First time 70.3

Why not do the half at Welland?

I think the Rev3 is supposed to be a relatively easy course (in Cedar point).  That could be a 6 hour drive depending on where in ontario you are.  Same weekend as muskoka.

Muskoka is difficult but feasible! And after you finish, you know you can handle pretty much every 70.3...

My guess would be Cedar Point as well or Welland.

Welland is supposed to be flat and fast with the swim in the canal = no waves.  I don't like how early it is....

I have done Steelhead in Michigan twice and it's a great course (as long as they don't cancel the swim).  Both years I did it 09/10 we had the swim and it's with the current and a straight line (which is awesome).  The bike course is rolling and the run course is a double loop with one good hill.  I love the location - the dunes are amazing and beautiful and the course is great for us (who don't have hills to train on).  It's about a 4.5 hour drive from Chatham.  The KOA is a beautiful campground and they have fantastic donuts.  The location of the actual race is at the beach which is great for spectators to hang out and within walking distance to the Whirlpool headquarters where they can watch you come around 2x.  

I signed up for Cedar Point next year.  After doing Steelhead 2x I needed a new course, plus it's not until September which gives me more time to train.  (And will allow me to race sprints all summer.)  It's also a flat course which will facilitate training.  It's another great location for spectators and families and my family and I have been going there for years to the amusement park so it was an easy choice.  

Muskoka is really hilly and it's not so much the bike course as running a 1/2 after the bike course that worries me.

Ottawa also has a 70.3 and a 140.6 in the fall - I believe the same weekend as Muskoka.  It's run through Somersault events.  I would imagine it's fairly flat as well - based on the 1/2 marathon I've run there... 

I did Peterborough this year for my first HIM.  I found the bike course wonderful - lots of hills, lots of nice scenery, little traffic, smooth roads.  I found the run boring and, most of all, hot.  Depending on your pacing, you'll find yourself on a mostly-unshaded country road at noon in the middle of July.  The last two times I've been to Peterborough (last year for the sprint, this year for HIM) the weather has been crazy hot.  To do my first HIM again, I'd probably choose one any other time of year.  Although I'd do the bike portion of a relay at the drop of a hat.

On the heat note - get some telemetry.  I still wish I had a HR monitor and GPS on at peterborough, because it would help diagnose why my run went so badly (2:05 instead of an expected 1:50 or faster).  I don't know if it was fitness or pacing or dehydration or lack of nutrition or something else, and some more data would have helped eliminate some of those possibilities.

Another hard-won tip: if you do do a mid-summer HIM, avoid the hose station at the start of your run (or get waterproof shoes/socks).  Running for 21km with soaked shoes is no fun  It may seem wonderful and cooling at the time, but it's blistery and heavy for the remaining 2 hours.

I can vouch that the Somersault's Canadian Iron event is very flat.  I worked one of the water stations at this year's event  The route is flat and scenic (Colonel By Drive) for both bike and run.  Only issue is that it's a lot of loops.

Musselman in the Finger Lakes is a nice 70.3 race. it's held the weekend after Peterborough. It's a smaller race with great support from the locals.

The swim is beautiful, the bike ride is "gently rolling" but the run is a touch hilly! Also the weather this year was brutally hot.

3 or 4 hour drive from GTA  and also fabulous swag!

Yes.

thanks!

ya, deciding on that first HIM is a bit tricky... but for me, Welland just felt like the best place to start. I'd love to try Muskoka... but after what I've heard about the bike (coupled with the fact that I am NOT a strong cyclist).. I know I'd have to work my way up to that!!

If you have lots of local hills Muskoka is not out of reach. Ride your hilly course 2 x a week and you'll be fine.

Muskoka is an awesome venue.

If you have lots of local hills Muskoka is not out of reach. Ride your hilly course 2 x a week and you'll be fine.

Muskoka is an awesome venue.

If you have lots of local hills Muskoka is not out of reach. Ride your hilly course 2 x a week and you'll be fine.

Muskoka is an awesome venue.