Ironman Week suggestions?

pcsronbo · Jun 16, 2011

Looking for anything thoughts of what TO or NOT TO do. Not regarding workouts, got that well covered from CC. But more like "oh, you HAVE to go do XXXXXXXX" or "Do not bother with XXXXXX it's stupid and a huge waste of time" or "I wish I would have done XXXXXXXX"?
 
I'm thinking in the days before (we arrive Wed), the day before... the day after.
 
This includes stuff for the family. Any tips appreciated!

em73 · Jun 16, 2011

make lists for packing now, while your brain still works. post them to make sure you haven't forgotten anything. separate those lists by bag - race morning, T1, bike SN, T2, run SN.
 
we made a big race morning list that we taped inside the hotel room door - that way we didn't forget to say, grab the infinit out of the fridge.
 
don't let the excitement of pre-race throw you off from your game plan (which should not include spending Saturday walking all over the place). figure out now what the smartest thing is to do, then make yourself do it. but enjoy the atmosphere.
 
make sure your family knows your number, exactly what you're going to be wearing, and your bike and helmet color. makes it much easier to spot you (also, good game for bored kids - how many male riders with your color helmet passed before Dad came by?) 
 
make sure you know where they plan on spectating, including which side of the road if possible. it's CRAZY out there.
 
also make sure your family knows best case, probable case, and worst case times for you to pass where they'll be. 
 
help your family make a race day plan - be decently specific and plan good times for down time. it's a LONG day for spectators, too, and you don't want your wife to have to deal with tired you and tired grumpy kids if you can help it. 
 
make a plan for how you are going to get your stuff back to your hotel. do not plan on being able to carry much of anything. if you end up being able to help, great. if not, you still have a plan. make sure your wife knows where the special needs bags are if you want them back. and if they're like they were at placid, she might need a flashlight to find yours.
 
plan something for Monday. you will not feel like moving. MOVE. also plan a nap.
 
do you want finisher's gear? plan on getting up early and waiting in line if CdA is anything like IMLP. Make a plan beforehand as to what you want (jacket? tri kit?) and get your wife to help you by walking faster than you'll be able to so she can pick your sizes up so you can try them on. At least at LP, stuff went insanely fast
 
if I think of more stuff, I'll post it. I'm so excited for you I can't stand it!

mrscoby78 · Jun 16, 2011

Don't forget your bike.
 
And Nintendo DS is teh awesome for occupying bored kids.

Thor · Jun 16, 2011

Hit the expo in the day's leading up to the event.
 
If you see something you want, buy it... because it will sell out. Ironman-branded apparel is the bomb at these events. Don't wait.
 
Finisher gear is good too but is mostly the same shit with the word finisher on it. I particularly like the clothing without those words. To each his own, but if you want Finisher stuff, get there early.
 
Definitely show up for the Gatorade swim. Less important for you being such a strong confident swimmer, but for me, being not so confident, the organized Gatorade swims were an integral part in my success in at least my first two Ironman. Not in my third because by then I was strong and confident.
 
Resist the urge to cycle the course. Cycle part of the course, like a small part. But don't be an idiot and ride or feel like you have to ride the course. Many will do this. Don't do it.
 
Drive the bike course once or even twice. The run course is on most of the bike course, so don't worry about that. You will see the run course merely by driving the bike course. If you arrive on Wed, drive bike course on Thurs and again on Friday. Saturday will be crowded. The more you know the bike course, the less painful it will be when the going gets tough.
 
Some very good breweries in town. Hit them up.
 
Do Ironman related stuff early each day before the event, then rest the remainder of the day or spend with family.
 
Take part in the Welcome Dinner and the Awards Party. It is part of the Ironman experience.
 
Do NOT get intimidated when you see tons of hard bodies. You belong. You did the training. There is no one size or shape that belongs. But you will see some pretty solid bodies. Stare at the females; ignore the guys.
 
Ironman has a collection of what I call IronSnobs. Don't be one. You are doing an Ironman. It is a life changing event. It is a grueling event. But it doesn't mean you are any better than anyone else. I see folks who flip to the dark side. Don't be one of them.
 
Be confident in who you are and what got you to the starting line. Your emotions will fly, and your confident will bounce up and down. Ground yourself. You are RonBo. You are meant to be there. You deserve it. You earned it. And so be it.
 
Know that no matter how nervous you are in the days before the event, the truth is it is just a waste of time... race day will be just like any other long training day. You've done it before. You know what and how to do it. So do it. Don't be nervous about it.
 
Be careful driving between Spokane and Coeur d'Alene. Cops rule the road in Spokane area. I mean that. Stay speed limit. Once you get into Idaho, you might not see a cop at all.
 
Enjoy it. This is a weekend that will stay with you for the rest of your life. You are on the verge of personal greatness. So be calm, be aware, and be present.

Muffin Queen · Jun 16, 2011

There are some cute shops in downtown Coeur d'Alene. In 2009 there was a great art studio thing/place that has an awesome picture of the swim start in Lake Coeur d'Alene. Gatorade swims were fun and gave my parents (mostly my mom) some ease of mind to see me out swimming with everyone else. Time flies by and I never seemed to have as much of it to fill of it as I thought. We flew in Wednesday before and then stayed a full week after to go to wine country in Washington: Walla Walla, Rattlesnake Ridge, and Yakima. With younger kids that won't really be possible but it was a good time.
 
