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Iron/Half Iron distance vs. Ironman event
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 2011-04-26 1:44 PM |
Expert  1544    Alexandria, MN |  Subject: Iron/Half Iron distance vs. Ironman eventOne of my goals for next season is to complete a 70.3. Depending on how the winter training goes and how I'm doing in the spring maybe even go for the entire 140.6. Is there any reason I should look at doing an actual Ironman event, vs. just finding the closest HIM distance event? Any reason I should avoid an Ironman event? Do events on the Ironman series usually consist of people who are trying to win the event vs. just finish it like myself? |
| 2011-04-26 1:46 PM in reply to: #3467003 |
Elite 4235  Spring, TX | Subject: RE: Iron/Half Iron distance vs. Ironman event There are pros and cons to each. Just remember that for a mdot branded ironman, you'll probably need to sign up a year in advance and pay a hefty entrance fee. Big gamble hoping that over that year you avoid injury and nothing else comes up. |
| 2011-04-26 1:51 PM in reply to: #3467003 |
Pro 4360 Baton Rouge area | Subject: RE: Iron/Half Iron distance vs. Ironman event I wouldn't get too caught up in IM vs. non-IM for a HIM (or even an IM). I would pick it based upon time of year, proximity/location, and course. Some of the non-Ironman full distances don't fill up as fast and may give you better bang for your buck (YMMV). |
| 2011-04-26 1:59 PM in reply to: #3467029 |
Extreme Veteran 331 Lawrenceville, GA | Subject: RE: Iron/Half Iron distance vs. Ironman event I'd agree with the above, with one caveat... I signed up for an Ironman Branded Ironman because I MAY only do one in my life and I have always wanted to do an OFFICAL mdot race. The question is, are you ok with a non-branded race if you only do one? ( I think for most normal people it is, but for my wacked out mind it simple wasn't). Having said that... I am doing a non-mdot-branded HIM as a warmup for my Nice, France mdot Ironman... Edited by Davisjl 2011-04-26 2:00 PM |
| 2011-04-26 2:02 PM in reply to: #3467003 |
Expert 1322 Savannah | Subject: RE: Iron/Half Iron distance vs. Ironman event 140.6 miles is 140.6 miles if its trademarked or not. |
| 2011-04-26 2:02 PM in reply to: #3467010 |
Expert 1168 Vancouver (not Canada) Washington (not D.C.) | Subject: RE: Iron/Half Iron distance vs. Ironman event I think Andrew makes a great point that the mdot (Ironman) requires the most long term planning and fees but they tend to provide a pretty consistent and predictable experience. For me, I tend to focus on race timing a location rather than who is putting it on. I keep adding races to my wish list based on what I read in the race reports or from talking to people. That list includes both mdot and independent stuff. Make a list of the most important factors for your first race. For me, I have a hard time getting in long bike rides during the winter and so an early spring 140.6 is out. I also want my family to be a part of my races and so try to find events we can drive to rather than fly. Finally I want events that are in a really pretty place. Based on this, I'm doing Vineman, Pacific Crest (Sunriver, OR), and for 2012 will be doing Ironman Canada. |
| 2011-04-26 2:12 PM in reply to: #3467003 |
| 72 | Subject: RE: Iron/Half Iron distance vs. Ironman event I'm doing my first half this fall, and I'm pretty sure it will be fairly small, with a max of 150 participants. I'm more about the distance. My first half mary was Charlotte. My wife on the other hand, has run Disney halfs twice, and her first full mary will be MCM this fall, with the goal of her first full IM being Cozumel. She is big on the hoopla that goes with a big race. Everyone is different, there is no right or wrong way. What do you want to remember about the experience? I will say, the bigger events, EVERYWHERE you go around the venue there are people who are also participating, so that can be fun. |
| 2011-04-26 2:30 PM in reply to: #3467003 |
Master 9705 Raleigh, NC area | Subject: RE: Iron/Half Iron distance vs. Ironman event I selected the 70.3 closest to my house for my first. I also select the 140.6 closest to my house for my first. I figure I have enough to worry about with out the added logistics issues of getting my bike somewhere else. |
| 2011-04-26 2:50 PM in reply to: #3467071 |
Elite 3140 | Subject: RE: Iron/Half Iron distance vs. Ironman event mktoson - 2011-04-26 3:02 PM 140.6 miles is 140.6 miles if its trademarked or not.
