Best first timers IM???
-
No new posts
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller | Reply |
![]() |
Veteran ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Whats a good race for your first IM? I'm hoping that by '09 they'll just go ahead an add one here in Texas, because let's face everything is better in Texas...but in case they dont, I need to start thinking about other options... |
|
![]() ![]() |
Pro ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Under 17 hours on your feet? I am doing my first in Sept and goal is to finish but secretly hoping sub 12. There. I said it. ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
Master ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() I have the same goal and secret goal as above for IMFL ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() This user's post has been ignored. |
![]() ![]() |
Expert![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Don't focus so much on time. You really need to focus on what you need to do just to finish. Nutrition and Hydration how much is needed for the race. You get that right your time will be good. For myself, I am finding out the optimal balance between hydration and nutrition, I know if I have that I will have a pretty decent time. By the way, I would love to break 12 hours, but I don't mind if I don't, finishing will be great in itself. |
![]() ![]() |
Veteran![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() JeepFleeb - 2007-04-06 8:46 AM Choose your first IM based on where you train. Look for a course that is as close the elevation and temperatures that you'll be training through in the months leading up to the race. So since I'm in Dallas I'm thinking Florida or Arizona??? Am I wrong? |
|
![]() ![]() |
Pro![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() mattajw - 2007-04-06 8:52 AM Don't focus so much on time. I don't think he is...I think he's asking which IM course is a good one for a first-timer... :) We'll overlook his delusional views on Texas ;) Edited by Birkierunner 2007-04-06 9:08 AM |
![]() ![]() |
Pro![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Birkierunner - 2007-04-06 9:04 AM mattajw - 2007-04-06 8:52 AM Don't focus so much on time. He's not...he's asking which IM course is a good one for a first-timer... Yikes. My brain is gone for the weekend and I took good IM to mean time. Sorry bout that! I am doing MOO cuz it is the least invasive in my wife and kids plans. Hope to do something overseas someday though for a different experience, but lets get this one outta the way first. |
![]() ![]() |
Elite![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() JeepFleeb - 2007-04-06 7:46 AM Choose your first IM based on where you train. Look for a course that is as close the elevation and temperatures that you'll be training through in the months leading up to the race.
Okay, I guess I butchered my decision based upon those criteria. The climate typically would be about 6 weeks behind, and elevation??? Maybe I should have went with CDA.
I chose FL because I didn’t like the idea of carrying 200+ pounds up and down a lot of hills all day. |
![]() ![]() |
Master![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Choose what you want to do. I have friends that do the ones overseas because they figure that if they are going to put all that training time in, they might as well go to another country. |
![]() ![]() |
Extreme Veteran![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() I also live in Dallas and chose Ironman Florida '07 for my first. Needless to say, there is no such thing as an easy Ironman, but below are my "top 3" factors taken into consideration. The Heat -- training in North TX, you are forced to deal with the heat. In fact, my biggest weeks will fall in August, September and October. I will have plenty of 100+ degree days to train in. With any luck, mild race-day weather will feel like a shot in the arm. The Wind -- the breeze in Florida can play a factor on race day, but I will be used to it. Dallas may not have hills, but we know wind. I have delt with countless 15-20 mph days and gusty 25 mph+ days are not uncommon. The Hills -- DFW has nothing more than the occasional rolling hill. The Florida course is pancake flat. |
|
![]() ![]() |
Extreme Veteran![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() I'm setting my sites on IMFL 08 |
![]() ![]() |
Champion![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() caseyr02 - 2007-04-06 8:31 AM Remember though if they ever have one in Texas it will probably be longer than 140.6 since everything is bigger in Texas. I have also had this same question in my mind but since I won't be doing one until my wife gives me permission to buy a new bike and train enough I haven't though too much about it. I would think IMAZ and IMFL would have the same type course as you would find around Texas. I would probably go with IMAZ though because I can't stand swimming in Saltwater and really don't like Sharks/jellyfish/ocean currents. I will stick to lakes and no hills. Your other option is a non Ironman company race like Redman in OK. It is actually about half the price of the Ironman Races and close enough you can drive for the weekend for a trip around the course.Whats a good race for your first IM? I'm hoping that by '09 they'll just go ahead an add one here in Texas, because let's face everything is better in Texas...but in case they dont, I need to start thinking about other options... |
![]() ![]() |
Champion![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() I live in Dallas, TX and have decided on IM Kentucky 08 for my first IM. Florida was in the running, but I honestly would rather do some hills and not have a terrible headwind. With hills you know when the torture is going to end, with wind the torture never ends. I also didn't like the idea of an ocean swim. Salt water and jellyfish- no thanks! So, IM Kentucky seemed like a good alternative. There are hills, but the elevation chart shows the last 18 miles being all downhill for the most part. The swim is in a river. I'll take that over jellyfish! The heat... ah, I'm in Texas so I'm use to that. Hills... oh there are hills in Dallas... you just have to know where to find them. Then you go out and do hill repeats on them. The hills are only on the bike though... the run is flat in Kentucky. I also figured I would have a better shot at getting into Kentucky over Florida. Florida is very popular and the online registration fills up after 1 hour. |
