General Discussion Triathlon Talk » St George, The Woodlands or CDA? Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2010-07-05 8:50 AM

User image

Veteran
144
10025
Tucson
Subject: St George, The Woodlands or CDA?
After IM Japan fell apart for me I've been contemplating what race to sign up for next year.  I've narrowed it down to St George, the new IM Texas or Coeur d'Alene.  There are pros and cons of each....

St George:  Looks to be a tough course.  Weather could be unpredictable. 

Texas, The Woodlands:  Heat and Humidity (end of May north of Houston).

CDA:  Course.

What experience do y'all have with any of these?  Are the cons valid?  This will be my first full IM but thankfully I live in a warm climate and training outside over the winter can be done though huge hill climbs still are tough until April due to cold...

So which one would be a great first Ironman?  Smile



2010-07-05 9:10 AM
in reply to: #2961413

User image

The Original
7834
5000200050010010010025
Raleigh/Durham
Subject: RE: St George, The Woodlands or CDA?
I've done Fl, Cozumel and just finished CDA.  Do IM CDA!  It's so beautiful and the spectators and volunteers are awesome.  It was the most organized IM I've ever done.  I'm not a huge climber on the bike at all- but the bike course wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.  I trained on rolling hills and didn't have a problem with the bike course.  The first 20ish miles or so really are flat.  Then you have a section of climbing, and the last section of each lap are literally downhill going back into downtown.  What I liked about CDA is that you get the best of both worlds- flats and climbing.

I would love to go back to CDA- I've just never seen a town that's 100% supportive of the IM.  In the middle of nowhere on the bike course we had spectators sitting at the end of their driveways cheering us on- so awesome.

Make sure to read some of the CDA race reports to get a better idea from others, but I think the trend you will find is that it's an awesome race!!!  I would highly recommend it for a first IM just because of all the support and the town really knows how to run a top notch IM event.  

If you have any other questions about CDA let me know! 

Edited by runnergirl 2010-07-05 9:12 AM
2010-07-05 9:15 AM
in reply to: #2961413

User image

Champion
19812
50005000500020002000500100100100
MA
Subject: RE: St George, The Woodlands or CDA?
What are your strengths and weaknesses as triathlete?

Which appeals to you more?

What weather do you preform better in?

What do you think of wetsuits? cold swims-both CDA and St. George, vs. most likely no wetsuit TX.

Does the time of year effect when heavy training would be and fit into your life better? They are all close in time but could make a difference.

St. George will be the most challenging bike with some pretty steep climbs.
St. George: 52k Climb (x2) @ 1.1% net grade w/2k @ 5.5% and max grade of 16.7%!// 2.9% of the course is at >4%

Texas will have easiest bike course as far as hills

St. George will have the most challenging run as it is mostly up and down.

TX will be hot and humid; other two weather can vary greatly from 50s to 90s so more of a crap shoot.
2010-07-05 10:47 AM
in reply to: #2961450

User image

Veteran
144
10025
Tucson
Subject: RE: St George, The Woodlands or CDA?
Thanks!  I've heard great things about CDA.  The location, timing and course all fit my requirements.  Having the great support certainly is a plus.
2010-07-05 10:50 AM
in reply to: #2961455

User image

Veteran
144
10025
Tucson
Subject: RE: St George, The Woodlands or CDA?
Weakness right now would probably be climbing but I do have access to mountains and can train for that.  Scenery and support appeal to me.  Weather-wise...I live in the desert and have become accustomed to the dryness.  Humidity would take its toll.  Wetsuits?  Could take them or leave them.  Time of year won't matter that much...
2010-07-05 4:39 PM
in reply to: #2961413

User image

Veteran
237
10010025
WA
Subject: RE: St George, The Woodlands or CDA?
Definately have to use a wetsuit at CDA. Water is usually really cold to pretty darn cold. Never warm. 61 deg. this year. Great race though. Although I haven't done an IM anywhere else.


2010-07-06 2:57 AM
in reply to: #2961413


798
500100100252525
Subject: RE: St George, The Woodlands or CDA?
I lived in The Woodlands for many years, and while it is a great place, the other two races will be infinitely more scenic.  Also, other than the possibility of heat in Texas, the other two are more difficult courses, with St. George having the current rep as one of the hardest.
2010-07-06 1:29 PM
in reply to: #2961413

User image

Champion
5781
5000500100100252525
Northridge, California
Subject: RE: St George, The Woodlands or CDA?
Judging by DNF rates, St George is probably a bit tougher than CDA...swim was colder this year, for starters (in the upper 50s), and the run is very tough, almost all hills.  But amazing scenery.
2010-07-06 8:40 PM
in reply to: #2962547

User image

Veteran
144
10025
Tucson
Subject: RE: St George, The Woodlands or CDA?
What could one expect from the weather towards the end of May?  Stiffling or just hot?  Would you choose to race an IM in that heat?
2010-07-06 8:46 PM
in reply to: #2961413

Champion
9430
50002000200010010010010025
No excuses!
Subject: RE: St George, The Woodlands or CDA?
How family friendly is CDA? I am debating on signing up but have a 18 month old and  a 4 yr old. Is it a convienent town to get around and things to do?
2010-07-06 9:29 PM
in reply to: #2964700

User image

Extreme Veteran
622
500100
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Subject: RE: St George, The Woodlands or CDA?
charge4brendan - 2010-07-06 8:40 PM What could one expect from the weather towards the end of May?  Stiffling or just hot?  Would you choose to race an IM in that heat?


