Anyone else delusional enough to try the Ironman 70.3 Florida?

[thndrmatt]

http://www.floridahalfironman.com/
May 20th

So I'm sitting here thinking. The swim cutoff after 1.2 miles of swimming (2112 yards) is 1 hour 20 minutes after the last wave. I can swim 500 pretty comfortably in about 14 min, so the full distance even at slower speeds would be just over an hour. The bike cutoff after 56 miles of biking is 4 hours after the swim cutoff. That's only an avg of 14mph, and I avg'd about 18 when I did my 35 miler this weekend. The run cutoff is then 3 hours after that. So I'd have to run/walk the 13.1 miles in less than 3 hours.

In my delusional state, I am pretty confident that I could at least finish the relatively flat course, even if I am running on empty for a good portion. Anyone else crazy enough to want to try this (total race distance 70.3 hence the name, or a "Half-Ironman")? Or are already planning on doing it?

The one downside is the cost at a staggering $225

 

[skfulkers]

No thanks! I'm definitely not up to half ironman shape at this point. I know I could handle the run and the bike just fine, but the swim is a LONG way. And then there's the little fact of putting them all back to back which is a completely different animal altogether.

It's funny, I do a tri here in Ohio every year that is pretty "informal" and I get a lot of guys from my work to do it with me. It's a 6 mile canoe, a 6 mile run, and an 18 mile bike. The guys I run it with reason that they can probably run 6 miles pretty easily, 18 miles bike--sure that will work, and 6 mile canoe--well, when was the last time canoing was hard? Then it's really funny to see these guys come across the finish line 3 and a half hours later completely drained of all energy and swearing they'll never do something like this again.

Yeah, I'll stick to my shorter tri's for now. Someday, I'd love to do a half ironman, and I don't think the training would be too crazy (a full ironman training is another story, at least in my opinion), but it definitely would take some time.

Let me know how it goes if you do end up doing it, you've been flying on that bike recently and kicking out some really fast running race times, so you would probably beat those cutoff times no problem. And you're one of those crazy Florida people who is used to that Florida heat, too.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

Steve

ETA: I think Lynne has done this race a few times, so she may be able to shed some light on it and give some tips. Lynne, are you out there? Did you finish your 5 hours on the bike trainer?? (crazy, just crazy! ).

 

[TEK224]

Matt,

I "tri-d" this event in 2004. It was my first ever triathlon (not a brilliant move on my part, but hey - it was at Disney! ).

Just a little FYI - On the bike portion, it's not totally flat. There are some rolling hills around the 24 mile mark (IIRC). They killed me. That and the hot weather. I got bad leg cramps in both calves and had to drop out. And since it's an out and back course, you get to do them twice!

The swim portion is in Bay Lake, leaving from FW. If you're not a fast swimmer, I'd recommend staying to the side when you first start. I didn't and I got hit several times by hands and feet. It freaked me out at first. Once I moved over, I was out of the line of fire. It is a long swim and the water was yucky. I ket waiting for the creature from the deep to come up and grab me .

All in all, though, I did enjoy the event and would love to do it again. I don't like to lose. Although I'll never "win" that race, finishing means I didn't lose.

Good luck if you decide to enter. It'll be fun!
Terri

 

[Dennyha]

Anyone else delusional enough to try the Ironman 70.3 Florida?

No

 

[xterratri]

This will be my second year doing FL 70.3. Like Terri, I have unfinished business there as I missed a World Championship slot last year by 8 seconds. Yes, 8 seconds over a 5+ hr day.

So the race- no, the bike is not totally flat but is fast, IMO. The swim in Bay Lake wasn't too bad, pretty typical for a triathlon swim as far as body contact, sighting, etc. The run- ahh, this is where it gets challenging. First, it was danged hot with very little shade and second, running a half marathon after biking and swimming first is VERY different than a standalone half.

That said- Go for it! As long as you go into with the goal of finishing and keep that in mind, you should have the ability to get through the day. NASports, the race organization, gives out the goodies as finshers stuff. So no T shirt, etc until the finish line but then you get a medal, finisher's shirt, headsweat finisher's hat, and a backpack type thingie.

 

[gatorphipps]

I have actualllllly thought of this one for my 1st 1/2 ironman. Don't think this will be the year though. $$$ is the big issue, not training. I think I could finish it (maybe not with a great time) so really would love to tri it sometime. It has to be flatter than the "Beast of the East" that some of my buddies are doing and wanted me to join them...NAH! Has anyone ever tried that one? Just look it up for a scare!
Matt so are you going to tri it?

 

[MelRhoads]

Christa - I think your first ever 1/2 IM should be the mean girls 1/2 IM right here in rogers Arkansas!!!!! FREE race, place to stay, no cutoffs!!!

 

[gatorphipps]

Christa - I think your first ever 1/2 IM should be the mean girls 1/2 IM right here in rogers Arkansas!!!!! FREE race, place to stay, no cutoffs!!!

Melissa that would be too cool! When will it be this year?

 

[Sir Bouncealot]

At this point I will have to continue to live vicariously through you more fit and experienced teammates of mine. Someday I will compete in a tri (sprint first, then maybe longer if I live though it). Best of luck to all of you!