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First Ironman 70.3 - Buffalo Springs or Austin?
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 2013-12-07 4:39 PM |
 2 |  Subject: First Ironman 70.3 - Buffalo Springs or Austin?In my second year of triathlons I have decided to try out the 70.3 and had initially decided on the event in Austin but have been giving Lubbock a thought lately. I'm just doing them for fun, definitely not a competitor (only with myself). I have read and understand that both events are put on very well. My question is about the courses though. Is either one particularly better than the other for my first at this distance? Thanks for the advice! |
| 2013-12-08 5:15 PM in reply to: #4909903 |
Veteran 261   Fort Worth, Texas | Subject: RE: First Ironman 70.3 - Buffalo Springs or Austin? Lubbock is a very hard course. Both run and bike. Just my two cents. |
| 2013-12-08 5:33 PM in reply to: bdye101 |
Master 1779  | Subject: RE: First Ironman 70.3 - Buffalo Springs or Austin? Where do you live? How do you feel about heat? BSLT is a great race but also very hot, dry and challenging. I would suggest reading the race reports on both courses before making a decision. Most everyone who goes to BSLT loves the race in a sick sort of a triathlete way. It's one of my favorite races. The last time that I did the race I ended up in medical with 2 IV's. That was even with very careful race day hydration and experience.
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| 2013-12-08 7:27 PM in reply to: mdcopeland09 |
Veteran 740 The Woodlands, TX | Subject: RE: First Ironman 70.3 - Buffalo Springs or Austin? A few comments..... While these races share the IM brand and the 70.3 distance. the character of these races are very different. Both are suitable for a first time 70.3 participant, as long as they prepare. I think of Austin as a mainstream race. It's big.....lot's of people. The venue works well for the number of participants. The course is a "medium" difficulty course.....not the easiest, but no the hardest either. Weather is a wildcard.....it can be a little on the warm side or it can be just about perfect tri weather. The challenge of Austin comes from the 70.3 distance, not really from the course. BSLT is not a mainstream race. The crowds are discouraged by the location, the heat, the wind, the hills, and the reputation. So, it's a much smaller race than Austin and lacks the big race vibe. BSLT has a much more "old school" feel to it. The target audience is the serious racer.....someone who's looking for a tough day and a course that is as much, if not more, of a challenge than the 70.3 distance. I will be hot. The question is will it be 95 or 105. It will be windy. The questions is will it be 10 mph winds or 25 mph winds. These races are quite a few months apart. You could give BSLT a shot......it may inspire you to do Austin too. |
| 2013-12-08 7:30 PM in reply to: mdcopeland09 |
Veteran 740 The Woodlands, TX | Subject: RE: First Ironman 70.3 - Buffalo Springs or Austin? A few comments..... While these races share the IM brand and the 70.3 distance. the character of these races are very different. Both are suitable for a first time 70.3 participant, as long as they prepare. I think of Austin as a mainstream race. It's big.....lot's of people. The venue works well for the number of participants. The course is a "medium" difficulty course.....not the easiest, but no the hardest either. Weather is a wildcard.....it can be a little on the warm side or it can be just about perfect tri weather. The challenge of Austin comes from the 70.3 distance, not really from the course. BSLT is not a mainstream race. The crowds are discouraged by the location, the heat, the wind, the hills, and the reputation. So, it's a much smaller race than Austin and lacks the big race vibe. BSLT has a much more "old school" feel to it. The target audience is the serious racer.....someone who's looking for a tough day and a course that is as much, if not more, of a challenge than the 70.3 distance. I will be hot. The question is will it be 95 or 105. It will be windy. The question is will it be 10 mph winds or 25 mph winds. While conditions are tough, it's a small percentage of participants that DNF or end up in the med tent. Most people who adequately prepare survive the race just fine, especially if they've been training in the Texas heat! These races are quite a few months apart. You could give BSLT a shot......it may inspire you to do Austin too. |
