In trying to plan out my first IM (Tremblant 2012!) I'd like to arrive and depart on the ideal days for compromise between my 3Fs ("freshness," fitness and finances.) In other words how late would you care to arrive to an IM, and how soon would you leave, assuming you couldn't afford to lounge around a few weeks on either side of the event? One common theme I have heard folks say is they'd rather leave the day after rather than twos days because of the DOMS factor. Have you found that to be true, too?

Is anyone going from Chicago to Memphis? I am planning on driving down Friday, and have room for 2 other bikes on my car. If possible I would like to split the gas up with some people. Let me know if anyone is making the trip and interested in sharing the ride.

I have a question for all of you experienced tirathletes - I am 3 weeks away from my first HIM and just found out that I will have to travel for business for at least two days in the week leading up to the race. My plan calls for short, intense sessions - s, b, r for both of those days (I'll be travelling the Monday/Tuesday before the race, which is on the following Sunday). I won't have access to swim or bike, but could work in a run each day. Any advice on how I should adjust? What type of run should I do each day, and for how long?

How many days before your IM should you plan to arrive? Assume travel to the same time zone. Is there more than one day worth of stuff you need to do...packet pick-up, transition prep, etc...

Hi everyone, I am working in france for the summer, but I need to transport my bike from Boston to France in order to train for Timberman in August--> do you have any suggestions about transporting the bike? I hear it gets kind of expensive, and I don't know too much about assembling the bike back together...will the fit get messed up? Is there a cheap or easier way?