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2011-09-30 10:10 AM

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Subject: question about IM Louisville swim start!
A little confused about the swim start for this event. Is it a real time trial start where they group you in line with similar swim times to you or own or do you just show up and get in line?


2011-09-30 10:15 AM
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Subject: RE: question about IM Louisville swim start!

show up and get in line

2011-09-30 10:17 AM
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Subject: RE: question about IM Louisville swim start!
It goes really fast though. 
2011-09-30 10:18 AM
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Subject: RE: question about IM Louisville swim start!
Go to youtube and search for Ironman Louisville Swim start and you will see lots of video of what it looks like.
2011-09-30 10:19 AM
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Subject: RE: question about IM Louisville swim start!

First come first served.
This year they implemented a new "rule" whereas a friend/family member could not save a spot in line for an athlete. In years past, people would camp out overnight in line so their athlete could show up at 6 a.m. and skip to the front where their spot was being held. I thought they did a good job this year of making sure only athletes were in line. Family members could hang out in line, but they were not allowed to hold a spot.

I got in line around 6 a.m. and jumped into the water about 7:40 a.m. (gun went off at 7 a.m.). This does include about a 10-minute time frame when they stopped the line to rescue a swimmer. So if that wouldn't have happened I would have jumped in around 7:30 a.m.  

Here you go, this is a good video of the swim start and how fast it moves.



Edited by lisac957 2011-09-30 10:20 AM
2011-09-30 1:48 PM
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Subject: RE: question about IM Louisville swim start!
Thanks...watched a few videos, looks pretty calm for a swim start! Guessing the line starts forming early?


2011-10-01 10:47 AM
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Subject: RE: question about IM Louisville swim start!
People start lining up early! I got to the swim line at about 5:45am and had about a 35 minute wait to get into the water. Once the line starts moving it does go pretty fast...I joked with people that the pace in the swim start up line would be faster than my marathon pace that day!
2011-10-01 10:55 AM
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Subject: RE: question about IM Louisville swim start!
Yep, early!  I was there by about 5:20 am (give or take) and I ended up jumping in the water at about 7:12 am.
2011-10-01 7:31 PM
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Subject: RE: question about IM Louisville swim start!
I liken it to a "lemming" start.  Once in the water, you don't have the immediate pummeling of waves or the mass start.  There are always people around the rest of the way, but usually not crowded.  Kind of like mid to late swim in other events.
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