100 replies to this topic

[Phoenix]

I've put my hand up for my first iron man.  Did anyone else enter?

[kb]

Yes.

[Slunnie]

No, unfortunately they didn't allow entry into the 70.3 event which I expect they wont offer this year.

Edited by Slunnie, 11 May 2011 - 08:03 PM.

[brewer]

After what seemed like an age of 503 errors I got in and registered a little after 1pm.

Edited by brewer, 12 May 2011 - 07:08 AM.

[ClownBoy]

Yup

[PurplePete]

Yep, I'm in for my first IM

[mgi11a]

The 100 extra spots they released at midday today went in under 30sec.
Looks like im off to Cairns for a holiday next year.

mgilla

[nite_time_runner]

They sure did - I managed to snag an entry for my Mouse today! She is backing up for IM number 2!!!

[nite_time_runner]

brewer, on 12 May 2011 - 05:10 AM, said:

After what seemed like an age of 503 errors I got in and registered a little after 1pm.

Thats cool!!! Glad you are making it easier for me to cheer for you next year!!!

[HarryPotter]

I got an entry today!!

On debut.

Excited and scared at the time......

[Phoenix]

HarryPotter, on 12 May 2011 - 08:11 PM, said:

Excited and scared at the time......

Know what you mean.  Am thinking what have I got myself into here...

[SMCRoadRaceSeries]

Lots of complaining over on trannies. Seems those guys still don't understand how the entry system works.
Would love to do an IM distance, but can't get my head around paying $700 12 months out....besides I will be hopefully otherwise occupied on a bigger project next year.

Been up to Cairns last weekend and would rather do that one at some point (also clashes with my 'project' next year).

Edited by SMCRoadRaceSeries, 13 May 2011 - 10:24 AM.

[blair]

Colin, you can do Cairns in 3 weeks. Entries close today

[ClownBoy]

SMCRoadRaceSeries, on 13 May 2011 - 10:22 AM, said:

Lots of complaining over on trannies. Seems those guys still don't understand how the entry system works.
Would love to do an IM distance, but can't get my head around paying $700 12 months out....besides I will be hopefully otherwise occupied on a bigger project next year.

Been up to Cairns last weekend and would rather do that one at some point (also clashes with my 'project' next year).

Whilst they complain ALOT over on Trannies.  About everything.  This time they have a point.

I got in but it took well over an hour, almost an hour and a half, between the time rego was scheduled to open (12MD) and registration opening.  So it wasn't a nice clean first in, first served process.  I lost 2 hours in the middle of my work day to register despite being online at 11:50.

[SMCRoadRaceSeries]

As someone who administers the 'WTC equivalent' side of this same process for both 6Ft and SMC, let me explain the 'don't understand' comment in a bit more detail, because it may help people in future entry attempts.

The entry process is entirely on the ActiveNet website/servers. This process can handle up to the maximum field size (1,500) simultaneously once it is activated to accept entries. Because the 1,500 people took an hour (once it was activated) it is clear there weren't 1,500 people sitting at their computers attempting to log on at the same time.
WTC merely post a link on their website to where that entry process is. Their server is not the one taking the 1,500 entries. You can find that link yourself quite easily on the Activenet site as someone did. The dilemma is when you actually make that link visible (on WTC...too early and people rush to the activenet site before the time...too late (eg 11:59) and you run the risk of too many people already on the WTC site preventing you from doing so (this happenned to 6FT).

The fact that it took them long to get the link up is not really a valid complaint for something like this where you should be very prepared to devote the time to get it done. Better is late than early because that will disenfranchise people waiting until 12.

Once you log on (with email/password/type of entrant) then you are accepted in the queue of 1,500 until you complete to entry. No one can 'come past you' by typing faster or skipping some fields. Take your time. You are 'in the shop' and can browse around at the selections. Not more than 1,500 people can 'enter the shop' and someone outside can only come in if another 'leaves without a purchase'
People create their own problems when they say 'this is taking too long' and open more browsers etc. It then cannot log you in because you have not 'timed out' on previous browser and if you do 'time out' and try to log in again you may be behind the 1,500th person by then.

Believe me , we had similar complaints with 6FT and when I went through the individual cases (log on times etc), there was only one person that logged on (entered shop) during the time before the last person within limit.
What everyone else said was not corroborated by the audit of their electronic records.

I can give more 'do's and don'ts' that will almost guarrantee you getting on provided you are their on time and are patient/

cheers

[ClownBoy]

SMCRoadRaceSeries, on 13 May 2011 - 01:07 PM, said:

The fact that it took them long to get the link up is not really a valid complaint for something like this where you should be very prepared to devote the time to get it done. Better is late than early because that will disenfranchise people waiting until 12.

I don't get your point.  I can understand from what you said why 5 minutes late may be a good idea.  It was well over an hour late.

