Great Illini Iron Distance

Daaaang. I might be in. I was planning to do the Chicago Oly but this would be perrrfect. I might do this instead of Redman in OKC on Sept. 20.

I wanted to do OKC because it's flat. This looks brutally hillish.

Ironman Wisconsin is that weekend...

Can you do back to back IM weekends?

I am sure it could be done... I don’t think that I would recommend it. I completed two marathons over a week and need assistance getting off of the plane.

I'm in for the HIM.  Think a couple of other people in my club are planning on it as well.  Nice group of folks down there.  A few friends did it last year and had great things to say about their experience.  Only negative I heard was about dodging tractors on the bike route.   

I looked at the elevation chart and am confused. It appears to be long rolling hills but the site says only two big hills. Anybody know the course?

Anybody? Hello? Is this thing on?

I'm in for the half. Then heading north to Madison to volunteer and sign up for Ironman Wisconsin 09. (pending successful completion of Great Illini)

I'm looking into doing the half- is it a good first half to do???

I live in mattoon so I can scout it out for you.....but rolling hills would be a fair guess

I think the swim is in Lake Mattoon.....it is just south of Mattoon.....near Neoga

Several local triathletes have done it, some more than once.  One of our local triathletes isn't too far from you and she did it last year. 

Edited by McFuzz 2008-06-02 9:20 PM

I am doing the full Iron distance tri, it will be my first Ironman. Fun stuff.

Race day is approaching! How are you all doing? Thoughts or ramblings?

Meh ... Im really not ready but Im a classic underachiever. I figure I'll suffer through like I do all my races. Training is SOOOO boring.

Just talked to the guy in charge of campsites there at the beach -- 500 feet from the start -- and he said if you need a tent site to just show up and he'll ``find ya a spot'' ... If you need electric for whatever reason, then you have to reserve a spot.

Joel Pittman (271) 254-6680