![]() ![]() |
Champion![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() caseyr02 - 2007-04-06 9:03 AM JeepFleeb - 2007-04-06 8:46 AM Choose your first IM based on where you train. Look for a course that is as close the elevation and temperatures that you'll be training through in the months leading up to the race. So since I'm in Dallas I'm thinking Florida or Arizona??? Am I wrong? Oh yea... and I almost signed up for Arizona until I read the RR's for this year. Wind... NO THANKS! Also, the idea of training through the winter months... even in Texas... sounded like misery to me. With IM Kentucky, I will do some training in the cold, but the bulk of my training will be done the Spring/early summer. |
![]() ![]() |
Master![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() I think IMFL is a great option for any first timer. Last year there close to half the field was doing their first IM. It also has the advantages of being in Nov some you can do a "fairly normal training routine and do the longer stuff when the weather cools off, the weather is typpically mild, and the biggest advantage of all it is relatively flat, the high point on the run is 12 feet. One less thing to worry about for the fist time is a good thing. Another good thing is that you have to make a committment a full year out and that helps. Finally being in a large race with alot of people around you the whole way also helped me get thru the rough spots. Thats why I chose IMFL for my first. |
|
![]() ![]() |
Not a Coach![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() caseyr02 - 2007-04-06 9:03 AM JeepFleeb - 2007-04-06 8:46 AM Choose your first IM based on where you train. Look for a course that is as close the elevation and temperatures that you'll be training through in the months leading up to the race. So since I'm in Dallas I'm thinking Florida or Arizona??? Am I wrong? No. I think you're right. I would think IMAZ would be perfect since you don't have to train during the summer months. |
![]() ![]() |
Expert![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() It's got to be Lake Placid. The swim is the easiest swim in all of triathlon (nice cable 4 feet down in the clearest lake I've ever been it- it's like swimming in the pool if you can get close to it). The lack is small and almost always perfectly calm (it's called Mirror Lake for a reason The run course is basically flat (though some rollers and a downhill stretch at the beginning) with hills coming back into town at like mile 9/11 (the hill at 11 is not fun but there is always a big crowd there and a guy with a megaphone who is out there until the race ends who will call out your name and encourage you own-he's awesome. The crowd support was like nothing I have experienced- I finished just after 11PM and the crowds were huge and grown adults wanted me to slap there hands and the admiration they had for us racers was amazing- I felt like an Olympian then. And the finish line is on the speed skating oval and next to the Miracle on Ice Building- how can you top that, except at Kona? Yes it's not the "easiest" Ironman but it is a very doable one if you train properly for it and the crowd support there is the best from what I've heard- Florida isn't so great and is not the same kind of experience from what I've been told. I truly could not think of a better first Ironman experience then Lake Placid- the people and the scenery are amazing. |
![]() ![]() |
Master![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() I see we have the same goal..... |
![]() ![]() |
Regular![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() oceanannie - 2007-08-10 9:35 PM It's got to be Lake Placid. The swim is the easiest swim in all of triathlon (nice cable 4 feet down in the clearest lake I've ever been it- it's like swimming in the pool if you can get close to it). The lack is small and almost always perfectly calm (it's called Mirror Lake for a reason The run course is basically flat (though some rollers and a downhill stretch at the beginning) with hills coming back into town at like mile 9/11 (the hill at 11 is not fun but there is always a big crowd there and a guy with a megaphone who is out there until the race ends who will call out your name and encourage you own-he's awesome. The crowd support was like nothing I have experienced- I finished just after 11PM and the crowds were huge and grown adults wanted me to slap there hands and the admiration they had for us racers was amazing- I felt like an Olympian then. And the finish line is on the speed skating oval and next to the Miracle on Ice Building- how can you top that, except at Kona? Yes it's not the "easiest" Ironman but it is a very doable one if you train properly for it and the crowd support there is the best from what I've heard- Florida isn't so great and is not the same kind of experience from what I've been told. I truly could not think of a better first Ironman experience then Lake Placid- the people and the scenery are amazing. I have to agree with everything oceanannie said about Lake Placid. The town has such a terrific athletic tradition, and the people are unbelievably nice and supportive. I smiled so much during the passes through town that people probably thought I had lost my mind. Though my expectations were high coming in, they were exceeded. And though I've heard IMC rivals it, I can't imagine a more beautiful setting for the race. Good luck with whatever you choose. |
![]() ![]() |
Elite![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Isn't it a given that New York has the best of everything? I'm mean really! I wasn't aware that there is an alternative to Lake Placid. 7/20/08 baby! |
|