General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Want to take the long course plunge....suggestions?? Rss Feed  
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2013-10-02 7:54 AM

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Subject: Want to take the long course plunge....suggestions??
Hey everyone I am looking at training for my first ironman for 2014. I live in the south (mississippi) and would like some suggestions on which one I should sign up for, pros, cons etc. thanks

Todd


2013-10-02 1:18 PM
in reply to: trmat79

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Subject: RE: Want to take the long course plunge....suggestions??

Hi Todd

Well, much of your decision may have already been made for you as some races filled up for 2014 not long after this year's race.  I would go to ironman.com and look through the list of IM races and it will indicate which ones are still open.  From there you can narrow your choice.  Much depends on what month works best for your work situation, family considerations, and geography.  Good luck!

2013-10-02 1:44 PM
in reply to: Birkierunner

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Subject: RE: Want to take the long course plunge....suggestions??
Are you only interested in an I'M brand? If so than above post is spot on.....if not rev , challenge, cheapeakeman, IM louisville is.open and probably will be for.some.time.......I'm Florida and Arizona is upcoming but you will need to be aggressive on sign up morning to possibly get spot via computerGood luck
2013-10-02 2:11 PM
in reply to: trmat79


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Subject: RE: Want to take the long course plunge....suggestions??
You should consider IM Louisville. Should be driving distance from MS. I did IMLOU as my first full this year. It seems IMLOU gets a bad rap from lots of people but I enjoyed it. Time trial swim start so not terribly crowded on the swim - if the 17-hr cutoff is a concern, you'll have to get in line early but the line moves pretty fast and everyone is in the water by 7:40 or so - race cutoff remains midnight. Also the swim will be wetsuit "optional" at best which means if you wear one, you aren't eligible for awards and this year anyone wearing a wetsuit had to start at back of the line. Personally, I can't imagine wearing one as the water was around 80 degrees. August in Louisville is typically hot and humid (high of 91 on race day this year) though you'll train through that in MS. Bike course has constant rollers. Not sure what type of terrain you have to train on. Run is flat. There is some shade on the run which obviously increases the later you are out there.

A big benefit to IMLOU is that it doesn't sell out fast at all. In fact, this year it was announced as a sell out about 3 weeks before the race - which honestly could have just been a registration cutoff for IM to get everything done. I'm thinking next year will be similar as lots of IMLOU racers are probably doing IMCHATT in late September.

The late sell out was the primary reason I raced it as my first. I completed my first 70.3 in early May 2013, then registered for IMLOU in early June.

Good luck!
2013-10-02 6:02 PM
in reply to: jkintn

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Subject: RE: Want to take the long course plunge....suggestions??
thanks everyone. My gut initally said IM FL but I am worried about the early sell out since i have never done this before. Also there is a chance that before the race I would be transfered (military) and although I can go a ton of places....here, Pensacola and Corpus Christi TX are the likely places. I would like to still be able to do the race even if I move.
2013-10-02 7:14 PM
in reply to: trmat79

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Subject: RE: Want to take the long course plunge....suggestions??
Just completed my first full at Redman (Oklahoma City), which is also an non-WTC branded event. It is usually the 3rd weekend in September.

Pros:
Cost effective (entry fee about 1/2 of "Branded" event)
Most hotels give a discount if you are with the race (IMTX hotels double their prices race week)
Best staff and volunteers of any type of race I have ever done bar none
Doesn't sell out fast
Smaller group of full racers ( Could be a con, depending on your point of view)
1st timer friendly flat run course
great community of participants

Cons:
Not an official "Ironman" Race ( this may or may not be a con to some, for me it wasn't )
Probably not as many spectators along the bike course as some of the bigger races


2013-10-02 9:45 PM
in reply to: mx119

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Subject: RE: Want to take the long course plunge....suggestions??
Good points. I was thinking that to be an "ironman" it had to be the sanctioned ones but in reality the distance and the challenge is what matters
2013-10-03 6:14 AM
in reply to: trmat79

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Subject: RE: Want to take the long course plunge....suggestions??
Originally posted by trmat79

Good points. I was thinking that to be an "ironman" it had to be the sanctioned ones but in reality the distance and the challenge is what matters


Ironman just means that it is a race that falls under the WTC brand - there are plenty of USAT sanctioned Iron Distance races that you can participate in
2013-10-03 4:09 PM
in reply to: trmat79

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Subject: RE: Want to take the long course plunge....suggestions??

Originally posted by trmat79 Good points. I was thinking that to be an "ironman" it had to be the sanctioned ones but in reality the distance and the challenge is what matters

 

This always becomes a heated debate at times.....some believe you must complete an IM brand to be an Ironman, and some even go further thinking you need to complete Kona.......it is just a name and trademark.......I am happy I did do the IM branded race first but plan on doing Challenge AC next year and looking forward to it as much as IMLP.....

