Thoughts on IMLP popularity

Yesterday in my log I mentioned that I couldn't believe IMLP sold out in 90 minutes on Monday. After thinking about it for a bit last night, I can actually totally believe it.

Here are some of the reasons:
- It's an IMNA event. Yes, it's a marketing brand and expensive, and the price and variety of IM branded products in the merchandise tent are over the top. But like McDonald's, Starbucks, or Home Depot, in most cases, you have a pretty good idea of what you're going to get from it.
- As an IMNA event with 2000+ competitors, it's an EVENT. It's not just a race, but a 3 or 4 day experience.

Now, those 2 reasons don't explain why AZ and CDA still have slots open. IMLP has what I believe are some very unique things going for it:
- It's the closest IM to several major population centers: New York, Boston, Washington, Philadelphia.
- The swim course. It's straight out, left turn, 25m or so, another left turn, straight back, then repeat. The water is clear. For those brave enough to get inside, there's a cable 5 feet under water that practically eliminates the need to sight. There's no current, no surf, and rarely any chop other than that created by the swimmers themselves. It's also incredibly spectator friendly. Not that they can pick you out, but any supporters can easily watch the entire swim portion from practically anywhere on the shore of the lake.
- The bike course. Yes, it's pretty hilly. But if you bring the right gearing and keep yourself under control, why should that matter other than pulling down your time a bit? Whether you're pushing 175 watts going uphill, downhill, or on a flat, it's still 175 watts. It's a freaking gorgeous ride along well-maintained roads. The descent into Keene is a blast if you've got the stomach to bomb it. The bike course is also about as spectator friendly as it can be with the chance for supporters to see you come right through downtown LP once each lap. Did I mention it's beautiful? Pick your head up a bit and look around. You won't miss those couple of extra seconds.
- The run course. People tend to ignore this a bit, but it's not easy (it's by FAR the toughest run course of any IMNA event). There are some nasty little hills you have to climb and descend, but like the bike, it's a gorgeous run. And speaking of spectator friendly, you go through downtown on the way out, come back through, and then repeat. That's 4 chances for friends and family to see you on the run.
- Did I mention a spectator friendly course yet? Someone watching this race can view the entire swim, see you twice on the bike, four times on the run, and still easily make it over to see you cross the finish line all without walking more than 1/4 mile all day!
- Crowd support. Since it's so spectator friendly, all those loops through downtown are packed with crowds. You feel like your climbing l'Alpe d'Huez when you're coming back into town on the bike with people crowding the road screaming your name and patting you on the back as you go by. You'll even see people sitting out in their yards out at mile 30 of the bike course cheering you by and they'll still be there when you come through for your second lap 3+ hours later.
- Community support. This also ties back to the second point about this being an event. Unlike FL, where many of the residents feel the IM is an intrusion, or AZ where you're basically an annoyance to people who live in what is a suburb of a major city, IMLP is one of the major happenings in Lake Placid for the whole year. During the week before the race, it is the ONLY thing happening for hundreds of miles around. And other than those that have simply accepted it and learned to stay away during that time of the year, most of the people in the area are generally enthusiastic about having it there. Being that the area is so small, you truly get immersed in the experience. EVERYONE around you is either there for the same reason you are or knows why you're there.
- The area. The Adirondacks are beautiful and offer a chance to have a real summer vacation at the same time you race. From the quaint downtown area, to the Olympic venues, being able to take bobsled ride and watch ski jumping in the middle of the summer, water sports, camping, hiking, you name it. Lake Placid and the surrounding areas are very much vacation spots. You could spend a week up there without the race and have a great time; thousands of people do.

I've lived in Panama City and in Tempe and I know that those places just can't compare as IM venues. I can't say anything about MOO or CDA, but I would find it hard to believe they have anything on LP. If you get the chance, don't miss the opportunity to do this race.