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First Ironman? - Coeur d'Alene or new Ironman Texas
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 2010-08-02 9:56 PM |
Veteran  490   Dallas |  Subject: First Ironman? - Coeur d'Alene or new Ironman TexasHello, long time lurker. I'm working on building up for an ironman next year. I already signed up for CDA, but I am getting second thoughts about the race given the swells and horror stories about the swim. Would the new one in Houston be a safer bet? A little background. I have a running background (NYC/Boston/etc), have built up my biking to match my run, but really struggle in the water. Olympic, open water swims are a challenge for me now. I'm in a masters swim program and have a full year to get even better. However, I'm wondering if the Houston Ironman would be the better/safer fit (would need to buy foundation slot). I live in Dallas so I know it could be hot, which is a concern too. Any help ideas? |
| 2010-08-02 10:07 PM in reply to: #3019964 |
Extreme Veteran 664 Minneapolis | Subject: RE: First Ironman? - Coeur d'Alene or new Ironman Texas You realize you cannot get most of your IMCDA money refunded, right? That's a lot of money - since you already committed to that one, why not just stick with that? You have a long time to improve your swim, and if you work hard at it, there's no reason you can't rock the IMCDA swim. Cheers, Chris |
| 2010-08-02 10:10 PM in reply to: #3019964 |
Expert 2547 The Woodlands, TX | Subject: RE: First Ironman? - Coeur d'Alene or new Ironman Texas Texas will be a smooth swim, but no wetsuit. If the water is your worry, a little chop with a wetsuit is considerably easier than no wetsuit. Just a thought. |
| 2010-08-02 10:44 PM in reply to: #3019964 |
Elite 4235 Spring, TX | Subject: RE: First Ironman? - Coeur d'Alene or new Ironman Texas I did IMCdA as my first and it was a great race! Beautiful venue and an amazing time. I highly recommend it. The water isn't as bad as you've heard. Just train and you'll be fine! |
| 2010-08-02 10:46 PM in reply to: #3019984 |
Veteran 490 Dallas | Subject: RE: First Ironman? - Coeur d'Alene or new Ironman Texas tjfry - 2010-08-02 10:10 PM Texas will be a smooth swim, but no wetsuit. If the water is your worry, a little chop with a wetsuit is considerably easier than no wetsuit. Just a thought. Great point. I would prefer a wetsuit. |
| 2010-08-02 10:47 PM in reply to: #3020013 |
Extreme Veteran 404 Long Beach, CA | Subject: RE: First Ironman? - Coeur d'Alene or new Ironman Texas AndrewMT - 2010-08-02 10:44 PM Beautiful venue and an amazing time. This is why I've signed up to make it my first. I just can't imagine Texas being a better setting for it than Idaho. The way I look at it, even if the swim is tough.....at least it's tough for everybody.  |
| 2010-08-02 10:49 PM in reply to: #3020013 |
Veteran 490 Dallas | Subject: RE: First Ironman? - Coeur d'Alene or new Ironman Texas AndrewMT - 2010-08-02 10:44 PM I did IMCdA as my first and it was a great race! Beautiful venue and an amazing time. I highly recommend it. The water isn't as bad as you've heard. Just train and you'll be fine! I like cooler weather even if it means hills so that is why I signed up for CdA. However, I have talked with a few people and they kinda put the fear in my head about the swim. One thing I do like is the fact you leave the water for the second loop. That may be just the break I need to clear my head. I may ping you later for some feedback/advice on the race. Thanks. |
| 2010-08-02 10:52 PM in reply to: #3020018 |
Veteran 490 Dallas | Subject: RE: First Ironman? - Coeur d'Alene or new Ironman Texas undertheradar - 2010-08-02 10:47 PM AndrewMT - 2010-08-02 10:44 PM Beautiful venue and an amazing time. This is why I've signed up to make it my first. I just can't imagine Texas being a better setting for it than Idaho. The way I look at it, even if the swim is tough.....at least it's tough for everybody. Very true. Texas is not a better setting (I live in Dallas). |
| 2010-08-02 10:53 PM in reply to: #3020018 |
Elite 4235 Spring, TX | Subject: RE: First Ironman? - Coeur d'Alene or new Ironman Texas undertheradar - 2010-08-02 10:47 PM AndrewMT - 2010-08-02 10:44 PM Beautiful venue and an amazing time. This is why I've signed up to make it my first. I just can't imagine Texas being a better setting for it than Idaho. The way I look at it, even if the swim is tough.....at least it's tough for everybody.