but can you get the Mdot tatoo and call yourself and IRONMAN....I am looking to do Cheasapeakeman in 2012 so I am glad to hear the responses thus far since I have not done a IM branded race |
| 2011-04-26 3:13 PM in reply to: #3467203 |
Extreme Veteran 331 Lawrenceville, GA | Subject: RE: Iron/Half Iron distance vs. Ironman event FELTGood - 2011-04-26 3:50 PM mktoson - 2011-04-26 3:02 PM 140.6 miles is 140.6 miles if its trademarked or not.
but can you get the Mdot tatoo and call yourself and IRONMAN....I am looking to do Cheasapeakeman in 2012 so I am glad to hear the responses thus far since I have not done a IM branded race I think you can call yourself an IronDistanceMan or a 140.6Man... but I don't think you should use the mdot logo or call yourself an Ironman... Edited by Davisjl 2011-04-26 3:15 PM |
| 2011-04-26 3:27 PM in reply to: #3467003 |
Champion 19812 MA | Subject: RE: Iron/Half Iron distance vs. Ironman event For HIM, I pick races that I want to do. WTC or not doesn't really matter to me. Most HIMs I've done have not been WTC (or M Dot) races. I did fly to TX to do a WTC 70.3 race. Difference was more expensive race fees, many more athletes, and more hoopla. For IM distance race, I prefer the hoopla and atmosphere of a WTC race. I've done two non WTC IM distance races...they were well done, but the atmosphere was totally different as they were much much smaller...under 170 athletes each compared to 2500 at M Dot IM. One I did as a relay and we came in just over 12 hours and not one person other than our family/friends was at the finish line other than 2 or 3 folks working the finish line....very disappointing feel compared to Ironman brand finish line. If you choose in the Spring to do a full 140.6 you will either have to go with Non Ironman brand race or pay extra to get into Ironman brand race. Ironman races for the most part other than IMKY, IMSG and who knows about IMTX sell out quickly the day after the race the year before. |
| 2011-04-26 3:29 PM in reply to: #3467003 |
Champion 19812 MA | Subject: RE: Iron/Half Iron distance vs. Ironman event To answer your question...of the 2500+ folks doing a Ironman brand 140.6 race I'd guess less than 10% are trying to Kona qualify and podium compared to the rest of the folks doing it for the challenge more seeing what they can do. |
| 2011-04-26 3:41 PM in reply to: #3467322 |
Extreme Veteran 331 Lawrenceville, GA | Subject: RE: Iron/Half Iron distance vs. Ironman event KathyG - 2011-04-26 4:27 PM Or head overseas and do IMFR... several others overseas don't sell out fast either and why not make it a vacation? Warning... you think the entry fee is expensive, wait till you head to France to do an Ironman.... $$$$$$$If you choose in the Spring to do a full 140.6 you will either have to go with Non Ironman brand race or pay extra to get into Ironman brand race. Ironman races for the most part other than IMKY, IMSG and who knows about IMTX sell out quickly the day after the race the year before. |
| 2011-04-26 3:52 PM in reply to: #3467003 |
Regular 67 | Subject: RE: Iron/Half Iron distance vs. Ironman event There's glory in the branded Ironman events, that's for sure, and they make you feel like a rockstar all weekend. That said, I also appreciate the grassroots nature of some of the smaller events I've done. I also think there's something hard core about grinding out a race in an smaller setting with few spectators (or none at all) pushing you along. I did IMLP last year (after several years of smaller races) and loved it, but I'm pumped to be doing an out-of-the-way 140.6 this summer in the Subarctic that will likely attract fewer than 20 competitors. |
| 2011-04-26 3:59 PM in reply to: #3467003 |
Champion 5781 Northridge, California | Subject: RE: Iron/Half Iron distance vs. Ironman event I've done branded and non-branded full and half distance races and the differences--to my way of thinking--were pretty insignificant. Price and location (and in the case of Wildflower, I guess, reputation) talked for me: My wife and I don't have the disposible income to be as picky as some of our friends who travel wherever they please, bike (or bikes) in tow. |
| 2011-04-26 4:38 PM in reply to: #3467003 |
Pro 4824 Houston | Subject: RE: Iron/Half Iron distance vs. Ironman event Ask other athletes in your area who have done the races close to you. Check the race reports section of this website. We have two HIM distances races within 1-1.5 hours of our house one is IM branded one is not. I have volunteered at the branded race twice and my husband did it this year. I have ZERO desire to do this race. All the stuff he loves about it are the things I don't like about it. The race I did is not branded, cost half as much and was what I was looking for and plan to do again this fall. Every race is different and each have their pluses and minuses.
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