If you were going to do your 1st Ironman which one would you pick??
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J.Michael posted 18 weeks ago.
Flat Bike/Run = FL. At least in MHO. If I'm not completely mistaken, FL is the flattest state.
It might be a bit warmer than some other races, but it is later in the year for a bt more training time.
I'm pretty sure FL will be my first IM. I just hope I can get ready by next Nov.
Good luck!
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kylie posted 18 weeks ago.
FL is the flattest. That said, flat does not equal easiest all the time :) I don't think anything equals easy with an IM though ;)
My advice to people picking their first is to pick the one that inspires them the most, and catches their eye the most. But also one that you'll be able to get into. Another factor if traveling with a family/group is what there will be for that person to do all day (and week).
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Joe_H posted 18 weeks ago.
if I had to do one it'd be Kona but that'd onlly happen if I lucked out on the lottery. IMLP is hilly but is closest geographically. Heard IMCDA is beautiful and hilly
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brittda posted 18 weeks ago.
but remember this flat= constant pedaling. Also there is no "easy" IM . Each has their own things that make them harder. Yes Florida is flat, but you will also have a sea swim to do. Do not be afraid of the hill :) What goes up, must go down. Canada is very hilly, but then you also get down. Swim is in a lake so not so choppy as ocean. Just something to think about.
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beniger posted 18 weeks ago.
I just decided that IMFL 2009 will be my first. I am going this year to volunteer and sign up. I've heard FL is relatively flat on the bike and run. The water is always cool enough to wear a wetsuit and salt water helps with boyancy. And it's a beach start, so I don't have to tread water for several minutes.
I am about equal distance from all the IM's and like kylie said earlier, I chose the one that motivated me most. IMFL gets me excited and inspirted.
My wife will love the beach during our stay and it will be relaxing for a few days after the race.
Good luck chosing, don't stress over it, they all have their pluses and minuses.
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Anton posted 18 weeks ago.
+1 on Brittda...Example: IMLP is really only a hundred mile bike ride. On each loop you have one descent of almost 10K! The rest of it is hard but manageable especially on the second loop. I've never done a flat IM but do flat rides all the time, and there aren't any breaks unless you get off for a bit.
Ocean swims can be hilly...
You notice that no one here has mentioned the run? Doesn't matter if hilly or flat...it's still hard!
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://agingsuperhero.blogspot.com
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nyfan21 posted 18 weeks ago.
Yeah I know that IM is very serious even the most trainied triathlete with a good nutrition program can have a problem. I know a few friends that did Wisconsin and they need medical attention at the end. Is Florida a non-wetsuit event since the water temp is over 80? Thanks
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Star posted 18 weeks ago.
Location, location, location! My first was IM Germany, then IM Austria...and in '09 its going to be Switzerland (just registered last night!!!). There's nothing like racing with the crazy (I mean fun, energetic, involved) Europeans! Its an event you won't forget...and they help make "Der Langste Tag des Jahres" (the longest day of the year) even more memorable!
"I'm more fun than an iPod!"
My blog: http://star.trifuel.net
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Toothless posted 18 weeks ago.
I signed up for CdA 2009 for my first. I can drive to it in 1 1/2 days & take the family, the scenery is great, and there are no scary creatures in the water during the swim like at IM Florida ;-)
Oh, and the week afterward I can have a trout fishing vacation in Idaho and Montana!
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trigirltina2 posted 18 weeks ago.
+1 Toothless. CDA will be the first and arranged to see family in Idaho. I hear Florida would of been ideal.
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tsilcyc posted 18 weeks ago.
nyfan21 wrote:
In the States. I am "thinking" (just thinking at this point) about a 2009 Ironman and I just wanted to know the pros/cons of Arizona, Florida, Wisconsin, Kentucky, LP? Any comments/suggestions? Looking for a flater bike/run if that exists.
Thanks
Since I will be attempting to sign up for LP next week... it's terrible... it's crazy hard... hills everywhere... the suffering is unparalleled. :)
They all provide a unique experience, you should do them all. That said, you should try to get into the first one you can and work your way through the list until you get into one.
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KitKat posted 18 weeks ago.
I enjoy hills...much more then riding flat for 112 miles. I'll be volunteering at IMC then signing up for 09.
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brittda posted 18 weeks ago.
KitKat wrote:
I enjoy hills...much more then riding flat for 112 miles. I'll be volunteering at IMC then signing up for 09.
And like IMLP the last 12 miles are DOWN HILL (of course you have to go up Yellow Lake at mile 80 after doing Richter Pass but its all good)
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Ironmom posted 18 weeks ago.
