I was wondering if anyone had done the Muncie Endurathon half-ironman, how was the swim course? (rocky, smooth) and how about the bike? (hilly?), or anything else I should be prepared for??

Good questions. I'll be a first timer at Muncie as well.

well I guess we are the only two doing it-that's good since we'll be taking home all the prize money!

Even if there were only two of us in the race my time would still keep me out of the prize money! This is my first HIM so all I'm trying to do is finish. Good luck though.

this is my first HIM as well and am only looking to finish it too-so we'll both need good luck-I actually had a coach for this race and she did do it-but I was looking to see if anyone else had some insight. Just for your information though, she said the swim is in a reservoir and is pretty flat, and I guess the bike is pretty flat, some rolling hills but I just hope it is not too hot. She said it is a good first HIM to do. Good luck this weekend as well, I can't believe it's already here!!

I won't be able to do the race as a back problem has flared up. ( See the General Discussions forum for the Back Injury post. ) Good luck though. Maybe next year for me.

I did Muncie last year and I'll be there again this year.
I averaged almost 22 mph last year on the bike course so it's as flat as a pancake. Part of the course is on a bike path so it can be kind of tight if you need to pass and there are a couple sharp turns getting on and off the path. There were very few cars on the course so that's always nice.
I didn't care for the swim too much but I'm not a great swimmer. By the time my wave started the wind had picked up so it was a little choppy. The last leg of the swim course was straight into the rising sun. With the glare there was no way to see the bouys, I just tried to follow the swim caps in front of me and hope they knew where they were going. But to the organizers credit, they knew the sun was going to be a problem so they had 3 or 4 large inflatable items at the swim exit to help you sight.
Make sure your bar ends are plugged, the UST officials will be there checking. And you will have an assigned spot in the transition area.
It looks like we are going to have some cooler tempatures by Saturday, too!

I live in Muncie, and last year was my first Muncie Endurathon. I liked the swim ok, but swimming back to the finish was extremley hard with the sun in my eyes. I also tried to follow the swimmers in front of me, but I know I got off course because of my swim time.

The bike course is really flat and fast. I averaged 22.1 comfortably, and could have rode faster, but wanted to conserve energy.

The thing that surprises most first timers is how hilly the run course is....kicked my butt last year. But it was horrid hot also with very high humidity. I have ran that course a few times in the last month, so I feel more prepared. The last 3 or so miles is the worse because of the hills, plus it's about at the end. The last hill is fairly steep that leads up to the finish line.....ouch sprinting up that hill when spent.

It's a good race and the weather is suppose to be very comfortable this Sat, with low humidity and temps around 80.

Any questions about the race, or Muncie, just ask away.

Oh yeah...be sure to put your bike EXACTLY in the right spot after the swim. Last year a good friend of mine won the Endrathon, but got penalized for improper bike placement after the swim...he ended up second. I don't think the rule is clear enough.

Tim

Any questions about the race, or Muncie, just ask away.

What is the best way to get from Muncie to the race site? We got so lost last year trying to find it. And I got all stressed out and mad at my husband and neither of us needs that :o
I also tried the address on Google Maps but nothing came up.
Thanks!
Becky

What is the best way to get from Muncie to the race site? We got so lost last year trying to find it. And I got all stressed out and mad at my husband and neither of us needs that :o
I also tried the address on Google Maps but nothing came up.
Thanks!
Becky

I don't know where your Hotel is located, but I will assume on Mcgalliard Rd if you are staying in Muncie. Here is a link I use to mark my run routes. This is how I will drive to get to the race.

McGalliard East to Wheeling Ave - turn right or South - Go to Wysor St and turn left or East - then to Walnut St and turn right or South. Go to Memorial Dr ( also called 12th st) and turn left or East - go to Burlington Dr and turn right or South. Burlington Dr to Inlow Springs Rd then turn left or East (ends up going South) -turn left or East on Windsor Rd - Go to 575 East and turn right or South then keep going till you reach the starting point.

You will see plenty of others once you get close to the resovoir, so you will be able to follow others.


http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/united-states/in/muncie/585571859

Hope this helps...and I didn't confuse you to much, lol. I think I seen you are in my age group, 45-49. Good luck and hope you have a blast. Don't hesitate to ask any more questions!

Tim

Thank you so much for the directions!! They will be a big help.
We did follow other cars last year but they were as lost as us:rolleyes: It was actually kind of funny seeing 5 or 6 cars trying to turn around on a two lane country road.