Agreed. I live 10 minutes from where IMTX will start and while I love the area, it doesn't hold a candle to Coeur d'Alene in June. Come winter though, and I'll be happy living in TX! |
| 2010-08-02 10:56 PM in reply to: #3020022 |
Elite 4235 Spring, TX | Subject: RE: First Ironman? - Coeur d'Alene or new Ironman Texas 3Aims - 2010-08-02 10:49 PM AndrewMT - 2010-08-02 10:44 PM I did IMCdA as my first and it was a great race! Beautiful venue and an amazing time. I highly recommend it. The water isn't as bad as you've heard. Just train and you'll be fine! I like cooler weather even if it means hills so that is why I signed up for CdA. However, I have talked with a few people and they kinda put the fear in my head about the swim. One thing I do like is the fact you leave the water for the second loop. That may be just the break I need to clear my head. I may ping you later for some feedback/advice on the race. Thanks. The hills are tough to train for if you don't have any in your area, but the run is fairly flat. It was downright cold when I did it in 2009. The water was the warmest part of the day. The swim really isn't that bad. Anytime you put 2000+ people in a small area the water will be choppy and honestly, water conditions will be the least of your concerns. Worry about the other athletes and not taking a foot/elbow to your face! |
| 2010-08-03 6:40 AM in reply to: #3019964 |
Champion 7547 Albuquerque, New Mexico Bronze member | Subject: RE: First Ironman? - Coeur d'Alene or new Ironman Texas Is Texas doing a TT start like Louisville does? CdA water temps will likely be 60-63F, but with 2200 people, you'll have plenty of time to get adjusted to the water as you wade in (unless you're one of the first 200). You've signed up for CdA, now commit to it! |
| 2010-08-03 7:18 AM in reply to: #3019964 |
Elite 2706 Hurst, Texas | Subject: RE: First Ironman? - Coeur d'Alene or new Ironman Texas IMCDA was my first, IMTX will be my second. The swim at CDA is nowhere near as bad as people are telling you. I'm not a strong swimmer, and the swim was my favorite part of IMCDA (except the finish line, of course). The water can be a little choppy and cold, but it is a BEAUTIFUL setting, and the lake is crystal clear...I could see the bottom as I swam. Put the training hours in, embrace the fact that you'll have a wetsuit, and enjoy your time in Idaho! |
| 2010-08-03 7:32 AM in reply to: #3019964 |
Master 2202 Canton, Michigan | Subject: RE: First Ironman? - Coeur d'Alene or new Ironman Texas Unless your willing to put up the money for a foundation spot the general entry for Texas is sold out. Stick with Cda you have plenty of time and won't end up losing so much $$$ |
| 2010-08-03 7:42 AM in reply to: #3019964 |
Master 2202 St. Louis | Subject: RE: First Ironman? - Coeur d'Alene or new Ironman Texas You can only get $150 of your $600 entry fee refunded... tack on the $1200 for the foundation slot and you have yourself a $1350 Ironman. That would make my decision right there, stick with CdA. I signed up for CdA as my first IM too. There will be a ton of first timers there, I wouldnt worry about it. Just train and you'll be fine. |
| 2010-08-03 9:10 AM in reply to: #3020263 |
Elite 3088 Austin, TX Gold member | Subject: RE: First Ironman? - Coeur d'Alene or new Ironman Texas ranger5oh - 2010-08-03 7:42 AM You can only get $150 of your $600 entry fee refunded... tack on the $1200 for the foundation slot and you have yourself a $1350 Ironman. That would make my decision right there, stick with CdA. I signed up for CdA as my first IM too. There will be a ton of first timers there, I wouldnt worry about it. Just train and you'll be fine. You've got it backwards. It's actually worse. Take the $1200 to sign up for IMTX and add the $450 you won't get back from CdA and your cost is $1650. |
| 2010-08-03 9:15 AM in reply to: #3020176 |
Expert 2547 The Woodlands, TX | Subject: RE: First Ironman? - Coeur d'Alene or new Ironman Texas McFuzz - 2010-08-03 6:40 AM Is Texas doing a TT start like Louisville does? CdA water temps will likely be 60-63F, but with 2200 people, you'll have plenty of time to get adjusted to the water as you wade in (unless you're one of the first 200). You've signed up for CdA, now commit to it! Nope. Mass start. |
| 2010-08-03 11:03 AM in reply to: #3019964 |
| Master 5557 , California | Subject: RE: First Ironman? - Coeur d'Alene or new Ironman Texas Stick with CdA - the swim really isn't that bad. The water "rolls" a bit but you just get in a rhythm and go with it. One thing I'd recommend is that you bring some darker tinted goggles. The race starts at 7am and the sun rises perpendicular to the swim course. So unless you switch sides breathing for the out / back, you'll be looking into the sun part of the time. One thing I do like is the fact you leave the water for the second loop. That may be just the break I need to clear my head. The best part about leaving the water is all the spectators crowding around that little touchpad point. You feel like a TdF rider with them cheering and high fiving people. It was downright cold when I did it in 2009. The water was the warmest part of the day. 2010 was 88F and sunny all day. In any case though, you don't get the humidity in Idaho like you do down south. As for the rest of the day, like other said, CdA is a beautiful area and I think you'll enjoy it. The bike course goes out / back east-west, then north-south, and does 2 loops. So it tends to concentrate the spectators and you get a lot of energy from the crowd while you're racing. I'd definitely recommend it. |
| 2010-08-16 7:28 PM in reply to: #3019964 |
Veteran 490 Dallas | Subject: RE: First Ironman? - Coeur d'Alene or new Ironman Texas Thanks for all of the feedback. I'm still committed to it and maybe my fear will push me that much more as I work on my swim fitness over the next 9 months. Somewhat related, do any of you use a Halo/Vasa type swim trainer too? I'm debating on one at the moment. I'm getting about 3-5 hours in a week at the pool today but want more work. |
| 2010-08-16 8:38 PM in reply to: #3019964 |
Expert 1258 Marin County, California | Subject: RE: First Ironman? - Coeur d'Alene or new Ironman Texas And at the end of the day, Ironman, no Ironman, is supposed to be 'easy', nor would we want it to be, since the challenge is the 'why' we do it.... Do CdA, like someone else mentioned, you registered, now commit to it. |
| 2010-08-16 11:06 PM in reply to: #3047087 |
| Champion 9430 No excuses! | Subject: RE: First Ironman? - Coeur d'Alene or new Ironman Texas 3Aims - 2010-08-16 8:28 PM Thanks for all of the feedback. I'm still committed to it and maybe my fear will push me that much more as I work on my swim fitness over the next 9 months. Somewhat related, do any of you use a Halo/Vasa type swim trainer too? I'm debating on one at the moment. I'm getting about 3-5 hours in a week at the pool today but want more work. I have a triton swim trainer, don't use it nearly like I should, but it is one heck of a workout when I do. |
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