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help me pick an Ironman (Page 2)
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 2014-03-18 4:38 PM in reply to: dmbfan4life20 |
 128  |  Subject: RE: help me pick an IronmanJust pick and go, a 140.6 is going to be hard and they all have unique difficulties. Take AZ you get a nice flat course but you also might get wind and or heat. There is no perfect IM course, there is no perfect conditions race day will bring what race day brings. I am going through the same thing you are going through I want my first IM in 2015 and I want it ironman branded and I want to be able to drive to it. That left me Tahoe, Arizona, Boulder and Coure D'alene. I just looked at the positives and downsides for each. Arizona was the closest drive so plus 1, Arizona is nice and flat plus one, Arizona is November and I live in the desert which means the bulk of my training would be done during the summer and 110 degree temps minus 2, wind (I hate wind I'd rather ride a hilly course than a windy one) minus one, heat minus one, difficulty of getting in minus 1 so AZ ended up being a -2. CDA longest drive of the 4 minus one, June race which allows me to train during the winter (I did training as 2 because the heat here is a double factor to train in) plus 2, hills minus 1, plenty of time to register and decide plus 1 so it ended up being a +1. I think my Tahoe and Boulders came out to 0's. So CDA won and that's how I decided. Just do that list the benefits, list the downsides and just do a math factor who wins wins. |
| 2014-03-18 4:47 PM in reply to: meggfishy |
Master 2855   Kailua, Hawaii | Subject: RE: help me pick an Ironman Originally posted by meggfishy One of my concerns with IMMT is that a lot of what I've read indicates I may need different gearing, or a road bike. My only bike is my 2012 Cervelo P2 with stock components, and I'm not really in the market for a new bike or doing a lot of work on mine. I used a regular crank on my P2c...and simply switched to a 11-28 cassette. The 28 was very nice to have on the last 10k portion. Really the only area where this is needed is on the last 10K of the loop. I would suggest standing on the steepest parts, which are very short and rolling (you go up and then down). There were quite a few on road bikes, and probably compact cranks, but not necessary. Depending on your "theory" of run performance off the bike, a compact might be better, but not required IMO. |
| 2014-03-18 6:55 PM in reply to: meggfishy |
| 71 | Subject: RE: help me pick an Ironman One to keep in the back of your mind is Chesapeakeman (although in Sept, it is in Cambridge MD, an easy drive from DC) though the organization (TriColumbia) that runs it is going under WTC has indicated they will be buying the races from TriColumbia. So there is a possibility it could reemerge as a IM branded event in 2015. Like I said, keep it in the back of your mind because nothing definite has happened yet. |
| 2014-03-19 8:14 AM in reply to: meggfishy |
Master 3205 ann arbor, michigan | Subject: RE: help me pick an Ironman I want to echo what others have said about Mont Tremblant. I did the 70.3 last year and this was easily the nicest, cleanest best(est) run race I have ever been to. The support from the locals was fantastic. The course was challenging but not too hard. My wife loved it as a spectator. It will be hard to top the experience there. Yes, there is a little bit of up and down on the bike but it isn't bad. If you haven't read it already, here is a guide to IMMT that is well worth perusing: http://www.slowtwitch.com/Lifestyle/Ironman_Mt_Tremblant_guide_3818... |
| 2014-03-19 11:59 AM in reply to: wannabefaster |
Regular 477 Washington, DC | Subject: RE: help me pick an Ironman I'm sooooo conflicted. IMMT is winning out in every way except for the hills. If it tells you anything about the terrain I train on, I haven't used my small chainring in about a year. Even in the "hillier" races I've done (North East Tri, for the Marylanders), I've stayed in the big ring the whole time. So a lot of the talk about swapping cassettes and whatnot is really intimidating to me, as a relatively new cyclist. I do think descending is much more of an issue for me than climbing, honestly. I'm not too heavy (5'8 and 130ish) and when I do races with hills, I tend to pass people on the uphill and then they fly by me on the descents. Hills for me are more of a mental issue than a physical one. But I like the sound of the IMMT course not being overly technical, and of the roads being in great shape. |
| 2014-03-19 12:38 PM in reply to: meggfishy |
Expert 1128 Fort Riley, Kansas | Subject: RE: help me pick an Ironman Originally posted by meggfishy I'm sooooo conflicted. IMMT is winning out in every way except for the hills. If it tells you anything about the terrain I train on, I haven't used my small chainring in about a year. Even in the "hillier" races I've done (North East Tri, for the Marylanders), I've stayed in the big ring the whole time. So a lot of the talk about swapping cassettes and whatnot is really intimidating to me, as a relatively new cyclist. I do think descending is much more of an issue for me than climbing, honestly. I'm not too heavy (5'8 and 130ish) and when I do races with hills, I tend to pass people on the uphill and then they fly by me on the descents. Hills for me are more of a mental issue than a physical one. But I like the sound of the IMMT course not being overly technical, and of the roads being in great shape. Don't let the hills deter you. I have only done Ironman Louisville (twice, 2011 and 2013) and since I live in a completely flat area, doing that race twice is still the only time I have ever been out of the big chain ring. I have the same bike as you, and I kept it stock for IM Lou, I didn't switch out my rear cassette. Doing hard intervals on the bike trainer helped with doing a hilly course. Sounds like IMMT is the race for you |