I think each person will have a different answer, depending on what they are personally looking for. I can tell you what I chose and why though.
I chose IMFL in 2006 because it had an ocean swim and I'm a strong swimmer (the swim was very, very difficult that year due to big wind and waves, so be forewarned, I wouldn't choose this race as a weak swimmer). It's also late in the year which makes training so much more fun. All your long rides and runs are in the good weather of the summer, and just when the weather turns crappy and rainy, it's time to taper! I didn't like the fact that it had a relatively flat bike, as I'm best on rollers, but it actually wasn't as flat as I thought it might be. The rollers were slight, but they were definitely there, and it was windy. I did a lot of my training into headwinds around here to be prepared for that, and that part of it went well for me. Also, I picked it because the average temperature on race day is 74 degrees, and I do terribly in the heat. I would love to do IMCDA if they could guarantee temperatures like this year! But in a hot year, I would really suffer as I barely sweat and don't cool down.
So those were all of my personal reasons for choosing IMFL, and it definitely had the attributes that I had chosen it for, except it was stormy and very cold on race day morning (temp in the low 40's and into the 30's counting wind chill). But it was a very pleasant temperature in the afternoon and a fun course to do! Also, there was lots of stuff around for my hubby and kids to do - our hotel had a nice pool and waterpark (Holiday Inn), and there was miniature golf and the Ripley's Believe It or Not museum and a Marine Life park, so they had a good time on our vacation too.
Blue Skies, -Robin-
http://ironmom.blogspot.com/
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rcortesi posted 18 weeks ago.
nyfan21 wrote:
In the States. I am "thinking" (just thinking at this point) about a 2009 Ironman and I just wanted to know the pros/cons of Arizona, Florida, Wisconsin, Kentucky, LP? Any comments/suggestions? Looking for a flater bike/run if that exists.
Thanks
The Chesapeakeman
http://www.tricolumbia.org/ChesapeakeMan/
Very flat bike and run. Point to point swim. Very well supported course, through beautiful marshland. Half the price of the M dot races. easy to sign up for. An 2 hour drive from the DC metro area.
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zagfan posted 18 weeks ago.
I've been wanting to ask this same question. Interested to read the opinions on IMAZ as a 1st. I'm looking for something later in the year for the extra training weather. I'm a weak swimmer so FL scares me a little. I plan to volunteer this year at AZ and sign up for 09, but haven't made any final plans yet. I know that it may be a different race b/c of the new date, any thoughts?
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skunkworxz posted 18 weeks ago.
I'll be doing IM Canada 09 for my frist due to location (I'm in Seattle) and time of year, and I like hills. A flat IM would toast me mentally. IMCda was very appealing as it's close as well, and I know folks who have done it, but I needed a race that is later in the summer. IM AZ has appeal, even with loops, as I know I'd see my family a few more times, but Oct/Nov is a lousy time to train here.
I'll be in Penticton as a volunteer this year, ready to stand in line this year for '09!
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Anton posted 18 weeks ago.
rcortesi wrote:
The Chesapeakeman
http://www.tricolumbia.org/ChesapeakeMan/Very flat bike and run. Point to point swim. Very well supported course, through beautiful marshland. Half the price of the M dot races. easy to sign up for. An 2 hour drive from the DC metro area.
And they have on site camping! That really cuts the cost. It is a really pretty course, but all flat and quite windy at times. The swim can be a bear but the point to point aspect is a rarity in Iron distance races. You can sign up as late a two weeks before...and it's small which has it's own beauty.
(What else can we say rc to pump up Vigo's race?)
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://agingsuperhero.blogspot.com
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PJT posted 18 weeks ago.
My strategy for my first was picking the one closest to home. Transporting a bike is a pain, flying is more of a hassle every year, and it pays to do a recon ride or two on your course beforehand.
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nyfan21 posted 18 weeks ago.
Thanks for everyones comments. No one mentioned Kentucky? Is it because it is humid and hot? IMCDA seems cool but it is already sold out; IMLP would be my closest venue. Thanks again; I think I would like to do one in 2009.....
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jsk85 posted 18 weeks ago.
nyfan21 wrote:
Thanks for everyones comments. No one mentioned Kentucky? Is it because it is humid and hot? IMCDA seems cool but it is already sold out; IMLP would be my closest venue. Thanks again; I think I would like to do one in 2009.....
Having only been run before 1 time, IMKY probably doesn't have enough members that have participated to give a real idea...since I'm local, I heard a lot of good things about the course after last years race, but late August in Louisville can be a bear if you're not used to 90degrees and humidity.