You have a good race too! I so glad the weather will be cooler this year, the heat and humidity were killers last year. I'm secretly hoping for a wetsuit legal swim.... Since they keep us old people together, I'll look for you in T1.
Thanks again!
Becky

I live in Muncie, and last year was my first Muncie Endurathon. I liked the swim ok, but swimming back to the finish was extremley hard with the sun in my eyes. I also tried to follow the swimmers in front of me, but I know I got off course because of my swim time.

The bike course is really flat and fast. I averaged 22.1 comfortably, and could have rode faster, but wanted to conserve energy.

The thing that surprises most first timers is how hilly the run course is....kicked my butt last year. But it was horrid hot also with very high humidity. I have ran that course a few times in the last month, so I feel more prepared. The last 3 or so miles is the worse because of the hills, plus it's about at the end. The last hill is fairly steep that leads up to the finish line.....ouch sprinting up that hill when spent.

It's a good race and the weather is suppose to be very comfortable this Sat, with low humidity and temps around 80.

Any questions about the race, or Muncie, just ask away.

Oh yeah...be sure to put your bike EXACTLY in the right spot after the swim. Last year a good friend of mine won the Endrathon, but got penalized for improper bike placement after the swim...he ended up second. I don't think the rule is clear enough.

Tim

After reading this again,I had to laugh that I talked twice about putting the bike back.....after the swim:confused: ....that would be an interesting swim on a bike, lol.

Tim

Thank you so much for the directions!! They will be a big help.
We did follow other cars last year but they were as lost as us:rolleyes: It was actually kind of funny seeing 5 or 6 cars trying to turn around on a two lane country road.

You have a good race too! I so glad the weather will be cooler this year, the heat and humidity were killers last year. I'm secretly hoping for a wetsuit legal swim.... Since they keep us old people together, I'll look for you in T1.
Thanks again!
Becky

I swam in the res last Sat and the water temp was a warm 84 degrees. But with a little rain and cooler temps, maybe it will drop to allow wetsuits.

Yeah, the heat was really bad last year, but Sat looks like it will be comfortable.

In T1, just look for the best looking guy, and that will be me....just kidding:D

Have a good race,

Tim

I believe tim is going as well. Here's an event page on our sister site: http://endurable.us/event/98

Thank you so much for the directions!! They will be a big help.
We did follow other cars last year but they were as lost as us:rolleyes: It was actually kind of funny seeing 5 or 6 cars trying to turn around on a two lane country road.

You have a good race too! I so glad the weather will be cooler this year, the heat and humidity were killers last year. I'm secretly hoping for a wetsuit legal swim.... Since they keep us old people together, I'll look for you in T1.
Thanks again!
Becky

Becky, after I thought about the construction in downtown Muncie, I picked a little bit different and quicker route for you to the Reservoir. Hope this helps, and it will be easier.

http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/united-states/in/muncie/590289383

See ya Sat,

Tim

I hope everyone had a good, safe race! I was 17 or 18 minutes slower than last year but I'm happy considering I've just come off of 6 months of knee rehab.

I did get my wish for the wetsuit legal swim but the triathlon gods did make us pay for that with one heck of a WINDY bike. But it was a great day on a great course with wonderful volunteers!

Tim, thanks for the great directions! We didn't get lost :). Sorry, I never got a chance to meet you - there were just so many good looking guys, I had a tough time trying to figure which one you were :D !

I hope everyone had a good, safe race! I was 17 or 18 minutes slower than last year but I'm happy considering I've just come off of 6 months of knee rehab.

I did get my wish for the wetsuit legal swim but the triathlon gods did make us pay for that with one heck of a WINDY bike. But it was a great day on a great course with wonderful volunteers!

Tim, thanks for the great directions! We didn't get lost :). Sorry, I never got a chance to meet you - there were just so many good looking guys, I had a tough time trying to figure which one you were :D !


I will write a race report when I have more time......yeah, it was super windy and the wind seemed to be in my face the whole time, except for the 1/2 way turn around heading back East.

I really enjoyed the weather dispite the wind and made for a comfortable run. I was a little worried about the swim with the fairly big white caps (big for here), but did just fine and really enjoyed the swim...which was a little slower than last year.

Did you happen to see the gal running barefoot. She passed me about half way through the run and I thought OUCH, how is that possible. I guess she switched to barefoot running due to nagging injuries, and since the switch she has been injury free....they mentioned her in our newspaper Sunday.

Glad you had a good - fun race!!!

Tim