Have lots of fun! It is a beautiful course with awesome crowd support. I would go back. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif" style="width:16px;height:16px;">

niemsco · Jun 16, 2011

My only advise would be to do what you would do any race, unless that means down a six pack the night before

. Ironman is only as big as Ironman makes it. Don't get caught up in all the shit. At the end of the days its just a race, that's just longer than usual, and there are much longer ones believe it! I tend to stay out of the expo and meetings and hang with the family. All they will do is try and hype you up, hype up their brand, but you should calm your nerves.
 
Stay away from the floating restaurant, you will get sick. Because it floats. Italian restaurant just off the CdA resort is amazing. There is a seafood restaurant on CDA lakeshore dr. I think its called Beverly. I went there the night before the race and no one one was there. We sat out on the water and ate it was awesome! Don't tell anyone though. You will ride and run by this restaurant about 6 times during the race. And remember what I told you. The resort fills their hot tubs up with ice, check it out afterwards. Also a starbucks inside with a nice fireplace to warm up if you needed. Lots of athletes there, just move them aside.

MBannon · Jun 16, 2011

Do not taunt the ********.
 
Do check out the ironbabe legs.
 
Do not wave a rainbow flag.
 
Do not wave a confederate flag.
 
Do not feed the bears.
 
Do feed yourself.
 
Do not go water skiiing, bungee jumping, paragliding, wind surfing, mountain biking, rock climbing, spelunking, scuba diving, or backpacking.
 
Do see the sights.
 
Do kick back and watch some TV.
 
Do not watch too much TV.
 
Do enjoy a drink or two by the lake.
 
Do not enjoy five or six or seven drinks by the lake, on the lake, or in the lake.
 
Do stay hydrated.
 
Do use sunscreen.
 
Do not try to sneak into Canada.
 
Do have fun and take lots of pictures!!!!

cak73 · Jun 16, 2011

Look out for the llamas and alpacas!!!
A friend of mine is doing CdA for her third time this year and loves looking out for those guys!

pcsronbo · Jun 17, 2011

great stuff folks, keep it comin! Taking notes!
 
So um... like where do I find my number? When?

cak73 · Jun 17, 2011

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by pcsronbo <a href="/forum/thread/74241/ironman-week-suggestions#post_2003692"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> 
So um... like where do I find my number? When?
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You should be able to find it online NOW. My friend has hers already. Check out the participants list?

cak73 · Jun 17, 2011

I know your number!

pcsronbo · Jun 17, 2011

Thanks Cake! 
 
1873 it is!
 
Some more questions....
1. I see we have to clear transition that night, and my family can grab my bike and bring to TBT - which is great. But CAN they get my wetsuit or any of my other stinky stuff too or does that have to wait?
2. What REALLY is going on at the Awards banquet on Monday? We're debating going vs not. Some people are saying I HAVE to do it, some saying "meh, waste of time". We need to get on the road to Seattle and my father in law is driving and I know he is going to be anxious to get going. I've already been such a huge burden on the entire family, I am hesitant to do anything I dont really need to. So I'm looking for opinions! I've been told by a few who've done Cda that the town empties the next day and not many people go. Any thoughts?

AdCo · Jun 17, 2011

Ron, I honestly dont' remember what the hell happened to my wetsuit.. I got in the tent, they gave me a bag, I put on my clothes, and left. I think they stuffed my wetsuit back in my transition bag, but F-if I know. Although I'm pretty sure that I had a mild concussion, so I really don't have a clue. Thinking back, I remember getting out of the water, and then seeing Monica on the bike out.. 
 
hm.. maybe I did get hit harder than I thought.

Stitcher · Jun 17, 2011

AFter exiting the water, and into the change tent you go.
Get out of wetsuit in whatever order you plan on doing.
When in doubt, ask a volunteer.
 
I had planned all my pocket contents the night before,
and as I put my bike jersey on, I was able to tell the volunteer as
she held each item up, which pocket to stuff it in.
IF you're going to wear arm warmers, have them pre rolled up so that the volunteer can just
slide them on your arms for you.
I had my wetsuit in my hands and was sort of dazed....."I don't know what to do with this," I said.
"Drop it," the volunteer said. "I take care of it for you."
So, I dropped it.
 
She stuffed it in my T1 bag, and it was waiting for me when I picked up my gear after the race.
 
My family helped carry my stuff, but I was the only one allowed into the transition area to pick it up.
It took 3 trips to get it all over the fence to them.

Thor · Jun 17, 2011

Awards Banquet is much more than just handing out awards. You will want to be there. It is moving. There will be a video of the day. Boring for kids, moving for athlete and usually significant others, too.

Muffin Queen · Jun 17, 2011

I'm on the fence about the awards banquet. We did go in 2009. It was good to catch back up with the rest of the team that had gone out to race and there were moments but I'm not 100% sure I would do it again. If you do it do it for the moments but not for the food which is marginal at best. The town was pretty much cleared out Monday and when we left on Wednesday to hit wine country the town was definitely cleared out like it never happened.

em73 · Jun 17, 2011

it was in your T1 bag. 

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by AdCo <a href="/forum/thread/74241/ironman-week-suggestions#post_2003734"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> Ron, I honestly dont' remember what the hell happened to my wetsuit.. I got in the tent, they gave me a bag, I put on my clothes, and left. I think they stuffed my wetsuit back in my transition bag, but F-if I know. Although I'm pretty sure that I had a mild concussion, so I really don't have a clue. Thinking back, I remember getting out of the water, and then seeing Monica on the bike out.. 
 
hm.. maybe I did get hit harder than I thought. 
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Ironman Week suggestions?

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