General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Ironman CDA as a first IM? Rss Feed  
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2012-07-11 7:35 PM
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Subject: RE: Ironman CDA as a first IM?

Thank you all!

 

I am going to fly out and volunteer next year, then sign up for 2014.  That gives me 2 years...



2012-07-11 8:24 PM
in reply to: #4296269

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Subject: RE: Ironman CDA as a first IM?

CdA was my first IM in 2009 and I'd recommend it to others. 

The water is usually low 60's, but an inland lake, so it isn't salt water.

The bike has lots of rolling hills, some of which might be 1-3 minutes to climb.  It's nice for those of us not disciplined enough to just camp out on the aerobars for 6 hours straight. 

Temps are usually in the upper 80's but dry.  The year I did it, we had a high of 63F and it was mostly overcast with rain late in the afternoon. 

It's a nice venue if you want to finish in the daylight.  It's far North and near the summer solstice, so you have about the most amount of daylight you could possibly get for a race. 

2012-07-12 7:15 AM
in reply to: #4296269

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Subject: RE: Ironman CDA as a first IM?

I did CdA this year too as my first and echo what many others have already said.  I picked the venue because I grew up in Spokane, I live in Seattle now and I wanted a course I could drive too.

 

One thing nobody else mentioned that you should totally take into consideration is timing of the event.  The main reason I picked CdA was timing.  With a June race date, and young grade school age kids, I did NOT want to train in the summer when they were home.  I am a stay at home mom and did not want my training to impact them very much.  I also am not a good hot weather trainer so this race worked for me.  However for others, those 100 mile rides in very rainy cold March are not for everyone.

2012-07-12 8:45 AM
in reply to: #4306874

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Subject: RE: Ironman CDA as a first IM?
RushTogether - 2012-07-11 8:35 PM

Thank you all!

 

I am going to fly out and volunteer next year, then sign up for 2014.  That gives me 2 years...

Bring your wetsuit and get in some practice swims, there are friendly folks swimming all the time at Moose Point or whatever they call it.

I did my first practice swim on Thursday got out and walked over to IM village and bought a neoprene cap and aqua socks, the water is around 55-58 no matter what they tell you, it's freezing, I swam 4 times 15-20 minutes easy every day till race day and it was not as shocking on Sunday morning.

Once the swim starts and your in the water it was like I was in a movie, and my job as the hero in this film was to move forward stay calm and not get hurt. The frog kickers are your arch enemy in this show so be aware.

2012-07-12 11:15 AM
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Subject: RE: Ironman CDA as a first IM?
Rush,
You should do Ironman Louisville as your first! I know you have been a spectator there. Have you considered doing it yourself?
2012-07-13 12:40 PM
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Subject: RE: Ironman CDA as a first IM?

jillian_o - 2012-07-12 11:15 AM Rush,
You should do Ironman Louisville as your first! I know you have been a spectator there. Have you considered doing it yourself?

 

I have!

I do love that race, I have been there twice to volunteer and will be there this year as well.  

I think that it's the destination of CDA that draws me in.  Everything I have seen on that area makes it seem incredible.



2012-07-13 2:19 PM
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Subject: RE: Ironman CDA as a first IM?
Do you live in Iowa?

I did it for my first this year. Without having another race to gauge it on, I thought it was amazing. Tremendous support. The water is cold, but if you get out and do some open water swimming prior to you will be fine. It was choppy as hell and crowded at the turns, but I'd imagine every Ironman to be that way.

The thing that hurt me were the hills on the bike. I don't think it is terribly hilly, but living in Iowa we just don't have the long slow climbs like that. So just going insanely slow up the hills killed my time.

The run like everyone has mentioned is the best part. I shuffled through it, but it was such an amazing experience.
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