Florida Challenge Tri HIM

Hello Alicia,

Thank you for your interest in the Florida Challenge Triathlon. This is an event that in the past has been held in conjunction with the Great Floridian Triathlon. The Florida Challenge has two different courses, a Half Ultra distance (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and 13.1 mile run) and an Olympic distance (1.5K swim, 40K bike, and a 10K run).

If you have not already visited www.FloridaChallenge.com I invite you to do so soon. We have a wealth of information there including information on the "triathlete friendly" hotels that we have discount programs with.

If I can further assist you or anyone else interested in the Florida Challenge, I will reply to any question left in this thread.

Mark

Did the 1/2 last year when it was in late summer.   Tough course for us used to South Florida flat-lands.  It is hot anywhere in Florida this time of year, but really prepare for it in training.  I was easily about 45:00-1:00:00 slower than my typical HIM time on this course.   The hills on the bike, heat on the run etc all make for a bit of a slower day.  That said, the challenge was best part and you will find it hard to locate a more difficult HIM course in FL.   Makes all the other HIM courses feel great when you race them!   Really liked the swim and course all-around.  Just know it will put you in your place if not trained for those conditions... 

Good luck.  

Thank you all for the quick responses!!! I am planning to do this race in preparation of IM Louisville which is rolling hills(plus HOT) and all of you know living in South Florida that is tough!!!! They will be like the Himalayas for me ;-)....

I have an 11/23 casette do you think I need an 11/25?

Thanks again!

Alicia

@Alicia, i'd def go with a 11/25 cassette. i always switch mine out when i get ready to ride in Clermont. did the gft in october (the 140.6 event) with the 11/25 and it was perfect.

see you all in june!

THank you all for your responses!!! and that is why I love this forum..;-)

I am so looking forward to this race!!! scared but excited and yes I am practicing some good bricks in preparation of this race...;-O...I can't wait!!!

wooooooooooohooooooooooooo See you all there and happy training!

Alicia

I am a little freaked out about the race being so close!!! but really excited.......This will be strictly a training race for me...hill practice...I keep telling myself....and yes I am super glad it is a one loop swim course, I hate 2 loops...

Have a great weekend everyone!!! send positive energy this way ;-)

Alicia

That race was my slowest HIM ever, but the most fun.   You can only try to maintain yourself and self-regulate your energy levels for the run.   If you have been running during the last few weeks down here, you are ready and know what to expect.  The Bike is tough and just don't burn your energy up those hills.   The run was pretty flat, but limited shade.   Will be interesting to see the swim course as the Lake is well below normal water levels.   I bet you have to run pretty far in the water to get to waste high levels.  

Good luck!   Can't wait to read your RR.

CARDENAS1...thanks for the tip! Yes, I have been told to "conserve" in the bike and not go crazy.....Are you not doing it this year? Also, I noticed you are in West Palm area...you should come out sometime and ride with the Wellington Tri club...pretty fun and some strong riders/runners out there ;-)

Have a great weekend...Alicia

I have heard great things of the Wellington club and they ride pretty close to me, I am east on Lantana.   Usually go on AIA, but will have to give our west a try.   I assume the web site has ride times, etc.  I just did Orlando 70.3 so taking a break from races until Loggerhead and then Miami Man...  

xCHICAGOx - 2011-06-12 9:46 PM Wow! Super well organized event... the race lived up to the challenge. The volunteers were great, and plenty of support. The heat was brutal and the hills... Whoa! If you can do this HIM you can do any of them. This will be on my annual list of races moving forward. Only down side is I left my pair of asics shoes at the event

WOW!!!! What an awesome event! The volunteers were amazing, just everything INCREDIBLE!

This was my 6th half Iron distance and I must say it was my hardest!! the heat, the hills...wooohoooo a must do. I was going as fast as 31mph(I am a chicken...my husband was going much faster...) downhill and as slow as 3mph up sugarloaf..lol...;-)..I highly recommend this race but don't expect PR's....

Alicia

Hello everyone. Thank you for the pre-race and post race comments. As always, if you post a race report on the Florida Challenge Triathlon, half iron distance, 70.3 mile distance, etc, please send email me a link via mark at sommersports.com I am very plugged into the comments left on BT, so no need to send those. But if you have a blog, website, etc, send those to me. I want to read them all. You learn from your feedback, both the good, bad, and the ugly.

Thanks,

Mark