Have not located wireless access so am using the Hotels workstation ( can not upload any pictures)
Arrived in Klagenfurt with no hassles. Connections went well, the bike case fit in the propeller plane that we had to take from Vienna to Klagenfurt, United did not charge any extra luggage for the extra 20 pounds ! I LOVE YOU UNITED !
Met with Andrea and Armando at Dulles and met a couple of others as well who had done this race before.
Austrian airlines had real silverware and served salmon as dinner, the bread rolls were warm and crispy, seats had individual screens and I was able to watch 'Premonition' ! We had mild turbulence and some people got sick but it kind of rocked me to sleep.
It is my first visit to Austria, it was interesting to observe that the background musics in the planes,terminals immediately changed to waltzes. People were very polite, they definitely looked a lot happier/content than the poeple that I saw in OIA and Dulles. I gave it to the abundences of gourmet chocolate/coffee floating around. I am finding it increasingly hard to resist to indulge but cant affort a chocolate binge right now, need to keep the GI track healthy for Sundays beating.
Almost everyone I talked to spoke English so language is not going to be a problem.
The Arcotel Mosel Verdino hotel shuttled me from the airport. Immediately I got my bike reassembled by the Premium mechanic before even going up to the room and then after looking at all the other bikes there made a last minute decision to switch to a 27 cassette. The bike shop will be putting it on Mephisto (thats my babies name) tomorrow I might need to buy a 27 cassette from the expo tomorrow if they do not have one in stock.
The room has a nice full size bed a mini fridge and a tub ! ( I am looking forward to my Sunday post race soak ! )
I also got a sim card and now have a local cell phone. It is great that Fred gave me the idea to unlock my phone so I could use it here.
There is a grocery store across the street got my essential shopping (water, some fruit) done exchanged the Dollars to Euros at a bank.
Talked with Daphne and Steven ( they had done this race numerous times) and learned that the airlines had not been able to deliver Steven's bike for 4 days now, so at this point its status is lost. That would be such a nightmare ! They had flown 1 day after the terrorist attack probably something happened in security. Daphne was a dear and offered to pick me up and drive the course tomorrow but I think I will go with Premium's bus tomorrow afternon.
Took a short nap and will now go out to dinner with Chip and Ilene.
The weather is miserable, rainy and the forecast for Sunday just changed to 30% chance of precipitation from 0%. There is still time for it to change to 0 again, as of now it is showing 30% chance of rain with a high of 87.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Premium Plus Sports itinerary
Since they did such an awesome job on the travel arrangements for the ITU Long distance Sweden Worlds in 2004 I decided not to take a chance and go with Premium Sports
Premium Plus Sports Elite team at Ironman Austria is going to be Jamie Cleveland &
Andrea Fisher, who will be available throughout the week in Klagenfurt to provide any assistance we might need.
July 03, Tuesday –
Arrive in Klagenfurt, Transfer to hotelAfternoon arrival at Klagenfurt Airport. After immigration formalities and baggage claim, look for driver with either your name sign or “Arcotel.”Unpack, assemble bikes, relax and sleep. For those needing assistance with bike, the bike mechanic is located at Arcotel Moser Verdino.
July 04, Wednesday –
Training6:30 am – 10:30 am
Breakfast at Arcotel Moser Verdino
9:30 am: Swim and RunMeet at Arcotel Moser Verdino and take the local transit bus to the swim start. Bring both run and swim gear.
Easy Jog/Stretching Session with Andrea Fisher Easy jog for 20 to 30 min.
You can go for a short run before the swim.
Andrea will be available to help answer questions and give suggestions on how to prepare for the run on race day.
Swim with Andrea FisherAndrea will go over how to prepare for the swim on race day. She will share some tricks and tips to help you over come nerves and swim fast on race day and give you a suggested swim workout.
11:00 am – 2:00 pmExclusive group bike mechanic will be set-up at Arcotel Moser Verdino
2:00 p.m.: Bike course tourBike with Andrea Fisher We will meet as a group at Arcotel Moser Verdino and go over the technical aspect of the cycle course. We will be riding very easy and while allowing you a chance to get used to what type of gears would be best used at which part of the course.
Evening at Leisure. No planned activities
July 05, Thursday –
Course Tour, Team Dinner
6:30 am – 10:30 am Breakfast at Arcotel Moser Verdino
9:30 am: Swim and RunMeet at Arcotel Moser Verdino and take the local transit bus to the swim start. Bring both run and swim gear.Easy Jog/Stretching Session with Andrea Fisher Easy jog for 20 to 30 min. You can go for a short run before the swim. Andrea will be available to help answer questions and give suggestions on how to prepare for the run on race day. Swim with Andrea FisherAndrea will go over how to prepare for the swim on race day. She will share some tricks and tips to help you over come nerves and swim fast on race day and give you a suggested swim workout.
