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Race Reports for Ironman Wisconsin

[226]
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: What an experience - becoming an IRONMAN. All the training is definitely worth it. It was doubly great having my son do it with me. My wife and daughter have been very supportive of the both of us, THANKS!! It was also great having my parents, in-laws, and brother there, along with the rest of my family watching IronmanLive on the web. The volunteers are GREAT, they could not have been kinder and the crowd support was awesome.
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[227]
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: Everything for 3 days before the race and the race itself was great. Once you cross the finish line it felt like IMNA just forgot about you. The food tent was terrible, no ice baths, I forgot about the massages and no one mentioned anything to me. That was my only disappointment.
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[228]
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: Typical NASports Ironman. Well run...
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[229]
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: The organization of this event is 2nd only a wedding day. All of the 3000 volunteers focus their attention to the participants. It's really quit amazing how we normal folks are put on stage for the day.
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[230]
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 know there are some folks that look at the price tag of these events and balk, but they put on a good show and take care of you. The logistics to get volunteers, support of the community, etc, etc, etc....just top notch. I will be back for more down the road. Being local, it was awesome having family and tons of Donkeys out there cheering on the crew. EEEAAAWWW!!!
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[231]
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 did it, I was an Ironman. And what a journey. I started with watching the IMWI TV production and thinking I can do this, I just have to get in. Then I registered for IMCA70.3 and trained thru the winter. Found out we were expecting our second child. Trained more, real early in the cold weather. Started and finished teh IMCA70.3 and earned a slot for this race. Kept training and stretching my endurance. Our son Luke was then born July 4th and training mornings included 3am feedings for a warmup. And today came. It was warned that this would be the fastest day of our lives by birkierunner (Jim) He was right. It flew. I cannot believe it is over. I am still finishing this report a week later and it feels like that day is long ago, but the day was a blink. That is why I try to take it in and not hammer thru. I wanted to remember as much as possible. It is a great achievement and event. I started the journey last year with a video, thinking I would only do this once,
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[232]
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: Unbelievable. I dont have another venue to compare, but il echo what everyone else has said. The town/communities is awesome. Both in madison and verona and around..they really go crazy.. The music, the cheering, the volunteers, the lining of old sauk pass, they really help keep the energy there when you think you have no more inside. An amazing life-time event. I will do this again...but not next yr. Promised the family a little more time with them...but there will be another IM in my future.
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[233]
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 is an amazing event and I can see why it sells out so quickly!
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[234]
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 ****ing love Ironman Wisconsin. From what I hear, the Collegiate Championship is not happening anymore. I am so sad. I really want to return to Madison at some point in the future. This is for anyone who wants to have the race of a lifetime--on a challenging course that will push your limits. Email recap: Ironman Wisconsin was THE MOST emotional and exhilarating day of my entire life. Nothing tops the kind of environment at an Ironman, especially Wisconsin. Even though it was freaking cold (low 50s) and freaking rainy and windy all day, the spectators were there at each of the 140.6 miles, cheering us on. I honestly could not have made it without the spectators. Over 4000 volunteers dotted the course, giving up their entire day to stand in the freezing rain to help us out. Today I learned more about what it means to really challenge yourself. The Ironman is unlike your typical sporting event because you are never really fully exerting yourself. I never gasped for breath
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[235]
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: Man, can't get any better than the volunteers and spectators that stood out in this weather. Everybody was so supportive, helpful and positive. I had spectated previous and was so impressed by the whole event and now having competed I am even more impressed. My brother mentioned what an emotional event it is and I have to agree. The view of the finish line when coming around the final corner is great. Knowing that your year of work has gotten you through, that you have completed your goal. I can only imagine how hard it is for those that were not able to finish. It takes so much time, money and dedication and it most be so tough to not make it to the finish for whatever reason. Congrats to all that finish, congrats to all who started. It is an event that I want to repeat. I want to cross the finish line with my wife and kids!
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[236]
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 race is awesome. The volunteers are the best I've ever seen, especially with the conditions. I can't do it again next year, but I'm planning on entering again for 2008. As a side note, last night (Wednesday, September 13) I got to talk to the guy who gave up his shoes and thank him from the bottom of my heart for what he did. He remembered my race number and tracked me down (my number is listed). I told him that he is forever a part of my first Ironman experience. He wasn't looking for the shoes, which is good, because they were so bloody that I threw them away. We're getting together sometime next week - he thinks he might want to give IM a shot. Amazing - I knew I'd learn some things about myself during this experience, but I learned about the generosity of complete strangers at a level I never expected.
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[237]
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: On Monday morning I got in line for the 2007 registration. While standing in line my buddy Tom walked by and I asked him how he did because I hadn't seen any results yet. He had gotten 2nd place in our age group with a time of 10:32, 76th overall, and was Kona bound! I was incredibly happy for him and I kept shaking has hand and squeezing his shoulder. That was just too cool to be able to put in words what it meant to me to see him accomplish that. He is an incredible athlete and a great friend. At the awards banquet we hooped and hollered as he got his plaque. Very cool to see Lar Dog on the podium as well. I realize this race report is a little dry (no pun intended) but I wanted to put in some details for myself that I can look back on 360 days from now as I get ready for IM WI 2007. At the same time, maybe there is some info in here that can help out a first-timer like I was this year, for next year's race. I went into this race with very realistic expectations of sub 10:30
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[238]
Reported by:
Race rating (3)
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?Yes

  • Lots of volunteers to help?Yes
  • Plenty of drink stations?No

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

  • Comments: Weather weather weather. Too hot, too cold, I feel like goldilocks here. Hopefully next year will be nicer. Thanks for reading and I wish you the best of luck if you are planning on doing next year's Ironman Wisconsin. The course was great, fans rock, city amazing. I have a couple regrets but little on attempting to do my first IM.
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[239]
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? Below average
  • Overall course based on my ability: Just right

  • Comments: Positives- The city of Madison The volunteers The spectators Negatives- Underestimating the weather Would I do another? Hell yeah. It’s a challenge at the most personal level. Will I do WI again next year? Nope, but will probably come back to it at some point as it was announced that the contract was renewed for another 5 years.
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[240]
Reported by:
User photo
  • Organised?Yes
  • Events on time?

