General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Worst Ironman Swims Rss Feed  
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2014-10-06 3:21 AM


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Subject: Worst Ironman Swims
Hi guys:

just reviewing and deciding what ironman to do next. I know a lot of them have been sold out for next year but any swims that were atrocious and you kinda wish could've been over faster?

I did the IM WI and it wasn't not as pleasant as I would imagine the water would be. surprisingly was choppy.



2014-10-06 3:42 PM
in reply to: losyork

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Subject: RE: Worst Ironman Swims
IM Switzerland is amazingly nice water but there's a current that goes across the lake as it drains into the river. It was the best I've felt physically in a swim ever but was 11 minutes slower than my usual time.
2014-10-06 6:21 PM
in reply to: losyork

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Subject: RE: Worst Ironman Swims

I absolutely HATED the IMTX swim.

2014-10-08 10:43 AM
in reply to: GMAN 19030

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Subject: RE: Worst Ironman Swims
IMFL is hit or miss depending on how the ocean wants to behave. If you are open for non-IM events, I would have caution signing up for Rev3 Cedar Point race. This year Lake Eerie was brutal and many didn't finish the swim (myself included). Last year the swim was moved to the marina side of the park and the water was flat. I can't recommend this race until they move the swim to the marina side permanently.
2014-10-08 10:54 AM
in reply to: deboerkj

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Subject: RE: Worst Ironman Swims
Originally posted by deboerkj

IMFL is hit or miss depending on how the ocean wants to behave. If you are open for non-IM events, I would have caution signing up for Rev3 Cedar Point race. This year Lake Eerie was brutal and many didn't finish the swim (myself included). Last year the swim was moved to the marina side of the park and the water was flat. I can't recommend this race until they move the swim to the marina side permanently.


Yes, don't sign up for Cedar Point if you're worried about the swim. It's a lake that is more like an ocean.
2014-10-08 10:55 AM
in reply to: jarvy01

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Subject: RE: Worst Ironman Swims
IMMT swim is amazing!


2014-10-08 11:52 AM
in reply to: GMAN 19030

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Subject: RE: Worst Ironman Swims
Originally posted by GMAN 19030

I absolutely HATED the IMTX swim.




x2 It was brutal this year...
2014-10-08 3:07 PM
in reply to: davidfedez

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Subject: RE: Worst Ironman Swims
Originally posted by davidfedez

Originally posted by GMAN 19030

I absolutely HATED the IMTX swim.




x2 It was brutal this year...


What was brutal about it?
2014-10-08 5:13 PM
in reply to: Lock_N_Load

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Subject: RE: Worst Ironman Swims

Originally posted by Lock_N_Load
Originally posted by davidfedez
Originally posted by GMAN 19030

I absolutely HATED the IMTX swim.

x2 It was brutal this year...
What was brutal about it?

I was referring to 2011 when I did it.

The usual complaint with the IMTX swim is how narrow and crowded it can be for a large portion of the course (most notably the first third and last third).

The lake is also gross.

2014-10-08 9:08 PM
in reply to: losyork

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Richland, Washington
Subject: RE: Worst Ironman Swims
I have yet to dislike a Ironman Swim. All venues have their strengths and their weaknesses. It's the shortest of the events, worry about the bike and run.
2014-10-08 11:14 PM
in reply to: Swimaway

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Subject: RE: Worst Ironman Swims
I did IMWI this year and didn't think it was bad at all. It was my first mass start and I didn't like it too much. It was too crowded where I positioned myself and I was 5-10 minutes slower than I wanted to be due to this. That was my fault though. I didn't think it was choppy at all. I don't remember any waves at all actually. I don't know if you'll find anything much better.


2014-10-10 1:22 AM
in reply to: Blastman


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Subject: RE: Worst Ironman Swims
When I did the IMWI, weather was pretty terrible. Rainy and overcast with high winds. Probably explains the choppiness. I'm sure it's normally fine.
2014-10-11 10:31 AM
in reply to: losyork

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Subject: RE: Worst Ironman Swims
IMLOU sucked going upstream. Felt like I wasn't moving, but I was super fast going down stream. First mile near 43 minutes. Second mile near 23. BOOM!

I also enjoyed IMLP even though it was super crowded. going around the buoy was not fun getting beat up, but I got on the golden cable second loop. smooth sailing from there!
2014-10-12 7:45 PM
in reply to: losyork

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Subject: RE: Worst Ironman Swims

I was not a fan of IMAZ because of swimming in the manmade canal. It was not terrible, just my least favorite of all the IM's I have done.
2014-10-14 12:26 PM
in reply to: FredsRider

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Subject: RE: Worst Ironman Swims
The swim at Challenge AC really sucked this year. Current was super strong. I was 25min slower at CAC then at IMMT a month later
2014-10-15 11:46 PM
in reply to: losyork

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Subject: RE: Worst Ironman Swims
I wasn't a fan of the swim in Lake Placid. It just seemed so ridiculously crowded for the venue. I was not near the front at all and for the first 1000m, it was constant contact with other swimmers. I was a seasoned tri/swimmer, but even that almost had me panicking.


2014-10-16 11:59 PM
in reply to: 0

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Subject: RE: Worst Ironman Swims

Here's my ranking of Ironman swims by venue that I've done. Note I am a cold water weenie.  I hate cold water.

Canada (Penticton, now a Challenge race) - nice.  Wetsuit legal, freshwater, roomy one loop, 70 degrees. I've done this twice in 2008 and 2009.

Cozumel - warm, saltwater, non-wetsuit when I did it at 78 degrees.  A couple cold currents (like somebody turned off the hot water in the shower), but that's it.  No chop when I did it  in 2009 but has been brutal at times since. I hear it's now a point to point swim because of the current.  So it's probably better now.

Arizona in April - they don't do this in April anymore, but I liked it.  The water is gross to look at but better to swim in, and wetsuit legal at 70 or so.  I did this three times (2006, 2007, 2008)

Los Cabos - warm at 72, saltwater, wetsuit (sleeveless).  Some chop but it was a good swim in 2013.

Lake Placid - Two loops, crowded, cold.  I got smacked in the face so hard I thought I'd get a nosebleed, and dislodged my goggles. I did this in 2010.

Coeur d'Alene - one loop, cold,  Really cold.  Awful cold.  Like 54 degrees. Crowded swim entry, be sure to get in the water early. Wind can make the lake very choppy, but I didn't have that when I did this race in 2011.

 

BTW, I'm racing for IMAZ next month, first time in November. I presume it's the same but 64 degrees, so I'll see how I like it.  I hate water in the 50s, endure the 60s, and like 70s.



Edited by brucemorgan 2014-10-17 12:00 AM
2014-10-17 7:20 AM
in reply to: brucemorgan

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Subject: RE: Worst Ironman Swims

IMAZ water was 61 or 62 degrees when I did it in 2012.  It was cold.

2014-10-30 9:23 AM
in reply to: GMAN 19030

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Subject: RE: Worst Ironman Swims
IMAZ was 63 in 2013, perfect IMO. I have nothing to compare IMAZ to but will say it was way better than I anticipated. The water is yucky I guess but much cleaner than any Texas tri I have done.
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