CdA or TX for first IM?

Not very strong of a bike anything, and very very uncomfortable in cold.  I do very well in heat, I love running in 100+.  I am up to 13 hours of training now so I will have a whole year of training by then

Texas would be the way to go...

Huh I've heard the opposite that it's very easy to get in... this was just the second year and both years it took months to sell out.

I've been keeping up on that thread but it's just rumors... sigh.  Come on IMTX stop messing with my dreams and let me give you $625 already!!!

Agree.  Rule out CdA right now.  The water is very cold, the bike course is lots of climbing  AND  I don't want you wishing for 100 degree weather to run in next year!!  :-)  It's only going to be in the mid 60's next year during the run portion!

I did CdA in 2009.  Expect water temps around 60-62F (manageable with a wetsuit, but a neoprene cap could improve things a lot).  The hills are manageable.  A couple steep climbs, but generally nothing more than a few minutes at a time and it is very scenic. 

If you've never been the the Northern Rockies, that is a great excuse to go to CdA.  Also, since the race is near the summer solstice and fairly far North, that is your best shot at a "daylight finish" (it was still light at 9PM, so 14-hours). 

They are delaying the registration to secure the permits with the city, etc.  I know there was some speculation going on about the race being moved to Galveston, but I think there was a contract between the Woodlands and WTC, so it sounds like it will still be there in 2013.  For some reason there is some bad blood between the Woodlands Township and WTC over the 2012 race.  Apparently the residents in the Woodlands complained about traffic complications and the race.  

I heard they were trying to launch registration by June 30th, but not sure.  It still says TEST in front of the registration.  I think they are also planning the race for a Sunday this year instead of Saturday.  

Last couple of years the water has been more in the lines of the mid 50's for temps, this year was a new bike course, one of the climbs is roughly 2 miles long, sign says 6% grade, you climb it and others, twice.

GatorDeb - 2012-06-27 12:16 PM Oh, thanks  All I need is an "easy" Ironman (i.e. NOT St. George, not that it applies any longer) around May 1st-26th anywhere in the U.S.

I wouldn't say CdA is an "easy" IM.  The bike course is challenging, especially compared to Texas, and the water is quite cold - think 55-58* - and has the propensity to be very choppy and windy.  There were a lot of very strong looking folks on very nice bikes this year that did not make the bike cutoff, perhaps due to issues from the swim.