I was searching for the activenet website but didn't know what to look for.  Hence I am greatful for the guy on Trannies.  However I was willing to dedicate the time to struggle through the link process, get to activenet then fill out some forms.  Everything you said is nothing new or less than obvious.

[PurplePete]

It seemed to me that it was the WTC site (that had the link to ActiveGlobal.com on it) was the one that could not handle the traffic.

All you ever could get was a 503 error. Once somebody on Trannies posted the URL so we could go directly to ActiveGlobal.com it was easy. This server responded very quickly.

So it is feasible that there were thousands hitting F5 on the WTC site, but hardly any were getting to the page containing the link to ActiveGlobal.com, so users using this method were being "drip fed" to ActiveGlobal.com.

So anyone reading Trannies at the same time were at a huge advantage by bypassing the link, and I was luckily one of them ;-)

Edited by PurplePete, 13 May 2011 - 03:30 PM.

[ScamBullant]

In and ready to take on this one.

[brewer]

ScamBullant, on 13 May 2011 - 04:46 PM, said:

In and ready to take on this one.

From when I saw you in the crowd at Port this year, there was no way I was betting you'd not be in for 2012.

Edited by brewer, 13 May 2011 - 08:05 PM.

[Phoenix]

best of luck with the winter training all.  Have been out a couple of times on the bike lately dressed more like I'm going skiing than anything else.  And I don't even live in Canberra.

[brewer]

Wait till November/December, and go out for a ride in the warm pre-dawn*, one of those special things in life that is better experienced than described.

* Get a good set of lights for any riding in other than broad daylight.

[miners]

Phoenix, on 16 May 2011 - 09:50 AM, said:

best of luck with the winter training all.  Have been out a couple of times on the bike lately dressed more like I'm going skiing than anything else.  And I don't even live in Canberra.

my bit of advice (for what it's worth), is not to even think about training for the IM until you've had your Xmas ham.  Sure, go about keeping yourself fit and establish a normal sort of base during the rest of 2011 - no doubt you'll all be keenly into your run seasons anyway.  But don't attempt to start an IM program this far out or you'll burn yourselves out (both physically and mentally) well before you need to be getting ready.  3 months is enough time to build up to IM.  4-5 months is plenty.

and congrats to those who've signed up.  Look forward to seeing you up here

[TynoMite]

miners, on 16 May 2011 - 02:52 PM, said:

and congrats to those who've signed up.  Look forward to seeing you up here

So long as Town Beach isn't pumping, Miners?  

[miners]

TynoMite, on 16 May 2011 - 08:32 PM, said:

So long as Town Beach isn't pumping, Miners?  

you've got me.  My commitment is failing badly.  I've taken to driving to run/ride sessions with the board in the front seat - just hedging my bets

[Peterhorse]

miners, on 16 May 2011 - 08:53 PM, said:

you've got me.  My commitment is failing badly.  I've taken to driving to run/ride sessions with the board in the front seat - just hedging my bets

to be extremely fuuny, was going to reply "soft'.... but mate... when the surf's up..... :-) gotta enjoy life i reckon, and that measn do everything. bit of more than you can chew and ... you know!!

[Paul Every]

I'm looking to grab one of the 70 legends spots that are avalable. Have until mid June to enter.

Very glad that I didn't have to go through the desperate and unseemly scramble last week. I was travelling in WA. Think I was snorkling on Ningaloo Reef at Coral Bay, looking at lot of pretty fish when so many others were pounding their refresh button trying to nab a spot.

Edited by Paul Every, 17 May 2011 - 07:50 PM.

[Aunty K]

Paul Every, on 17 May 2011 - 07:09 PM, said:

I'm looking to grab one of the 70 legends spots that are avalable. Have until mid June to enter.

Very glad that I didn't have to go through the desperate and unseemly scramble last week. I was travelling in WA. Think I was snorkling on Ningaloo Reef at Coral Bay, looking at lot of pretty fish when so many others were pounding their refresh button trying to nab a spot.

Lucky you Paul    

I too managed to get my spot and one for my partner... we would have been very disappointed to only get one of us in but luckily I got us a spot each.  IMOZ5 for me and IMOZ10 for him.  Not as many as Paul but happy to get our numbers up.

Cheers !
AK

[Mister G]

A little pressure from Cedric was all it took to sign up for a debut IM.....

(That, and a shite run at 6FT this year...)

Edited by Mister G, 18 May 2011 - 04:25 PM.

[Hamburglar]

Mister G, on 18 May 2011 - 04:24 PM, said:

A little pressure from Cedric was all it took to sign up for a debut IM.....

(That, and a shite run at 6FT this year...)

Good one G.

Nearly fell off my chair.

MrG in lycra - scary.

Edited by Hamburglar, 19 May 2011 - 06:23 PM.

