suggest a first HIM for O8 in PacNW?

[tri-ac]

seeing the post for the new Boise 70.3, i suddenly could see myself fitting the training in for a half next year instead of sticking with olympics...and I almost signed up...

but i'm wondering if you guys have any races you've done that you think would be a great first HIM?

thanks up front!

[jerallen]

I did Lake Stevens last year as my first half and i really enjoyed it, the set up is world class. Its slightly hilly so be prepared. I'm doing it again this year.

[tri-ac]

i see it's the weekend after July 4. you signed up yet? how was the drive up there last year? where did you stay?

[jerallen]

My wfe and I stayed at the Hilton garden inn in north everett, it was a short 20 minute drive to the course. We drove up the Friday Night before so I had some time to relax on Saturday. Another Half IM you may want to look into is Pacific Crest, lots of my friends have done it and love it.

[tri-ac]

pac crest definitely is fun! ...just thinking about trying something else this year (jer, you know me...it's adam)

lake stevens is definitely an promising option...it would put some pressure on me to get more hills in (i tend to avoid them)

i'd like to sign up for a race before the end of the year, just to remotivate me...

any seattlites have favorites?

[vanjames]

I'm looking at coming down for Vineman 70.3 in July 08. Registration opens Nov 1. From all reports its a great race.

[tri-ac]

Originally Posted by vanjames

I'm looking at coming down for Vineman 70.3 in July 08. Registration opens Nov 1. From all reports its a great race.

i think i've read reports on this one...it's got a dammed river that is fairly shallow with a hilly ride and run? the date looks better not being near a holiday like lake stevens; although northern washington sounds like better temps than cali in july...hmmmmm

and i saw someone mention the desert half up in canada, that was intriguing too...anyone done that one?

at vineman last year, 300 guys in my AG!
at lake stevens, 70 in my AG
desert half had less than 400 racers total...

[kylie]

Vineman 70.3 is a pretty big race with a lot of great competition! You are right on the shallow swim. I wouldn't call the bike or run hilly -- probably rolly. There is one (maybe 2) major climb on the bike. The run is lots of up and down, but again I think only 1 or 2 major climbs. The temps can be really warm, or they can be nice.

What is your goal for the race? If you have them around you and can train on them, the hills of Vineman aren't that bad, and everyone has the same temps

[tri-ac]

my goals for 08

finish a HIM (time goal <6hr)
get my running to 8:300/mi for 10k
push my biking beyond 50 milers (separate goal from the HIM goal, but integrated nevertheless)


goals for a HIM

(1) train & race healthy
(2) finish happy
(3) my ego would be happy if i beat 6hrs

[vanjames]

The hills of the desert half will make vineman look like your riding downhill. Its an out and back ride along the IMC route including the richter climb (12km) both directions. Plus 9 rollers after that. All in all its 90km of hills.

Its also located in Canada's desert - same clime as Lake Chelan in Washington basically - last year temps were areound 90-100degrees.

This race is definetly not for the faint of heart or hill climbing ability.

[tribro]

all sounds like good races. i'm probably going to do of of the following 3; pac crest, boise, vineman.

pac crest, if they go back to the origianl bike course, is way harder than vineman. vineman is rolly with two hills but they aren't very long, and th run is pretty flat, maybe one riser in there.

boise sounds like it'd be fun too.

[kylie]

I always feel like the vineman run is flat, but often people claim it is much hillier than they expected

I might be in for Vineman again. Not sure though.

[tri-ac]

Originally Posted by vanjames

The hills of the desert half will make vineman look like your riding downhill....This race is definetly not for the faint of heart or hill climbing ability.

i guess that's one of the reasons they had 400 people...

all good options...not sure what i'm waiting for...I just need to do it and then fill in some Olympics...I thought this would be a good year to do a first sprint, too

[vanjames]

That and its a local grass roots race - Although it is put on by the RD of IMC as well. It also serves as the National long course champs. At that time of year most people doing IMC will pass on this race. There's a JUne race which is a friendlier course although the weather cna be just as tough.

There's a few Halfs in Victoria BC as well if you'rer thinking of coming to Canada.

[tri-ac]

the wife would definitely like a little BC trip...

[tri-ac]

I just signed up for Lake Stevens !!!