I'll be doing it as my first in 2010...I'll let you know then what I think for sure, hehe
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kylie posted 18 weeks ago.
I loved Kentucky. Sure, it was hot and humid, but umm... it was August in Kentucky -- so it wasn't really an unknown or unexpected and it was not an issue for me on race day. Beautiful and fun bike course, kinda boring run course, but flat. Awesome finish line.
AZ is an awesome course for spectators and I liked that one as well -- it was my first so will always have a special place in my heart ;)
Honestly, I don't think there is any IM that shouldn't be a first: there are lots of accounts of the courses, and you have to sign up early enough that you have plenty of time to train for the type of terrain and the temperatures. Pick the one that will be the least hassle for transportation (including your bike), and the one that gives you butterflies in your stomach, and where your family will not be completely bored all day.
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nyfan21 posted 18 weeks ago.
I would like to do one with a sizable amount of spectators; it's nice to see people cheering you on even if they are drunk. Thanks Kylie; I thought I heard that you needed medical attention at one, which IM if you don't mind me asking?
-Mat
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PJT posted 18 weeks ago.
Madison does have a large vocal crowd of spectators. On the 3 big hills on loop 1 of the bike course, it is literally TdF-like, with people pressing in on both sides shouting at you, people in costume, people running alongside, etc. There is also a big stretch on the bike loop in Verona that you go through 2x that is festival-like with lots of cheering.
The run has its quiet parts, but the first and last few miles of each loop are very crowded with spectators.
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laprokop posted 18 weeks ago.
I am doing my first next year as well and I picked the Vineman which is supposed to be a very forgiving course. Good luck man!
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kylie posted 18 weeks ago.
nyfan21 wrote:
I would like to do one with a sizable amount of spectators; it's nice to see people cheering you on even if they are drunk. Thanks Kylie; I thought I heard that you needed medical attention at one, which IM if you don't mind me asking?
-Mat
Yeah, crowd support can really help.
I'm not sure what you heard there... after Vineman full I was in the med tent since I had a really bad bladder infection (didn't know that was what it was at the time), and at the Vineman half my better half Mike needed it after a car hit him on the course... (note to self: we might want to reconsider thoughts of racing there next year ;)). After IMKY I needed assistance (from Mike) to get from the finish line to massage, but that was just because I really gave what I had on course that day, so no medical was needed. Man this stuff is fun ;)
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kylie posted 18 weeks ago.
laprokop wrote:
I am doing my first next year as well and I picked the Vineman which is supposed to be a very forgiving course. Good luck man!
Hey maybe we'll see you there... Mike is considering that one, and I might do the half (Barbs that is held the same day, or maybe the full depending on school).
The Vineman full is a nice course -- just be ready for a lonely day and to be with yourself. There are very few cheering folks on the bike course, and only some on the ~1 mi near the transition on the out and back run. And with the smaller field size, there aren't many other racers around, either. Pluses and minuses :)
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nyfan21 posted 18 weeks ago.
kylie wrote:
nyfan21 wrote:I would like to do one with a sizable amount of spectators; it's nice to see people cheering you on even if they are drunk. Thanks Kylie; I thought I heard that you needed medical attention at one, which IM if you don't mind me asking?
-MatYeah, crowd support can really help.
I'm not sure what you heard there... after Vineman full I was in the med tent since I had a really bad bladder infection (didn't know that was what it was at the time), and at the Vineman half my better half Mike needed it after a car hit him on the course... (note to self: we might want to reconsider thoughts of racing there next year ;)). After IMKY I needed assistance (from Mike) to get from the finish line to massage, but that was just because I really gave what I had on course that day, so no medical was needed. Man this stuff is fun ;)
Kylie- I thought I read a thread about something like a helicoptor ride or something my bad.
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kylie posted 18 weeks ago.
Ahhh that medical attention... yeah that was a training ride... hit a car and my pupils were different sizes (they always are) but since that is a major sign of head trauma and I couldn't remember things minute to minute I was airlifted.
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gfd posted 18 weeks ago.
Anton wrote:
rcortesi wrote:The Chesapeakeman
http://www.tricolumbia.org/ChesapeakeMan/(What else can we say rc to pump up Vigo's race?)
I liked it so much I think I will be going back again next year for round 2. It really is a nice course and well organized event. No hassles at all. Great volunteers. The 3 times out and back run was what I dreaded the most and it turned out to be one of the highlights of the race. I really looked forward to seeing people and cheering them on. Easy to make friends in a small setting.
