Advice from anyone doing the triathlon at FW

[TEK224]

Hi! I need some advice fairly quickly. I'm reigstered for the triathlon at FW on May 23rd. This will be my 1st tri and I know I probably should have started with a shorter distance. But I figured since it was at WDW, this would be the motivation to get me training for it.

My training was going ok in the beginning, but then work and family issues took over and I fell behind.
Here is my dilemma:
I don't think I'm ready for this race. I had no delusions going in of winning or even finishing high in my age group. I just wanted to see if I could do it.
But after doing some time trials in the swim and bike, I don't think I'll make the cut-off times for the end of the bike ride. I'd have to cut about 30-40 minutes off the swim/bike time to make it and I don't see that happening with just 17 days to go.
It's going to cost me about $500 to buy a bike case and have it my bike disassembled, shipped to WDW, reassembled and vice versa for the trip home. Should I attempt the race anyway or should I bail, keep training and try for next year and save the $500? I'll still go to WDW and could possibly volunteer this year.
I'm just really bummed because I was looking forward to it.
It just takes a lot of time (and no distractions) to train for something like this.
Terri

 

[Debi]

Hi there!

Although I don't have an answer to your question, I'm giving this a friendly bump for you.

Have a great trip!

 

[Grasshoppa]

If it was me I think that I would save my $500 and use it towards more enjoyable pursuits within Disney. Its really depends on how bad you want to compete in this though. I think I would wait for something more local.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

I believe I would save the $500 for this year, go and have a good time and wait until my times were closer to what is required.

30-40 minutes is just too much to cut with ony 17 days to go.

Next year.

 

[TEK224]

I think I'm just battling nerves here. Although my times aren't where I'd like them to be, I'm going to give it a shot anyway. The worst that can happen is I don't meet the cut-off time and am not allowed to finish.
Since this will be my first tri, it'll be a learning experience. I'm not gonna be worried about winning or having a great "time", I'm just gonna go, do my best and have a great time while there.

Wish me luck!

Terri

 

[ironz]

Terri...
This sounds like one of those "why not?" situations. I'm a triathlete, and will be there for the race. I'm staying at WL...let me know if you want to hook up. Feel free to PM me...I might be a little slow answering, as I have lost my dsl service and am relying on dial-up internet for the time being.

My personal story of why you might consider racing is: I just went to the 1/2 IM in St. Croix. Sure, I've done 2 1/2's before, as well as a full IM...Let me tell you, St. Croix is a hard race. I went into that race thinking I would go about 6:45 or 7 hours...then had a little bit slower swim than expected and trouble on the bike (major hills, wind, sun, and a flat). "Technically" by the time cutoffs, they should not have allowed me to even start the run. Luckily, they weren't enforcing this too much. Overall race cutoff was scheduled for 8 hours from the final wave, and I finished in 8:20. It was such a tough day out there. But they hadn't closed the course on me, and I got my finisher's medal just the same. More importantly, I have the pride in knowing that I stuck with a very tough race and didn't give up.

Point being...you really never know until you try. (or tri...haha!) I know the race director for the Florida 1/2 IM...he's a good guy. I do know that the M-dot races (ironman north america) are probably stricter on race time cutoffs than they might have been at St. Croix, but you just might surprise yourself. Also, consider that the cutoff times will be counted from the last wave, so if you start in an earlier wave, you get a little extra time.

As for the bike...don't know where you live...you may be able to rent a bike case, or even have your bike shop box your bike in a cardboard bike box to be shipped wherever...even possibly to a local bike shop in Orlando, where they can put it back together for you. That should be cheaper than $500. If you are going to do something like that, though, contact whoever you are going to ship it to in Orlando...they might be backed up with bike shipments (esp. with the Danskin the week before), and you don't want to have that extra stress.

Good luck...happy training!!
betsy

 

[Atotty]

Hi Terri,

I can't help you with your quandry...but I'm hoping you might be able to help me with mine. Last year, they swapped EMH days on the day before and the day of the triathlon because of the race. Do you know you're schedule for race day? When do you start and from where?

I've been trying to get this info for months!

TIA,

 

[ironz]

Atotty...
this race is new to WDW...so you might be thinking of the Danskin triathlon (on 5/16 this year)...seems like I saw posts elsewhere on the DIS about EMH changing for that race, because it runs through the MK.

The Florida 1/2 Ironman does not go through any portion of a theme park. We start in Bay Lake by FW, then ride from FW out of the WDW property for a bike course north of WDW and return to FW, then we run at FW, the nearby golf course, and to the WL and back, ending at FW. I would think that there would be less overall disruption, except the roads by FW.

 

[TEK224]

Thanks, Betsy.

It would be grerat to "tri" and meet up at WL. Maybe I can pick your brain for some tips. My swim wave starts at 7:34 and I think the last swim wave is at 7:54, so I have that 20 minute cushion, but I'd rather not have to use it.

I shipped my bike out today and it is supposed to arrive in FL on Friday. I signed up with Inside-Out Sports to put it back together for me. They'll take it apart after the race and ship it back home fo me. That was the expensive part of shipping the bike ($189). They also give it a tune-up when they assemble it. My bike shop here took it apart for $25 and it only cost $40 to ship it. I did by a hard case(on sale for $199). So all told it was still close to $500. But at least I'll have the case to use for future races (yes, I'm already thinking about other races and I haven't survived this one yet). Hopefully, I'll learn how to do the assembling and disassembling myself to save costs in the future.

When are you getting to WL? Congrats on finishing St. Croix. I've read that it is a tough race. I'm looking for something lime green to wear during the race to represent the Dis-ers.

