First Ironman Race, 2012, United States?

2011-05-18 1:16 PM

New user

Charlotte

Subject: First Ironman Race, 2012, United States?

I'm planning on completing my first Ironman in 2012. Was hoping to get some idea as to what particular race people like best for a first-timer. I'm open to either the 70.3 or the big daddy. Thanks in advance!

DJZ

New to the sport. But loving every minute of it!

2011-05-18 1:18 PM

in reply to: #3506309

Elite

3060

N Carolina

Subject: RE: First Ironman Race, 2012, United States?

Beach 2 Battleship. Offers both 70.3 and 140.6.

DougRob

2011-05-18 1:32 PM

in reply to: #3506309

Elite

3395

Raleigh

Subject: RE: First Ironman Race, 2012, United States?

Having only done the Augusta 1/2 all I can say is that is was great. Do you want to do an official Ironman race (run or sponsored by the WTC and having the whole M-Dot thing) or simply a 70.3 or 140.6? Ifthe latter then B2B is a good one, as is the Washington 1/2 or a Rev3 1/2

2011-05-18 1:35 PM

in reply to: #3506309

Extreme Veteran

318

North Carolina

Subject: RE: First Ironman Race, 2012, United States?

If you are looking for a fast flat 70.3 then do Augusta 70.3 but Augusta isn't the most friendly and is a little trashy ( I can say that because I grew up there) For a full one there are a lot of options...IM Coure D'Alene is my favorite by far but the swim is really wild...IM Florida is flat and fast but the weather can be hit or miss and the atmosphere is kind of trashy too....I've heard a lot of good things about IM Arizona....I'm thinking about going back to Cozumel in 2012. It was actually cheaper than doing IM CDA

2011-05-18 1:46 PM

in reply to: #3506352

New user

Charlotte

Subject: RE: First Ironman Race, 2012, United States?

Was thinking an official Ironman race because I have heard good things about it. I'm leaning towards Kentucky. Thanks!

2011-05-18 2:01 PM

in reply to: #3506379

Extreme Veteran

318

North Carolina

Subject: RE: First Ironman Race, 2012, United States?

DanielJZ - 2011-05-18 2:46 PM Was thinking an official Ironman race because I have heard good things about it. I'm leaning towards Kentucky. Thanks!

IM Louisville is a good one. The swim is a time trial start so you don't have to deal with the "melee" like in the other IM swims. It can be really hot and humid though....

2011-05-18 2:54 PM

in reply to: #3506407

New user

Charlotte

Subject: RE: First Ironman Race, 2012, United States?

Any thoughts on IM Coeur d'Alene? Appreciate the advice!

2011-05-18 3:12 PM

in reply to: #3506309

Elite

3060

N Carolina

Subject: RE: First Ironman Race, 2012, United States?

IM CDA can have unpredictable weather. My buddy did it the first year and it was 95 degrees on race day. It was 75 degrees the day before and the day after.

Patrick E

2011-05-18 4:24 PM

in reply to: #3506309

Expert

1159

Charlotte, NC

Subject: RE: First Ironman Race, 2012, United States?

DanielJZ - 2011-05-18 2:16 PM

I'm open to either the 70.3 or the big daddy. Thanks in advance!

DJZ

New to the sport. But loving every minute of it!

Big difference between a 70.3 and a full IM. If you're thinking full in 2012, you might want to consider a 70.3 sometime later this year - training for, and competing in, that race will give you a good idea if you want to proceed with a full IM in 2012. Of course, doing that will likely rule you out of many of the IM-branded races in 2012 since most close out a year in advance.

Being new to the sport, it's great you have the enthusiasm for the long-course races but don't under-estimate the difficulty in completing one.

AirborneShellback

2011-05-18 4:54 PM

in reply to: #3506309

New user

Subject: RE: First Ironman Race, 2012, United States?

What is the allure of the "M-dot" races? possible qual for Kona?

DMarkSwan

2011-05-18 10:05 PM

in reply to: #3506770

Master

1240

Knightdale/Raleigh

Subject: RE: First Ironman Race, 2012, United States?

Patrick E - 2011-05-18 5:24 PM

DanielJZ - 2011-05-18 2:16 PM

I'm open to either the 70.3 or the big daddy. Thanks in advance!

DJZ

New to the sport. But loving every minute of it!

Being new to the sport, it's great you have the enthusiasm for the long-course races but don't under-estimate the difficulty in completing one.

I don't consider any 70.3 and IM, even if it is branded as one. I'm doing my 1st HIM In October (Little Washington) precisely so I can get a feel for if and when I want to do the full IM. I'll do B2B. But more power to you if you can jump straight to the full, it is doable.

2011-05-18 11:09 PM

in reply to: #3506309

New user

Charlotte

Subject: RE: First Ironman Race, 2012, United States?

Appreciate everyone's thoughts! Lots to consider. All good things, though.

2011-05-19 6:22 AM

in reply to: #3506543

Extreme Veteran

318

North Carolina

Subject: RE: First Ironman Race, 2012, United States?

DanielJZ - 2011-05-18 3:54 PM Any thoughts on IM Coeur d'Alene? Appreciate the advice!

IMCDA is awesome....I agree that the weather is really unpredictable. I got lucky last year and the weather wasn't all that bad. It was kind of humid but nothing compared to what we have to deal with down here. The swim is crazy and can be really cold. The bike is on a pretty course with some nice steep hills along the route. The run is a two loop out and back. Spectators are awesome and the town is really inviting of all the guests.

bps8229

2011-05-23 9:51 AM

in reply to: #3506309

New user

Raleigh NC

Subject: RE: First Ironman Race, 2012, United States?