"If you set a goal for yourself and are able to achieve it you have won your race." -Dave Scott
~Garen~
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trigirltina2 posted 18 weeks ago.
nyfan21 wrote:
kylie wrote:nyfan21 wrote:I would like to do one with a sizable amount of spectators; it's nice to see people cheering you on even if they are drunk. Thanks Kylie; I thought I heard that you needed medical attention at one, which IM if you don't mind me asking?
-MatYeah, crowd support can really help.
I'm not sure what you heard there... after Vineman full I was in the med tent since I had a really bad bladder infection (didn't know that was what it was at the time), and at the Vineman half my better half Mike needed it after a car hit him on the course... (note to self: we might want to reconsider thoughts of racing there next year ;)). After IMKY I needed assistance (from Mike) to get from the finish line to massage, but that was just because I really gave what I had on course that day, so no medical was needed. Man this stuff is fun ;)
Kylie- I thought I read a thread about something like a helicoptor ride or something my bad.
Kylie was that last year? I remember coming into the high school and seeing someone on the ground. Wow.
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1633 days
kylie posted 18 weeks ago.
Yeah it was last year a bit less than a mile to the school -- and I now know that all those things I worried about in a race are nothin'. Seeing an airlift helicopter and then recognizing a jersey and then helmet hair... he owed me a new tire after that since I took all the rubber off mine...
Sorry for the somewhat threadjack (the OP started it so it wasn't my fault!)
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trigirltina2 posted 18 weeks ago.
Glad he is alright. I heard it was awful. I did see him on the ground, but someone was with him. You better of gotten the tire!
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nyfan21 posted 18 weeks ago.
I am going to try to get in IMLP then Wisconsin; IMLP since I live close to there and Wisconsin because I think it would be nice to go back there (went there for work once)
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beads1985 posted 18 weeks ago.
Ironmom wrote:
I think each person will have a different answer, depending on what they are personally looking for. I can tell you what I chose and why though.I chose IMFL in 2006 because it had an ocean swim and I'm a strong swimmer (the swim was very, very difficult that year due to big wind and waves, so be forewarned, I wouldn't choose this race as a weak swimmer). It's also late in the year which makes training so much more fun. All your long rides and runs are in the good weather of the summer, and just when the weather turns crappy and rainy, it's time to taper! I didn't like the fact that it had a relatively flat bike, as I'm best on rollers, but it actually wasn't as flat as I thought it might be. The rollers were slight, but they were definitely there, and it was windy. I did a lot of my training into headwinds around here to be prepared for that, and that part of it went well for me. Also, I picked it because the average temperature on race day is 74 degrees, and I do terribly in the heat. I would love to do IMCDA if they could guarantee temperatures like this year! But in a hot year, I would really suffer as I barely sweat and don't cool down.
So those were all of my personal reasons for choosing IMFL, and it definitely had the attributes that I had chosen it for, except it was stormy and very cold on race day morning (temp in the low 40's and into the 30's counting wind chill). But it was a very pleasant temperature in the afternoon and a fun course to do! Also, there was lots of stuff around for my hubby and kids to do - our hotel had a nice pool and waterpark (Holiday Inn), and there was miniature golf and the Ripley's Believe It or Not museum and a Marine Life park, so they had a good time on our vacation too.
I did IM FL in 2005 and I thought it was great. However 112 miles on the bike doing flats is not as easy as you would think. You don't have a lot of time out of the saddle, there are cross winds and headwinds on the way back to T2.
Nothing to it, but to do it
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beads1985 posted 18 weeks ago.
rcortesi wrote:
nyfan21 wrote:In the States. I am "thinking" (just thinking at this point) about a 2009 Ironman and I just wanted to know the pros/cons of Arizona, Florida, Wisconsin, Kentucky, LP? Any comments/suggestions? Looking for a flater bike/run if that exists.
Thanks
The Chesapeakeman
http://www.tricolumbia.org/ChesapeakeMan/Very flat bike and run. Point to point swim. Very well supported course, through beautiful marshland. Half the price of the M dot races. easy to sign up for. An 2 hour drive from the DC metro area.
I liked the ChessieMan. I agree the course support was great and the RD Vigo did and awesome job.
However the swim can be rough.
The bike was flat but there are crosswinds and headwinds and you are in the saddle for the whole 112.
The run was a few loops, and completely flat and the aide stations rocked.
IM or IM distance races are still not easy, no matter where you go.
Nothing to it, but to do it
In the States. I am "thinking" (just thinking at this point) about a 2009 Ironman and I just wanted to know the pros/cons of Arizona, Florida, Wisconsin, Kentucky, LP? Any comments/suggestions? Looking for a flater bike/run if that exists.
Thanks