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Ironman St George Course Review – 2012 – Jeanine Huebner

May 11, 2012 By 1 Comment
Jeanine Huebner discovered that she WAS a strong Swimmer at Ironman St George
Jeanine Huebner discovered that she WAS a strong Swimmer at Ironman St George

Jeanine Huebner discovered that she WAS a strong Swimmer at Ironman St George

A Course Review of Ironman St George by Jeanine Huebner who survived the swim but DNF’d on the bike – strong winds made the triathlon very tough

Triathlon Name

Ironman St George

Triathlon Date

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Who Are you?

I am a 52 year old woman who has completed two prior full Ironman events — IMCDA and IMAZ. Started running when I was 40, ran Boston three times, and then started doing triathlons four years ago.

Race Category

Female 50-54

Country

St George, Utah, USA


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Why did I do this race?

I chose IMSG because I wanted to see if I could finish the “toughest” Ironman course.

The Swim

The swim was a one-loop course in Sand Hollow Reservoir. The water was as smooth as glass when we started, and the temperature was perfect. After finding my space in the swim, I thought it was raining. I felt myself getting bounced around in the water. I stopped and noticed that the wind was blowing extremely hard and there were white caps and four-foot swells. I started to panic, but realized I needed to remain calm to make it through the swim. I just kept swimming as best I could. I realized many athletes were getting pulled from the water. I also noticed the kayaks and paddle boards seemed to disappear, and there were no boats near me. Remaining calm is the only factor that saved me. I made it through in 1:51.

The Bike

The wind continued to be relentless on the bike. At mile 50 I pulled over and considered whether to continue. I was already behind my schedule from the swim, and I was in jeopardy of making the bike cut-off. I had difficulty picking up the pace in the wind, and I had expended more energy than I expected from the swim and the wind on the bike. I rode to the end of the first loop and abandoned the race. [Sometimes a DNF is the best course of action]

The Run

I did not run.

Transition

The transition areas seemed well organized, and the volunteers were awesome.

Race Organisation

Overall, well organized. Shuttle busses ran smoothly, atmosphere was good. No complaints. The morning after breakfast/video/awards was nice compared to the old format.

How did you do?

This is the first time I did not finish a race. I was disappointed, but I was happy to be safe. I am proud of myself for making it through the swim. I never thought I was a strong swimmer, but now I know that I am!

Verdict

I do not think they should have any more races with a swim in San Hollow Reservoir because the weather conditions are too unpredictable. We are fortunate that no one died that day. The weather was supposed to be perfect for race day, and mother nature changed her mind about ten minutes after the race started.

You can read Jeanine’s blog Jeanie is Triing here

If you have done a triathlon and want to post a triathlon review then send it through. Every review you do for BeyondTransition helps us write better race guides and other triathletes enjoy their races more.

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Ironman St George Course Review – 2012 – Kean Mihata

May 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Kean Mihata raced and Survived Ironman St George in 2012
Kean Mihata raced and Survived Ironman St George in 2012

Kean Mihata raced and Survived Ironman St George in 2012

Kean Mihata writes a great course review of Ironman St George – yes it’s a tough course – but that’s the challenge that makes it worthwhile doing. And a 29% DNF rate makes his Ironman finisher medal that bit more special 

Triathlon Name

Ironman St George

Country

St George, Utah, USA


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Triathlon Date

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Who Are you?

Father, Husband, Middle of the pack 35-40 age grouper. 3x IM finisher.

Race Category

Male 35-40

Why did I do this race?

I did the inaugural IM St George in 2010, spectated in 2011 and had to do it again in 2012. I love a challenging course to make the other races seem easy. And it’s only 2.5 hrs from home.

The Swim

One loop in Sand Hollow Reservoir. Cool water, low 60′s F. Started very calm but 15-20 minutes later it we were swimming in coastal breakers, white caps, 2-3 swells. Buoys were blown off course (if you could see them between swells). Rescue kayaker were getting dumped out of their kayaks. Stand up paddle boards were nowhere to be found. Got a little crazy. 200-something folks were pulled from the water. If you made the cutoff and swam anywhere near where the course was, you should have been crowned an Ironman right there, even without the bike and run. Epic. Same locations for next year’s 70.3.

The Bike

Hilly course with two loops of one section, non- drafting. Gains about 4,800ft. The road was recently resurfaced in many areas which made it a much better ride than in the past. This made a big difference for me. Same winds from the swim were present for the first part of the ride, now as a headwind on the uphill section. Scenery is fantastic. Because the race didn’t sell out, much less “pack riding” than I’ve seen at other Ironman races. Enough aid stations for me.

The Run

New run course from previous years that stayed all in the downtown/residential areas of St George. It’s on a fairly even tilt down to the south so one part your running up hill, then down when you turn the corner. Not much flat at all. It made it easier then the old course. The old course is what they’ll be using for next year’s 70.3. Lots of supports along the course since your running in front of their houses. And because it was more residential, there were more trees along the course which lends itself to more shade. High temps were in the low 80′s F.

Transition

Transition areas were well laid out and seemed to go smoothly. Plenty of wetsuit strippers and sun screen appliers.