For May 21 in The Woodlands, TX:
DaySunriseSunsetAvg.
High
Avg.
Low
MeanRecord
High
Record
Low

216:25 AM8:12 PM86°F66°F76°F94°F (1956)51°F (1981)

Couldn't find average humidity.



2010-07-06 9:46 PM
in reply to: #2964712

User image

Elite
2998
2000500100100100100252525
Fishers, Indiana
Subject: RE: St George, The Woodlands or CDA?
Shermbelle - 2010-07-06 8:46 PM How family friendly is CDA? I am debating on signing up but have a 18 month old and  a 4 yr old. Is it a convienent town to get around and things to do?

So, when I was there volunteering/cheering I looked for the same thing as I hope my sister and by then, my 2.5 year old nephew will come.  Anyhow, it is an easy town to get around. You can easily walk to swim/bike/run sections and find spots to watch it all. There are lots of friendly restaurants all throughout town AND in the park there are covered picnic tables and a MASSIVE, and I really mean MASSIVE, 6000 sq foot kids jungle gym/playhouse AWESOMENESS. I would've LOVED to have had that as a kid!! Plus, the beach opens up in the afternoon for people too.  All of the CdA folks seemed super friendly.  There were kids and strollers everywhere with spectators.
2010-07-06 10:38 PM
in reply to: #2961413

User image

Member
151
1002525
Rock Springs, Wyoming
Subject: RE: St George, The Woodlands or CDA?
Dont know about 2011 but 2010 Woodlands Prize purse was 100 Bones. Yes... 100,000 smackeroos

2010-07-07 6:07 AM
in reply to: #2964897

User image

Champion
19812
50005000500020002000500100100100
MA
Subject: RE: St George, The Woodlands or CDA?
MDVJR - 2010-07-06 11:38 PM Dont know about 2011 but 2010 Woodlands Prize purse was 100 Bones. Yes... 100,000 smackeroos



What?

No Woodlands in 2010..first one will be in 2011.
2010-07-07 8:05 AM
in reply to: #2965068

User image

Champion
6973
500010005001001001001002525
marietta
Subject: RE: St George, The Woodlands or CDA?
KathyG - 2010-07-07 6:07 AM
MDVJR - 2010-07-06 11:38 PM Dont know about 2011 but 2010 Woodlands Prize purse was 100 Bones. Yes... 100,000 smackeroos



What?

No Woodlands in 2010..first one will be in 2011.


sure there was.  purse was 100 bones AND matty reed watched your kiddos for the night while you went out and threw some back.

see here i am after my victory dropping them off.   

2010-07-07 3:43 PM
in reply to: #2961413

User image

Regular
155
1002525
Alpharetta, GA
Subject: RE: St George, The Woodlands or CDA?
Just got done with CdA and it is my only IM experience. I'm sure an IM can be as good as CdA but not sure how it could be much better. Volunteer & community support was just awesome. Pretty much whole course is very scenic. Lots of lake views. Hills on bike aren't bad IMO just concentrated in one section which has its pros & cons. Wind was an issue but not a killer. Water was cold & semi-choppy but not a killer. Run is flattish for the most part. Weather can be cold or hot, we had 80s & sunny but dry. Not a bad thing when you are from Atlanta but I know the "heat" bothered some.

We went out with 3 families that had a total of 7 kids (ages 5-12) and they & wives all had a good time. Downtown area & parks & restaurants are all very walkable if you stay down there, which I would suggest as parking is limited and traffic can be bad right around race TA area.

From an organization standpoint, CdA has it down from what I saw. St. George is new & Woodlands would be first year so there may be growing pains with those.

One other point. I chose CdA as a start to a week long vacation in Montana & Glacier Nat'l Park so proximity to cool stuff after the race was a part of my decision. You may be able to get that at St. George but not so sure about Houston.

Cons of CdA. Probably cost. Not that easy to get to so flights were expensive. Housing can be expensive as it is a smaller resort town but there are plenty of ways to reduce that if you are flexible.

It'll probably be my only one & I am so glad I chose CdA as I had an awesome experience. Both Florida & Louisville woould have been much closer & cheaper but I don't see how they could have stacked up against CdA. No offense meant to those races or anybody who has done them. Just my limited opinion. Obviously, I am biased.


New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » St George, The Woodlands or CDA? Rss Feed