IMAZ or IMCDA for First Timer?

Aaron, two questions:

1) Would you let me hold onto the flagpole so that you can drag me for 26.2 miles?

2) If the answer to question #1 is no, will you wait three hours for me at the finish after you are done?

Brandt

Brandt,

If you are doing an IM in 2006 I say CDA, Only because that is the one I'm doing and we can finally meet. If you are going to wait until 2007 then Az is the perfect race for you. The bike course has almost no hills unless they add the section through Fountain hills, but even then it is a gradual climb into FH then there is a pretty good little climb after the turn around. Not too hard but you won't be flying up it The problem with Az is the wind. I prerode the course twice and both times the wind was swirling. We had a headwind going out and a tailwind coming back on the first loop, then a tailwind going and headwind coming back on the second loop. But during the race the wind was blowing from the side and was crazy strong.

I don't know how long of a drive it is from the Lone Star State to Tempe, but being able to ride and run the course was the best part for me. If that is an option for you then I would say AZ.

Good luck

Tom

Tom, regardless of which race I do (and which year) it will involve flying out there. From where I live, it is 15 hours or more of driving, just to get out of Texas; not to mention the additional hours from the Texas border to the actual race site.  So, as long as people are giving me pros and cons here, I can ask you the same thing I asked Aaron....will you drag my running-impaired butt for 26.2 miles? And if not, will you wait three hours for me at the finish line.

Brandt

I will have a hard enough time dragging myself across the line but just like in IMAZ this year I will  wait until the last person crosses next year in CDA.

As a side note, hanging out until midnight was the most stressful time of the race. As the the clock was nearing midnight, you can feel the tension as people were waiting for the last few people to cross. Nervously hopeing that they would cross before the 17 hour mark. A few people came across within the last 5 minutes, but the announcer said it would take about 3 min from the time someone gets to the corner of the block until they cross the line. So everyone was stressing as the clock got down to 16:57...:58...:59...:17:00. I was so relieved that there wasn't anyone else on the course, then when I got to my car, I saw a lone guy running down the street, about 10 min. too late. That just broke my heart. I would hate to be that close and have it go down as a DNF

But enough about him, you will be a different story. You will be right there beside me (or Aaron) cheering on the last few people