PSA: Come prepared

The weather for the race this weekend will be around 90 degrees. Expect single digit humidity and no clouds. If your spectating or know someone who is please make sure you/they are prepared by following some simple rules.

1. Sunscreen. In Arizona you can get sunburned in the shade from UV radiation so make sure people where AT LEAST 30 SPF. This is not the day for getting a tan. Apply specifically to forearms, legs, face and back of neck. Don't underestimate the power of an umbrella.
   
2. Water/ Food. Buy a gallon for each adult. Drink often. Spectators usually stand in the same spot for longer than half an hour, to do so without hydration is tempting a bad fate. Don't be in a position of looking for water. If your not traveling the course, have some food in a cooler or that won't melt in a car. Sandwiches, chips, fruit. Heat and boredom will make you hungry.
   
3. Hat, chapstick. If a lady has a wide brimmed hat then bring it. But everyone should try to keep the sun out of the eyes and top of head. A scalp can still get a nasty burn with a full head of hair. With the lack of humidity its a good idea to have something for your lips to keep them moist.
   
4. Shade and sitting. Seek shade where you can and use it. Also if you have a folding chair or camp chair use it if your spectating by car or not walking far. Again you may think an umbrella is funny, but you'll wish had one at one point.
   
5. Location, Location, Location. I will say right now the start for IMAZ is maybe the most beautiful you will find in Ironman. At 7am the sun is just up and still golden. The swimmers go into the sun and the water is shimmering.
   
1. Being in the expo area and watching the swim start from the Mill Ave bridge is amazing but there will be around 8,000 people there with you. Plan to cheer people out and then get a good spot to watch the exit from T1 on the bike. That can fill a whole morning with very little walking for people.
   
2. A good alternative for late arrivals or people wishing to miss the send off crowds at the expo should park at the Starbucks or a close location to Scottsdale Road's bridge and walk to the middle on the east side. Swimmers go under the bridge here, traverse the buoys and head back. There is almost zero people cheering from this spot and if the swimmer knows people will be there on the bridge it will be very easy to give them a shout out from the water two times. (Hint-tell your spectators about any identifier you'll have in the water: a color logo on the top of the swim cap helps (i.e. a M-Dot, flag, personal logo) or if your suit has any colored accents like pink or green. The buoys are a couple hundred yards past the bridge so a swimmer can be watched for several minutes and people can look directly on top of big groups.
   
3. There are several turns on main roads leading out to the bee-line for the bike. A lot of people will stage at McDowell and Country Club, which is where riders enter and exit the bee line, its about half way on the course from either direction. There is a gas station on one corner with a bathroom and with a map if pretty easy to get in and out of the area avoiding closed roads. Middle of the day is the hottest with the least amount of people at the expo but pro's will be back by just after 12pm.
   
4. On the run course, parking is hard to find, as it is mostly around the expo and in Tempe. For people with the energy or ability research a parking spot near an Aid Station and walk to that. Along the north side of the lake, there is only parking along the Mill Ave Bridge/ Curry Road area. Not as many spectators in this area but good shade and some restrooms in the marina area. There is a park with a bathroom on Curry Road where an Aid Station will be and a hill that a racer might walk up if tired. A good place to rest and watch. Also easy to get in and out of with a map and there are parking option.
   

There is lots of food along Mill Ave in Tempe. Grilled Expedition and the Bamboo Club are my favorites but for faster fare look up Slices Pizza, plus a dozens of other good spots. On Scottsdale Road is an In & Out burger and a Starbucks. Monti's is right across from the finish line and is a great place to get out of the sun at the expo. On Priest and Curry, just off the run course is a Starbucks, Pier 47 pizza and Moe's southwest grill. I love this place, fast and big burritos and taco's and will be easy to get to by car and roads. The menu names are worth the visit.

Have fun and remind people to cheer for anyone they see in a bright orange tri top that says AZTRICLUB. There will be at least six of us and were easy to spot from a long way off.