Race Organisation

Overall, well organized. Shuttle busses ran smoothly, atmosphere was good. No complaints. The morning after breakfast/video/awards was nice compared to the old format.

Top Ironman St George Race Tips

Since this was the last year this will be a full Ironman, my tips for anyone going next year as a 70.3 would be to get ready for hills. While the bike is a slightly different route, it does do much of the same course. I found my power meter key to having a solid, paced ride because of the winds and hills. I think that will carry over to the 70.3. The run course will be one lap of the old 140.6 run course which means plenty of elevation gain and drop. Don’t expect to PR on this course but do expect to be challenged, physically and mentally.

How did you do?

Because of the winds, my swim was much slower but I improved my bike and run and in the end, got a better time than in 2010 by 25 minutes. Overall, I placed much higher in the age-group and overall but some-400+ people DNF’d leaving only a little over 1,000 people finishing. The course is tough. Throw in the weather and it makes it that much more challenging..

Verdict

I love IM St George. I love the challenge of this course. It’s not one that you’d set a PR on but the sense of accomplishment far out weights a time. Sad to see it get dropped to a 70.3 since they are a dime a dozen these days.

You can follow Kean on twitter as @kmihata or on Facebook

If you have done a triathlon and want to post a triathlon review then send it through. Every review you do for BeyondTransition helps us write better race guides and other triathletes enjoy their races more.

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Ironman St George Course Review – 2012 – Brian Welch

May 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Brian Welch Raced Ironman St George
Brian Welch Raced Ironman St George

Brian Welch Raced Ironman St George

Brian Welch raced Ironman St George in one of the toughest Ironman races ever. Strong winds lashed Sand Hollow Reservoir to a fury and then made the bike a grueling test of triathlon grit. Here he gives a course review.

Triathlon Name

Ironman St George

Country

St George, Utah, USA

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Triathlon Date

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Who Are you?

This was my second Ironman. My first only being 6 months before (IMFL). There I finished 10:45. I was hoping on improving on that time even though the course difficulty is much harder due to the performance improvements in all 3 disciplines during the last 6 months.

Race Category

Male 25-29

Why did I do this race?

I did this race because it was one of the few practical (traveling) IM races that would fit my crazy schedule this year that was not sold out. And also on the slim chance of qualifying for Kona. If conditions were right: weather, nutrition, bike mechanics, injury, etc. (stars needed to be aligned)

The Swim

I positioned myself on the inside of the start bouy towards the front before the cannon went off. Boom…. We were off, started right on my brothers feet for about the first . Soon after that a female passed me on the right. She was very efficient and had a great kick. So decided to go with her. I put a lot of effort into trying to stay with her but I could not get enough draft to stay with her aggressive pace and get into a confortable rhythm. So decided to just let her go. I was a little fatigued and decided to back off a lot as I was soon approching the first turn bouy.

Then BAM!! Got slammed with a large wave. I first thought some idiot driving a boat made a sharpe quick turn and shot waves towards the swimmers. After making the first turn the whole day turned for the bad! I sighted left to see carnage of wind and rolling waves with white caps of misery for the whole swim back. I tried to stay relaxed and a great swim time expect ation turned into survival mode for the rest of the way.

I didn’t see any bouys the rest of the swim only the rock island in the far distance that never seemed to get any closer. I would swim for about and then try to sight for about 25. And just kept this going for the whole way back. Brutal is a very big understatement. The whole time I just thought there is no way everyone will be coming out of the water today. Thinking there were going to be about 5-10 lost swimmers that day. I saw zero boats or kayaks the whole way back. Was hoping for a 1:05-1:10 swim… Ended up with a 1:40 :-(

The Bike

I was so happy to get on my bike after that awful swim. Tried to stay positive know that everyone had to swim in those conditions and that I might not be to far out of the mix. First few miles were awful because it was directly into the wind and my whole body was still recovering from the “Deadliest Catch swim Conditions.”

The whole time I just watched my power because I knew it was going to be a very long day. But it just seemed very slow considering the effort was pretty consitiant. Hill climbs and drop offs with strong winds made it tough and scary. I didn’t blow up because I kept up with my nutrition and stayed within my power parameters. The winds just made the distance covered take a lot longer than I wanted.

The Run

3 loops in a spectator friendly community. Was tough knowing that tawards the end of my 2nd loop I still had another loop to go. Just stayed positive and had to walk every other uphill till the last few miles.

Transition

Didn’t like that T1 and T2 were in different locations. Volunteers were great at both.

Race Organisation

Race organization was top notch!

Top Ironman St George Race Tips

Be glad there isn’t a 2013 because the participation #’s would be very low after those conditions.

How did you do?

Was happy to survive and to finish.

Verdict

Not much you can do except cancel this race for the future. Can’t move the race earlier in the year due to water temps and scheduling is tough for most triathletes. And you can’t move later because the heat would be in the 100′s.

You can follow Brian on twitter as @brianwelchde or on Facebook

If you have done a triathlon and want to post a triathlon review then send it through. Every review you do for BeyondTransition helps us write better race guides and other triathletes enjoy their races more.

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