 

In my opinion, if you get your butt across the line accomplishing 140.6 miles you are an Ironman no matter the venue

 

2013-10-09 3:06 PM
in reply to: FELTGood


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Subject: RE: Want to take the long course plunge....suggestions??
I've done IMWI five times, but it helps to be able to sleep in my own bed before race day and train on the course year-round (except during blizzards and deer season). From reading people's blog and talking to others, Wisconsin is great for many reasons, but has some downsides being so popular:


Pros:
Sleeping in my own bed (may not apply to everyone...only have a queen...wife doesn't like to share)
Plenty of hotels (you have to rent a house for Lake Placid), available within 30 minutes up to a week before the race
Doesn't sell out in minutes any more (only within hours now)
Bestest staff and volunteers
Spectators on at least every corner of the entire bike course, packed on the big climbs and in towns
State St. is packed for specators on the run
Great race for families, specators, and people who like to watch and drink beer
Changing rooms and banquet are inside, not in tents
Local air base (good for transfering for Air Force)

Cons:
Hotels within walking distance can be expensive and sell out a year before (check often for cancels, though)
Sells out within hours
3000ish racers
Hilly, challanging bike
Somewhat difficult run too


Ironman Wisconsin is already sold out for this year, but it is a great race to consider in the future. I recommend coming the year before and volunteering so you can preview the course and sign up the day after in the volunteer line.
2013-10-10 7:19 PM
in reply to: pnelson

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Subject: RE: Want to take the long course plunge....suggestions??
Thanks everyone for the suggestions....I have been looking and with other financial requirements coming up this year I don't thinks tri bike is in the cards right now. I will continue to ride on my roadie (2008 specialized s work roubaix) but I don't know how I feel signing up for an IM on that bike.


2013-10-10 9:08 PM
in reply to: trmat79


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Subject: RE: Want to take the long course plunge....suggestions??
Originally posted by trmat79

Thanks everyone for the suggestions....I have been looking and with other financial requirements coming up this year I don't thinks tri bike is in the cards right now. I will continue to ride on my roadie (2008 specialized s work roubaix) but I don't know how I feel signing up for an IM on that bike.



I rode a 2004 Specialized Roubaix for my first two IM WI races...the second time I rode a 5:21 split, 20.9 mph average, 59th overall out of 2300. Hopefully that makes you feel better about riding that bike. If you're looking for a better way to gain speed, a TT helmet, aero wheels and no gloves will make you faster...actually they save you about the same about of speed each (MIT did a study about that a few years ago...I'm sure you can find the study if you use the Google). A TT helmet would be about $150-200 you can probably find a fellow triathlete you will lend you wheels for the month leading into your race. Wheels are worth it, but they are a very big investment.

The bike won't make you fast, you make the bike fast...but the bike can make you faster. -Peter Nelson, very wise man
2013-10-11 6:19 AM
in reply to: pnelson

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Subject: RE: Want to take the long course plunge....suggestions??
Ok well that is good to know. I just assumed tri bike for IM. Now I have to figure out what training plan (or combination) I want to use over the next 55 weeks
2013-10-11 2:25 PM
in reply to: pnelson

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Subject: RE: Want to take the long course plunge....suggestions??

Originally posted by pnelson

 (you have to rent a house for Lake Placid),.

 

No you don't. Plenty of hotels, motels, cottages, and campgrounds in and around Lake Placid.

2013-10-15 11:15 AM
in reply to: trmat79

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Subject: RE: Want to take the long course plunge....suggestions??
Originally posted by trmat79

Thanks everyone for the suggestions....I have been looking and with other financial requirements coming up this year I don't thinks tri bike is in the cards right now. I will continue to ride on my roadie (2008 specialized s work roubaix) but I don't know how I feel signing up for an IM on that bike.


You'll be the most comfortable rider in your IM, and certainly not the slowest. Consider clip-on aerobars and re-fitting the roubaix for a more aero position. It's tough if you are on a course where you have to shift a lot, but pays dividends on the long stretches.
2013-11-04 12:39 PM
in reply to: mrbbrad


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Subject: RE: Want to take the long course plunge....suggestions??
Originally posted by mrbbrad

Originally posted by pnelson

 (you have to rent a house for Lake Placid),.

 

No you don't. Plenty of hotels, motels, cottages, and campgrounds in and around Lake Placid.




Thanks for the clarification. I haven't raced IMLP, but I've heard it is hard to get a hotel.


2013-11-04 1:35 PM
in reply to: FranzZemen

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Subject: RE: Want to take the long course plunge....suggestions??
Originally posted by FranzZemen

Originally posted by trmat79

Thanks everyone for the suggestions....I have been looking and with other financial requirements coming up this year I don't thinks tri bike is in the cards right now. I will continue to ride on my roadie (2008 specialized s work roubaix) but I don't know how I feel signing up for an IM on that bike.


You'll be the most comfortable rider in your IM, and certainly not the slowest. Consider clip-on aerobars and re-fitting the roubaix for a more aero position. It's tough if you are on a course where you have to shift a lot, but pays dividends on the long stretches.


I have done two IM's on my Specialized Tarmac roadie without clip-on aerobars (I have carbon handlebars and was told I would need to change them out, so I didn't put any on).

You don't need a tri bike to do an IM.

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