The Mountain Man

I'm registered for the HIM but I will not have a chance to get up there prior to race weekend. That said...what I'd really like are some course previews from you out there, who have done it. In particular: Incline profiles for the bike and the half-marathon? I hear it's really hilly at the start of both? Is this so? If yes, for how long? Just trying to get an idea so to properly modify my simulation work in the meantime. I've tried to get this info elsewhere but no luck. THANKS ALL, IN ADVANCE.

For the Half, the bike is level for the first several miles, then you hit the uphill section before you get to the turn off - 2 loops around Mormon Lake, then it is back toward Lake Mary.  Downhill you can pick up some good speed (I recall hitting 42mph last summer), then it levels off when you hit Lake Mary.

The run has a pretty brutal hill at mile 1.5, straight uphill for 1.5 mi, but then it is right back downhill and back toward town before the turnaround.

I ran the Oly last year, but that is how I remember the Half course looking (same as the Oly, but with the Mormon Lake loops and the added run toward town).

Fun course.

C'mon Tim, man up and do the Half with us instead.  You dominated Marquee - there is no reason you cannot do the longer distance.

I should be there for the sprint as well in July.

Here is the bike leg:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/43827402

and here is the run leg:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/43826478

Very helpful stuff; thanks you guys.

I've also heard that aid station support is a bit sketchy and should carry as much as I need for the bike (and run??). Sound familiar? Anybody else out there have a take, it's much appreciated.

That rumor is incorrect and dangerous. For the half ironman there is one aid station on the bike, and you pass it twice. That is sufficient for a half ironman bike. I left T1 with one bottle of Gatorade. I got a bottle from the aid station each time I passed, that's all you need.

On the run, there were multiple aid stations, just before the big climb, at the top of the hill, just after the big climb, then various stations along the river. You do NOT need to carry water on the run.

Plus, the aid stations on the bike are on the half IM course only, so you do not have any competition for water, etc from the Oly athletes.  I heard no complaints as to the number of aid stations on the run, either.

Mountain Man Events is not a huge event organization, but they cover all the bases and run a good event.  They would not be on their 27th year (or so) if they were unsupportive of the athletes.

Ne better venue than Flagstaff for an event (except maybe Hawaii).

There is a sprint, olympic, or 70.3 to choose from.  You can do it!

I knew someone was going to say that!  Honestly, it's my swimming that's making me tentative.  I have a difficult time committing to something when I'm just flat out not good at it.  Due to the area my office and hotel are in I'm pretty much unable to get to a pool for swim workouts which is the discipline I far and away need the most work.  I had a good solid 4 weeks in the pool (after my initial swim instruction with my coach) before I headed out of country and I won't be able to get back into a pool, and with the coach, until mid June at the earliest.  That effectively leaves me 6-8 weeks to get my swimming in line to simply not drown even during a sprint.  If I had the ability I'd see how it goes once I'm able to get back in the pool but I'm sure the event sells out earlier than that?

Thanks for your feedback on the race so far. The race is very tempting for my first Oly distance.

Still debating as racing out of the valley requires extra dough  towards accomodation etc. Have until 6/11 atleast for getting $85 registration fees.

Need to check hotel deals off hotwire

LOL, did you mean Little America?

There is a string of chain hotels/motels right by Lake Mary Road, a bit closer to the race than Little America (although that place is very nice).  Find the hotels on Beulah Blvd or Woodlands Village Blvd.  They are right by a Wal-Mart and restaurants, and about a quarter mile from Lake Mary Rd (which is then about 15 minutes to Lake Mary).

yep - -that's what I meant...

I'd actually be looking at the August event as my earliest and an oly may be pushing it.  If they had a sprint in August I'd sign up in a heartbeat.

Man, always trying to get me to go longer! I haven't officially signed up yet, but I'm betting the Oly is in my future. Let's see how Rio Salado goes...

I'll probably be camping out or driving up from Sedona.