Beach to Battleship

A couple of questions from a first timer:

1) On the map it shows the first nutrition station is at 30 mile for the full on the bike. In the booklet they say it is at mile 25. I see at mile 101 on the map there is a station (#5), and this aligns with position of mile 25 also, but it doesn't say you can get anything from that direction. Can we get everything at this station on way out (mile 25) and on the way back (mile 101)?

2) I saw this on another post, but still confused. At the bike stations, do they hand out bottles filled with HEED (if so what concentration?) or how do they get you the heed? I've never gone through a station where they handed me things before so not sure how this works. Also, in the previous post they mentioned they weren't sure if the Heed was mixed with water already. If this is the case, would it also be the case on the run? That would seem strange to me - but then again I'm new at this.

3) After finishing on the bike and heading off to the run, can my "designated person" go and pick up my bike while I am out running. Or do they have to wait for me to finish the whole race? I think I will need them to help me after the race and I want all of the big stuff back at the hotel already if possible when I finish.

Thanks for any thoughts.

1. i would have to assume that aid station #1 / #5 will service both directions.

2. i have asking this one myself. the best i can surmise is that the HEED will be mixed in coolers ( to fill into bottles by the volunteers) at the suggested concentration shown on the packaging; X-amount of HEED per Y-amount of water. roughly, 260 cals/per 16 oz. water. i would imagine the HEED mixed for the run course aid stations will be blended to the same concentration....

i am planning on going with my own nutrition plan; however, this would be a great topic to bring up at the athlete's meeting.

3. your race package will include a 'proxy' card, where you can designate a friend/sherpa to pick up your bike and T1/T2 bags for you. he/she will have to present ID to gain access to T2 for this stuff. read the athlete's guide, this is spelled out there.

1. last year the station #5 was at about 101 on the course and there was no problem getting stuff there.

2. The HEED was also mixed per package...so I would say plan for that to happen this year.
And the run course was mixed the same. Last year also at the stations...most were handing out the bottles with HEED in them..but if you wanted food, you had to stop and pick it up from tables.
Now I also know that I went through at least one area that the staff at the aid station was so wrapped up in talking about the football games that they did not even know I was there. But let me say also that at other stops they were tripping over each other to help the athlete. Even holding my bike while I took a potty break. The aid staions were all well stocked and willing to help and I would feel safe in saying at an aid station....ask and they will help as much as possible.

3. And as stated you will get a proxy card and they can get your gear for you...But remember last year there was a water taxi problem. My proxy was going to get my gear and take it across but she was worried she could not get back across on the taxi before I would finish the loop on the run. your proxy may need to make a judgment call on that one.

Have fun.....I will miss not being there this year.

If youre talking about the aid stations on Hwy 421, that is a 4 lane divided hwy. I did the half last year and only remember having aid stations on the right side of the road. Meaning that aid station at mile marker 101 (on the full bike course map) is not accessable until you get to mile 101 on the bike, not at mile 25ish. Although you will "go by" it in both directions, on the way out it will be on the wrong side of the divided hwy to get supplies from. And the first aid station that will be accessible isn't until you turn off of hwy 421 at mile 30ish.

Thanks for all the feedback. I guess the final pieces I can find out at the pre-race meeting.