Ironman 70.3 Luxembourg - a few questions..

[thenortherner]

Hi,

I'm taking part in the 70.3 this coming Saturday and could use a bit of advice. It's my first triathlon (I know, I know) but I'm confident that I'm in good enough shape to complete it and would be more than happy with sub six hours.

I've a few questions around the transitions though as they're all new to me, other than the duathlons I've done at Eton Dorney.

The white bag - this is stuff to wear after the race, however, can it also be used to store stuff in that I'm going to wear to the race too?

At what point do you stick the wetsuit on and is there a specific transition area for this?

The bike bag - obviously this is for specific bike stuff, my understanding is that my wetsuit also goes in this once I've changed and gets handed back in. Is this correct?

Finally, is it OK to leave stuff by my bike pre/post transition which I don't want to leave in my bike bag, i.e. towel etc?

I know the briefing might cover a bit of this, but I'd rather just this was clear in my mind now!

Thanks in advance.

[esuuv]

I haven't done that specific one - but similar races with bags that I have done.............

Bag 1 - arrive at swim start and leave your pre-race/post-race kit in it. This will be moved to finish area for you.

Bag 2 - swim to bike will contain your bike kit for collection in T1. You will then leave your swim kit in this bag after changing in T1.

Bag 3 - bike to run will contain your running kit for collection at T2.

You can't leave stuff with your bike generally thats not attached, at T2 your bike gets taken off you, you collect your T2 bag and theres an area / tent for you to get ready to run - would be a real faff going to find stuff in the demolition area that would be T1 post race.

Best of luck at the weekend - starting with a 70.3 is brave!!

[Sarkmeister]

I agree with the above from my experience (Challenge Henley).

However, I'd consider asking on a triathlon forum (tritalk?) as there may be people on there that are doing the actual event.

[thenortherner]

Thought I'd give you an update. Completed it today, time on the finish line was 6h 2m.

[Rich_W]

thenortherner said:

Thought I'd give you an update. Completed it today, time on the finish line was 6h 2m.

Well done. What was the breakdown of your times?

PBs?

[thenortherner]

Rich_W said:

Well done. What was the breakdown of your times?

PBs?

Thank you. Official times are now posted.

48m swim
3h 13m bike
1h 57m run

All in all it wasn't too bad a result. Unfortunately I ended up in hospital at 01:00 on the morning of the race. I'd had some sort of allergic reaction to who knows what causing my lips to swell to the size whereby they'd have been mistaken for a buoy. I was eventually discharged at 06:15, went back to the hotel and grabbed 30 mins sleep, breakfast then set off.

Not only was it my first triathlon, it was my first open water swim too. And indeed the first time I've ever swam that distance before - the furthest I've been in the pool is 750 meters! To say I didn't enjoy the swim would be an understatement. I nearly gave in a few times but my mental strength got me through it.

I've never been so happy to be on the bike. I don't have a tri-bike but can see they make a difference on the flat. Holding my own on the climbs and passing some of the tri bikes was easy enough though.

As for the run, I just tapped it out and it felt like the easiest half marathon I've ever done. I know it was 15 minutes worse than my PB but it just felt relaxed.

So although my overall time wasn't great I was just happy to get through it. Especially given the night before's happenings.

On the plus, my heart rate was nice and low and averaged out below threshold at each stage, so there's definitely more in me! I've come away inspired to compete in a full distance next year.