Tawas Triathlon Festival - HIM (Page 4)

I'm working on the race report.  I has the details.

Great job Matt! The rain didn't effect the sprint much, but I'm sure it was fun on the bike for you guys. yuck!

The sprint went fairly well for me. I posted the 10th fastest overall swim time followed by a horrible bike leg because I spent 5 minutes hacking my guts out because the Gatorade AM didn't agree with my stomache at the time. The run was about average for me, but the finish was interesting. I got be out for fourth by 3 secs as another guy and I sprinted it in for the finish. Great race even with the weather.

Andy,

I think its a great course for a first time HIM.  I did notice that we got very lucky with the swim though.  It was pretty dang rough later in the day on Sat and Sun morning.  Typically, its fairly calm though. 

Well, I did use this as my first HIM.  Would I do it again?  I don't know.

I've raced 4 3D races in the last two years, and spoken to a lot of folks that have been at other 3D races.  They have a reputation of last second changes and not providing exactly what the advertise.  They also have a reputation of being less than flexible when extraordinary circumstances are present.

While this was a great day for me, I'm not sure I would chose this as my first HIM venue again.  If there was anyway to guarantee that the event would run as smoothly as before, I would be fine with it.  But we all know that is impossible.

3D is giving the event the lip service of saying that it will be their premier event and will get 100% support and service, but I just don't believe it.  Call me a cynic.  

What else would I choose for a first HIM?  This is all based on what I've read from others, but perhaps Muncie or Deer Creek.  Personally, Steelhead is too big for me, as a first HIM.  I like the smaller event feel and less chaos.    I'm simple like that.

I would think it would  be nice for a first HIM, because of it's size.  Also  the area would make for a nice weekend to take the family along.

Joe

Joe makes some good points that I blazed right past.  The course was great for a first HIM, and the size of the event worked will for me.  It could have gotten seriously lonely on the bike though. 

Posting this  some time after your original post but I really loved the course and would recommend  it over Steelhead easily.  Much cheaper and just a great course for all 3 segments, with the bike being just phenomenal, in my opinion.  Check out my race report, i rave about it there too.  All my friends who did the sprint and olympic distance are planning on doing the Half next year after seeing the course.  So i say yea all the way!