Ironman CDA as a first IM?
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2012-07-05 6:12 PM |
Expert 900 | Subject: Ironman CDA as a first IM? Just curious as to your thoughts on doing this race as what would be my first Ironman. I fell in love with the area when I visited a few years ago, then the more I see pictures/videos from the actual race, I fell more in love with it. I am tentatively planning on 2014. I know that it's a tough course, just wanted to get your thoughts as to doing it for my first?? |
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2012-07-05 7:11 PM in reply to: #4296269 |
Extreme Veteran 833 Strong Beach, CA | Subject: RE: Ironman CDA as a first IM? It was my first last year and loved it. Didn't find it particularly tough either. |
2012-07-05 7:25 PM in reply to: #4296269 |
Veteran 784 | Subject: RE: Ironman CDA as a first IM? I too am considering it for 2014.....why is it considered a tough course (besides the fact its an Ironman) |
2012-07-05 7:27 PM in reply to: #4296365 |
Expert 900 | Subject: RE: Ironman CDA as a first IM? Jorgito22 - 2012-07-05 7:25 PM I too am considering it for 2014.....why is it considered a tough course (besides the fact its an Ironman) Cold Water & From what I have read, the bike course is pretty freaking hilly |
2012-07-05 8:52 PM in reply to: #4296269 |
Expert 1115 Spokane, WA | Subject: RE: Ironman CDA as a first IM? CDA was my first attempt at an IM, going to try again, and finish, next year as I didn't finish. What makes CDA hard in some peoples opinion, very cold water usually in the 50's, 2500 people crammed onto a 300' beach for the start and a new for this year, pretty hilly course. I have no idea what other IM starts are like but, CDA seemed like an all out brawl for me, in the first few feet I found myself underwater, with people on top of me, trying to drink the entire lake. Watch some videos on YouTube of the start, pretty crazy. Still CDA is freaking awesome, the crowds, the volunteers, the scenery, etc. |
2012-07-05 9:03 PM in reply to: #4296269 |
Veteran 513 Coeur d'Alene, Idaho | Subject: RE: Ironman CDA as a first IM? It's gonna be my first, signed up for 2013 - but, I was born and raised here, so where else would I go for my first? I volunteered the last two years - can't imagine any more rewarding last mile to the finish than this race (ok, maybe Kona). |
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2012-07-05 10:28 PM in reply to: #4296269 |
Extreme Veteran 875 Issaquah | Subject: RE: Ironman CDA as a first IM? I'm signed up for 2013 and it will be my first. I know many people that made CDA their first IM and completed successfully. I think so long as you have a place to get some hill training in and can manage the cold water it's very doable for a first IM. |
2012-07-06 12:46 AM in reply to: #4296269 |
Expert 1379 Woodland, California | Subject: RE: Ironman CDA as a first IM? I just did IMCDA 2 weeks ago as my first IM. It was incredibly awesome and I would choose it again in a heartbeat. I'm not sure how the swim compares to other IMs, but it is pretty crazy. The start is very crowded and once you get in, there is lots of contact, much more than I've ever experienced in any other race, and since it is a 2 loop swim the crowd really doesn't ever thin out if you are anywhere near MOP. I would definitely recommend as many open water mass start experiences as possible before doing this one, but as long as you don't have a tendency to panic in such situations, you should be fine. Also, yes, the water is likely to be in the 50s, but again, you just have to prepare for it and know how your body reacts. Some people wear neoprene hoods and/or booties, but I was ok with just an extra swim cap, even though my swim took an hour and a half. The bike is hilly, but not ridiculously so. Advertised climbing is about 4600 ft for the whole 112, but I've read that it is probably about 1k higher than that. The run is mostly flat, with a few minor hills. The hardest part for me was the fact that it was 2 loops, it was tough to look one street over and see the finish chute knowing I had 13.1 to go! Long story short, it was an amazing experience. The town is great, the area is beautiful, and the race atmosphere is just really exciting. Edited by froglegs 2012-07-06 12:51 AM |
2012-07-06 8:20 AM in reply to: #4296646 |
Expert 1159 Charlotte, NC | Subject: RE: Ironman CDA as a first IM? CdA was my first as well and I'd recommend it. Nothing new to add to other posts - be ready for cold water, lots of contact for the first 1,000 yards or so, and hills on the ride. Beautiful scenery, great little town and awesome spectator and volunteer support. Go for it! |
2012-07-06 9:22 AM in reply to: #4296269 |
