Ironman Florida : Official Thread (Page 4)

does anyone know how many times in the past several years that the swim portion of this race has been cancelled due to high wind/waves?  Can't remember it being cancelled recently, but I do remember Gulf Coast in May.  Race day was fairly rough and then the Sunday after the wind was humming about 30 mph and there was no way in hell we would have been swimming that day. 

I'm thinking about doing a CF slot but would hate to pay that much and run the risk of the swim being cancelled!

So, does anyone have any suggestions on where to stay other than the Boardwalk and Shores of Panama? Both are sold out. Not to mention I can't find a flight down there for less than $550! We've got Continental miles but Continental stops service down there as of Oct. 24th of this year! Agghhhh!!!!!

Kristin,  Did you look at flying into FWB (VPS) or Pensacola (PNS)?  Both are a little further than PC, but miles beat airfare.  If you have a choice between the two FWB is the better choice - IMHO.

Thanks - yes, I did look into both of them and for FWB there's a layover in Houston (Continental's hub) and PNS there's a layover in Atlanta but that one is w/ Delta. The good (?) thing is with these prices, our kiddos will have to stay home so the layovers won't be nearly as torturous as they would be w/ a 3 and 4 yr. old.  I thought airfare was supposed to be cheaper b/c nobody's flying. Hrumph.

Not sure if you've tried it, but check www.kayak.com.  It will compare all of the different rates and sites for you. You don't buy through them, they just compare the rates so you can see what is cheapest.  From what I've read, the best time to buy is early Wed. morning cause that's when fares have changed.

I'm driving over from Texas...it'll be my vacation, then I don't have to rent a car, ship the bike, etc.  I just need gas prices to stay reasonable!

Thanks for the tips - it's tough to just pick one online not knowing really where it is in comparison to the finish, etc.... Once we're in PCB, do we need a car to get around? If we don't need to rent one, that would be one less expense.

Hello all,

 Just wanted to let you all know that you can still book at The Shores of Panama.  I know someone had mentioned it being full.  If you go through the VRBO site there are still lot's of rooms available.  I was able to get a very nice 2 bed with bunkroom wrap-around ocean-view.  Looks like a great resort and you can see the swim start right out on our balcony because it is so close. 

Do you think the Boardwalk will have any rooms for Friday and Saturday at IMFL? When we were there last year they had vacancies. I still haven't made our condo reservations for IMFL! I'm driving in with a tri friend on Wednesday. Hubby/family and will drive in on Thursday/Friday.

I would like to have a really close hotel/condo so hubby/family members can come and go during the race. Ideally I would like to have family/friends stay at the Boardwalk.  I would love for my parents to be at the race. They aren't that old. They stuck it out at Longhorn last year in the heat. If they're going to come to watch I want it to be fun.

Hey, We've still got 34 weeks to train! Yeah! Come September we will wish we had 34 weeks left!!!

As far as close hotels go, the shores of panama seems to be one of the closest with availability.  I believe it is 4/10 of a mile down the beach/road from the start.  You can go to google maps and use street level view to see just how close they are.  I believe the sunbird? condos are even closer.  Don't know if they have availabilities or not.  Looks like a slightly older building.  

If I do the race next year I think I will have to jump on the boardwalk reservations while I am down there this November.  I had no idea it filled up so fast and I would have liked to be at the start line as well.  Oh well, I figure with the Shores of Panama being 700 yards away my family can pretty much come and go as they please.  Plus the bike passes by the hotel a couple of times and it has a great amenities for the kid.

Trust me, the Shores of Panama vs. the Boardwalk as far as distance is virtually negligble.  This past Nov, I was there to cheer on Sue (Socks) and sign up and I stayed with her at the Shores of Panama.  It is literally just down the road from the start and finish.  PLUS, they have the parking garage available for those staying--if you're at the Boardwalk, some of that parking issues, the noise, the mass # of people, etc. made the Shores of Panama extremely convenient.  Needless to say, I'm booked there for this NOV...

I hope everyone is doing well and getting psyched up for IM specific trainin here in a couple of months. I kick off my tri season with the Lone Star HIM on 5 April and then the Boston Marathon 15 days later!  Not sure how wise that was, but it's been a good "taste" of some of the same type training I'll have to do for IMFL and good base building.  Muscle Rub (like Icy Hot) and I are already friends, and I've discovered that Infinit on the run is a BAD thing for me.

Well, I am kicking off my season in three days...doing my first marathon.  Thought I needed to get a stand alone one under my belt before trying to do one in Nov at IMFL.  If anyone has any tips - do's or don'ts - for a first marathon please let me know.  My true goal is just to run the whole darn thing.

Thanks