| 2014-03-19 2:16 PM in reply to: meggfishy |
Master 2855 Kailua, Hawaii | Subject: RE: help me pick an Ironman Originally posted by meggfishy I do think descending is much more of an issue for me than climbing, honestly. I'm not too heavy (5'8 and 130ish) and when I do races with hills, I tend to pass people on the uphill and then they fly by me on the descents. Hills for me are more of a mental issue than a physical one. But I like the sound of the IMMT course not being overly technical, and of the roads being in great shape. if you are referring to the "high speed descending" mentioned in the ST review, I'd say that's up to you how fast you decide to go. Stay to the right and do your own thing. The daredevils will pass you. The roads are fairly straight and well paved. |
| 2014-03-19 3:33 PM in reply to: spudone |
Pro 5169 Burbs | Subject: RE: help me pick an Ironman Originally posted by spudone Just throwing one more thing into the mix: Tri Bike Transport now has an option for Cozumel, if that interests you. You know that's my vote |
Late November, BEAUTIFUL course, flat, and cheap cheap cheap to stay (and eat and drink)| 2014-03-19 6:05 PM in reply to: dmbfan4life20 |
Extreme Veteran 523 Brambleton, VA | Subject: RE: help me pick an Ironman IMMT. . . plus, les Quebecois are very nice. |
| 2014-03-19 6:33 PM in reply to: #4966182 |
Champion 10154 Alabama | Subject: RE: help me pick an Ironman IMKY. Why? Because it's you weakest leg....do f' it. Swing for the fence. Train harder on the bike and get better? Point is, if you are a bucket lister, the find the easiest (for you) IM. But if you are all in...in it god the long hall....life as a triathlete IMer.....the go for broke. Finally, does it really matter if you finish in 10 hrs or 12 hrs? Those numbers for an IM mean nothing to 99.9% of people...enen many triathletes. Do the race that fits your schedule and budget and forget about how 'difficult' it will be. |
| 2014-03-19 7:14 PM in reply to: Rogillio |
Regular 477 Washington, DC | Subject: RE: help me pick an Ironman Originally posted by Rogillio IMKY. Why? Because it's you weakest leg....do f' it. Swing for the fence. Train harder on the bike and get better? Point is, if you are a bucket lister, the find the easiest (for you) IM. But if you are all in...in it god the long hall....life as a triathlete IMer.....the go for broke. Finally, does it really matter if you finish in 10 hrs or 12 hrs? Those numbers for an IM mean nothing to 99.9% of people...enen many triathletes. Do the race that fits your schedule and budget and forget about how 'difficult' it will be. I wouldn't call me a bucket lister, but it would likely be quite some time before I ever did another one (I'm a 31-year-old married woman with no kids yet...you see where this goes). It's not about "easy" and I don't really care about my time as long as it's under the cutoff, but I am trying to play to my strengths like anyone else. |
| 2014-03-19 7:23 PM in reply to: #4968174 |
Champion 10154 Alabama | Subject: RE: help me pick an Ironman I understand. You will finish whichever IM you choose. The DNS rate is always higher then hand DFN rate for an IM. Don't ask me to site the source of ghost but I researched it once. Good luck with whatever you decide. |
| 2014-03-20 7:31 AM in reply to: meggfishy |
Master 2500 Crab Cake City | Subject: RE: help me pick an Ironman Originally posted by meggfishy I'm sooooo conflicted. IMMT is winning out in every way except for the hills. If it tells you anything about the terrain I train on, I haven't used my small chainring in about a year. Even in the "hillier" races I've done (North East Tri, for the Marylanders), I've stayed in the big ring the whole time. So a lot of the talk about swapping cassettes and whatnot is really intimidating to me, as a relatively new cyclist. I do think descending is much more of an issue for me than climbing, honestly. I'm not too heavy (5'8 and 130ish) and when I do races with hills, I tend to pass people on the uphill and then they fly by me on the descents. Hills for me are more of a mental issue than a physical one. But I like the sound of the IMMT course not being overly technical, and of the roads being in great shape. Meg, I am in the same situation as you. I am 30, no kids yet but the wife is starting to talk so you can also see where this is going and thats why I am doing my IM this year. One thing I want you to look at is in your quote above you said that you never used your small chain ring, even for the hilly races like North East. I have done North East and I thought it was a hilly course. IMO, if you can stay in big gear for that entire race and all of your other races, you