Extreme Veteran 555 Carrollton, TX | Subject: RE: Ironman CDA as a first IM? CdA was my first IM as well, and I would echo the sentiments above - cold, choppy water and hills on the bike. I don't think the bike course is "hard" per say - it just depends on your strengths. I personally melt in the heat, so I would rather have hills but cool temps. I knew that I did not do enough hill training, so I just took the bike super easy and didn't push it. It paid off in that I had a strong (for me) run. I'm definitely going back to CdA someday - targeting 2015 - and I think it is a great place for a first IM. |
2012-07-06 10:47 AM in reply to: #4296269 |
Expert 767 Littleton, Colorado | Subject: RE: Ironman CDA as a first IM? I did CdA as my first in 2007, and enjoyed the experience so much that, when I crossed the finish line, I would have gone immediately to register for the following year if not for some plans for family. Yes, the water is cold and was very choppy in 2007 (they almost pulled the AGers after the first lap of the swim that year), and there is a lot of contact during the swim. If you approach it with the right mind-set, it can be a lot of fun. As others have said, one's perception of the hilliness of the bike course is very subjective. Being from Colorado, I didn't think the hills were overly challenging. Of course, the route has changed since then, so I would defer to those who did it this year to speak to that. What I loved about this race was the beautiful setting and, possibly even moreso, the AMAZING community support throughout the week and particularly on race day. The energy in that town was incredible. |
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2012-07-06 1:08 PM in reply to: #4296269 |
New user 339 Salisbury | Subject: RE: Ironman CDA as a first IM? Just did CDA as my first IM and second time going the distance, I would say it's 90 minutes harder then B2B, and between 30 and 60 minutes harder then most other IM, that is based unscientifically on comparing the same placement in age groups. The cold water might have expended more energy but I feel most IM swims are somewhat chaotic looking and feeling, just be calm and do your best to stay calm during the swim...The Kicker is the new bike course much more longer sustained climbs, People tell you hill training but I would advise mountain climbing ...Those aren't really hills. The run might be faster though tough..... but a crowd like no other will help push you home....It was one of the hardest days in my life it was also one of the best. |
2012-07-06 1:15 PM in reply to: #4297527 |
Extreme Veteran 555 Carrollton, TX | Subject: RE: Ironman CDA as a first IM? kenbert61 - 2012-07-06 1:08 PM People tell you hill training but I would advise mountain climbing ...Those aren't really hills. That's what I said to my husband in T2 - "Those weren't hills, those were mountains!" - which he promptly posted to Facebook and everyone keeps asking me about! HA HA HA |
2012-07-06 1:55 PM in reply to: #4296269 |
Expert 663 A little slice of paradise | Subject: RE: Ironman CDA as a first IM? I just did CDA it was my 5th IM and first of three this year. IMO it would not be a bad first IM. The swim - normal chaos, cool water but not horrible, felt pretty good to me on race day but before the race I got in the lake twice each day I was there. The Bike - long hills not steep just long uphills, nice roads to ride on. The Run - had some hills Good course overall Nicole |
2012-07-06 6:15 PM in reply to: #4296269 |
Extreme Veteran 759 Villanova | Subject: RE: Ironman CDA as a first IM? I just IMCDA as my first. The swim was crazy... ...CRAZY AWESOME! I had a great swim. It was a great day, everything I dreamed it would be. Crowd support was awesome and the course wasn't easy, but it wasn't a killer either. You'll cater your training to the course. The new bike has some long grinding hills, but nothing that you can't take your time and spin up. A couple hills on the run. Cold swim, but I'm used to swimming OWS in 50-60 degrees, so it didn't bug me. Do it! |
2012-07-06 10:57 PM in reply to: #4296269 |
New user 4 | Subject: RE: Ironman CDA as a first IM? Also just finished cda as my first mdot iron distance race. Agree with everyones comments on bracing yourself and preparing yourself for a cold cold swim and several slow slow climbs on the bike -with some awesome 40 mph downhills! But the best part is saved for last. I've done a lot of big city marathons, did the goofy at WDW, and the marathon at the end of the cda ironman tops them all. Best experience on a race course I have ever had. Definitely recommend this event as a first, fifth, tenth, whatever IM race. |
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2012-07-07 8:46 AM in reply to: #4296269 |
The Original 7834 Raleigh/Durham | Subject: RE: Ironman CDA as a first IM? I did IM CDA in 2012 as my 3rd IM. And compared to the IM FL and IM Cozumel swims, CDA was the toughest IM swim I've ever done. Way more body contact than my other 2 IM swims and the chop in the lake can be a little nasty. But...I LOVED the venue and the old bike course was tough, but absolutely beautiful. If you make CDA your first IM, just make sure to train on hills, hills and more hills. And make sure you are very comfortable in the water so that you don't panic with the amount of contact. Definitely do some longer swims in cold water to get used to that feeling so you're ready on race day! |
