IronMan Cozumel : Official Thread (Page 9)

Thanks Lea. Ironman Cozumel will still be my first Ironman, just not this year. I will do it next year for sure. My friend Jim will also do the race with me and it will also be first Ironman for him. He's the one in my profile pic running behind me at Cancun with the Belize flag and cowboy hat. He's going to turn 50 on race day next year so it's a big deal for him. It might turn out to be a race between us to see who becomes Ironman first.

Well, you guys get the same waters down there, pretty much.  Glad you're making the best decision for yourself and see you next year in Coz!

Good luck to everyone racing today! 

I did IM Couzmel in 2009 (the first year) and loved the race!  My husband is planning to go back again next year to race it, and I was wondering if anyone has stayed at the Park Royal Resort?

We stayed at the Melia Cozumel when we were down there- it was a great price and I was happy with the resort.  My only complaint was the food- it wasn't so great and we didn't have a large slection of places to eat on the resort.  And also, we are looking for something a little bit closer to downtown and the fnish area. 

I know that The Park Royal is closer than the Melia, which would be nice.  It's a toss up between that one and the Palace.  I hear you can't go wrong with the Palace since it's right in downtown and has excellent food but we are still deciding.  I'd love to hear from anyone who has stayed at the Park Royal and/or the Palace for comparison!

I did the 2010 race and I don't consider myself a strong swimmer at all.  I was terrified to swim without a wetsuit, but it was fine.  REALLY long, but fine.  I did a 1:43 swim, and was happy with that.  The current changes a bit, but you don't really notice it.. certainly not like the Beach 2 Battleship swim in North Carolina.  The amount of flotation you get from salt water is incredible, basically  like wearing a wetsuit.. and the water was 84 degrees so I'm not sure what you consider warm.  Skinsuits are not legal AFAIK, and I wouldn't bother...   It is an amazing swim, the visibility is incredible and you can see all sorts of wildlife.  Great race, would do it again in a heartbeat, even if it was INSANELY hot.

The Cozumel swim is about as good as it gets...80+ degree water, 100% visibility (which really cuts down the contact and course navigtation concerns), plenty of salt water flotation (pretty much provides the bouyancy you'd get from a wetsuit anyways) and longest section (1.5 miles or so) is straight shot with the current.  Also, the starting line is very wide, so swimmers are already spread out at the start which really minimizes the contact at the start.  If you have any concerns about swimming, this really is a great course for you.