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

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

  • Comments: August 14th, 2006 I turned 50 today. I feel like half that age. I feel so blessed to have my health, an awesome family, a great job, and I get to do an Ironman! My birthday party was terrific; my wife “knocked herself out” to make it a special evening for me. My only regret is that I didn’t ask “Hank” to come to the party. (Hank is the owner of “my” bike shop….Edge Cyclesports’). He has been a huge help to me in getting my bike ready to race, and I can’t thank him enough. Kim got me a cool bike case so that I can transport my bike to Wisconsin on the plane. Kim continues to be an unbelievable support to me, and there really isn’t anything she wouldn’t do to help me in my pursuit. August 21, 2006 Three weeks away from the “BIG DAY”. The most frequent question I am getting is “Are you enjoying your taper”. The taper is where an athlete cuts back on the training “volume” so that the body heals and is in “peak” condition to race. Most people over-do their taper and go their
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[241]
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: The conditions (life leading up to the race and weather on race day) interferred with my first Ironman in a big way. Still I was very happy with this race. I feel like I really accomplished something by toughing it out. No Ironman next year (too much "life") but definitely in 08. I just need to decide which one.
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[242]
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: Everything you have heard about the weather was true; I don't think anyone could have designed a more miserable day for an endurance event. But you take what you get. With better weather--less draining and tension-producing cold and rain, my time would have been a good bit faster, I think. But I am still pleased not even to have flirted with the cutoff, and the goal was to finish a first iron-distance race. There was a sign on the course that said "Having fun isn't always fun." That about sums up the day because it felt like an extra accomplishment to have dealt with the conditions. I felt well trained to finish feeling OK--I'm sore but not hobbled, and was still on my feet at the end. Nutrition, electrolytes and hydration (except for too much water on the bike) went perfectly, and I had no GI issues all day. Drank 16 scoops worth of Hammer SE, about 16 gels, a bar, and a lot of chicken broth--a potentially risky experiment but warming and salty, and a godsend on the run. Switched
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[243]
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 don't know how Volenteers managed to stay out there longer than I did. I at least got to move and create some heat. They were out there and were relentless!! I have to Thank them and everyone that yelled my name, told me (incorrectly) that I was looking good and strong and my BT Friends for pulling me through. There were many times that I went through my mental roladex and recalled the Inspires that I was sent prior to the race. It helped me to not DNF when I would of so easily just stopped at my hotel. (literally 100' from the course) But most of all, my IronSherpa...NANCY. She earned this just as much as I did. And anyone that trieds to do this alone, Good Luck...you'll need it.
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[244]
Reported by:
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: What an indredible event! I cannot thank the volunteers and spectators for all of their positive vibes. The weather being what it was truly emphasized that spirit. Without that spirit there are many points in the race that negative thoughts my have gotten the better of me. I also cannot thank my husband Gordie enough for his unending support throughout my journey to IMWI. Special thanks to him for convincing me to by the jacket that saved my butt just the day before the event! I might have been able to may the journey without him, but not easily and not for a second, would I have wanted to!!!!
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[245]
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. Tough course exacerbatted by conditions.
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[246]
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 haven't really mentioned that this Ironman race was the most difficult race the organizers ever saw. Normally, approximately 8% of the people do not finish (DNF) but this race saw 395 athletes (19.2%) DNF, an astounding number. Additionally, they normally see 20-30 people DNF the bike leg but Ironman Wisconsin 2005 had 203 athletes DNF the bike leg. Again, an astounding amount of drop outs. Additionally, the overall winner had the slowest finish time for any Ironman in the past 20 years! It was truely a grueling race and my race experience was atypical from the majority of athletes. My realistic goal time was 12:30 and finishing in 13:17 and feeling incredibly great at the end under the grueling heat, I was definately happy with finishing 45 minutes later. Sure I would have loved to break 13 hours, but I had much more fun running with my friend Fiona and feeling so great throughout the entire race.
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[247]
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 took 6 days before I would allow myself to write this race report. I was very angry and I didn't want to say something that I would reget. I acknowledge that it was a tough day and the conditions were unusually hard, I was prepared for that, after all it is an Ironman competition. After taking some time and reflecting upon the events that unfolded I am content with my race and what had unfolded. The first couple of days I would definetely consider myself as a poor sport, now that time has passed I am grateful for the great adventure and challenge that this Ironman has afforded me. I had my picture taken with Dave Harju and some great bt'er friends, I had dinner with a guy who won a lottery spot for Kona, how cool is that. I met a person who ended up coming in eleventh overall, and got to shared a lifetime of memories with alot of great athletes. It's funny to say but it feels like I experienced my lowest and my highest point in my life all in 14 hours and 11 minutes. I'm proud
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[248]
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 an awesome race. The volunteers, sponsors and race directors really know what they are doing. The amount of spectators are amazing and wonderful, cheering for everyone.
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