2012-07-08 5:21 AM in reply to: #4296269 |
New user 339 Salisbury | Subject: RE: Ironman CDA as a first IM? Not to discourage you, but one IM offical told me with the cold water , Coeur D Alene Had one of the highest DNF rates among IM and he expected that number to go up with the new tougher bike course when he looked at the numbers. If you are going to do it, may I suggest you do it right, hire a coach. My times were close to a push compared to B2B where I trained myself and CDA where I had a coach. The difference was I was in better shape and she had a plan that helped me get though CDA which was much harder for me. I think if I wasn't trained correctly I might have had a different outcome and best case scenario one of the last hour finishers feeling miserable, instead of one of the highlights of my life. |
2012-07-08 3:46 PM in reply to: #4296269 |
Elite 5316 Alturas, California | Subject: RE: Ironman CDA as a first IM? The swim may be rough or not (big lake) the bike course has changed a couple times and may change again for next year (just plan on 5000 feet of elevation gain with many hills and you will be set) and the run is relatively flat with just the one hill at the turnaround that you get to hit twice. I would consider it intermediate as far as IM's go, not Arizona flat and not IMSG hilly (yes I know IMSG is now dead). So if you are trained for an IM you can finish CDA no problem. |
2012-07-10 5:18 AM in reply to: #4296269 |
Regular 1893 Las Vegas, NV | Subject: RE: Ironman CDA as a first IM? IMCdA13 ... my first =) |
2012-07-10 6:59 AM in reply to: #4296269 |
Champion 6503 NOVA - Ironic for an Endurance Athlete | Subject: RE: Ironman CDA as a first IM? CdA 2011 was my first (and probably last) IM. I hate the heat. CdA was perfect for my first. |
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2012-07-10 12:20 PM in reply to: #4296269 |
Champion 10471 Dallas, TX | Subject: RE: Ironman CDA as a first IM? I know some people from my tri club who did it as their first. The people who I know who did it (4 of them)... 2 of them are pretty bad at hills...going uphill specifically. They are VERY SLOW going uphill. Honestly, after riding with them on a pretty flat course with some rollers, I was seriously wondering if they could even make the bike cut off, because they were that slow going uphill. They ALL made it off the bike. All 4 of them. Even the 2 that were really slow. Keep in mind that they trained in Dallas, TX. It is FLAT here. We have one big hill that they would do hill repeats on. That's about it. So... if they made it off the bike, I think you can too. I think anyone can. Now, as for the swim... the cold water hurt them bad. I know 2 or 3 of them had hypothermia coming out of the water and had to warm up for about :30 to 1 hour. Mind you, they are not fast swimmers and I believe they were in the water for close to 2 hours. That's my feedback for you. I think it can be done at a first time IM. |
2012-07-10 6:43 PM in reply to: #4296269 |
Veteran 784 | Subject: RE: Ironman CDA as a first IM? |
2012-07-10 9:43 PM in reply to: #4296269 |
New user 219 Bonney Lake | Subject: RE: Ironman CDA as a first IM? I agree with the other posts. CDA is a great race. I have done it 2 times now and love it even more. I will be back for a third. The swim is a swim. I learned my first year. I was like being at wal-mart on Black Friday. I took that lesson this year and waited a minute to let the mass go, and then i started my swim. A lot less stressful and had a bit of water to swim in. The bike was nice this year. Not as technical on the hills. As was mentioned, slow up, fast down. The run as always was a blast. Drag thats its 2 loops but also a little of what makes it fun. You can see the party houses go form not so drunk to very drunk as your run goes on, then finish on Sherman is awesome. As a first IM i would say go for it. Have fun and enjoy the ride. As to how fast it sells out. i have watched it close the last couple years. To me it seems like people wait to see if they can get into Ironman Canada. If they can not get in they seem to migrate over to CDA so it fills up around September or mid August. |
2012-07-11 4:35 PM in reply to: #4296269 |
Extreme Veteran 849 San Diego | Subject: RE: Ironman CDA as a first IM? I did CdA in 2011 for my first IM. What a wonderful experience! Not much else to add that others haven't said, but I do have a video that my bf took of the swim start: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZODXvyo6_Xc Edited by nerdjock 2012-07-11 4:36 PM |
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