Recommended first IM

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2006-04-06 2:46 PM

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St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
Subject: Recommended first IM

Afternoon all,

I am seriously thinking of doing a full IM event during 2007, I will have completed 7 sprints and 2 HIM by the end of this year and I think I am going to do my second marathon.

What is the consensus (if any) for a recommended 1st IM distance (and recognised) event - I'd consider anywhere worldwide, but North American will be simplest.

Anywhere with a warm water downhill swim will get serious consideration :-) 

TIA

2006-04-06 3:26 PM
in reply to: #390142

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Lufkin (East Texas)
Subject: RE: Recommended first IM
Careful asking this...some people get completely bent out of shape over the perception of this question...just make sure you're not asking for an 'easy' IM.

That being said, I have only done one IM so far and it was IMAZ last year (good luck to all BT'ers this weekend). I liked the course quite a bit. One loop swim, decently flat bike, and a good run course. The wind sucked, but that was supposed to be an abberation last year. They changed the bike and run course a little this year too though, so you might want to check with those who are in it this weekend (did I mention good luck to the BT'ers already?).

I'm sure some others will chime in with non-MDot races and those shouldn't be overlooked.

Good luck.
2006-04-06 3:37 PM
in reply to: #390142

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Recommended first IM
Here's what I know:

Lake Placid is probably the toughest IM course. The bike has more climbing than any other IM race (at least the IM-branded ones). The run course is also the toughest. On the up side, the course is gorgeous. I grew up going up to that area, so I'm very familiar with the roads. Of course, I chose it for my first IM....

Florida has very flat bike and run courses. The big drawback there is that it can be brutally humid. It can also be pretty windy since it's on the coast. I lived in PCB for a year so I know that area, as well.

Arizona has a 400-ft climb on each of the three laps. The run course is basically flat. The weather should be pretty nice and not very humid at all. Not much scenery to speak of. I lived in Tempe for year, too. If I had the choice to make over again, I probably would have done this for my first.

I don't have any personal info on the other courses, but the profiles seem to fall between Placid and Arizona.
2006-04-06 3:58 PM
in reply to: #390142

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Subject: RE: Recommended first IM

Thanks for the heads up, I don't want to needle anyones sensitivities :-)

I suppose I am hoping for fairly temperate climate, a bike course where I do not need to fear falling off the bike backwards & which is not susceptible to 20 mph head winds and a run which does not need to be completed in 90+ degree weather.

An IM is punishing enough without the deck being stacked against me (or should that be even more against me).

Apologies an advance to anyone this may offend :-P

2006-04-06 7:50 PM
in reply to: #390142

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Subject: RE: Recommended first IM
I'm looking at doing IMAZ for my first because it is in April....I would rather train during the cooler months in Florida especially having to do long training runs.
2006-04-06 9:39 PM
in reply to: #390142

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Subject: RE: Recommended first IM

Hi Peter,

I checked the IM Arizona site - gives 2 different dates for opening of entries. The first is April 10th 2006 (morning after the event, 4 days from now!), the second is April 17th - I sent of a quick email to Ironman USA from clarification.

2006-04-07 9:12 AM
in reply to: #390346

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Recommended first IM
That's a really good point, actually. Make sure you pick a race that you'll be able to train for. AZ isn't a great choice for people in northern climates, unless you really like 4 to 6 hour trainer rides.
2006-04-07 4:31 PM
in reply to: #390142

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Dana Point, California
Subject: RE: Recommended first IM

Registration opens up the DAY AFTER the race...

2006-04-07 7:21 PM
in reply to: #390142

Elite
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Livingston, MT
Subject: RE: Recommended first IM
From what my friends say, Canada is the best. Since you have to travel anyway, why not someplace exotic? Brazil or New Zealand?

2006-04-07 8:12 PM
in reply to: #390142

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Jacksonville, FL
Subject: RE: Recommended first IM

With regard to IMAZ 2007, why does the web site allude to April 17th for registration announcement?

 I'm planning on checking the site the day after but that makes it sound as if registration is a week later?

2006-04-07 8:51 PM
in reply to: #391198

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Veteran
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San Diego, CA
Subject: RE: Recommended first IM
I think there may be some change in the date for IMAZ next year. I heard a rumor that the Ca70.3 which is usually the end on March may be rescheduled for Mid April next year since there has been some bad luck with the weather the past two years. That may cause IMAZ next year to be rescheduled too.
I hope to hear soon. I am planning on AZ next year being my first IM and was already planning on registering after the race ends this week.


2006-04-08 8:27 AM
in reply to: #391217

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Subject: RE: Recommended first IM

I would say that your biggest consideration rather than the course itself is the timing of the race.  As someone already suggested, it's difficult to train for an April IM if you live in a cold climate.  It makes putting in enough time, especially on the bike, very tuff.

2006-04-08 8:49 AM
in reply to: #390142

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St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
Subject: RE: Recommended first IM

Thanks everyone,

An April May or June race would be perfect for me, I'm in the Virgin islands so would prefer to train from October. July through September are too hot.

With regard to IM entries, how quickly do these events fill up? do you need to enroll the opening day is there a few weeks/months leeway?

I'd like to do a little more research about worldwide events.

Now I realise that I am on dubious ground by asking the next question, but......, I read something some time ago about Kona qualifying events worldwide which yielded a much higher probability of gaining a slot - due to number of entries etc - does anyone have any gems of knowledge in relation to this?

Thanks as always, Glen 

2006-04-09 5:27 PM
in reply to: #391332

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Elite
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Austin, TX
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Subject: RE: Recommended first IM
Any of the North America races tend to fill the same day registration opens. Lake Placid closed in less than 9 hours last year. I think Florida is about the same.

I don't know that any of them have slots for more than a couple of days. Actually, I don't think AZ filled up right away, but this is only the second year for that race.
2006-04-10 12:18 PM
in reply to: #390142

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Elite
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Tucson, AZ
Subject: RE: Recommended first IM

A friend of mine did IMAZ this year, and this is the e-mail she got from IMAZ on 4/3/06:

Ironman North America will make an announcement on the Ford Ironman Arizona 2007 registration on Monday, April 17. Pending post-event meetings with host communities, the registration process will be determined at that time. Please check the Ironman North America web site on Monday, April 17 for further details. THERE WILL BE NO DAY-AFTER SIGN UP FOR THE 2007 FORD IRONMAN ARIZONA. No information or details will be available before this time.

2006-04-10 6:50 PM
in reply to: #391948

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Expert
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Liberty Lake, WA
Subject: RE: Recommended first IM
IMAZ and IMCDA both took several months to fill.  CDA usually fills shortly after the Canada lottery.

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