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Which Race: Memphis in May or Gulf Coast 1/2 IM
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 2005-12-30 11:42 AM |
Expert  1274    Jackson, Mississippi |  Subject: Which Race: Memphis in May or Gulf Coast 1/2 IMOk Friends.. need some advice on a race to choose. I was considering training for the Gulf Coast 1/2 Iron in Panama City on May 13th but just found out that the Memphis in May Oly is the following weekend May 21st (which also happens to be my birthday  ) I'm still not positive I want to go for the 1/2 Iron distance. I'm really more interested in just keeping the training up and racing so the distance difference really isn't that important to me. at least not now. Any opinions on the two races? Happy New Year all! Will Edited by waskelton 2005-12-30 11:43 AM |
| 2005-12-30 11:45 AM in reply to: #313746 |
Queen BTich 12411  , | Subject: RE: Which Race: Memphis in May or Gulf Coast 1/2 IM Gulf Coast is a great race, excellent organization, tons of people. |
| 2005-12-30 11:47 AM in reply to: #313746 |
Veteran 252 peoria, az | Subject: RE: Which Race: Memphis in May or Gulf Coast 1/2 IM I'm doing Memphis! This is my first Oly. distance (I have done many sprints)and I have heard great things about the race ,well organized, great course, ect.. Better sign up soon, they fill up fast! Good luck! |
| 2005-12-30 11:48 AM in reply to: #313746 |
Expert 1274 Jackson, Mississippi | Subject: RE: Which Race: Memphis in May or Gulf Coast 1/2 IM I just read that MIM has a time trial start.. how many folks were there last year? seems like if you get a high race number you'll have to wait for ever to get in the water. Was it like that last year? |
| 2005-12-30 12:54 PM in reply to: #313754 |
Veteran 230 Phoenix, AZ | Subject: RE: Which Race: Memphis in May or Gulf Coast 1/2 IM I attempted to do the race in 2004, my only DNF....I wasn't a strong swimmer and got swam over panicked and that was that... If I can remember, we lined up by age group, youngest to oldest. I was F45-49 It took a while, in fact the pros were out of the water before I even got in. My number I think was in the 1100s. |
| 2005-12-30 1:01 PM in reply to: #313746 |
The Original 7834 Raleigh/Durham | Subject: RE: Which Race: Memphis in May or Gulf Coast 1/2 IM I'm doing Gulf Coast |
| 2005-12-30 1:03 PM in reply to: #313753 |
Veteran 252 peoria, az | Subject: RE: Which Race: Memphis in May or Gulf Coast 1/2 IM I'm not sure. This is my first year here. There are a ton of people in my spin class that have done MIM for years so I'll ask around. |
| 2005-12-30 2:27 PM in reply to: #313754 |
Veteran 133 Washington DC | Subject: RE: Which Race: Memphis in May or Gulf Coast 1/2 IM waskelton - 2005-12-30 12:48 PM I just read that MIM has a time trial start.. how many folks were there last year? seems like if you get a high race number you'll have to wait for ever to get in the water. Was it like that last year? I'm checking with my friend that did it last year... I just signed up for it Entry fee is cheaper if you sign up before Jan. 1 |
| 2005-12-30 2:35 PM in reply to: #313746 |
Veteran 252 peoria, az | Subject: RE: Which Race: Memphis in May or Gulf Coast 1/2 IM Well, I'm committed now. I just signed up for MIM too!!! No turning back, I'm headed into the wind. |
| 2005-12-30 3:02 PM in reply to: #313746 |
Elite 2768 Raleigh | Subject: RE: Which Race: Memphis in May or Gulf Coast 1/2 IM |
| 2005-12-30 4:11 PM in reply to: #313746 |
Veteran 133 Washington DC | Subject: RE: Which Race: Memphis in May or Gulf Coast 1/2 IM Go MIMers! My friend sez: Yes, MIM has a time trial start for the individual athletes (relay team swimmers start altogether). Starts can be done in waves or time trials. At MIM, 1 person starts every 3 or 5 seconds. You stand at the water's edge next to a volunteer, and they'll tap you on the back and say "go" when it's your turn. That's better than a wave start, where everyone starts at one time. They put you in order of how fast they think you should swim. For instance, they think a 30-34 year old female should swim faster than a 50-54 male. That's not true all of the time, of course. A lot of my IM training buddies are guys in their 50s, and they all swim faster than me. I don't know why they do it this way, but they always have. Some races ask you to estimate how long it'll take you to do the swim, then line you up that way. That makes more sense. A lot of my 50+ year old friends won't do MIM anymore b/c they have to start so late solely b/c of their age. And as far as how many athletes do the race, I think it's something like 1200 or more. It almost always sells out, mainly b/c there's prize money and it's the first race of the season for people around here. Pros compete too, which is really fun. You get to be in the same race as the people you read about in Triathlete magazine. And they have a post-race party with tons of food (better than post-marathon food) and beer and a rockin band and Elvis, so we'll have a blast! |
| 2005-12-30 4:49 PM in reply to: #313746 |
Pro 3705 Vestavia Hills | Subject: RE: Which Race: Memphis in May or Gulf Coast 1/2 IM A positive for the TT start is that it might mitigate the "washing machine effect" of the mass start. Doing Gulf Coast 1/2 IM ... two weeks after St. Anthony's! Have heard nothing but good things about the race. Understanding that 70.3 can take a lot out of you ... but is it possible to do both? As an Ole Miss grad with friends and family nearby, I'd love to do MIM. It just so happens that May 21 is my wedding anniversary and wifey wants more than a wet swim cap ... |
| 2005-12-30 5:07 PM in reply to: #313746 |
Master 2314 Gulf Shores, AL | Subject: RE: Which Race: Memphis in May or Gulf Coast 1/2 IM I did Gulf Coast the last 2 years and it is a tremendous race and I am going back for a 3rd try. The first time was without an Olympic under my belt so its doable. The bike is flat but the run is tough and very hot. I did a time trial swim start in Meredian and it was pretty cool too. They had maybe 5 seconds between swimmers. |
| 2005-12-30 6:13 PM in reply to: #314005 |
Expert 1274 Jackson, Mississippi | Subject: RE: Which Race: Memphis in May or Gulf Coast 1/2 IM huengsolo - 2005-12-30 4:49 PM As an Ole Miss grad Dude... I wouldn't tell too many people that  sorry.. State Grad here I'd probably rather start in a wave than risk having to wait a LOONG time in a TT setup. I've done 2 waves starts vs 1 TT but I was 7th in line at the TT so the waiting for me had to do at the end to go get my stuff. I guess you'll have to wait on the front or the back end.. But if there is rock and roll and Elvis.. I'll take waiting on the back ws |
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