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2011-10-16 1:26 PM

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Subject: IM Florida Vs, IM Arizona
Im narrowing down which IM to do and its down to this two.....now cant decide which one...im leaning toward Arizona bc I have never been to Arizona...but which one would you choose and why.....thanks


2011-10-16 1:43 PM
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Subject: RE: IM Florida Vs, IM Arizona

Swim:

IMFL..ocean, wetsuit legal normally around 72, current, depends on day waves and such

IMAZ....fresh water swim, water is often under 60

Depends what you like swim wise..ocean vs. lake;  temps 72 vs. 58-60

I considered both many years but don't want to do AZ as swimming under 60 I find quite unpleasant especially for 2.4 miles. IMFL big draw back swim wise is unknown of what swim conditions and the whole ocean creature concern.

Last year I had lots of fun on the swim at IMF which was a surprise to me.

2011-10-16 1:43 PM
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Subject: RE: IM Florida Vs, IM Arizona

IMAZ, because I can drive there.  IMSG is even closer, but I already did that one.

2011-10-16 1:59 PM
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Subject: RE: IM Florida Vs, IM Arizona
IMAZ has never had water temps below 62, Kathy. You might be thinking of IMSG.
2011-10-16 2:39 PM
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Subject: RE: IM Florida Vs, IM Arizona

bryancd - 2011-10-16 2:59 PM IMAZ has never had water temps below 62, Kathy. You might be thinking of IMSG.

You live, train and are well connected so I trust what you say.

Friend I was doing ows with yesterday did IMAZ last year and she said it was under 60 and likely colder than normal as the dam was repaired and water filled within weeks of the race. Lots of older, slower swimmers had some issues with colder water last year. Didn't you help with wetsuit stripping last year?

For me I'd rather swim in 72 than 62 or lower.

2011-10-16 3:07 PM
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Subject: RE: IM Florida Vs, IM Arizona

Glad to see this and I'll be following as I'm in the same situation.  If my HIM goes well next weekend then I'm going to decide between those two races.

I have a friend doing FL this year, and when I mentioned how nice it would be to have that flat course, he reminded me that flat also means you don't get pedaling breaks on the downhills.  He asked me, "Have you ever tried to pedal hard for 4-5 hours strait without a break?"  But, I'm still leaning towards FL!



2011-10-16 3:07 PM
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Subject: RE: IM Florida Vs, IM Arizona
Yea I heard from many that did last year that the water in Arizona was in the 60s.....so besides swim....anyone know the difference in weather......is it hotter in Arzona or florida. whats the course like.....
2011-10-16 3:29 PM
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Subject: RE: IM Florida Vs, IM Arizona

If you search around a little you'll be able to find course maps and descriptions, even elevation profiles.

Also, read past year's race reports, I find they're helpful.



Edited by Climbinggonzo 2011-10-16 3:30 PM
2011-10-16 3:31 PM
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Subject: RE: IM Florida Vs, IM Arizona
KathyG - 2011-10-16 1:39 PM

bryancd - 2011-10-16 2:59 PM IMAZ has never had water temps below 62, Kathy. You might be thinking of IMSG.

You live, train and are well connected so I trust what you say.

Friend I was doing ows with yesterday did IMAZ last year and she said it was under 60 and likely colder than normal as the dam was repaired and water filled within weeks of the race. Lots of older, slower swimmers had some issues with colder water last year. Didn't you help with wetsuit stripping last year?

For me I'd rather swim in 72 than 62 or lower.