11:00 am – 2:00 pm Exclusive group bike mechanic will be set-up at Arcotel Moser Verdino
2:00 p.m.: Bike course tour (by bus)We will meet as a group at Arcotel Moser Verdino and drive the bike course. PPS has organized a bus to take athletes only to check out the bike course
6:00 pm: Welcome Dinner This will be a great opportunity to meet fellow travelers and athletes. Enjoy the Austrian hospitality and cuisine. The Welcome Dinner will be held at Landhaushof. The restaurant is located in a charming square.
July 06, Friday –Pasta Dinner
6:30 am – 10:30 am Breakfast at Arcotel Moser VerdinoDay at leisure. Jamie & Andrea will be available to answer questions or give you comments.
6:00 pm: Pasta Party July 07, Saturday – Day at leisure, Bike Check-in
6:30 am – 10:30 am Breakfast at Arcotel Moser VerdinoDay at leisure
1:00 pm: Bike check-in begins
July 08, Sunday – RACE DAY
4:00 am: Early breakfast
5:30 am: Bus will depart for race start
7:00 am:RACE STARTS! GOOD LUCK!
Look for us on the course. We’ll be out there cheering!
Premium Plus Sports Elite team at Ironman Austria is going to be Jamie Cleveland &
Andrea Fisher, who will be available throughout the week in Klagenfurt to provide any assistance we might need.
Itinerary
July 03, Tuesday –
Arrive in Klagenfurt, Transfer to hotelAfternoon arrival at Klagenfurt Airport. After immigration formalities and baggage claim, look for driver with either your name sign or “Arcotel.”Unpack, assemble bikes, relax and sleep. For those needing assistance with bike, the bike mechanic is located at Arcotel Moser Verdino.
July 04, Wednesday –
Training6:30 am – 10:30 am
Breakfast at Arcotel Moser Verdino
9:30 am: Swim and RunMeet at Arcotel Moser Verdino and take the local transit bus to the swim start. Bring both run and swim gear.
Easy Jog/Stretching Session with Andrea Fisher Easy jog for 20 to 30 min.
You can go for a short run before the swim.
Andrea will be available to help answer questions and give suggestions on how to prepare for the run on race day.
Swim with Andrea FisherAndrea will go over how to prepare for the swim on race day. She will share some tricks and tips to help you over come nerves and swim fast on race day and give you a suggested swim workout.
11:00 am – 2:00 pmExclusive group bike mechanic will be set-up at Arcotel Moser Verdino
2:00 p.m.: Bike course tourBike with Andrea Fisher We will meet as a group at Arcotel Moser Verdino and go over the technical aspect of the cycle course. We will be riding very easy and while allowing you a chance to get used to what type of gears would be best used at which part of the course.
Evening at Leisure. No planned activities
July 05, Thursday –
Course Tour, Team Dinner
6:30 am – 10:30 am Breakfast at Arcotel Moser Verdino
9:30 am: Swim and RunMeet at Arcotel Moser Verdino and take the local transit bus to the swim start. Bring both run and swim gear.Easy Jog/Stretching Session with Andrea Fisher Easy jog for 20 to 30 min. You can go for a short run before the swim. Andrea will be available to help answer questions and give suggestions on how to prepare for the run on race day. Swim with Andrea FisherAndrea will go over how to prepare for the swim on race day. She will share some tricks and tips to help you over come nerves and swim fast on race day and give you a suggested swim workout.
11:00 am – 2:00 pm Exclusive group bike mechanic will be set-up at Arcotel Moser Verdino
2:00 p.m.: Bike course tour (by bus)We will meet as a group at Arcotel Moser Verdino and drive the bike course. PPS has organized a bus to take athletes only to check out the bike course
6:00 pm: Welcome Dinner This will be a great opportunity to meet fellow travelers and athletes. Enjoy the Austrian hospitality and cuisine. The Welcome Dinner will be held at Landhaushof. The restaurant is located in a charming square.
July 06, Friday –Pasta Dinner
6:30 am – 10:30 am Breakfast at Arcotel Moser VerdinoDay at leisure. Jamie & Andrea will be available to answer questions or give you comments.
6:00 pm: Pasta Party July 07, Saturday – Day at leisure, Bike Check-in
6:30 am – 10:30 am Breakfast at Arcotel Moser VerdinoDay at leisure
1:00 pm: Bike check-in begins
July 08, Sunday – RACE DAY
4:00 am: Early breakfast
5:30 am: Bus will depart for race start
7:00 am:RACE STARTS! GOOD LUCK!
Look for us on the course. We’ll be out there cheering!
