Ironman UK 2013 Training/Progress Thread

Niceone Pete tub looks good. Had a pretty decent week here, tweaked my TT position and seem to have found a lot more speed being that I'm more aero which is encouraging. Also got news on Friday that I won a new set of 50mm carbon wheels on a bike radar competition! How cool is that! Ended up ordering some super light tyres to go on them that I think I'll use as spares for the race if I run my 100mm tubs. They should fold up a lot smaller than my current vittoria spare.

This time next week, should be seeing how it all pans out! Keep checking the weather and its now forecast to be dry but a bit windier :/
 
Unsure to be honest, I've only actually ridden on them once and it was a very still day. I don't want them to slow me down or be a hazard but if I could benefit from them I'd like to.

Just a thought on GPS etc. I plan to wear my 910xt watch for the swim but not use it, to then keep it on my wrist on the bike whilst I use my garmin edge and then turn it on ready for the run with a few K's left to go of the bike. Does that make sense? Do you plan a similar strat?
 
I'm going to use my edge for the ride, then I usually reset it and stick it in my back pocket for the run. I've got a timex GPS watch that I use for running but the battery life is pants on it and I don't think it'll last the marathon so I want the backup of having it on my edge. So I'll probably wear it but just have it showing heart rate probably.

Probably just going to leave the timex watch in my t2 bag rather than wear it all the way through, and just put it on when I change.
 
I've decided I'm going to do something completely different tomorrow and go play some mini golf.:D Need to take my mind off IM.. everything I do seems to be geared towards it - I've had a lingering headache for the past ~3 days now.
 
Wow can't believe it's only 6 days to go now. Feeling remarkably calm considering!!!

I did the London Sprint Triathlon on Saturday and will never be doing it again, worst event I've ever done.

Had a really bad swim (just what I need before IM lol), got caught in a right old battle at the start and totally threw me. My swimming has improved a lot over the last few months so I decided to start a bit closer to the line, big mistake. Good lessson learned though so I'll be sticking closer to the back and nearer one of the sides to get my own space.

After that ordeal I finally got on the bike course (run to transition was a good 300 or 400m) and it was packed. The women's races were just before mine so the slower ones were covering the route. There were also several narrow sections and loads of roundabouts so getting consistent good speed was hard work.

Finally got to the run and it was the most twisty jam packed course ever. Just as I was getting some pace going there was another u-turn or 3 or 4 people running along side each other, ended up barging past a few of them.

Also the temperature was up to 28 degrees. It felt ok during the race but as soon as I stopped inside the Excel felt a bit light headed.

Swim: 00:18:13
T1: 00:04:12
Bike: 00:39:23
T2: 00:02:55
Run: 00:22:57
Overall: 01:27:37 finshed 230th out of 2074 finishers.

Suppose I should be pleased as I finished 93rd overall in the run and there were only 8 people who did sub 20 so shows how bad the route was!!

Now just chilling out for the rest of the week. Going to do a 5 mile run today, then 30 mins biking or swimming each day until Friday when I travel down to Bolton. Going to take advantage of the swim Saturday morning, only do about 15-20 minutes but it will be good to just have a splash about in the lake the day before.

I'm also using a 910XT for GPS. The best thing I did was buy the quick release kit: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/garmin-forerunner-910xt-quick-release-kit/

It means I can attach the watch to my bike and then simply twist it off at the end and put it straight onto my arm. Takes about 3 seconds and saves a load of hassle.

When is everyone heading down?
 
Good effort on the London Sprint. Sounds like a nightmare of an event though.

Thanks but I've seen the quick release kit but wont be using it, had a friend that got his kicked off during the swim, unlucky more than anything I suppose.

I'll be travelling over early Saturday morning... get the dashing about from place to place over with. It's a shame they don't have an earlier briefing on the Saturday... I want to be in bed before then!
 
Thanks, not my best effort but you are always going to have a bad one once in a while.

I'm only going to be using the watch for the bike and run. After the scrum on Saturday I can easily see how the watch could get detached. I hadn't planned on swimming with it anyway but what you said reinforces that decision!!!

Yeah Saturday is going to be a bit of a pain logistically. My bike rack time is 12:00 so I'm registering first thing then driving down for a quick swim for 10:00.

Then by the time I'm dried out, sorted my bags and bike it should be close to 12:00. Once that's done drive over to T2 and drop that bag off. Get some lunch then check in at the hotel. Spend the afternoon at the expo and do the race briefing at 17:45 then Frankie and Benny's for pasta before attempting to get some sleep.
 
Nice one on the sprint result, shame about the race itself. I found the same when I did the Olympic last year but as it was my first didnt really know any different. Don't think of do it again to be honest, too packed with noobs on hybrids with next to no clue how to ride a bike, and the run course like you say isn't the best.

I'm getting up to Bolton Friday morning as I don't want to risk a 3 hour drive Saturday morning and missing registration. Going to register Friday and go to the long briefing and just try and chill out. Saturday I'm racking my bike fairly early on then ill just get a last minute bike ride in and check out the expo and sort all the transition bags etc before having a big meal!

Had a pretty good weekend training, nice chilled bike ride Saturday and felt good running Sunday albeit taking it easy.

Getting pretty nervous now as well, mostly for the run really, comfortable with everything else, but my longest ever runs are half marathons, so really not sure how I'm going to hold up in the latter stages of the run. Plan is just to take it really steady.

Weather seems to be taking a slight turn for the worse too :(
 
Hows everyones final week going?

Just been out on the bike and the legs felt pretty blocked which isn't great at this point, so just took it fairly easy. Getting pretty nervous now, can't believe its so close. Last swim and proper bike tomorrow, then need to get everything packed in the car ready for Friday!
 
Feeling fine at the moment. Nice and relaxed. I've got most of my gear sorted, just need to pick up a couple of gels tomorrow.

Did a 5 mile run yesterday and it felt great, as did my 30 minute swim this morning. Going to do a 45 minute bike tomorrow and that's me done although I plan to do 20 minutes in the lake on Saturday morning. Feel I have a lot more energy than last week which means my taper is working and I'm raring to go.

Getting excited now but I think the nerves will start to build a bit over the next few days!!!
 
Feeling OK. Bike/Run brick today followed by a sports massage and bike tinkering. Bike all loaded with nutrition, wheel selection made, change of pads, mess with gearing...

30min Swim and 1hr Bike tomorrow in the morning then I'll pack gear in the afternoon. Friday is just a 40min run (this is the fink programme - sounds like you're following it too?) then an early night to head off at 5am Saturday morning :)

Just want to get on and get going!!
 
Ahhh IM UK!! Best of luck to you all, trust in your training and trust in your self ability to compete and complete :)
Most of all, enjoy it and take it all in as you complete the Ironman :D
One tip, before the last 100-50 yards or so, make sure you are alone, that way you get the full glory of the crowd and the "Clipsey YOU ARE AN IRONMAN" over the loud speakers etc!!
 
I'm just about packed and ready to go, not even leaving until this time tomorrow. At least it gives me time to check I've got everything 800 times.

I still have my blue and red bags from the 70.3 last year so I have everything sorted into them and just need to tip them into my new ones on Saturday morning.

What are your race numbers? I'm 771, just so you know who it is if I randomly shout at you!! :D

Seriously glad it's due to cool down a bit. I'm so hot and have all the doors and windows open. It would be carnage if it was this hot on the day!!
 
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