[Spud]

Mister G, on 18 May 2011 - 04:24 PM, said:

A little pressure from Cedric was all it took to sign up for a debut IM.....

(That, and a shite run at 6FT this year...)

What a great incentive to get really fit, forking out that much cash..
Good stuff G!

[miners]

Mister G, on 18 May 2011 - 04:24 PM, said:

A little pressure from Cedric was all it took to sign up for a debut IM.....

(That, and a shite run at 6FT this year...)

awesome stuff - have been waiting for this for a while

[Paul Every]

Didn't expect that, G-Man!

You'll have fun. Just Imagine eveything you enjoyed at Nepean combined with everything you love about ultras.........then take away the trails.....and the hills....and the bush.....

OK, maybe it's not like that, but you will still have fun.

[easyhalf]

Yep I got in and another debut !

[ScamBullant]

Still another highly credentialed ultra runner not opening up here yet. Will be a quality debut no doubts after he was seen watching this year.

[Shankate]

I got entry close to 2pm on the day. I was stoked after having missed out last year.

Cairns 2012 would make a spectacular plan B for those who missed out.

Whilst i would love to go back to Cairns and highly recommend the Challenge race; Port has a lot of appeal for me, for different reasons. Can't beat being able to drive a few hours to the race destination....no bike boxes, and AMAZING crowd support  

[Phoenix]

Well, by way of update, I did the Port macquarie 70.3 a couple of weeks ago.  the idea was really to reconoiter the course ahead of may 6.

It was a sterling day weather-wise.  The swim was nice and sheltered and the bike course was 'fair' having a good mix of long, flat stretches and hills.

The run however, was quite tough from my point of view.  up and down for the whole 21 kms.

Am llooking to enter Huskisson and Batemans may Ultimate in the lead up to the big one.

Anyone else have lead up races in store?

[brewer]

Phoenix, on 21 November 2011 - 07:21 AM, said:

Am llooking to enter Huskisson and Batemans may Ultimate in the lead up to the big one.

Husky has been known to sell out, may be worth getting your entry in sooner rather than later.

Phoenix, on 21 November 2011 - 07:21 AM, said:

Anyone else have lead up races in store?

Ok, so maybe I'm trying to race myself fit:

11/12/11 Canberra IM70.3
08/01/12 Club race Sprint
22/01/12 Nowra Olympic
19/02/12 Husky Long Course
01/04/12 Batemans Bay Ultimate
09/04/12 Club race Sprint
15/04/12 Sydney ITU Olympic
06/05/12 IMOZ Port Macquarie

[Phoenix]

brewer, on 21 November 2011 - 10:36 AM, said:

Husky has been known to sell out, may be worth getting your entry in sooner rather than later.
Ok, so maybe I'm trying to race myself fit:

11/12/11 Canberra IM70.3
08/01/12 Club race Sprint
22/01/12 Nowra Olympic
19/02/12 Husky Long Course
01/04/12 Batemans Bay Ultimate
09/04/12 Club race Sprint
15/04/12 Sydney ITU Olympic
06/05/12 IMOZ Port Macquarie

That's a hell of a line up.  Yopu'll be doing well to recover from the Ultimate in time for the ITU Olympic!

[ScamBullant]

brewer, on 21 November 2011 - 10:36 AM, said:

Husky has been known to sell out, may be worth getting your entry in sooner rather than later.



Ok, so maybe I'm trying to race myself fit:

11/12/11 Canberra IM70.3
08/01/12 Club race Sprint
22/01/12 Nowra Olympic
19/02/12 Husky Long Course
01/04/12 Batemans Bay Ultimate
09/04/12 Club race Sprint
15/04/12 Sydney ITU Olympic
06/05/12 IMOZ Port Macquarie

Plenty going on in the lead up, obviously been spending your time at the school of 'Brick'

Im taking a much quitter approach with minimal races but plenty of training post Christmas feasting:

Nov 2011, West Sydney Worlds Nepean
Dec 2011, Canberra 70.3
Feb 2012, Huskie

Interspersed with Panthers Tri Club Races here and there to keep the cost per use of certain pieces of equipment justified.

Looking forward to 70.3 at this stage after a satisfactory West Sydney Worlds.

[Paul Every]

brewer, on 21 November 2011 - 10:36 AM, said:

Ok, so maybe I'm trying to race myself fit:

11/12/11 Canberra IM70.3
08/01/12 Club race Sprint
22/01/12 Nowra Olympic
19/02/12 Husky Long Course
01/04/12 Batemans Bay Ultimate
09/04/12 Club race Sprint
15/04/12 Sydney ITU Olympic
06/05/12 IMOZ Port Macquarie

With regular long rides and runs, that looks like an excellent IM prep to me. Nothing like hard racing for a quality work out.

Brewer, I think you will have some big improvements this season.

