Official 2012 Florida Half Ironman Thread

[nancytoby]

Anyone in?

http://floridahalfironman.com/

Anyone know a definite date for 2012 yet?

Any folks from previous years have any recommendations for us? (Other than STAY COOL).

It looks like the only "official" lodging is the campground and Wilderness Lodge. No shuttles on race day from other resorts, as far as I can tell, and we're all stuck parking in the TTC lots and shuttling from there, which definitely means renting a car for me (I can save enough to pay for it by staying off-site one night instead of Wilderness Lodge, as much as I adore WL!)

 

[John VN]

We made reservations at FW for weekend of May 18th because I saw that date somewhere but it seems that the 70.3 might be off for next year.

 

[nancytoby]

Hmmm.

http://www.race360.com/triathlon/races/detail.asp?eventid=12596

is saying Sunday, May 20, 2012. (Presumably with Ironkids on May 19?)

No idea if that's accurate or not.

 

[ironz]

Ironman website has date of May 20 listed, but registration is not open, so something might be up with it, as many of the other spring 70.3 races are already taking registrations.

As for "official" resort, shuttles, etc.....the thing that the DIS lovers need to know is that this is not a race produced by Disney. Rather, it is WDW "letting" another organization play in its backyard, under WDW rules and restrictions. If you are looking for a DISNEY experience, you are not going to get it here.

That said, I've done it 4 times and it was always well produced (except the run the first year). The swim in Bay Lake is fine, but has never been wetsuit legal that I know of. The bike goes off property and is flat to mildly rolling. The run gets really hot and much of it is off road, but that has seen some improvement in the last year or so, from what I have heard.

I usually have stayed at FW for the race...easier to deal with for me than messing with a shuttle, esp since dealing with a bike adds to the complexity of that.

 

[nancytoby]

Hi Betsy (love your sig!),

Yes, I should have looked on the IM 70.3 page, where it does say May 20, 2012! And you're right, St. Croix (May 6), New Orleans (April 22), Galveston (April 1), Hawaii (June 2), Mooseman (June 3), Eagleman (June 10), etc., are all open, registration fees $260-$295.

I hear you about the non-Disney races on property - not expecting any fireworks nor characters nor cheering squads at this event. I did an Olympic-plus tri there in 2007 (stayed in an RV in the campground, which was great, but I'm flying down solo this time if I go) and it was pretty bare-bones. Hopefully tribiketransport will pick up this race again.

Right now FW cabins are running $340-$360/night, WL is running $325-$360/night.

Unless they pick up another WDW host resort with shuttle I'll probably stay off-property and rent a car.

 

[El&Asmom]

Not sure I will be ready for a half by May. Maybe 2013.
Just a question. How is the water for the swim? Is it clean, lots of seaweed? I always am happy when I get out of the water and typically don't wear a wetsiut, so wonder how the swim is in Bay Lake. Thinking it may be a bit less choppy than Lake MI for Racine.

 

[nancytoby]

I don't recall seaweed in Bay Lake, but my last swim there was in 2007! The shore is very sandy, at least. I just remember the horizon being low and the sun in my eyes a lot, and lots of kicking from breaststrokers.

The year I did it they handed out noseplugs to everyone because of the possibility of toxic amoeba in warm Florida waters. Yeah, I used it, even though I'm not accustomed to it, didn't like the thought of my brain turning to goo within 36 hours!

 

[El&Asmom]

I don't recall seaweed in Bay Lake, but my last swim there was in 2007! The shore is very sandy, at least. I just remember the horizon being low and the sun in my eyes a lot, and lots of kicking from breaststrokers.

The year I did it they handed out noseplugs to everyone because of the possibility of toxic amoeba in warm Florida waters. Yeah, I used it, even though I'm not accustomed to it, didn't like the thought of my brain turning to goo within 36 hours!

Ok that's gross. I thought I remember reading about the amoeba in a thread before. I think that it would make me nervous to be in the water. Still a race I'll consider in a year or two though.
Thanks.

 

[John VN]

Since we already have our site reservation at FW for that weekend, we will still go even if the race does not take place. I can do my half marathon around FW after getting a good ride in that would be preceeded by lots of laps in the pool early in the AM.

 

[nancytoby]

John,

Sounds like a great plan! If I didn't have to worry about shipping a bike down I'd join you for an unofficial half!!

