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Gordo Byrn breaks down Ironman St George |
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Gordo breaks down the Ironman St. George Course
I read a few course descriptions prior to checking out the course. They made the bike course sound like it was running through a combination of Death Valley and the Moon. Personally, I think that this is one of the most beautiful IM courses out there. The designer did a great job creating a course that is varied, picturesque and safe.
When you look at the bike course profile (see links at the end of the article), you will get the impression that the course is much steeper than reality. While there is plenty of climbing on the route, it happens much more slowly than the profile will lead you to believe. Athletes that are used to racing Ironman Florida will need to add at least an hour to their time expectations.
My #1 piece of advice: Do not race blind. Figure out some way to get to St. George over the next six months to check out the bike course and make sure that you repeat my test workout (two laps of The Loop). The reason I recommend the journey is the course is 'slow' for the first 50 miles and you will be depressed with your time unless you manage your expectations by training on site.
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Read more...
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Ironman St George Bike and Run Review |
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Bike Segment
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Miles:
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Total miles
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Total elevation
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Comments
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Link to garmin data
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1
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1 to 15
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15
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911
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Data is based at the starting gate of the State Park that contained the reservoir (too cheap to pay the $10 to get in) all the way to Buena Vista Blvd at the 15 (road not yet completed). Road is SMOOTH and NICE, newly paved. Hill at mile 6ish is comprable to Scripps Poway Parkway.
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http://connect.garmin.com/activity/13718763
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2
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15 to 17.2
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2.2
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0
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Buena Vista Blvd not yet completed-mileage and elevation is an estimate
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N/A
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3
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17.2 to 23
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5.8
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443
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End of Buena Vista Blvd to the start of the first loop
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http://connect.garmin.com/activity/13718759
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4
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23 to 67
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44
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2654
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First loop. A couple of harsh climbs at mile 25 and 27 (aka mile 48 and mile 92 of the course) that may have been over 8%. While the road was in good condition (no cracks), there was a LOT of gravel in the shoulder (hopefully it will be swept for race day), poorly paved in a lot of areas (hit 25 mph and it feels like your fillings are rattling out), and very narrow (at many places in the last downhill miles you HAVE to ride in the traffic lane, which sometimes is a 1-lane highway...hopefully there will be cones on race day).
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http://connect.garmin.com/activity/13718756
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5
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67 to 111
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44
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2654
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Second loop, same as the first
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http://connect.garmin.com/activity/13718756
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6
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111 to 112
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1
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0
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End of 2nd loop to T2-couldn't get to T2 due to road closures-mileage is an estimate
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N/A
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TOTALS
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112
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6662
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Run Segment
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Miles:
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Total miles
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Total elevation
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Comments
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Link to garmin data
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1
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1-6.2
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6.2
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582
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This is the "run out"
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http://connect.garmin.com/activity/13718747
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2
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6.2-12.4
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6.2
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475
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Run back to T2 and finish of 1st loop
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Same as Segment 1
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3
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12.4-18.6
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6.2
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582
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Run out, 2nd loop
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Same as Segment 1
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4
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18.6-24.8
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6.2
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475
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run back and finish!
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Same as Segment 1
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5
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24.8-26.2
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1.4
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50
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Couldn't drive to T2 because of road closure. Couldn't drive on the trail run section of Pioneer Park. Mileage and elevation are estimates
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TOTALS
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26.2
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2164
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Thank you Paul Anderson for the great information |
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