Monday, July 2, 2007
Overweight luggage crisis
The luggage limit is 2 pieces 50 pounds each for United flights.
I managed to get one of them to 50 pounds, but the bike case with stuff in it is 66.5 ! Only my race stuff and bike will exhaust that limit this is horrible !
I managed to get one of them to 50 pounds, but the bike case with stuff in it is 66.5 ! Only my race stuff and bike will exhaust that limit this is horrible !
Last day Preparations
Interesting lessons learned the last day of preparations:
1 - Bagels do not respond well to vacuum packing, they prune and remain pruned after taking them out of the shrink wrap- they look more like an English muffin. Hmm.. have to find another way to keep them fresh for race morning breakfast.
2 - Pedicurists do not know how to pedicure for an IM.
" You really need to trim them shorter"
" I mean really short "
" Can you please yank the toenail that is about to fall off"
" Yes yes !!! just take it off don;t be scared I lose them quite often"
" please leave those rough spots on.. I do not want soft feet now, they need to be tough"
I am sure the lady is not looking forward to seeing me again !
1 - Bagels do not respond well to vacuum packing, they prune and remain pruned after taking them out of the shrink wrap- they look more like an English muffin. Hmm.. have to find another way to keep them fresh for race morning breakfast.
2 - Pedicurists do not know how to pedicure for an IM.
" You really need to trim them shorter"
" I mean really short "
" Can you please yank the toenail that is about to fall off"
" Yes yes !!! just take it off don;t be scared I lose them quite often"
" please leave those rough spots on.. I do not want soft feet now, they need to be tough"
I am sure the lady is not looking forward to seeing me again !
Predictions for Race
Some people think it is bad luck to predict results for an IM. But I am a person who finds comfort in crunching numbers.
Although, there are so many variables that could kick in in such a long day you really never know when you will end up where. So here is what I think I might be doing.
Leg Speed/Time range-- Total time Range(mins)-- ETA finish Time
Swim------ 80-90----------80/90 8:20-8:30
Bike 1st lap- 14 - 16 mph--- 3:30 / 4:18 hours- 11:55-13:00
Bike 2nd lap 14- 16 mph---- 3:30 / 4:18 hours- 15:25-17:00
Run 1st lap- 12-14 min/mile 2:37/3:01 hours-- 18:12-20:00
Run 2nd lap- 12-14 min/mile 2:37/3:01 hours-- 20:49-23:01
Although, there are so many variables that could kick in in such a long day you really never know when you will end up where. So here is what I think I might be doing.
Leg Speed/Time range-- Total time Range(mins)-- ETA finish Time
Swim------ 80-90----------80/90 8:20-8:30
Bike 1st lap- 14 - 16 mph--- 3:30 / 4:18 hours- 11:55-13:00
Bike 2nd lap 14- 16 mph---- 3:30 / 4:18 hours- 15:25-17:00
Run 1st lap- 12-14 min/mile 2:37/3:01 hours-- 18:12-20:00
Run 2nd lap- 12-14 min/mile 2:37/3:01 hours-- 20:49-23:01
Race Day Online Tracking
Unbelievable ! It is the final day before leaving, my suitcase is packed only couple of details are left for today.
My Race Bib number : 2392
Online tracking:
www.ironmanlive.com
Find race day coverage for Ironman Austria hopefully you will be able to track which of the 3 legs I have completed at that time.
Phone tracking:
RACE DAY
One SMS service: Again, the telephone provider One gives your friends and your family the possibility to have your timing so that they know where on the race course you are. Please be careful to pass over the right number! +43 699 1233 5100
My Race Bib number : 2392
Online tracking:
www.ironmanlive.com
Find race day coverage for Ironman Austria hopefully you will be able to track which of the 3 legs I have completed at that time.
Phone tracking:
RACE DAY
One SMS service: Again, the telephone provider One gives your friends and your family the possibility to have your timing so that they know where on the race course you are. Please be careful to pass over the right number! +43 699 1233 5100
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Yes I still fit in my wetsuit ! Last Wekiwa spring swim
And holding my breath ( literally ) I was able to squeeze myself into my new wetsuit which had fit perfectly fine when I got it 2 months ago but has become kind of 'snug' (you know what I mean) since then.
I have been diligent about my training and recovery but blew it completely in controlling my nutrition. Whenever I feel stressed I try to eat myself out of the stress, well training for the IM and trying to maintain a normal life including family and job, I got kind of stressed. So I gained about 10 pounds since I started training ( go figure ! )
It was relieving to know that I could still breathe and swim, Fred has been really supportive and came this morning to keep me company.
Not perfect ( lots of head lifting ) but this was the only one of the 16 shots that I had a stroke that came near ' acceptable'.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
