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Race Reports for Ironman Florida 2008

[1]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: Love the time with the family and the team. Great support from top to bottom. For my first full Im it was amazing, just wish I had the same emotions as on the videos. I am an Ironman, but I will do better.
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[2]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: Everything I had read involving racing an IM told me that there would be many bad patches during the race- that you had to find a way to get thru them and things would eventually get better. During the pre-race dinner, Paula Newby-Frazier repeated this idea. This never happened to me! I felt freaking awesome the entire day! Training for this race was beyond overwhelming- physically and emotionally. I over trained which caused me to over taper because I was so burned out- fortunately it worked well for me. I am more than pleased with my results:)
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[3]
Reported by:
Race rating (3)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: I was about 15 pounds to heavy going into the race, and I think it really hurt me. I did not have the "Ironman Experience" that I was looking for. I felt that I merely survived the Ironman, instead of being able to push during the run. I just didn't have it to give. There will be more Ironman races and I will get there. This was good for a first Ironman.
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[4]
Reported by:
Race rating (4)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Average
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: I was happy with the race, especially given how I felt 2-3 day before it. I think we have been spoiled by the other IM we have done, this one was not as well run as the past ones. The amount of drafting on the bike is ridiculous, I got passed by several packs of 25+ riders and tons of groups of 5-10 riders....stop cheating people, it's not that tough, self police yourself and have some pride. The run course was kind of boring compared to the other races, the changing tent was way too small, and the pasta dinner was bad food and too small a space. North America Sports still runs a very good race, I just think the setup, scenery, and execution were better in Placid, Idaho, and Wisconsin. They should probably make this race a little smaller to accomodate these problems. A good race, just not a great race. You still can't beat the sound my Mike Reilly on the loudpeaker in the chute and I'll take the PR by 50+ minutes.
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[5]
Reported by:
Race rating (4)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: NA Sports still puts on a good race. For all you hear about drafting at Florida, its a choice. I was happy to see a couple penalties being given out, people in the tents and others pulling over to enter the tents. Outside of the drafting complaint, PCB is a great venue. There is ample condos/hotels in the area and they are cheap at this time of year.
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[6]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Average
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: I can't ask for anything more. I have a great group of friends to do these events with, and I can't wait until we are all back together to do the next Ironman. In the meantime, I'll settle for hanging out at Shady Mick's over New Years and getting together with the gang as much as possible. Tim started training me 3-4 months out from Florida. After he started making up my training schedule, I watched myself improve tremendously, especially on the bike. I'm looking forward to having him continue coach and push me. Two down, many many more to go!
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[7]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Average
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: I think this is a really, really good first IM race. Maybe with the exception of the ocean swim, for those without this experience. High likelihood of good weather conditions this time of year, coupled with a comparatively easy course make for a high likelihood of success.
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[8]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: This was lots of fun and completely worth all the time and money to me. I'm an ironman! I could see myself becoming one of the many ironman junkies that were all over PCB, but with my family that won't happen any time soon. Ironman on a good day is sort of cookbook. I think that you can plan carefully, execute, and go through the motions. But it takes tremendous patience and emotional maturity (a high EQ) to hold back and focus for that long.
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[9]
Reported by:
Race rating (4)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Average
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: The volunteers in Florida were fantastic. Everyone was very supportive and were there to help.
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[10]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: It's Ironman...of course it rocks!!!
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[11]
Reported by:
Race rating (4)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Average
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: During training Jay and I both said we would probably never do another ironman. Now, I wish I would have signed up for next year. I will be back for round 2. I love BT!! Everyone I met was so amazing and made the ironman a blast!!
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[12]
Reported by:
Race rating (4)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities?
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: Sorry for my ramblings and run on sentences, english was always a weak spot for me. My friends who worked the race said there was one swimmer who wore fins on the first lap and was spotted attempting to put them on for the secound lap, and about 13-15 people who attemted to bandit the course
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[13]
Reported by:
Race rating (4)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: Wow, what an amazing time. The volunteers were spot on, the course was great (with the exception of the 30 mile or more rough stretch on the bike) and the festivites before and after where great.
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[14]
Reported by:
Race rating (3)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Bad
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: I'm sad that I didn't get "the prize". I'm sad that I didn't hear my name and couldn't order a finisher's jacket or the photo. I will have to mourn in my own way, but it's better than people mourning for me. After hearing about te two men who died at the New York City Marathon because they didn't "feel well", heck, it could have been me. I have too much to live for. I have heard the nicest things from friends, from fellow Bt'ers, other athletes who didn't know me. I have learned so much about myself. A few short years ago, I began this journey at 50 and 285 lbs. My 55th birthday is in December (thank God I'll be around to celebrate it) and I got as far as this body could take me on that day. Not sure if I'll try and reclaim the beast. That might be where my joureny takes me. This took a huge toll on my family and friends whom I've neglected now for about the past year. You can never say never though. Yes, not crossing the finish line was the biggest disappointment of my life, but I would
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[15]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: awesome race. as always, NAS puts on an amazing show and the volunteers are incredible. they make it all happen and we couldn't do anything without them. my only criticism is the pre-race dinner. way too packed. i love all the fan fare, etc. we were eager to get the hell out of there.
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[16]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: My wife made the comment earlier in the week that she thought that triathletes have a bit of an air about them. She is a runner and agrees that a lot of runners do as well. I think her perception has changed after meeting so many of the cool BT'ers at the party and afterwards. This is the coolest support group anyone could ask for. I really enjoyed our Tuesday dinner with Chris, Chris, Jen, Melissa, and Rick as well as the early morning swims. You guys are awesome. I am very glad I spent the extra money for a M-dot race. Everything was top notch. The volunteers were amazing. The expo area was good and the day after we got a paper with everyone's times, our certificates, and our photos were ready. Missed out on the video at the awards dinner. I hope I can still get one.
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[17]
Reported by:
User photo
  • Organised?
  • Events on time?

