IM (WTC) vs Iron Distance Races...What Do You Prefer?

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Amymengel recently compared the two in her log, having done IMKY and a non-Mdot race, within about 1.5 months of each other.

Here is what she said (I hope she doesn't mind my copy/paste job):

M-dot vs non M-dot - my thoughts: I feel very fortunate that I was able to participate in one of each in a close time period. Both races have advantages and disadvantages. Enjoyed them both!!

M-dot
expensive ($500)
register year in advance - lots of time to get excited
crowded (2,000 participants)
media/hype
people everywhere - city is all about the race
large number of fans/spectators
amazing volunteers in large numbers
course time with other participants - not much alone time
m-dot logo is everywhere
finish line
feel like a rock star the entire race
140.6 miles
Non M-dot
less expensive ($300)
not need to register 1 year in advance - few months is okay
less crowded (fewer particpants)
fewer fans/spectators
the city does not shut down - some people are not really aware of what is going on
less hype
great volunteers (fewer in number)
alone time on the course
finish line
140.6 miles

I loved the m-dot race (Louisville). It was exciting. There were so many bikes and bodies (great porn!!!) The entire city was for the IM race. I tend to be nervous in crowds, so I was nervous and felt on edge the entire weekend. However, I loved it! It was amazing having the helicopter above us during the swim and seeing the camera/media crews on the course. I was even videoed and durng the run and happened to see it on the local news that evening. There were volunteer to help everywhere. It was nice always having another participant near you on the course. I don't ever remember being totally alone during the day. On the other hand, that put me on edge a little. There were a few places where the course felt crowded. The participants were all so supportive and encouraging. Everyone wanted to see everyone finish. It was fun being treated like a star all weekend and espically during the race. There were so many people watching and cheering!! I think my face was sore from smiling so much!! Very well organized race. The finish line was CRAZY! I loved that feeling of crossing the line and becoming an ironman!!! 140.6 miles is a long race!

I also loved the non m-dot race (Great Floridian) just as much. It was much lower key. No media, no hype, less excitement and less drama. The city was not IM crazy. We stayed about a half hour outside Clermont in Orlando. People didn't have a clue that a big race was happening. It was much more relaxed. The volunteers were wonderful, but there were fewer of them. They did everything they could do to help, but there were not lots of extras. Since there were only around 300 participants in the race, there were many times on the course where I was totally alone. I know I biked alone for a long time and ran alone too. I actually didn't mind being alone. IM is an individual sport and being alone can be mentally tough. I do some of my training alone and this never bothers me. In a way the quiet, alone time during the race gave me time to think about what the sport is really about and why am I doing this. I am not racing another IM for the cheers or the pat on the back, I'm doing this for me. This is what I enjoy and it has become part of me. I liked the peace. I felt relaxed and was able to race my race without pressure of others. All the participants were encouraging of each other. I believe, in general, triathletes are good people. There were fewer spectators. I think most of them were watching a loved one race. There were probably few people that were just there to watch and not know anyone racing. The race was very well organized. The finish line was great. Not as many people, but it felt just as amazing. I know I was smiling most of the day and for sure at the finish line! It is 140.6 miles.

Overall, I enjoyed both races. Both races were difficult, but both were fun. A non m-dot race is just as challenging as a m-dot race. Every race is different and has its own challenges. This is even true within the m-dot races. One race has wind, while another has hills. One has humidity while another has rain. 140.6 is 140.6! I believe that if one finishes 140.6 he/she is worthy of being called an ironman!!!

Yes 140.6 is 140.6, but as anyone who has completed a marathon, half marathon, or an Ironman well knows, that all the hard work and gallons of sweat come long before race day. I have come to veiw race days as more of a celebration of all the hard work I have done. So to me it's about the party at the finish. While running a smaller marathon is a great experience, almost 39,000 people ran NYC last week. So I think the same think goes In the IM distance. While its huge to complete any 140.6 mile race. Something about coming through the Olympic circle in Lk Placid or through Columbus circle in Nov is extra special. Like for one minute the worlds eyes are on you.