Louisville is a Great race. The time trial start is nice. About a 3rd of the field were 1st timers last year. A lot of people felt the ride was too hilly . i just didn't see it, felt it for the 3 days after. The heat could be a killer. The finish on 4 St. live is great. I plan on doing B2B this year before IM steals it and ruins it

DMarkSwan

2011-05-23 10:15 AM

in reply to: #3513534

Master

1240

Knightdale/Raleigh

Subject: RE: First Ironman Race, 2012, United States?

bps8229 - 2011-05-23 10:51 AM Louisville is a Great race. The time trial start is nice. About a 3rd of the field were 1st timers last year. A lot of people felt the ride was too hilly . i just didn't see it, felt it for the 3 days after. The heat could be a killer. The finish on 4 St. live is great. I plan on doing B2B this year before IM steals it and ruins it

Is there some plan for IM to take over B2B?! I'll never be able to afford to do it at twice the price!

2011-05-23 11:22 AM

in reply to: #3513606

Extreme Veteran

318

North Carolina

Subject: RE: First Ironman Race, 2012, United States?

DMarkSwan - 2011-05-23 11:15 AM

Is there some plan for IM to take over B2B?! I'll never be able to afford to do it at twice the price!

Doubt it...Rumor has it that IM has there sights on the Charlotte area

2011-05-23 9:07 PM

in reply to: #3506309

New user

Charlotte

Subject: RE: First Ironman Race, 2012, United States?

Charlotte? That would be great! Please let me know if you hear of anything with any certainty!

DJZ

Patrick E

2011-05-24 7:44 AM

in reply to: #3513793

Expert

1159

Charlotte, NC

Subject: RE: First Ironman Race, 2012, United States?

runrgrlshubby - 2011-05-23 12:22 PM

Doubt it...Rumor has it that IM has there sights on the Charlotte area

It would be great to have a local race and I think they could come up with a pretty interesting course. However, crowd support would be horrible. The Thunder Road Marathon has to have the weakest spectator turnout of any marathon in a "big" (top 25) city.

2011-05-24 8:01 AM

in reply to: #3506309

Elite

3060

N Carolina

Subject: RE: First Ironman Race, 2012, United States?

I have heard the rumor of an MDot race in Charlotte. I also don't think Set Up Events would give up B2B. They are a pretty strong company.

bgraboski

2011-05-24 8:05 AM

in reply to: #3515404

Master

1704

Charlotte

Subject: RE: First Ironman Race, 2012, United States?

Patrick E - 2011-05-24 8:44 AM

What do you mean "weak" turnout for Thunder Road? There is NO turnout for Thunder Road minus the few college kids and my wife/kid on Queens Road East!

Charlotte is by FAR the worst city I have ever raced in for crowd support. Other than family, no one comes out to support a race in Charlotte. The only race I can remember with some crowd support was one of the twillight 5k's uptown on Friday.

coltank17

2011-05-29 2:10 PM

in reply to: #3514954

Veteran

278

Subject: RE: First Ironman Race, 2012, United States?

DanielJZ - 2011-05-23 10:07 PM

Charlotte? That would be great! Please let me know if you hear of anything with any certainty!

DJZ

If your near Charlotte, you may want to check this out http://www.rev3tri.com/!/southCarolina/index.htm

donwah

2011-06-06 1:53 PM

in reply to: #3506309

Regular

108

Raleigh, NC

Subject: RE: First Ironman Race, 2012, United States?

Nice thread and like the feedback .. like DanielJZ (originator of the thread) , I have never done a triathlon, doing a sprint next month, white lake Olympic in sept and i am signed up for B2B half this year.. i am hoping to register for IM Lake Placid for 2012 on the Monday after this years race... no-one has mentioned that IM, hoping to hear if anyone has reports on that one..

I have spoke to a couple of friends of did B2B Full and they didnt speak too highly of it... said it was good for a HIM but was a really boring ride for the Full... but they did it the year that the swim was against the tide so that may have changed their opinion..

Hope someone can tell me about IM Lake Placid.. cheers

2011-06-06 3:16 PM

in reply to: #3535219

Elite

3060

N Carolina

Subject: RE: First Ironman Race, 2012, United States?

donwah - 2011-06-06 2:53 PM Nice thread and like the feedback .. like DanielJZ (originator of the thread) , I have never done a triathlon, doing a sprint next month, white lake Olympic in sept and i am signed up for B2B half this year.. i am hoping to register for IM Lake Placid for 2012 on the Monday after this years race... no-one has mentioned that IM, hoping to hear if anyone has reports on that one.. I have spoke to a couple of friends of did B2B Full and they didnt speak too highly of it... said it was good for a HIM but was a really boring ride for the Full... but they did it the year that the swim was against the tide so that may have changed their opinion.. Hope someone can tell me about IM Lake Placid.. cheers

You'll have to be pretty lucky to get into IMLP without being at the race site. IMLP and IMFL are the two IMs that fill up the fastest (in the 48 states).

donwah

2011-06-07 11:28 AM

in reply to: #3535450

Regular

108

Raleigh, NC

Subject: RE: First Ironman Race, 2012, United States?

japarker - thanks fella for the feedback.. yea, that was a concern of mine as to the availability of spots... i'll need to keep fingers crossed and have already set my alarm for the 26th of July!.. haha..

How about Couer d'Alene, anyone have thoughts on that?..