Subject: RE: Ironman Nice France I raced IM France about five years ago. To date, it's my first and only IM-distance race. Definitely on my list to go back and do again (both because it's a fabulous race and because I DNF'd on the run ). Swim is a bit crazy. 2500+ person mass start. Water was fine, but the beach is very rocky, which is tough on your feet for the 30+ mins you end up standing on the beach waiting for the race to start. Some people tried to bring cheap flip-flops to save their feet, but officials strongly discouraged that because of the littering issue. Bike course is stunningly beautiful, but also difficult. I did the bike course slowly and split the first half in about 4 hours and the second in about three hours. You pretty much climb out of Nice for the first half and then coast downhill in for the second half. Beautiful views and long climbs (one was 13 miles long ), but very rarely did it hit a steep pitch. I think the steepest it got was 10% and that climb was only about a half-mile. Run course is perfectly flat along the beach. Out and back four times. While it being flat makes it easier, it can get exceptionally hot on the run since there is absolutely no shade. Overall the race was well managed and I'd definitely recommend it. |