General Discussion Triathlon Talk » IM Arizona or Maryland Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2015-01-23 10:20 PM


43
25
Subject: IM Arizona or Maryland
I'm in the process of deciding which IM to do as my first full in 2016. The swim and run are my strengths and I'm not a great cyclist.

I'm hoping for something later in the year and fairly flat (and in North America) so I've come to these two: Arizona or Maryland.

I live in San Diego so Arizona is closer, but I have family in MD so I wouldn't need a hotel on the East Coast.

Never having traveled to either location before, can anyone tell me what the venues are like? Or any information in general? Anything that may sway my decision.


2015-01-24 8:53 AM
in reply to: clumsyrunner14

User image

Extreme Veteran
1986
1000500100100100100252525
Cypress, TX
Subject: RE: IM Arizona or Maryland

IMAZ sells out ungodly fast, in fact it never even opened online this year as it sold out onsite.  So if you want to guarantee entry to IMAZ you would need to travel to Tempe, volunteer, and sign up the morning after the race.  Or you could pay for a foundation slot which is double the price.

IMMD was a brand new Ironman branded race in 2014 (it was known as Chesapeakeman prior to Ironman getting the race last year).  It's also more or less double the Eagleman 70.3 course.  It did not come close to selling out last year and it's still open for this year.

You say you have family in MD but are they located anywhere near the race site?  For example, if they're in Baltimore that won't do you much good because it's like 90 miles from the race site.  There are not a lot of hotels near the race site for IMMD.  Not an issue in Tempe as there are hotels everywhere.

Ironman Florida is also late in the year and is really flat.  It's two weeks before IMAZ.

2015-01-24 8:50 PM
in reply to: clumsyrunner14


43
25
Subject: RE: IM Arizona or Maryland
I was planning on volunteering for AZ this year to get my spot. I figured since MD is still not sold out I wouldn't need to fly there to volunteer this year.

The family I have is about 30-45 minutes away from the race site so though it's not super close, it's not bad for the price (free).

I wasn't planning on traveling to Florida. There's no benefit to for me to go there (unless it's REALLY cheap).
2015-01-24 11:51 PM
in reply to: clumsyrunner14

User image

Elite
3488
20001000100100100100252525
Lakewood, CO
Subject: RE: IM Arizona or Maryland
If you are making a vacation out of it, FL could be cheap - off season and just before the snowbirds arrive for the most part
2015-01-25 12:24 PM
in reply to: clumsyrunner14

User image

Extreme Veteran
1986
1000500100100100100252525
Cypress, TX
Subject: RE: IM Arizona or Maryland

Ironman Florida is a pretty cheap race as far as lodging is concerned.  I paid less than $600/week for a 2Br condo at the Shores of Panama that's about 1/3 mile from transition/start/finish.  There's even a Walmart across the street so you can get all your groceries and cook your own food in the condo.

2015-01-26 12:23 PM
in reply to: clumsyrunner14

User image

Master
2725
200050010010025
Washington, DC Metro
Subject: RE: IM Arizona or Maryland

MD is flat, so you do have that going for you.  It can get pretty windy though so, that may be a challenge on the Bike.  Also the swim is in the Choptank and yes as its name implies it can be pretty choppy; which may play into a swim strength.  



2015-01-26 7:50 PM
in reply to: #5086614

User image

Master
2725
200050010010025
Washington, DC Metro
Subject: RE: IM Arizona or Maryland
Looks like your choice has been made for you. Just saw IMMD general registration is sold out.
2015-01-27 8:47 PM
in reply to: Sous


43
25
Subject: RE: IM Arizona or Maryland
For 2015. Luckily I am planning ahead for 2016.
2015-01-28 8:16 AM
in reply to: clumsyrunner14

User image

Master
2725
200050010010025
Washington, DC Metro
Subject: RE: IM Arizona or Maryland

Ah... missed the '16 part!  Good on 'ya.  

I may see you then.  My plan is to do MD is 16 as well.  I've got FL this year and I may volunteer at MD then sign up.  Not that I think that registration will sell out, but it'll give me the commitment.

2015-01-28 11:22 PM
in reply to: Sous


43
25
Subject: RE: IM Arizona or Maryland
YES! Haha trying to plan ahead as best as I can.

You can only control so much, I just want the first one to be a good one
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » IM Arizona or Maryland Rss Feed  
RELATED POSTS

IM Florida Vs, IM Arizona Pages: 1 2

Started by Jorgito22
Views: 5006 Posts: 29

2011-11-04 10:02 PM southwestmba

IM Arizona

Started by JoeCoolSMB
Views: 1283 Posts: 23

2006-05-08 9:03 PM Steve-

IM Arizona 2007

Started by tpetersen02
Views: 1815 Posts: 21

2006-08-23 2:39 AM chile7473

Reminders - Todays TV Schedule "IM Arizona"

Started by fb444
Views: 1196 Posts: 12

2005-10-10 4:38 PM BellinghamSpence

Soma Arizona 1/2 IM

Started by DB8
Views: 973 Posts: 4

2005-01-13 2:26 PM COgirl
RELATED ARTICLES
date : May 7, 2008
author : Ingrid Loos
comments : 2
Thousands of spectators lined the shore and bridges overhead. When the announcer said, “Welcome to the best day of your life,” the possibility was still there for all of us.
 
date : May 22, 2007
author : Team BT
comments : 4
It is my opinion that even though everyone else considered her a triathlete, she did not consider herself one. I think she still felt like she had no fitness direction and had given up on triathlon.
date : May 11, 2007
author : IRONVIKING
comments : 0
When it comes down to it, it’s me who has to believe I can run a full marathon after swimming and biking, and no amount of others’ belief in me is going to help.
 
date : September 3, 2005
author : trad_it
comments : 0
Now, for the last 20 years I’ve always though that jogging seemed about as interesting as watching paint dry, and you know what? That’s how it turned out to be.
date : July 31, 2005
author : Michael Silva
comments : 0
I’m a 240lb man, and I run relatively long distances. How would you recommend training for marathon and IM distances as heavy as I am?
 
date : July 31, 2005
author : chrisandniki
comments : 0
A Navy Seals program modified specifically for triathletes. This workout is DIFFICULT!!! The weight training portion alone may make you cry.
date : November 14, 2004
author : eclaire
comments : 0
Newbie blunders teach the mind to overcome the moment, and always have fun!
 
date : September 14, 2004
author : tri_again
comments : 0
How to juggle life's demands with triathlon training needs.