  • Lots of volunteers to help?
  • Plenty of drink stations?

  • Post race activities?
  • Overall course based on my ability:

  • Comments: I had a terrific time! I so much enjoyed getting to meet so many BT'ers and the entire week was a blast. I was very tempted to sign up for next year but I have really wanted to try to get into the Nike Womens marathon and that is too close to the same time so my goal is to get into that next year. I will sign up for it and the NY so hopefully will get one of them. Then I started thinking ok...i will do KY again in August but I really think I want a summer off from crazy training and bike alot with my son. Now I will start training for the 60K run I signed up for in March and then the American Triple T is in May. Thanks to all of you that tracked and cheered me on!
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[18]
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  • Organised?
  • Events on time?

  • Lots of volunteers to help?
  • Plenty of drink stations?

  • Post race activities?
  • Overall course based on my ability:

  • Comments: I signed up for this race the day before doing it last year. Got home and one of my partners announced he was stopping call. Then another retired. Then one got pregnant. This left us at 1/4 call and 1/3 for a while. There were several times when I seriously debated withdrawing from this race. Overall, I trained less hours, but PR'd in all 3 parts and overall. I have decided to not do an IM next year. I feel it is too hard on the family and myself. I may join back in in 2010. This is a great race for anyone considering it. Now I have to rest and then get ready for the Disneyworld marathon.
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[19]
Reported by:
Race rating (4)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities?
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: IM FL is much different from Wisconsin. However, I really liked this race. It is more difficult than people think even though the times are faster. You are always delivering power since there are no downhills to relax. The roads were swept as promised and were really clean throughout the course. It was noticeable since there are a few very rough spots out there. The community, fanship and especially volunteers were really dialed in, thanks to all of them. I would change only a few things. Make the transition tent twice as big. And, bring out the chicken broth from the get-go. Also place some kayaks or ref's in the water to guide people to the right buoy on the swim turn to prevent cutting the corner. (BTW: How about the dude who smuggled the swim fins into the race? How is his water cooler story going today?) Otherwise, it was a wonderful IM experience and all of my fellow IM pals from ATL did really great.
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[20]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: I couldn't have had a better race. NA Sports puts on a class event, and I love Panama City Beach...it's so beautiful. I was treated like I was special by every single volunteer. They were absolutely awesome.
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[21]
Reported by:
Race rating (4)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: I think IMFL is a great first Ironman. Yes, the course is flat and not particularly interesting, but it's a safe, friendly course that you can prepare for without truly knowing what to expect in an Ironman race. Also, it's amazing how close you can stay to the race site--if you so desire, which is especially helpful for family members and if you have kids. I can not stand crowds of nervous athletes before races and my boss had a beach house about 10 miles away which was perfect for us. PCB is a lovely beach and it's a welcoming community for the race. I loved it and had a blast and would highly recommend the race to anyone out there!
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[22]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities?
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: NAS puts on great races. You can complain all you want about the cost until you realize exactly how much goes into stocking that many aid stations with food and volunteers. Putting on a race of that magnitude is amazing and they do a great job with it. Thank you to ALL who volunteered.
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[23]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: Another Ironman experience in the books. My Ironman Louisville experience was vastly different that Ironman Florida. Ironically, my times were within 13 seconds of each other: 11:40:28 - Ironman Louisville 2007 11:40:41 - Ironman Florida 2008 Ironman Florida is a much faster course with much better weather conditions!
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[24]
Reported by:
Race rating (4)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?No

  • Lots of volunteers to help?
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: This was a crowded course and the volunteers did great. But there were things that did not happen that happened at the other IM races I have done. The course has limited crowd support on the bike but the run was fabulous. The finish gear sales started early (we arrived at 6:55am and people were already walking out with purchased gear) and the roll down was over before the 2 different published times (done at 11 am and listed times were at both 11:05 and 11:15). However the event is an IM event and it was as always done overall well. I met Heather Fuhr at VIP check-in and thanked her again for her words during CdA 07. Overall, I am amazed and very pleased with myself. Our group of friends (Brad, Laura, Tim, Craig and Kristin) all surpassed our goals and all PR'd. The distance is always 140.6 miles, but each event has it own highs and lows. Each one teaches you something new about yourself and what you can accomplish. Each one is humbling yet self defining at the same time.
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[25]
Reported by:
Race rating (5)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?Yes

  • Post race activities? Good
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: OMG this was one of the best times of my life. What a great ride!!! Good times good friends excellent performance a girl can't ask for more. Thanks to EVERYONE who came out to volunteer and cheer us all on. Thanks to Sherri for being the iron volunteer and her help in T2 esp. To Irene and Mike who made the best IM sign ever. To Brittany for flying out to help me out and was a fantastic jock strap, Janice for coming along for the wild ride with me and all her excellent help as well. My mom and dad despite their fear that I might be crazy for doing this ironman thing. Kathy and Kevin for their friendship and help and Kevin for his awesome photography. I may not even have to buy any pictures!!! Thanks especially to my coach Will Kirousis of tri-hard coaching for all his help and support. He has seen me thru a lot the last 2 years and he has always believed in me and worked with my sometimes crazy schedule and uncooperative body. I appreciate him more than he can know. I'll
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