Certainly looks more conducive to success than this:

ScamBullant, on 21 November 2011 - 03:43 PM, said:

Im taking a much quitter approach ....

[Paul Every]

My race calendar through to Ironman currently looks like this:

27/11/11 Glenbrook Marathon
21-22/4/12 Sakuramichi 250km Ultramarathon
6/5/12 Port Ironman

A few gaps to fill in yet.

Edited by Paul Every, 21 November 2011 - 05:41 PM.

[TheLogicDump]

Paul Every, on 21 November 2011 - 05:34 PM, said:

My race calendar through to Ironman currently looks like this:

27/11/11 Glenbrook Marathon
21-22/4/12 Sakuramichi 250km Ultramarathon
6/5/12 Port Ironman

A few gaps to fill in yet.

Surely there is a race on the 2nd weekend of march there ?

[ScamBullant]

Paul Every, on 21 November 2011 - 05:29 PM, said:

With regular long rides and runs, that looks like an excellent IM prep to me. Nothing like hard racing for a quality work out.

Brewer, I think you will have some big improvements this season.

Certainly looks more conducive to success than this:

I had it right Paul, I don't intend finishing any of these events  

[Paul Every]

TheLogicDump, on 21 November 2011 - 09:40 PM, said:

Surely there is a race on the 2nd weekend of march there ?

Probably not.

Unfortunately, I am rostered to work on Saturday mornings, so I have to be quite selective about which Saturday races I can attend.

[Phoenix]

Good news  - for me at least:
------------------------


Port Macquarie Course Survey

Ironman Australia



Dear Athletes,



Thank you to all the athletes who responded to the survey regarding the run course at next year's Urban Hotel Group Ironman Australia. As mentioned previously we looked at changing the run course to assist us with some operational issues that we face at Settlement Point. We also had previous anecdotal feedback from athletes stating they felt that part of the course was 'boring'. However, it was decided after Ironman 70.3 Port Macquarie to ask the people actually racing on the course what their preferred option was via the survey, and overwhelmingly the May 2011 Ironman run course was favoured.



So, the majority have spoken and we will be using the same run course as the 2011 event on May 6, 2012.



Please see the results below:



1. Would you prefer the run course to be flatter and follow last year's Ironman course?

Yes 78%      No 22%



2. Would you prefer the run course to incorporate more hills as per the Ironman 70.3 course?

Yes 20%      No 80%



3. Would you like a course that incorporated the route to Settlement Point once, at the start of the run, with the rest of the course incorporating the hills?

Yes 25%      No 75%



Thank you again for taking the time to partake in the survey and we look forward to seeing you in May 2012 for the next edition of the Urban Hotel Group Ironman Australia.



Kind Regards



Shane Smith

Managing Director,

Australian Ironman Office

[Paul Every]

Phoenix, on 25 November 2011 - 03:55 PM, said:

Good news  - for me at least:
------------------------


Port Macquarie Course Survey

Disappointing for me.

The crowd support on Cyco's (Windmill) Hill was one of the highlights of the run course at Port. The crowd used to rock there. The run out to Settlement Point is comparatively soulless and without atmosphere.

Unfortunately, by doing the survey on the back of the Half at Port, I suspect a significant many of those who voted probably haven't raced the Ironman course and don't know what they missing. There is a reason why there was a lot of feedback after Ironman this year from athletes who missed Cyco's Hill. It had become a tradition with the manic cheering well into the night, goading, encouraging, and revitalising tired runners.

In many ways the outcome didn't surprise me, although the weight of numbers did to some extent. The changes are in line with triathlon courses generally becoming increasingly blander and uniform. It has become sort of like a MacDonalds; where ever you eat, it all tastes the same. Predictable and unexciting.

Port could have been a very different race to Busso and Melb, a real Aust Championship course, however the sport continues to be dumbed down to the lowest common denominator.

[Phoenix]

Paul Every, on 21 November 2011 - 05:34 PM, said:

My race calendar through to Ironman currently looks like this:

27/11/11 Glenbrook Marathon
21-22/4/12 Sakuramichi 250km Ultramarathon
6/5/12 Port Ironman

A few gaps to fill in yet.

paul, I think you may have accidentally added a zero at the end of that 2nd race...

[ScamBullant]

Brewer 2  

Scam 1

Till next we meet  

[Shankate]

Ok so out of respect for those doing IM Melbourne in May I probably shouldn't expect much hype surrounding IM Australia which is still 11 weeks away.

However having just completed a good month of solid training including my first 180km ride for this build on Saturday, I am excited (!) and hoping to hear from others training for Port.

Still a long way to go but each session is another brick in the road.

Happy & safe training!

[brewer]

ScamBullant, on 12 December 2011 - 06:51 PM, said:

Brewer 2  

Scam 1

Till next we meet  

Two all after I watched Scam disappear out of T1 in Husky