First IM Advice: Houston vs Florida

It all really depends on what you are looking for.  For me it would be Louisville - nothing is worse than a flat bike course for me.  I like being able to get up out of the saddle and Louisville is roller after roller.   I always suggest to people that they do a few 70.3 as long training days before the full.

It just depends on what you want out of it.  If you want your family to be there thats the answer.  I have several friends that raced both last year and they liked Florida better.  I am signed up for Florida this year.  You need to remember for IM training that IMTX is actually pretty early in the year, which will make for alot of trainer rides for most folks due to weather conditioins.  Also Florida is late in the year, you can have all year to train but you need to make sure you don't get burned out.

I have family in Tomball so I am thinking about doing Tx next year.  At the same time I am thinking about a trip for me and my wife to NAPA Valley w/o the kids, which means Vineman may be in the near future.

Where do you live?

Which fits best for training into your life?

Living in MA, for me IMTX would be a chore with to much time riding the trainer, plus hard to adapt for weather given 20-40 degree temp difference between home and race.

Training time for me is key to figure out what races fit into my life best.

Lots of IMs between TX and FL.

I'm doing Augusta this year too.  I'm also planning on doing IMFL in 2013. 14 months is a long time; however, I will use every bit of it.  How long is your drive?  For me, it's only 3 hours.  So, I will have oppurtunities to take a quick trip and train on the course.

The weather\temp was perfect in PCB this past November.

14 months from first half to IMFL, is a long time not to race.  You could easily do another HIM or 2 between your first and IMFL if that is your choice.

IM Arizona is flat.  Its essentially same time of the year as Florida.  Only a few weeks apart.  You could also look at non IM branded races as well.