General Discussion Triathlon Talk » new to 70.3 distance-- looking for a flat race Rss Feed  
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2014-09-16 10:25 AM


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Subject: new to 70.3 distance-- looking for a flat race
Any specific race recommendations for the "easiest" i.e. flattest bike and run 70.3 (1/2 ironman) for someone doing a first time at that distance.

Someone that didn't do the race told me the Eagleman in Maryland is flat, true? any other ones?

Thanks,

Tony


2014-09-16 10:44 AM
in reply to: aw_wolfe

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Subject: RE: new to 70.3 distance-- looking for a flat race
Augusta - downriver swim with current, first 1/3 and last 1/3 of bike are flat to downhill (middle has a few hills), run perfectly flat. Biggest hill on the run is a set of train tracks you go over a few times. It's a couple inches high.
2014-09-16 12:16 PM
in reply to: aw_wolfe

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Subject: RE: new to 70.3 distance-- looking for a flat race
beach to battleship in North Carolina - set-up events is fairly flat
2014-09-16 2:32 PM
in reply to: austhokie

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Subject: RE: new to 70.3 distance-- looking for a flat race

Originally posted by austhokie beach to battleship in North Carolina - set-up events is fairly flat

Are you looking for Ironman branded races? Any specific geography?

I did a small race this year in Welland, Ontario.  Half distance - awesomely flat. One hill on the bike.  Maybe one on the run.  Almost 25 minute pr for me :D 

2014-09-16 3:21 PM
in reply to: aw_wolfe

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Subject: RE: new to 70.3 distance-- looking for a flat race

Eagleman is definitely flat, but can be windy.  Also in that area is Watermans Half (setup events) which is flat also.

2014-09-16 3:28 PM
in reply to: jenstewey

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Subject: RE: new to 70.3 distance-- looking for a flat race

Galveston is as flat as it gets.



2014-09-16 4:28 PM
in reply to: uhcoog

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Subject: RE: new to 70.3 distance-- looking for a flat race

Galveston, Eagleman, and Cozumel are as flat as flat can be.  Wind on the other hand...

2014-09-16 7:41 PM
in reply to: GMAN 19030

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Subject: RE: new to 70.3 distance-- looking for a flat race

Originally posted by GMAN 19030

Galveston, Eagleman, and Cozumel are as flat as flat can be.  Wind on the other hand...

Don't forget the heat potential either. The super flat courses can also bring their own issues in putting out exactly the same effort for so long. More so in an IM than HIM, but these still aren't exactly short for most folks. 

2014-09-16 7:47 PM
in reply to: brigby1

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Subject: RE: new to 70.3 distance-- looking for a flat race

Originally posted by brigby1

Originally posted by GMAN 19030

Galveston, Eagleman, and Cozumel are as flat as flat can be.  Wind on the other hand...

Don't forget the heat potential either. The super flat courses can also bring their own issues in putting out exactly the same effort for so long. More so in an IM than HIM, but these still aren't exactly short for most folks. 

Agreed.  And someone generally looking for an easy HIM for their first likely isn't going to be done in 5 hours.  Probably pushing 6+ hours and into the hottest portions of the day.

The only HIM I have done is Honu here in Hawaii.  I generally finish around 5:15-5:30, so I'm done right around noon.  I know other guys that take around 7ish hours and my goodness...it is so unbelievably hot at that time.  I'm sitting under a tree with a beer and I'm watching all these people dig deep on the final miles of the run with salt caked all over them.  For sure none of them are thinking the course is "easy" at that time...because it looks incredibly hard from my vantage point.

2014-09-16 8:45 PM
in reply to: brigby1

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Subject: RE: new to 70.3 distance-- looking for a flat race

Originally posted by brigby1

Originally posted by GMAN 19030

Galveston, Eagleman, and Cozumel are as flat as flat can be.  Wind on the other hand...

Don't forget the heat potential either. The super flat courses can also bring their own issues in putting out exactly the same effort for so long. More so in an IM than HIM, but these still aren't exactly short for most folks. 

 

FWIW Galveston isn't hot.  You're looking at highs in the mid 70s for most of April in Galveston.  Now there may be 20-30 mph winds so yes there are challenges.

2014-09-17 7:22 AM
in reply to: uhcoog

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Subject: RE: new to 70.3 distance-- looking for a flat race

Galveston is "hot" for that time of the year.  It's also "hot" for people coming from the cooler climates that haven't seen temps above 50 degrees in several months... like my brother coming from Massachusetts.  



2014-09-17 7:36 AM
in reply to: GMAN 19030

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Subject: RE: new to 70.3 distance-- looking for a flat race

Right, the 30 degree (or more) jump can be quite considerable for some of us. I don't know about Cozumel, just that it's way south for me and which tends to be much warmer. Eagleman is notorious for being hot. Some would be better off skipping these and going for a little hillier or whatever, but that's up to the OP to decide. Something to remember is that while things like terrain may slow things down some they'll also help keep one more engaged. Keeping things interesting can help a lot in getting through a longer day.

2014-09-17 2:34 PM
in reply to: #5050796

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Subject: RE: new to 70.3 distance-- looking for a flat race
Not sure where you live, but Racine was pretty flat! Fast, flat race aside from the possibility of super rough water in Lake Michigan. Not common, but happened to me in 2013.
2014-09-17 2:47 PM
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Subject: RE: new to 70.3 distance-- looking for a flat race
Originally posted by GMAN 19030

Galveston is "hot" for that time of the year.  It's also "hot" for people coming from the cooler climates that haven't seen temps above 50 degrees in several months... like my brother coming from Massachusetts.  




Agreed. The swim is cool as the water is in the mid to high 60's, the bike was fine last year due to the rain and the year before due to the wind but the run has been legitimately warm. 2012 was worse than 2013.

The race is also at the end of April now, rather than at the beginning. This means the water could be in the 70's if we have a warm spring, and the run could be in the 80's or even 90's, though Galveston is somewhat cooled by the ocean.

Having said that, great race and great venue. I'd recommend it as a 1st.

Edited by FranzZemen 2014-09-17 2:47 PM
2014-09-17 4:30 PM
in reply to: FranzZemen

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Subject: RE: new to 70.3 distance-- looking for a flat race

Galveston used to be at the end of April and they only moved it to early April in 2011 when IMTX came into existence to give more separation between the two.  Next year's date is due to a scheduling fluke.  I expect it to return to early April in 2016.  Who knows when the race will be in 2017 and beyond when IMTX moves to April.  I suspect the Galveston race gets moved to October.

It was hotter than balls (for that time of the year) the last time the race was held in late April 2010.  Temp hit 85 which was two degrees shy of the record high temp.  90 on the mainland in Houston.  Water was mid-70's.

2014-09-22 8:31 PM
in reply to: #5050796


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Subject: RE: new to 70.3 distance-- looking for a flat race
I did my first 70.3 this year at Racine. I thought it was a very flat fast course.


2014-09-24 6:33 AM
in reply to: ARtridad74

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Subject: RE: new to 70.3 distance-- looking for a flat race
Redman in OKC is pretty flat but heat and wind can make it a tough course.
2014-09-24 7:52 AM
in reply to: EKH

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Subject: RE: new to 70.3 distance-- looking for a flat race
Beach to Battleship in Wilmington is in November so it's pretty cool that time of year down there. (relatively)
2014-09-25 7:40 PM
in reply to: aw_wolfe

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Subject: RE: new to 70.3 distance-- looking for a flat race

Rev3 Cedar Point.  If I understand correctly what Challenge is doing with the branding, it'll be a Challenge event next year.

 

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