Advice from anyone doing the triathlon at FW

[floridafam]

Forgot to mention,

We stayed at VWL last year for the Great Floridian and there was a power outage which caused a loud piercing noise in our villa for a few hours. DH got no sleep and missed the race. I thought this was going to be the end of our vacation. He wasn't upset. I was amazed.

Things happen all the time. Don't worry.

He went to pick up his bike and everyone kept congratulating him and telling him they couldn't believe he was done already. He didn't bother to tell them he didn't race. So he got to have his moment of glory.

 

[ironz]

ff--I figured you'd see this thread eventually. I personally think that St. Croix was much hotter than Gulf Coast, but then, we were closer to the equator, and I was racing as opposed to spectating. It was a warm sunny day at both races, that's for sure!

What you said about knowing when you are pushing hard is SOOOO true...one of my good friends had the ride of his life at Gulf Coast, but then fell apart on the run. He knew he rode too hard, too, but he's one of those competitive types who can't help it sometimes. However, he did PR, as did 2 of my other friends who had also raced St. Croix just 6 days before! amazing!

I'll probably try to push the pace on the bike a bit at WDW, simply to make up for a horrible bike split at St. Croix. Am feeling a little worn out from the race/travel...hope to get lots of good rest before next week!

I'm so looking forward to it. Say...where did y'all decide for pre-race food? Turns out I am probably going to rent a car so I can drive the bike course again, and I will probably leave WDW property (gasp! I never do that!) to go pick up a friend from the airport Sat. evening...wonder if there is something along the lines of a Macaroni Grill close by?

Cheers!

 

[ironz]

OK...found a Macaroni Grill right outside of WDW...think there will be about 7000 athletes there that night? Though I guess we could get food to go...that may work...and then eat in the splendor of the WL!!

 

[floridafam]

ironz,

I posted on another thread that you'll probably see we've decided we will probably head off property and go to Macaroni Grill.

I think it is on Vineland-Apopka Road. I have the directions somewhere. I don't want to count on Park Fare having pasta only to get there and not have any. MG is always good!

I really hope it sprinkles a little in the run the day of the 23rd. I think that will help cool people off.

It sure is going to be a great weekend. Hope we get to meet up.

 

[floridafam]

Yes, I'm thinking MG will be busy!

We always see other athletes at Macaroni Grill whenever we go anywhere for a triathlon.

Maybe we could rent a shuttle and load it up with people from WL.

Someone posted recently that it's only about a five minute drive. If it's real busy, I'm sure we will just get it to go and head back to WL and eat.

Their bread and spaghetti and meatballs are so good!

Did you eat anywhere in Panama City Beach?

 

[ironz]

Yep...MG is one of my favorite pre-race places to eat...and reliable...no worries about unfamiliar foods, stomach upset, whatever. Will probably head there after I pick up my friend Cam from the airport...she's going to cheer, so I'll make sure she knows who you are, as well as Terri and she will cheer for your DH, Terri, and me...as well as some of our teammates and the pros we know who are going (Fisher, Cleveland, Lovato)...and her crush-man Bjorn somebody (pro).

In PCB, I ate at the pre-race pancake breakfast (good), had lunch at Pizza Hut with my friend who was racing (future bf?? wish me luck!), dinner at pre-race pasta (yuk!! only had vegetarian lasagna...no other choices, no plain pasta, no meat). Race day ate breakfast at the Waffle House (yum), late lunch at Pineapple Willy's (just snacked to save room for post-race party food), and post-race party (again, yuk...that race needs to learn what athletes want to eat before and after the race...all heavy meats/ribs/coleslaw was provided, but they did have free beer).

So, I guess I need to cancel my PS I had at Mama Melroses for pre-race food. And get a rental car. I do suppose that I will eat at MM or Alfredo's in Epcot on Friday before the race, though.

When do y'all arrive?

 

[floridafam]

Ooooohhhh, Pineapple Willy's-YUM!

It does look like a nice amount of pros will be there.

A few months ago, we noticed there was a Chris McCormack in the M30-34 section-same as DH-and he was from New South Wales. We then went to Macca's website and it said he was doing the Florida 1/2 Ironman.

Needless to say, we were pretty excited. That's DH's idol. (he's kind of a hottie, too. Now it says he's doing the Memphis one insted. Oh well.

Yah, DH doesn't like to eat a lot of heavy meat or a lot of vegetables before a tri.

We're really looking forward to this trip. We arrive on the 21st. We may arrive earlier if the driving goes well.