IMFL vs IMAZ vs IMLP

WaterDog66 - 2008-07-28 6:10 PM Have you considered Coeur d'Alene?

Having done both CdA and LP I would rate both of these races very high in terms of community support, fun courses and nice weather. (Both are Green and Leafy and usually on the cool side with temps)

I am doing Arizona in '09 more because of the fact that this is a "Local" race and can do it on the cheap. I cannot afford to be spending $10k every year on races

No CDA is to early and doesn't allow for any speed type work. Cold water and me not so good. My husband did suggest it though.

I could do the new local Plymouth IM distance race next year and sleep at home...very cheap $350 entry fee. I'm doing it as a relay this year to sort of check it out and see what I think as a possible option for next year. It would probably save $7K but the vibe may be hugely different...we'll see. With only 500 folks participants not so many folks are in the 15-17 hour time frame. 

I can only speak to IMAZ, and it doesn't sound at all like the "community support" you get from say a smaller town like LP or CdA.  THAT SAID......  because it is not a small town, you are not going to be locked into a 5 night minimum anywhere.  You can get lodging for as many or as few nights as you want, and the prices are not IM exorbitant.  It's a regular town, just happens to have a race going on, along with lots of other stuff.

From my info (well, bryancd....) could be hot, could be cold, coulkd be windy, could be calm, but highly unlikely to have the heat/wind combo of April.  I am thinking TTL will be a bit chilly though in Nov.  I saw the ave temps somewhere, and I want to say low 60s..... (then again, friend did FL the year it was freezing cold in the a.m.) 

I've posted this before, but my friend did LP and 4/08 AZ, said AZ was head and shoulders harder than LP.

Yeah, I understand why CdA would be less than ideal

I would imaging any late season race would be preferrable because you can train through the Spring/Summer.

I will be interested in hearing what others have to say in terms of comparing LP to Arizona. Both do have their challenges but with the new Arizona Timeslot, it will be very interesting to see if weather continues to be a big issue or not.

Well, the e coli will kill the jellyfish, so there's nothing to worry about

IMAZ may not be pretty, but for some of us it's only a car ride away

[/hijack off]

Oh, the desert is not such a bad place and can be quite beautiful in the Fall/Winter.

I have done a couple of races in Arizona (Running Races) and it's not so bad. I actually rate the Tucson Marathon very near the top of my list of great destination marathons. The run down from Oracle was pretty spectacular

And Chris is right about one thing. (Well, many things but this one thing in particular) This town surely can handle the Ironman.  One good thing about Arizona is that it won't be nearly as crowded and overblown as RnR Marathon in January which had ~20,000 runners this year 

I agree with your assessments Fred of the various courses. KY is not an option to hot/humid is the norm and I wouldn't do well.

It is the speed block I want to work on that makes LP tough next year. If I pull the plug and stop my season early with some off and down time it could work. But I love to ride in the fall and hope to do lots of riding and try cycle cross which conflicts.

Of course doing the race with you would rock, but seems like I always get crappy abnormal weather so maybe you'd enjoy it more without me there  

Decisions...decisions...it isn't easy.... but it is fun...

Silverman?

Those hilly courses would be easier if my power/weight ratio was a bit better on the bike.

Non M Dot races..have a good vibe? What about slow finishers..folks still around when you finish? 

Having done LP and FL I would definitely pick LP over FL again.  And I plan to sign up for '10 LP because the course is beautiful, the local is great, I can bring the whole family again and make another vacation out of it (versus trying to take the kids out of school for a week to make FL one).

Plus, you are a strong cyclist and you should pick a course that suits your strengths.  I was moderately fast in FL but it was rather boring overall as far as courses go.  I already get a flat/fast race every year with Eagleman and wanted something else to challenge me.

Haven't done AZ, so no reference there for me .......

I have considered that one as well. I need to figure out weather norms for that time of year...closer to MA than FL.  Wind? humidity? I'll be reading and giving it more thought about it for sure after the race this year. How hard will it be to get into next year? It sold out pretty quickly this year and with M Dot races being harder to get into, might this one sell out fast in a day

The vibe of non M Dot race vs. M Dot race? Feel if you are BOPer? 500 vs 2300 people..more folks at end in larger race. 

My husband and I go round and round trying to figure out which is best, can I get in...everyone brings up good points...like Rick said LP is easier on kids as it is summer.. 

Local new IM distance race is labor day weekend and I could stay at home. We have a relay team this year so we'll check it out and consider it for next year. 

I'd pick rain or cool weather over heat any day..my body handles it better.

I can do ocean swims just not my favorite.

Training for the race IMAZ schedule wise is best given my goals and what the plan is to reach them.

Bryan, is there always wind? Does it vary a lot from day to day or season? 

IMAZ time of year with 5 kids is sort of tough with Thanksgiving being the following week. 3 younger ones we could take out of school as Thanksgiving week they only have 2 days of school but race week school wouldn't like it much.