OK I did it

[The Saint]

 

I just pressed the payment confirm button for my entry to the 70.3 Iron Man 2011

 

I think I am going to **** bricks.

 

Any advice anyone? I have never done a tri before and being as dumb as I am I think I am about to start with the second hardest one in the country - I need all the help I can get.

[Capricorn]

congrats! but personaly, i think u a total psycho!

[pastapouch]

1 word - HILLS. Will enter next week. My official training is starting. Did 2 3k hillclimbs yesterday. Almost died... had done the Hekpoort, Sterkies, Hillsnacks, but repeats?

 

You never done a tri before. Ouch. Do brick sessions, after your shorter ride on the weekend do a longish run. After the long ride do a short run. Run hills as well, theres a B*TCH of a hill that you must climb 3 times on the run leg. And after the bike, your legs are gonna be tired!

Edited October 22, 2010 by cervelo

[The Saint]

Mmmmmm ok thanks - how does timing work do they supply the necessary or do I need to purchase a chip somewhere

[Thumper]

Respect!

My mates are trying to talk me into doing the half iron man!

[pastapouch]

@thesaint... they provide chips. Take a proper safety pin with. If you lose that thing its R750.

@thumper - do it. Its not that bad, if I can finish it, anyone can.

[Klippe]

Mmmmmm ok thanks - how does timing work do they supply the necessary or do I need to purchase a chip somewhere

This year they issued a chip (if lost there were a fine of I think it was R500.00). It is a great race / experience. Bike leg is not easy but as a friend once told me you have to do the bike to start the run.

[Klippe]

@thesaint... they provide chips. Take a proper safety pin with. If you lose that thing its R750.

@thumper - do it. Its not that bad, if I can finish it, anyone can.

Sorry I was wrong R750.00 for a lost chip. Thanx

[MariusL]

it's really not that bad... it's actually an awesome experience... and yip - bike leg is rather tough. Run will be hard this year as well... twice over the WHOLE of bunkers hill... a steep bugger of a climb!

[zappa]

Also entered. Am sh****ng myself!

[Thumper]

@ Cervelo - The swim I think I could handle (not enough of me to float really) but the run would kill me for sure!

[MariusL]

The swim is actually the easiest part... and I'm no swimmer (okay I was prior to conception - but that's not the point )

[The Saint]

I am nervous as all hell about this - I did the registration last night and never got any sleep. Today I paid so i am not expecting to sleep tonight again.

 

I think it is nervous anticipation - going to work really hard on my swim and run now. Still got 92 Days to go

 

@Cervelo - Please elaborate on the safety pin? Can you not strap the chip around your ankle much like a race tec chip?

[MariusL]

I am nervous as all hell about this - I did the registration last night and never got any sleep. Today I paid so i am not expecting to sleep tonight again.

 

I think it is nervous anticipation - going to work really hard on my swim and run now. Still got 92 Days to go

 

@Cervelo - Please elaborate on the safety pin? Can you not strap the chip around your ankle much like a race tec chip?

 

They do give you a strap with the chip - quite a bulky strap at that. But sometimes when you take off your wetsuit it can come loose, and then it's in your wetsuit somewhere... then you don't get timed... and you can't get your bike back unless you have returned your chip (some guys then only realise the chip is in their wetsuit when they get home - after paying for a replacement thinking they've lost it)...

 

I just put some tape over my chip when i put it on the morning of IM... that makes it extra secure...

 

Oh, and make sure you get a race belt - so that you don't have to pin your numbers to your top (on the back for the bike / on the front for the run)... your number is then stuck to your race belt and you just move your number to the front for the run - no pins, no fuss...

 

Saint... you gona luuuuuuuuuuurve IM70.3

Edited October 22, 2010 by MariusL

[The Saint]

K great thanks Marius and everyone for the advice - Will ask Father Christmas for a race belt and a new tri suit.

[Selous Scout (aka LegTrap)]

There are a lot of hills,so practice running and cycling up hills.Do a lot of brick sessions so your body gets used to the changes.The heat can also get you down so train in the heat as often as possible.

Get used to getting a rhythm and pace yourself accordingly.Do not try surge and ease off etc.Do not think that the cycle and run are shortish so you can go like crazy,it is a very tough route.

Enjoy