MI Iron - Full Iron Course : Official Thread

Haven't signed up yet, but my husband and I are planning on it.  Looks like there are less than a 100 people signed up as of Friday. 

I'm racing IMMT the week prior to the Michigan Titanium (previously Michigan Iron). I'm on the volunteer committee though so if you have anything you would like to see as part of the race, let me know! 

Good luck with your training!

Hello all

I am planning on the full.  I have not dropped the coin yet, waiting to see how the training goes.  We went over and drove the whole bike course, seems like a good ride.  I was also curious about the water, temps, depth, is it counterclockwise.

It just seems wrong to have a 140.6 in our state and not support it, IMO

Joe

Versluis Lake is going to be a great venue for the swim. I haven't actually swam there myself but it is an enclosed inland lake and it will be extremely smooth. Even if there are 50 mph winds (like they are currently experiencing at Ironman St. George) it should be an easy swim. 

Water temps will probably be in the 70's so it will most likely be a wetsuit legal swim. 

If you are in the West Michigan area, stay tuned to the website and to Facebook. We are trying to organize a few practice swims this summer so that athletes can familiarize themselves with the area.

More info on the lake: http://www.plainfieldchartertwp.org/pctversluis.htm

Absolutely!!! I had already signed up for IM Mont Tremblant when this one was announced which is a week before Michigan Titanium, so I had to jump on board and volunteer instead. I want it to be a successful event not only for this year's athletes but also so that it comes back next year so I can race it then.

As for the orientation of the swim course. I *think* it is a counter clockwise double loop, triangular swim (http://www.mapmytri.com/routes/view/60521030). I'm not 100% sure on the direction, but I'll contact the swim course coordinator and see if I can get some more details.

Good luck with the training! Stay tuned to Facebook for some possible group training events. Hope to see you there!

To be honest I haven't even started swimming yet.  I guess this weekend would be a good time to get my first swim in.  I have been biking and running though.  I have a question about the run, maybe Kevin could answer it.  Are they going to have lights on the run course?  I drove part of the run course yesterday.  It looks like a great road for running but my guess is it will be pretty dark after the sun sets.  

I drove it the first week of April.  It sured seemed up and down to me.  I only recall a few miles that were just almost flat.  I think the first 10-12 miles is all up hill.  I am trying to ride all the hilly roads I can over here.  My cycling is alot better then it has been for a few years, but I am still wondering about that ride.  I wonder how they figured the total 1535.

I am really starting to get that second guessing if going for the 140.6 is the right choice. 

It looks like in June I may get the 9th off.  Yup one day for the entire month.  What day are you thinking about going over to ride?

I talked to a couple people today about the water temps for Versluis Lake.  Obviously this is Michigan so anything is possible. However, there is a high chance that the water will be under the 84* temp which means wetsuits will be allowed.  If the temp is between 78-84 you are allowed to wear a wetsuit, but not eligible for awards (full USAT details: http://www.setupevents.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=page&filename=wetsuitrules.html).

The lake reaches depths of up to 60' and is actually a popular place for some divers. They have said that the water temp is usually in the mid to upper 70's during the August month.  Again, it all depends on the weather we get this year.

Also, the lake is spring fed which (along with the depth) should help keep the water temperature low even in the summer heat.

I talked to my wife and she suggested in a loving tone that I spend my one day off in June with her and my daughter.  As much as I would like to ride on the course, she is right, so I must bow out.  I some times forget how training impacts the family.

Joe

How was the ride

I am too curious on your thoughts. I got out for a bit on Friday. I first drove the run course. Kinda winding, nothing to hilly, could be shady, two loops. I think a pretty descent run course. Hopefully they will have it coned off or something cause with all the winding roads I could see cars not seeing a runner out there.

As far as the bike course I only had time for an hour ride. I drove to the West Cannon Baptist Church on Cannonsburg to park and rode out Cannonsburg til the turn on Lincoln Lake and headed north for  a mile and then turned around and headed back.

Cannonsburg road will be great. It is in perfect shape, wide shoulder. rolling for sure but should be nice.

Hopefully next Friday I can get out and ride a ton more of it. One thing I find odd, the course maps say the total climbing for the ride is 1535 ft  over the 112. They have the climbing for the run at 512ft over the 26.2. Just what I have seen so far, the run didn't seem that hilly and the bike seemed way more hilly.

Everyones thoughts and opinions welcomed