| 2013-12-10 5:26 AM in reply to: g_shotts |
Member 1293 Pearland,Tx | Subject: RE: First Ironman 70.3 - Buffalo Springs or Austin? I thought Lubbock is going to get bashed again  |
| 2013-12-10 9:06 PM in reply to: 0 |
Master 1779 | Subject: RE: First Ironman 70.3 - Buffalo Springs or Austin? BSLT is also not known for being a family/spectator friendly race. The race starts and ends at the bottom of a canyon. The main roads leading into the race are on the bike course and basically closed once the race starts. Shade and vendors are basically non existent. I've seen families there with younger children but wouldn't recommend it. It's a long, hot day for racers and spectators. Once your spectators are in the canyon they're pretty much stuck down there until you are through with the race. It's been a while since I did Austin but the finish line was inside of an arena with seating. The Austin 70.3 course starts with a single I've done both races and would pick BSLT over Austin any day. But then again I also like the race atmosphere, course difficulty and weather conditions. People often say that the average racers times are normally 30+ minutes slower at BSLT than other races. Edited by Catwoman 2013-12-10 9:15 PM |
| 2013-12-15 10:13 PM in reply to: mdcopeland09 |
Veteran 251 Dallas | Subject: RE: First Ironman 70.3 - Buffalo Springs or Austin? If you're looking for a good first time HIM, check out Redman. It's not WTC but is an excellent race. Friendly staff and volunteers, great for spectators, and SUPER FLAT. |
| 2013-12-16 11:18 PM in reply to: ponyup |
Master 1517 Grand Prairie | Subject: RE: First Ironman 70.3 - Buffalo Springs or Austin? Did Austin as my first a few month back and liked it. weather was nearly perfect. But it can be cold as it was in 2012. Run with three loops on an out and back is pretty boring, but there are crowds at one point which makes it nice. The run is a bit hilly, thoug |
| 2013-12-20 10:08 AM in reply to: timf79 |
Pro 4723 CyFair | Subject: RE: First Ironman 70.3 - Buffalo Springs or Austin? Could always do Galveston. Flat with good roads, but a bit windy. Really well managed race too. |
| 2013-12-21 11:04 PM in reply to: uhcoog |
Expert 898 Plano, National Capital Region | Subject: RE: First Ironman 70.3 - Buffalo Springs or Austin? Originally posted by uhcoog Could always do Galveston. Flat with good roads, but a bit windy. Really well managed race too. +1 |
| 2013-12-24 5:03 PM in reply to: m2tx |
| Regular 94 West Texas | Subject: RE: First Ironman 70.3 - Buffalo Springs or Austin? You have to be tough to be a spectator at Buffalo Springs |
| 2013-12-26 5:13 PM in reply to: SLOWTEX |
Pro 4824 Houston | Subject: RE: First Ironman 70.3 - Buffalo Springs or Austin? My vote would be Oilman. I enjoyed Redman in OKC but the bike is not flat and the roads are rough. Never done Galveston 70.3 but have done the 5150 flat, windy with an annoying run. Husband did BSLT and says NEVER again, WAY hot and hilly. |
| 2013-12-27 7:46 AM in reply to: KeriKadi |
Pro 4723 CyFair | Subject: RE: First Ironman 70.3 - Buffalo Springs or Austin? Originally posted by KeriKadi My vote would be Oilman. I enjoyed Redman in OKC but the bike is not flat and the roads are rough. Never done Galveston 70.3 but have done the 5150 flat, windy with an annoying run. Husband did BSLT and says NEVER again, WAY hot and hilly.
See I find the run at Oilman as annoying if not more so than Galveston. Having done both the 70.3 and 5150 events there I will say the run is much more lonely, although shorter, for the 5150 event because of the lack of spectators. Almost identical runs for both and the 70.3 is longer in distance but feels shorter due to the crowds IME. Just my $.02. The bike is generally very windy, but if you stick to your metrics whether it be HR or power, you'll be fine. |
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