are a stronger cyclist then you give yourself credit for. Keep training with big gear work and that will prepare you for the hills. No shame in dropping into the small gear and spinning up a hill and then going back into the big gear to bomb down. Most of the rollers you can sling shot right back up and probably be in the big gear still. Again, you have well over a year to prepare for your IM so no need to worry. I am a bigger guy (6"1, 192lbs) so needless to say, I hate hills but I love them in the same way. I will be the guy going up at 8-10mph but bombing down at 35mph. I like the rest that they provide and for me, mentally it breaks up the monotny of the ride. Having been to MT before and seeing most of the course, its gorgeous and there is a lot to look at to keep you mentally stimulated. The roads are prefectly paved and the town is just awesome. I also was looking at IMFL for my first IM and also CDA but in the end, I knew IMMT was the race for me. The drive, price of housing, things to do in town, weather, lake swim, etc made it a no brainer. Don't let the fear of hills keep you from having a great IM experience. Biking is my weakest leg and although I am a little nervous about the bike since its my first IM, I am extremely confident that I will finish and have a good time. Find a plan, stick to your goals and you will get through it just fine. Oh and if IMMT is winning out in every way expect the hills well.....that means its the one for you. You can train for the hills, you cant change timing, weather, location, etc. Go up and volunteer this year, take your bike and preview the bike course or atleast drive it. You will see its not that bad. |
| 2014-03-20 10:27 AM in reply to: dmbfan4life20 |
| Member 763 | Subject: RE: help me pick an Ironman Originally posted by dmbfan4life20 Originally posted by meggfishy I'm sooooo conflicted. IMMT is winning out in every way except for the hills. If it tells you anything about the terrain I train on, I haven't used my small chainring in about a year. Even in the "hillier" races I've done (North East Tri, for the Marylanders), I've stayed in the big ring the whole time. So a lot of the talk about swapping cassettes and whatnot is really intimidating to me, as a relatively new cyclist. I do think descending is much more of an issue for me than climbing, honestly. I'm not too heavy (5'8 and 130ish) and when I do races with hills, I tend to pass people on the uphill and then they fly by me on the descents. Hills for me are more of a mental issue than a physical one. But I like the sound of the IMMT course not being overly technical, and of the roads being in great shape. Meg, I am in the same situation as you. I am 30, no kids yet but the wife is starting to talk so you can also see where this is going and thats why I am doing my IM this year. One thing I want you to look at is in your quote above you said that you never used your small chain ring, even for the hilly races like North East. I have done North East and I thought it was a hilly course. IMO, if you can stay in big gear for that entire race and all of your other races, you are a stronger cyclist then you give yourself credit for. Keep training with big gear work and that will prepare you for the hills. No shame in dropping into the small gear and spinning up a hill and then going back into the big gear to bomb down. Most of the rollers you can sling shot right back up and probably be in the big gear still. Again, you have well over a year to prepare for your IM so no need to worry. I am a bigger guy (6"1, 192lbs) so needless to say, I hate hills but I love them in the same way. I will be the guy going up at 8-10mph but bombing down at 35mph. I like the rest that they provide and for me, mentally it breaks up the monotny of the ride. Having been to MT before and seeing most of the course, its gorgeous and there is a lot to look at to keep you mentally stimulated. The roads are prefectly paved and the town is just awesome. I also was looking at IMFL for my first IM and also CDA but in the end, I knew IMMT was the race for me. The drive, price of housing, things to do in town, weather, lake swim, etc made it a no brainer. Don't let the fear of hills keep you from having a great IM experience. Biking is my weakest leg and although I am a little nervous about the bike since its my first IM, I am extremely confident that I will finish and have a good time. Find a plan, stick to your goals and you will get through it just fine. Oh and if IMMT is winning out in every way expect the hills well.....that means its the one for you. You can train for the hills, you cant change timing, weather, location, etc. Go up and volunteer this year, take your bike and preview the bike course or atleast drive it. You will see its not that bad. MATT - I tend to believe that having kids is slightly more an issue for females than males...at least that's what I remember from those after school specials. ;-) And as a result, Meg might have a slightly different set of criteria than you when it comes to starting a family and timing of an IM, but I get your point. MEG - All kidding aside, Matt's point about IMMT is spot on. If IMMT is perfect timing, location, weather, etc...and it's just the hills that concern you, then you should go for IMMT. You can train for hills. And I wouldn't be too worried about swapping out cassettes - if you're going for Kona or are super geeked-up on bike stuff, then perhaps you want to adjust your bike, but I think most AGs just ride "off-the-shelf" bikes. And I like Matt's idea about volunteering - you can get a good feel for the course, town and things. And if you get up there and realise that MT isn't for you, then you still have time to register for IMFL or another race. And as somebody said earlier in this thread, each race has its own unique challenges. Pick the best one for you, which seems to be IMMT, and just train for it. 140.6 miles is a long day regardless of what IM you select. Good luck. |
