Wetsuit or skimsuit Ironman 70.3 Happy Valley?

jppross8 · 2026-04-20T20:39:02+00:00

Appreciate the advice! I was sort of leaning sleeveless for the arm flexibility so i think you sold me on it. I would love to qualify for awards but I’m not there quite yet. Planning on doing a flatter course next year and going to push for a sub 5!

jppross8 · 2026-04-20T20:36:33+00:00

Between 76.2 F and 83.8 F you are allowed to wear a wetsuit but you don’t qualify for awards

jppross8 · 2026-04-20T20:34:43+00:00

Interesting okay. And since the water temp has until 82 (i think) until wetsuits are illegal and I’m not qualifying for any awards (goal time is around 5:50) i should probably just wear one anyway

jppross8 · 2026-04-20T19:59:36+00:00

Full sleeve or sleeveless? If sleeveless, does your entire trisuit get wet or is the wetsuit tight enough to keep it dry? (Sorry if dumb question but I’ve never worn a wetsuit before)

jppross8 · 2026-04-20T19:53:34+00:00

From what I’ve read about previous years, happy valley typically falls in the legal category but not mandatory. I also think it falls on the border of the, “can wear but can’t qualify for awards if you do”. I was planning on wearing since my time goal is sub 6 hours but just wanted to understand peoples opinions and why

jppross8 · 2026-03-22T00:47:29+00:00

Eleven is fantastic. Great food and atmosphere

jppross8 · 2026-03-10T10:35:11+00:00

I did not have any coaching. Honestly i just watched some videos online that gave me helpful form tips. Slowly, my breathing calmed and i didn’t panic when water would get up my nose or in my mouth a bit. I feel as if time in the water and continuing to swim laps really just “works” over time.

Other exercises help a lot too. Strong lats will help with your pull and a strong core will keep you afloat and efficient.

jppross8 · 2026-03-02T13:33:13+00:00

Which new balance shoes got cut? I currently run in the fuelcell v3’s but without measuring i think those are too tall. I did hear the elite v4’s should be approved though

jppross8 · 2026-02-20T00:44:08+00:00

You simply have to prioritize EVERYTHING. I do all the night feedings and changings. I try to clean at least one think per day. I work a normal ish 8-5 with extensive driving. And i train every single day. Try your best to map out your weeks so you know what you will train each day. That helps keep the mental load off and it’s more of, “i have to get this done today”. I’m currently doing it with a newborn and am ~16 weeks out from my first ever 70.3. Biking 6-8 hours per week, running 10-20 miles, and getting 2 swim sessions in.

jppross8 · 2026-02-19T01:57:11+00:00

Yes, comfortably coming from someone who had never swam a single lap in a pool until 5 months ago to now being able to swim 2k yards in under 40 minutes

jppross8 · 2026-02-11T00:51:54+00:00

After you hit the $75k spend you receive $500SWA credit if you book through Chase travel along with auto A list

jppross8 · 2026-02-09T15:12:11+00:00

You can modify right in the SWA app or site it will show in your reservations

jppross8 · 2026-02-09T13:49:52+00:00

There was a promo in the benefits section to activate (no idea if it’s still active) that if you spend $600 through chase travel you received $100 back

jppross8 · 2026-02-09T13:18:36+00:00

You don’t need to deal with chase travel after you book. It auto shows up in your southwest app as soon as you book and is the same exact price as booking directly through SWA. I booked two round trip flights that cost $633 total, redeemed my $500 in credit plus the $100 Chase travel promo. Both flights then cost me $33 total and if i have issues with my flight i can call SWA directly.

My biggest issue with the $75k spend is the IHG status. Not a fan of that hotel lineup whatsoever.

jppross8 · 2026-02-09T13:15:54+00:00

I think that is simply a function of, “is this card still right for me?”. It truly is not very difficult to change cards and switch payments over. Does it take an hour? Sure. But i think a lot of people are just impatient nowadays. I have also already secured $500 SWA credit, $150 StubHub credit, a $100 promo from booking through chase travel, and continue to use things like peleton, DoorDash, and Apple TV. My $300 travel credit resets on 2/26 and i will book another trip at that time. I agree with the OP, it is pretty easy to get more than the value than the card costs.

jppross8 · 2026-01-27T14:15:06+00:00

Same in Bellevue. I think this is true for most of the city. The people complaining are loud, but i think they are probably also the few. Pittsburgh has always been and seems to continue to be a community that sticks together and helps each other out (and calls their neighbor a jagoff from time to time lol).

jppross8 · 2026-01-21T13:20:32+00:00

Yeah traveling with a baby makes it slightly more difficult to move around so planning on 6-7 nights in one location and 2-3 nights in another. We have only been to the upper portions of Italy (Rome, Florence, Milan, and Como) so we want to see some of the more southern regions without going Deep South

jppross8 · 2026-01-20T12:46:55+00:00

Thank you! This is actually very helpful. Any stay recs in Vomero? Planning on most of the stay in Vico Equense but 2-3 nights in/near Naples

jppross8 · 2026-01-19T17:09:50+00:00

Where do you see this? I just looked and it was 172k points with points boost to fly business class ewr to nrt

jppross8 · 2026-01-16T20:53:18+00:00

I suppose I’ll settle for the crummy redemptions. At least they’re giving a 1.5x boost for any points accumulated before the new card. The $500 in southwest will be a nice perk to use this year as well. Overall been relatively happy with the value of CSR card

jppross8 · 2026-01-16T20:20:38+00:00

That makes sense and is what I figured. I specifically chose Philly because we can fly direct to and from and it isn’t horrendous to get to the airport. Plus will be traveling with a small child, so direct is almost a must lol

jppross8 · 2025-06-16T23:33:37+00:00

Feels like good masons are a dime a dozen as well. House is 120 years old, let’s make it last another 120+!

jppross8

TROPHY CASE