I did and I want to say it was 63 race morning as per the announcement. It was 62 in 2009 when I did it last. It's just not cold enough here in late Nov. for it to get into the 50's.
2011-10-16 4:45 PM
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Subject: RE: IM Florida Vs, IM Arizona
I chose florida and would chose it again.  for me, start of november is already really pushing it for long training session weatherwise, delaying another 2 weeks would cause even more troubles.  (I do want to do cozumel one day though because it is right around my birthday.  I will have to get a computrainer before then.  For example - a friend is doing florida this year and had a180 km bike ride yesterday and then today did a 1 hour/25 km brick.  Yesterday temps were in the mid 40s with a wind warning and raing and today wasn't much better.
2011-10-16 6:55 PM
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Subject: RE: IM Florida Vs, IM Arizona
I live in Pa and the cold is just my style......I did Chesapeake Man and the course is real flat...so biking 4-6 hours with out downhills  isnt a problem......Im more concerned about heat and humidity....I choose November bc the temp is suppose to be cooler.....but thanks for all the info.....


2011-10-16 11:22 PM
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Subject: RE: IM Florida Vs, IM Arizona
Another thing to consider, and something I just realized today by looking at the course description, is that AZ is a 3 loop bike and 3 loop run course, whereas FL is a 1 loop bike and 2 loop run.  Personally, running the same loop and biking the same loop 3 times would mess with my head and sounds like less fun than FL.
2011-10-16 11:31 PM
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Subject: RE: IM Florida Vs, IM Arizona
I did FL in '07.  Temps were 70's and humidity was way lower than I planned for.  If I remember the video for last year, FL was downright chilly at the start.  Not sure what AZ's temps have been since it was moved to November.
2011-10-17 1:15 AM
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Subject: RE: IM Florida Vs, IM Arizona
KathyG - 2011-10-16 12:39 PM

Friend I was doing ows with yesterday did IMAZ last year and she said it was under 60 and likely colder than normal as the dam was repaired and water filled within weeks of the race. 

I did that race and the official water temp was definitely not under 60. It was 61.5 F on the Sat. before the race and slightly warmer on Sunday. I didn't put the exact temp in my race report though just mentioned that it was warmer than Sat.

Anyway, I guess that shows my answer. IMAZ. I picked it because I could drive to it and it was flat so I figured that would increase my chances of finishing before the cutoff. The Triathlon Gods decided to smite me for that line of thinking though by giving us 35 mph winds (with 40 mph gusts), cold, rain and a bit of hail.



Edited by MacMadame 2011-10-17 1:15 AM
2011-10-17 10:46 AM
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Subject: RE: IM Florida Vs, IM Arizona

Climbinggonzo - 2011-10-17 12:22 AM Another thing to consider, and something I just realized today by looking at the course description, is that AZ is a 3 loop bike and 3 loop run course, whereas FL is a 1 loop bike and 2 loop run.  Personally, running the same loop and biking the same loop 3 times would mess with my head and sounds like less fun than FL.

 

I did Cheasepeake man and it was 2 loop swim and 2 loop bike and 3 loop run.....so thats not a concern for me....

2011-10-17 11:10 AM
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Subject: RE: IM Florida Vs, IM Arizona
IMAZ is likely the most spectator friendly course in North America due to the 3 loop bike and run. Family and friends have multiple opportunities to interact with their athletes. It's nice that way.


2011-10-17 12:35 PM
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Subject: RE: IM Florida Vs, IM Arizona
bryancd - 2011-10-17 9:10 AMIMAZ is likely the most spectator friendly course in North America due to the 3 loop bike and run. Family and friends have multiple opportunities to interact with their athletes. It's nice that way.
My wife picked IMAZ for that reason. During IMSG she saw me once over the day and did not enjoy the experience. After talking to some other IM widows during the race, they told her IMAZ was hands down the best from the spectators perspective.
2011-10-17 2:48 PM
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Subject: RE: IM Florida Vs, IM Arizona

I guess my answer is a whole lot simpler... not choosing. To explain: I volunteered last year at IMFL to see my friend complete her first IM, and registered the next day. THIS year, I am completing IMFL as my first IM (yeah, I said it- i AM completing!) and will be volunteering at IMAZ two weeks later and registering for IMAZ 2012, as part of the IronHeart Racing Team.

There are different reasons people choose one over the other, obviously. I sit in the middle of my bike seat, so I am picking both.