| 2014-03-21 6:52 AM in reply to: LarchmontTri |
Regular 477 Washington, DC | Subject: RE: help me pick an Ironman OK, I think it's IMMT. Eeeeeeeeeeek! |
| 2014-03-21 8:23 AM in reply to: meggfishy |
| 1159 | Subject: RE: help me pick an Ironman Originally posted by meggfishy OK, I think it's IMMT. Eeeeeeeeeeek! this thread is making me want to do IMMT in 2015 as well! |
| 2014-03-21 10:26 AM in reply to: austhokie |
| 128 | Subject: RE: help me pick an Ironman You people are crazy I can't imagine riding without using my small ring, then again I can climb 1000 feet by just leaving from my door and heading west and well east as well. Heck its easy for me to find %9 and %10 grades, I use my small ring every ride. |
| 2014-03-21 11:49 AM in reply to: austhokie |
Regular 477 Washington, DC | Subject: RE: help me pick an Ironman Originally posted by austhokie Originally posted by meggfishy OK, I think it's IMMT. Eeeeeeeeeeek! this thread is making me want to do IMMT in 2015 as well! Do it do it! We can go find some hills in Virginia! |
| 2014-03-21 12:06 PM in reply to: meggfishy |
| Master 10208 Northern IL | Subject: RE: help me pick an Ironman Originally posted by meggfishy Originally posted by austhokie Do it do it! We can go find some hills in Virginia! Originally posted by meggfishy OK, I think it's IMMT. Eeeeeeeeeeek! this thread is making me want to do IMMT in 2015 as well! And that's how you do it. It's pretty flat by me too, but I've done well on hilly courses from working various types of intervals well on the trainer and also driving out to hilly areas every now and then. As in spend the night, ride the next day and return later. |
| 2014-03-21 1:20 PM in reply to: brigby1 |
Master 2500 Crab Cake City | Subject: RE: help me pick an Ironman I think you made a good choice!! |
| 2014-03-22 12:23 PM in reply to: dmbfan4life20 |
New user 77 | Subject: RE: help me pick an Ironman As a flatlander myself (from Northern VA, 25 miles west of DC), I can tell you the hills won't be an issue if you have the base and put in the training necessary. I did St. George last year and it was my first 70.3. I also second Tribike Transport. They are really not expensive and you can drop your bike off at the Bonzai tri store in Falls Church and it shows up in transition -- it really doesn't get easier than that. I'd would also consider a different cassette on your rear wheel. I have a 2012 P2, which came with a 50/34 on the front and a 12/25 on the back. I just put a 11/28 on the back for my race in Coeur d'Alene on June. It's super easy to do -- just watch youtube or take it to a shop. |
| 2014-03-22 3:19 PM in reply to: psuross92 |
Regular 477 Washington, DC | Subject: RE: help me pick an Ironman Originally posted by psuross92 I'd would also consider a different cassette on your rear wheel. I have a 2012 P2, which came with a 50/34 on the front and a 12/25 on the back. I just put a 11/28 on the back for my race in Coeur d'Alene on June. It's super easy to do -- just watch youtube or take it to a shop. I know really nothing about this kind of stuff. Would the 11/28 also suit me fine for other races and regular riding on flat courses? Or is it a matter of swapping back and forth between cassettes? |
 2014-03-22 3:24 PM in reply to: meggfishy |
| Subject: ... This user's post has been ignored. |
| 2014-03-22 4:54 PM in reply to: meggfishy |
| Elite 7783 PEI, Canada | Subject: RE: help me pick an Ironman Originally posted by meggfishy Originally posted by psuross92 I'd would also consider a different cassette on your rear wheel. I have a 2012 P2, which came with a 50/34 on the front and a 12/25 on the back. I just put a 11/28 on the back for my race in Coeur d'Alene on June. It's super easy to do -- just watch youtube or take it to a shop. I know really nothing about this kind of stuff. Would the 11/28 also suit me fine for other races and regular riding on flat courses? Or is it a matter of swapping back and forth between cassettes? I use an 11-28 cassette for a lot of my regular riding and many of my races (flat and rolling) but even if you do need to swap it back and forth, it's a 2 minute job at the most. Get someone that knows how to do it show you once and you'll be good to go. |
| 2014-03-22 9:45 PM in reply to: axteraa |
| Regular 477 Washington, DC | Subject: RE: help me pick an Ironman Unfortunately there's no possible way for me to go volunteer for IMMT this summer -- have a family wedding that weekend. Anyone remember how long it took to sell out this year? I'm assuming I'll probably be ok as long as I'm ready at the computer as soon as it opens? |
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