MUSKOKA 70.3 - Official Ontario Thread (Page 13)

Got the pre-registration email from WEC:

2012 Subaru Ironman 70.3 Muskoka
Race Date: September 9, 2012

Early Registration:

$199 CAD Individuals* (10/19/11-10/24/11) includes HST

*Offer valid until Monday, October 24 at 11:59 a.m. EDT.

General Entry Fee:
$250.00 CAD (10/24/11-6/9/12) includes HST
$275.00 CAD (6/10/12-Close) includes HST 

Relay Entry Fee:
$325.00 CAD (10/19/11-6/9/12) includes HST
$375.00 CAD (6/10/12-Close) includes HST

TEMPTING!

if only i could handle this event..!

hopefully i can take advantage in 2013??

jealous! (to all those who have tackled this course before...!)

Just how hilly/difficult is this course?

Considering it for next year but I have a LONG way to go before it would be doable.

It is not an easy course. It is rather challenging, but not terrible. I believe there is 3000' of climbing, total. The first 10, and last 30k are pretty challenging, nothing huge, but some very steep climbs. With training hills, though, definitely doable.

The run is also VERY hilly... I took that for granted this year, but know better for next. Don't forget to train your run for the hills!

Agreed ^^.  Anything is do-able with the appropriate and proper amount of training - knowing what you are training for.  This was my first HIM and I trained for hills (which was a challenge in itself given where I live).  It was a challenge but I still finished.  The run took me for a bit of a surprise.  I knew it would be hilly I just didn't realize how hilly and so my legs were pretty wasted by the run.  It all depends on what your goals are and how much training you put in.

A friend did the Welland HIM ride in 3 hours and felt confident going in to Muskoka - it took her 4 hours.  She knew it was hilly and trained for hills but still said the hills kicked her a$$.  She still finished.

Thanks for the info guys.

Sounds like another course might be better suited for a first forray into the HIM distance.

Haha, really? I can't imagine that's true... Maybe they're just not booking it yet?

I stayed in Hidden Valley Resort this year. It's 1.5km away down the same road, though up and down a VERY big hill. I think it's cheaper, too.

I'd call.  I didn't decide to do the race until June of last year and had no issues booking a room and registering for the race.  Plus there were a lot of no shows so maybe rooms will likely free up as people cancel.  I recall seeing a bib for 1000 yet there were less than 900 participants.

On a completely different note - odd how the placing keeps changing.  At the time of my writing my race report I was 786/847 and just checked now and I placed 814/874 ?  Not that it matters - I'm a total bopper!

Quick update, went onto Booking.com last week to suddenly find that there were "only" 3 rooms left! Decided to give the resort a call and spoke to Karen in reservations and am very happy I did, got a room booked in the main hotel at the just launched rate for the HIM so saved a bundle compared to booking.com Give Karen a call if you are planning on staying at the resort

16 pages of comments.

Seriously.

It's a great race, don't get me wrong, but what else can be said about it.

Now that I think about it...accomodations...I stayed in Bracebridge (20 minutes away from the parking lot)and saved a bundle.

And, oh ya, the swim is like murky, shallow and choppy. My least favourite swim of any race I have ever done. The long course Muskoka swim is so much better!

Cheers.

Not sure whcih part of the lake you swam in!!  The only part that was murky was the exit, and the only shallow part was just past the last bouy turn.  Maybe I had a different line than you...

Take a look - the thread started in 2010 ... we just keep using it for each year. 

Well it only took 5 months but they have some race stuff for sale now - just hats.  The novelty has worn off for me

http://ironmanstore.com/events/70-3/ironman-70-3-muskoka.html

Hi everybody. I am register for the race, comming all way down from Brazil!

Very excited for the race. Any tips you guys could give me?

I have a major doubt about the water temperature. I have both a full sleeve and sleeveless wetsuit. I feel much better using the sleeveless one, since my arms are free and it is well less tiring, but I am concerned that if I decide to go sleveless I am going to freeze to death...what you guys think?

Another issue is the weather itself during bike course. I read some older posts, recommending to wear arm warmers. Are they really necessary?

And last, but not least, got kinda worried about the run course. Everybody saying there are deathing hills. Is that true?

Cheers

Mario Benvenuto

The water temperature was beautiful last year and I wore a sleeveless wetsuit.  I think it tends to still be warm at that time of year.  Though some years it's rained and the earlier portion of the bike is shady so arm warmers might be good.  Again - last year was beautiful so I just wore tri top.  The run is hilly and can be challenging having just completed a hilly bike course.  I had a lot of cramping on the run so mine was brutal -though I think many walk a lot during the latter portion - but it's doable.  I did it so ya...  Welcome to Canada!!  TIP:  train on hills

I've done the course twice, and wore a full wetuit both times.  Have seen people wearing a sleeveless suit as well - the weather has been quite hot this summer for us so water temps are a little higher, but that can change in the next 4 weeks.  You may be better off in the full suit.

Arm warmers - I did not need them for either year (09,11), but you never know on race day.  Bring some just in case, but it turned out to be about 25C last year.

Bike Course - hills throughout, but the first 20km is hilly, the next 45km is flat/rolling, the last 30km is hilly, with the last 5-6km being the toughest.  Only two aid stations on the course at approx. 30km and 60km.

Run Course - hilly.  First 2km has some climbs, then flat for about 4-5km, then some small hills, and then a big 1km climb, turn around and run back down.  But, on the way back you run along the trail which is little ups and downs the whole way.  Last couple of km, and a couple of more small but steep hills.

Key to the race - pacing.  If it feels a little hard at the beginning, then it's going to be really hard at the end, so back off the effort level.  At 60km you are just beginning to enter the toughest part of the ride, and you need to save something for the run.  Lots of people walk because they went too hard in the middle section of the bike course.

Guys, thanks for the tips. This is my first time in Canada and I am really excited about it. For the last couple years I´ve been in France´s IM and Austria´s HIM but Canada has always been in my top list.

Kim, felt really good reading your post as to the weather last year and the fact that you wore a sleveless wetsuit. Hopefully this year Muskoka will repeat the same weather.

Neil, very good description of the race. Thanks a lot. Again, liked very much what you said about the weather and the fact this is a hot summer for you guys. It is certainly a good indicative of the conditions 4 weeks from now. I will definitely keep in touch with you guys to get more updates the next weeks (if you don´t mind me bothering you). One thing, got me scared. Only 2 aid stations the whole bike race??! God! This seems brutal. U sure? I might take a couple extra things to eat and drink during bike.

Thanks again

Mario

Mario - I don't really think you need more than 2 aid stations on the bike.  If you figure you'll be on the bike anywhere from 2:45-3:30 then you likely will not need more than 3-4 bottles of fluid.

I have no idea how fast or slow you are, or your nutritional needs, but if you think about it this way.  Start with 2 bottles on the bike, get rid of one at the first aid station and take on a new one, then do the same thing at the next aid station - and you still have one bottle in reserve.

I plan to race with a flask holding my gels, but otherwise you can just start with a couple of gels at the start and grab a couple at each aid station, and in theory that should be enough calories.  Again, this is very generic since I have no idea about your size, weight, speed, etc.

Hi Neil. Hope you are right. Last HIM I did in Austria, they had at least 3 aid stations in the bike course. Anyway, I hope 2 will be enough.

By the way, how is the weather holding up over there? Keeping warm? I guess I will endup bringing my 2 wetsuits just in case.

Mario