Choosing a Texas IM

HITS marble falls Full is harder than IMTX Full let the numbers speak for itself HITS is 5200 FT. Ascent IMTX according to GMAN up there is around 1600 FT. and the run course is hilly I assume IMTX run is considerably forgiving.... For that kind of difficulty I would pay the $700 vs. The $250.... If your ok with HITS Ocala Florida is the most even elevation.

Edited by strykergt 2014-05-24 1:58 PM

So if you want a IM like the original with a grassroots feel without drafting problems then Marble Falls sounds perfect.

Thanks all. Here's the rest of the story.

1) I don't want to swim in the ocean, too unpredictable and that's my weakest area right now.

2) I much prefer smaller venues. I'm okay if it's harder as long as they are not so hard that I can't make the cutoffs. It would be easy for me to go and train on the Marble Falls course. 5200 ft over 112 miles is like 2500 feet over 56 miles. I'm okay with that, as I live in Austin. I'm not speedy, but I'm okay with cat 4 and cat 5 hills, and even some cat 3.

3) I would prefer more than 15 people in my race, but 2500 is overkill for me. I kind of like the grassroots, less chaotic idea of Marble Falls.

4) Lower cost of race entry is only important after my other requirements are met.

Interesting that you mentioned Ocala. I'm currently doing a consulting gig in Tallahassee that will hopefully be done by the end of the year. I really miss the hills of Austin! I suddenly have to do hill repeats because my normal rides don't have enough natural elevation. Oh, I almost forgot. I'm 61 years young and entered this sport at 57.

Maybe I should just do a couple more HIMs and wait another year on an IM.

Flip a coin. Then crush whatever course fate has in store for you!

It's not in Texas but a fairly short trip from Austin is Redman in OKC. I've never done the full at Redman but have done the half twice. The half and full are the same course except you do 2 loops on swim, 2 loops on bike, and 4 loops on run. All I can say Redman is a very well run event.

Emile has talked me into the Redman....seriously, the support is awesome I keep reading and only about 300 for the full. 14 wks remain I think which is plenty of time if your base is there. I am doing Redman and avoiding the TX heat of IMTX and using a wetsuit. It will be hot on the run, but I like the venue from what I have read. This is a slam dunk logistically too.

i would do Redman in a heartbeat only if i live somewhere DFW are or N.Texas its more expensive for me to do Redman than IMTX. Someday ill do Redman or maybe Marblefalls Full.

I did Redman as my first full last year. I am not sure of your exact situation, but here are the financial factors I took into account.

IMTX is about $300 more than Redman.

IMTX also requires you check in a day earlier, which means 3 days hotel vs 2 (staying the night after). The hotels near IMTX also double their rates the week of the race. Some hotels for Redman actually give you a discount for being part of the race. For me that was about $400-$500 difference

Unless you have free lodging at one of the locations, you could probably fly to Oklahoma city and have you bike shipped cheaper than driving to IMTX ( I did drive since I am in NTx)

Besides the numbers, Redman was an awesome race and I have no regrets making it my inaugural full. I would love to be back this year if I was not injured.

Most hotels close to the race lower their price to under $100 for Redman.

IMTX is 45 mins away e enough said

That's what makes Redman such an awesome race! You have a city that has a come along way in the last 15years and is making it self a very nice place to visit but has kept expenses for hotels, restaurant's, shopping, etc. down at reasonable prices. You also have a community that has embraced their races Redman and Memorial Marathon and make sure that participants are treated to a first class race. I just made reservations at a hotel with a 1 bedroom suite for $86 plus tax with Redman discount. I've stayed at this hotel for the last two years and the hotel is nice and the staff go out of their way for all Redman participants.

My first IM had about these many finishers (15). It was Expedition Man in Reno last year. The race is now dead because most people opted to do IM Tahoe last year and so the race had a huge loss. It's really sad because this was one of the best organized small races I have been a part of. The SWAG was even decent. However, the day was HARD. I spent my day on the bike mostly by myself which was very difficult. I did see more people on the run but it is still very mentally difficult. The only redeeming grace is that you do get a feeling that this is really how the original "Ironmen" did it. Low-key, just you and the course. I am actually very glad I did a small one as my first one. However, that level of challenge is a bit much for most people.

That being said I have done a few IM 70.3's and if you are looking for an "event" atmosphere WTC does an awesome job. I definitely want to do IMTX someday but I'm still glad that my first one was a smaller event.