the swim. Normally after being in the sea all I can think about is a shower!

I'm with Panda, you don't even notice it in a race by the time you get on to the bike. If you are doing it right you'll be sweating out enough of your own salty goodness anyway.

That's been my experience with an ocean swim at least.

S

ironholgs

Good luck everyone with going long - it's a magical feeling when you cross that finishline and realise what you've just achieved.

Did my first in 2007, less than 12 months after doing my first sprint - have now completed 3 Ironman races.

Currently training for numbers 4 and 5 which I'll do 5 weeks apart this summer. First is Ironman Lanzarote which has a reputation of being really tough because of the hills, heat and unpredictable wind. Hopefully building on that I'll have a decent crack at the Outlaw ( in the UK ).

It's going to be fun :laugh:

irongirl73

Crux,

I did Gulf Coast tri 70.3 which has an ocean swim. I didn't notice the salt water after. Too many other things to think about. That said, it's very hard to site out in the ocean. Luckily there was a tall hotel that someone told me to site, so that helped me stay on track. Also, swimming in the ocean is like swimming on a water bed....up, down, up, down. It was very weird!!! If you're not used to getting past those breakers too, then you'll want to practice that. I lived off Clearwater beach as a teenager so the ocean was no big deal to me, but it can be intimidating for some!

iuangina

I didn't even notice the salt until I was done racing. Then I felt all gross and sticky, but it really wasn't any different than any other swim I've done.

Anyone done a race with a sea swim?

I'm wondering how you deal with the salt left over after the swim. Normally after being in the sea all I can think about is a shower!

kbwdad

Glad to hear everyone with like goals. My goal is to do a HIM, Augusta 70.3 this September. I have several races planned this year and the HIM will top off my schedule.

That is a great 1st HIM!!! Did it this pass Sept. LOVED the swim

I have a small eye on DC's HIM...not sure. DH is/will be training for Florida IM in Nov so I am on the back burner with our kid so he can train all he needs too.

I plan to take a trip to Agusta and go over the bike route. How hilly is it?

mewhisler

Fun thread! I have done 3 half IMs and 3 full IMs. I did IM Louisville in 2008 and 2009. Then, I did IM Brazil in 2010. Brazil was salt water - the shower water afterwards helped. One trick for me was to put a piece of chewing gum in my biking pouch. Once I was on the bike, I put it in my mouth and it got rid of the salt water taste.

I actually got burned out after doing 3 in 3 years (in addition to a few marathons)...so 2011 was a break year. This year I am doing a half IM...to try to get back in shape. We'll see how that goes

alnik1

I have done heaps of short distance/olympic distance triathlons and one half ironman at the beginning of 2011. Have just been sidetracked as I've had both of my shoulders reconstructed but the plan is for ironman brazil in 2013! Myfitnesspal is a great tool and is helping me loose the weight I've put on because of the surgeries but is also great to use when training to ensure I'm eating enough to make up for all the hours of exercise!
So fantastic and inspiring to see so many people on here with similar goals

freezerburn2012

I did Ironman Canada in 2008. I had the time of my life but I really haven't done anything since.

This year, I plan on doing a sprint as it's been 6 years since I've done one and it'll be a good place to restart.

If I can't sell my tri bike, I may have to do a long distance tri again!

crux

Ok... I'm starting to think seriously about race nutrition and long training day nutrition... So what are your tips and strategy's?

One genius thing I read about is a corned beef and brown sauce sandwich (probably a UK only thing) for on the bike. In normal life that can be pretty rank but after 5 hours of sugar it was heaven!!!

ironholgs

Crux - yep might be a UK thing, but I have plenty of Ironman friends that put allsorts in their special needs bags - pork pies, sandwiches etc... what ever works for you is fine - nice to have something savoury after all that sugar. I tend to use soreen maltloaf as it's light and I know my stomach can tolerate it.

Whatever you use, practice first to make sure your stomach doesn't reject it and you spend the rest of the race in the portaloo.

When I raced Ironman Germany I passed a guy on the marathon that was walking along with a big tuperware container of spaghetti bolognaise.....I was so jealous.