Ironman Louisville : Official Thread

Originally posted by Toefuzz

Louisville was my first last year and I'm also from MI. I thought I had prepared for the hills by heading up north as often as possible, but it wasn't enough. We ride the loop on our way into town on Thursday and I was pretty demoralized. My friends made it look pretty easy but I had trouble keeping my power to a manageable number. I lost a little sleep the days after that ride, but come race day it wasn't too bad. I think riding the loop ahead of time helped as I had a better idea of how to handle the hills. Like someone else said, for every down it seems like there is an immediate up. You can carry a lot of momentum, but they are long enough that you're still going to have to work. The most difficult part of the race for me was staying in my own little world and riding a steady pace. It seems like I was getting passed by grandma's on beach cruisers in the beginning, but my patience was rewarded as I passed hundreds of people on the way back after the second loop!

Originally posted by dandr614

No idea on the course as it will also be my first full. North Georgia here so I am hoping my rides are similar. I can typically get about 3500' of ascent during a 60 mile ride. Not going to sweat it too much just yet, have 70.3 at Chatt in May so we will see where that leaves me.

Have an International distance coming up in a couple of weeks at Kerr Lake up in NC. Making the most out of a visit to see my mother-in-law.

Have a good weekend all!

Originally posted by dandr614 So did you do Kerr? I was disappointed with the lack of swim, but nice bike and run course.

Originally posted by dandr614 NC sounds like you had a helluva day, Chatt should not be a problem for you. I was for sure disappointed until I got to the site and looked at the lake. Definitely the right call as is was well above the picnic tables. Suspect is was up a good eight foot. As for me Janyne, I have Chatt 70.3 in a couple of weeks and then Storm the Fort later in the summer and all going well IM Lou in the fall. One kink in all of that is we (family) are evaluating another job offer that may take me to Washington state. If that is the case I will transfer my Lou to CDA if possible and move up the date a couple of months. Sounds good that Cary worked out for you. I was in Raleigh for my mother in law's birthday so Kerr wasn't that bad of a drive. She lives in the North Hills area so I made it up there in just under an hour. I enjoy the Setup Events as they are always well run in my opinion.

Originally posted by buckeyeguy77

This will be my 2nd full. I did IM Wisconsin in 2015. I've heard it's not as tough as that course and that there aren't any huge hills to climb. Hoping that's true! I have some OK little rollers were I'm from, but probably nothing like what I'll see in Louisville. One thing that helps is I'm a really good climber, but don't get as much speed going down the hills to help carry me back up.

Originally posted by yonks311

Louisville 2017 will be my first full....very excited....Thanks for starting this thread.....will be following.

Originally posted by katgirl2013

I just completed my 3rd IM (Wisconsin) and am planning on doing IMLOU in 2018. While I loved Wisconsin, after doing it for the past 3 years it's time for a change of scenery. I'll be heading down there (I live near the Wisconsin boarder and will be in Indianapolis for work) to ride the course the day after this year's IM to get a feel for the hills. Can anyone tell me how busy the roads are on a typical weekday and is the course marked? I'm used to middle of nowhere Wisconsin roads and if I see cars they generally are pleasant to cyclists. Also, I know this course is hilly and I'm a strong cyclist but can anyone give a comparison between IMWI and IMLOU in terms of how technical it is? The IMWI course is crazy with long up hills, false flats, screaming down hills, and so many turns.

Does anyone know if there are any training/group rides during the year? While I don't mind riding on my own, it would be nice to meet up with others who know the area.