2011-10-18 12:47 PM
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Subject: RE: IM Florida Vs, IM Arizona
The choice was easy for me. I can drive to IMAZ in a lot less time then it would take me to drive to FL. IMSG was my other choice, but I didn't want to do quite that much training in the cold for my first one. Probably will go with IMSG next time so I don't have to go out there a year in advance to volunteer so I can sign up (not that I mind volunteering...just the expenses)
2011-10-18 1:24 PM
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Subject: RE: IM Florida Vs, IM Arizona

I am doing IMFL this year because I can drive to the race.  Nothing to do with the course, but it is about 8 hours away.  Being flat does help as I live in S Florida.

I am going to sign up to do it again next year because about 10 people on my team will be racing and that just makes training fun. 

But, I do want to do IMAZ since my dad lives out there.  If it wasn't for all my peeps racing IMFL I would be signing up for 2012.  That cold water really worries me.  I HATE cold and to spend 1:35 minutes in that water it is not my cup of tea.  I know, get faster and it would only be 1:20 minutes

I actually like the idea of the 3 loop race as I'd get to see more people.  I imagine it will get boring at IMFL out around mile 50 on the bike.

enjoy,

Duane 

2011-10-24 7:57 PM
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Subject: RE: IM Florida Vs, IM Arizona
IMFL sounds boring as heck to me and the thought of possibly swimming in a rough ocean doesn't thrill me either. As far as scenery, I would choose IMAZ unless you live there and you want to see something different.


2011-10-25 6:01 AM
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Subject: RE: IM Florida Vs, IM Arizona

rgretsof - 2011-10-24 8:57 PM IMFL sounds boring as heck to me and the thought of possibly swimming in a rough ocean doesn't thrill me either. As far as scenery, I would choose IMAZ unless you live there and you want to see something different.

 

^^agreed.....

2011-10-25 6:18 PM
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Subject: RE: IM Florida Vs, IM Arizona
IMAZ's  the 3 loop set up is definately a bonus if you have family going with you.   It was better for them to see me multiple times and a moral booster for me on the run to see them often.  Last year weather was crazy but normally is nice and hot (for what I understand)
2011-10-28 2:21 PM
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Subject: RE: IM Florida Vs, IM Arizona

Having done both I would choose IMAZ.

UNLESS travel logistics to either one made it significantly easier/cheaper.  Logistics being equal, hands down IMAZ.

Plusses to AZ:
Much more spectator friendly with the 3 loop courses (the run is really 6 small loops...since each of the 3 loops is 2 smaller loops)
More to do in AZ than just go to the beach (you could even combine this with trips to the Grand Canyon or Las Vegas)
Prettier course IMHO
I like cold water
It's DRY!|
They actually close much of the bike course to traffic...

Cons to AZ:
Limited housing within walking distance of the race...bigger city makes SOME transportation/logistics issues more difficult
You will likely still be limping a bit for Thanksgiving.

Plusses to FL:
Housing is cheap and plentiful near the race
Flattest course you will find! (though, I don't really like the flats)
One loop bike course...I was  fan!
Uh, prettiest beaches in the world?
Water is usually wetsuit legal but wetsuit would not be NECESSARY
Weather is generally very reliable (last year was a HUGE exception)

Cons to FL:
I think the run course just plain stinks...
Humidity!
PCB is really Florabama.
The ocean is unpredictable.
Bike course is NOT closed to traffic!

Another oddy of IMFL...typically a LARGE majority of the athletes are male...much more so than most Ironmans.  Testosterone fest?

2011-10-31 11:46 AM
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Subject: RE: IM Florida Vs, IM Arizona

IM Arizona was great. Just being in a different landscape - biking through the cactii etc.. The water was a little cold, but so what. The course is exceptionally spectator friendly and Tempe was wonderful.

Also, if you can add on a few days, there are some fantastic resorts in Scottsdale to recoup and then be sure to take a drive north to Sedona!

No sharks.

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