Hope to see you there.
Terri

 

[ironz]

OK...I was wondering if you were going with Inside Out for the bike...that will be a good deal, esp. if you are not used to doing the mechanical stuff. After the trip to St. Croix, I am now pretty good about getting my bike apart and back together and in the case...we went to Panama City from St. Croix and 2 of my friends who had raced St. Croix also did Gulf Coast! I didn't race Gulf Coast, but put my bike together and went for a little recovery ride....then took it back apart for the trip home.

The other good thing about shipping with I.O. is that you won't be lugging the bike case through the airport...and you can think about the $50-80 each way that you saved by not flying the bike.

$199 is not a bad deal on the bike case...sounds like you have the bug that you will travel to some more races. I just got mine this year for the St. Croix trip, WDW, and then I am doing IM-Lake Placid in July. Not ready for it, but I hope to get some good training in by then. In fact, I may go with Inside Out sports for my bike stuff for that race, just to save the hassle.

Cheers!

You'll be fine in the race...are you staying at WL or FW? There is going to be a DIS meet at the WL the Sat. before the race from 2-4 in the lobby...I hope to get by there if I get all my pre-race stuff done. Looking forward to meeting some folks. Floridafam who posts here will be around as well, since her husband is doing the 1/2 IM. It will be fun!!

Oh...and do a search...I posted a description of the bike course on the boards somewhere after I drove it back in March...if you're interested.

 

[ironz]

Oh...and I'm arriving on May 20...want to get there in time to chill out before race day. Hope to get out and ride part of the course on the 21st.

 

[TEK224]

Originally posted by ironz
Oh...and I'm arriving on May 20...want to get there in time to chill out before race day. Hope to get out and ride part of the course on the 21st.

I feel the same way. I'm arriving on the 19th. I hope all goes smooth with I-O. I was going to ship the bike right to WL and try to find someone to reassemble, but then I saw the package they offered and figured it would be less hassle. I won't need any more stress!

I just saw a post about the Dis Meet at WL. Since I'll be hanging around the resort that day, resting up, I'll be there.

Terri

 

[ironz]

This is cool...looked at the wave start times...we're in the same wave/same age group! I'm just glad to not be in the last wave.

 

[Atotty]

Originally posted by ironz
Atotty...
this race is new to WDW...so you might be thinking of the Danskin triathlon (on 5/16 this year)...seems like I saw posts elsewhere on the DIS about EMH changing for that race, because it runs through the MK.

Thanks.....I didn't know which race it was...I just remember seeing all the people with bikes (at least 100) trying to load at the boat dock at MK last year....that and my EMH bfast plans got mixed up

Now I know I don't have to worry.

 

[tarmand]

You can do it! Last year, I finished the Disney Marathon. I hurt my leg half way through training and quit training. I went to Disney with the intention of just starting the race and quiting when my leg started to hurt. Well, seven hours later I finished. I just made it since they only give you 7 hours. It was the hardest thing I have ever done ( I am and have always been very overweight). It was even harder than child birth, but the sense of accomplishment was the greatest feeling. So, don't fret it, just go and do your best!

 

[TEK224]

That's what I plan to do - keep going until they tell me I have to stop. I just wanna have a good time with the race and see how far I can go. Afterwards, when I start planning for another race, I'll start worrying about how I can get better and faster.

IronZ:
How cool is that, that we're in the same wave/age group. Small world!

 

[ironz]

It'll be fun! I'm looking forward to meeting you. Are you coming down with family or anything? If your bike is ready and you want to ride part of the course that Friday, I'd love some company. I'm sure we won't be the only ones out there.

I'm getting rundown...that sort of pre-sick feeling when you're getting a cold. I think from all the travel and the other race. Hope to get well rested so my training doesn't get messed up before the race. At any rate, my goal is to swim steady, ride like heck, and run/walk as best I can. And most importantly, to have fun!!

betsy

 

[TEK224]

Originally posted by ironz
At any rate, my goal is to swim steady, ride like heck, and run/walk as best I can. And most importantly, to have fun!!

betsy [/B]

Gosh Betsy, we could be twins. I've been saying the same thing for the last couple of weeks! I'm no speed demon and I've been trying to build on my endurance but it's a SLOW process. I figured if I could get off the bike within the cut-off time, I'll be alright. But I will probably walk more than run the 13 miles. Just mix it up as best I can.

I'm bringing my Mom and my niece with me. Mom will be celebrating her 79th birthday and my niece is there for support and to ride TofT with.

It'll be nice to meet you. i hope you feel better soon.
Terri

 

[floridafam]

Hi there.

I'm glad I saw this post. I see now that you have decided to go. Good for you.

Believe me, even my DH was having second thoughts. Every time he has went out on his bike this week, he's gotten caught in a thunderstorm. It was also really cold here up until this week which hasn't made for great training. He said the other day that he is not certain he will finish.

It seems like it will be HOT!! on race day and I know that takes a lot out of people, especially ones who can't train in the heat.

He briefly entertained the idea of just not doing the tri because he didn't want a DNF.

You never know what is going to happen. He bonked at Gulf Coast last year (his first 1/2) and then had a great 1/2 about a month later. He pushed himself too hard at Gulf Coast and admitted to me that he should have stopped.

I think the best thing you can do as a triathlete is know when you are pushing too hard.

Just go, do the swim, start the bike and see what happens. There were over 300 DNF's at Gulf Coast, we heard because it was so darn HOT.

It should be a great time. You should be really proud of yourself.

I notice you said you'll walk most of the run. That's what he did at Gulf Coast. He said it was a bit easier just to keep his body moving than stopping completely.

We're going to try and make the meet at WL. I'm not going to know for certain until that day. He will be preparing for the race while the kids and I are off doing things.

Good luck everyone!!!!!

 

[floridafam]

ironz,

I was wondering how St. Croix went. It sounds like you had a good time.

Was it as brutally hot in Panama City Beach as everyone says it was?