 

[papaof3]

WTC already has dates open for registration into the fall for 2012. With this being in May I wonder if it has been cancelled.
I can't do a race in May due to it being TV ratings month where I work, so I'm hoping they move this annual race to a cooler month, March/April/October. Would love to add this to my schedule.
Can anyone confirm what is up with this race in May?

 

[nancytoby]

I just emailed WTC via the link on the Florida 70.3 website and will report back if I hear anything concrete.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wow! Prompt response = +1 for WTC!

"Thank you for your email. This race will not be rescheduled, and is most definitely taking place. Your patience is appreciated as we are currently finalizing details with the county, and hope to have registration available soon. Please continue to check the official website at http://floridahalfironman.com/ for updates on the 2012 event launch. Feel free to contact me with any additional questions."

 

[John VN]

I just emailed WTC via the link on the Florida 70.3 website and will report back if I hear anything concrete.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wow! Prompt response = +1 for WTC!

"Thank you for your email. This race will not be rescheduled, and is most definitely taking place. Your patience is appreciated as we are currently finalizing details with the county, and hope to have registration available soon. Please continue to check the official website at http://floridahalfironman.com/ for updates on the 2012 event launch. Feel free to contact me with any additional questions."

COOL! Thank you for getting the info. I'm ready to send in my money.

Still hurting from last Saturday's 81 mile bike ride, haven't been on the bike in 2 1/2 months, and 15K on Sunday. I went out this AM for a short 23 miler on my old bike then 6.7 miles hoofing it. Aero bars should be in tomorrow for my new bike just in time for a 100 miler on Saturday. I see Dr. next Tuesday regarding right shoulder that got messed up when I fractured C6 and clavicle in April bike crash and I am hoping whatever surgery he has in mind will go smoothly so I can get in the water ASAP.

Really excited now that you got this info.

 

[JimB.]

Really excited now that you got this info.

Me too!

Planning on this to be my 1st 1/2 IM.

I now have a reason (& no excuse) to get back in the pool.........

 

[nancytoby]

@John:

Did you just casually mention that you're coming back from a BROKEN NECK!?

Thanks, dude, you just took away my last pathetic excuse for not getting back at it myself! On to my bike and on to 70.3 again next May!

 

[John VN]

@John:

Did you just casually mention that you're coming back from a BROKEN NECK!?

Thanks, dude, you just took away my last pathetic excuse for not getting back at it myself! On to my bike and on to 70.3 again next May!

Yup. I was at 72.5 of a 100 miler when a SUV decided to pass a mail truck. Driver came at us and first rider pulled off road into yard on right, 2nd rider, in front of me, started to his right but mail box was in his way. He kicked off mailbox and slowed enough for me, 1" off his rear wheel, to ride over him locking my bars up by his seat. First rider said he saw me do a 1 1/2 flip and land on right shoulder/neck. Too fast to think about anything other than the CRACK when I hit. No more 1" away from tire pace line riding for me.

I am determined to do the 70.3 even if the surgery doesn't allow my shoulder to rotate properly for swimming. At 61 I figured I better start now before I get much older.

 

[nancytoby]

Ouch, that hurts! Bet you didn't even get to finish your century that day, either!

I guess I won't even pull out my AARP card excuse, then, either. I'm just glad I'm aging up next year to the 55s!

OK, I sit down with the calendar and plan out some semblance of a HIM training program starting this Sunday. In the meantime, I'm still running a bit, but going on a short vacation to Chincoteague this weekend.

 

[John VN]

, hard to finish the 100 in the emergency rooms but my first question to my bud's was, How's my bike?

Have a good time this weekend.

 

[crewmatt]

Thats ALWAYS the first question, haha - the mindset is - injuries heal, bikes cost $$. I actually have to look into getting a new rear wheel after a little mixup with some roadwork - i swear there should be a law about not leaving roadwork signs everywhere when there's no actual roadwork. Because when there actually is, you don't believe it.

 

[Duanerice]

Hi all,
I kind of plan on doing this. I really doubt it will be at Disney this year though. We always do a spring HIM and a lot of our team is going to San Juan in March. I just don't want to spend the money. Last couple of years it was New Orleans. Looking for something different.

Right now I'm just focused on IMFL in 2 weeks.

I'll wait until I see the course and location then I'll decide.
enjoy,
Duane