Choosing a Texas IM
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2014-05-23 11:46 PM |
Expert 1255 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Subject: Choosing a Texas IM Anyone done the Marble Falls IM AND Texas IM? I'm trying to decide between the two for my first IM. I have watched Texas IM twice, but I live closer to Marble Falls. I'm not a strong swimmer, so I prefer a smaller race. Marble Falls is smaller. IM Texas is WTC and Marble Falls is HITS. I WILL be well-trained for either race. Thoughts? Jackie |
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2014-05-24 7:43 AM in reply to: jackiep |
Extreme Veteran 1986 Cypress, TX | Subject: RE: Choosing a Texas IM The Marble Falls full had 15 participants. Yes, I said 15. IMTX had 2500. |
2014-05-24 1:58 PM in reply to: 0 |
Member 1293 Pearland,Tx | Subject: RE: Choosing a Texas IM HITS marble falls Full is harder than IMTX Full let the numbers speak for itself HITS is 5200 FT. Ascent IMTX according to GMAN up there is around 1600 FT. and the run course is hilly I assume IMTX run is considerably forgiving.... For that kind of difficulty I would pay the $700 vs. The $250.... If your ok with HITS Ocala Florida is the most even elevation. Edited by strykergt 2014-05-24 1:58 PM |
2014-05-24 5:34 PM in reply to: GMAN 19030 |
Expert 2355 Madison, Wisconsin | Subject: RE: Choosing a Texas IM Originally posted by GMAN 19030 The Marble Falls full had 15 participants. Yes, I said 15. IMTX had 2500. So if you want a IM like the original with a grassroots feel without drafting problems then Marble Falls sounds perfect. |
2014-05-24 7:16 PM in reply to: bcagle25 |
Expert 1255 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Subject: RE: Choosing a Texas IM Thanks all. Here's the rest of the story. 1) I don't want to swim in the ocean, too unpredictable and that's my weakest area right now. 2) I much prefer smaller venues. I'm okay if it's harder as long as they are not so hard that I can't make the cutoffs. It would be easy for me to go and train on the Marble Falls course. 5200 ft over 112 miles is like 2500 feet over 56 miles. I'm okay with that, as I live in Austin. I'm not speedy, but I'm okay with cat 4 and cat 5 hills, and even some cat 3. 3) I would prefer more than 15 people in my race, but 2500 is overkill for me. I kind of like the grassroots, less chaotic idea of Marble Falls. 4) Lower cost of race entry is only important after my other requirements are met. Interesting that you mentioned Ocala. I'm currently doing a consulting gig in Tallahassee that will hopefully be done by the end of the year. I really miss the hills of Austin! I suddenly have to do hill repeats because my normal rides don't have enough natural elevation. Oh, I almost forgot. I'm 61 years young and entered this sport at 57. Maybe I should just do a couple more HIMs and wait another year on an IM. |
2014-06-06 1:38 AM in reply to: jackiep |
Canyon, Texas | Subject: RE: Choosing a Texas IM Flip a coin. Then crush whatever course fate has in store for you! |
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2014-06-06 3:17 PM in reply to: GMAN 19030 |
Pro 6520 Bellingham, WA | Subject: RE: Choosing a Texas IM Originally posted by GMAN 19030 The Marble Falls full had 15 participants. Yes, I said 15. IMTX had 2500. I would love the thought of not getting beaten up in the water but would get awfully lonely the rest of the day. On the flip side I've avoided races like IMTX because I don't want to be in a crowd all day either. |
2014-06-07 7:21 AM in reply to: popsracer |
Expert 1644 Oklahoma | Subject: RE: Choosing a Texas IM It's not in Texas but a fairly short trip from Austin is Redman in OKC. I've never done the full at Redman but have done the half twice. The half and full are the same course except you do 2 loops on swim, 2 loops on bike, and 4 loops on run. All I can say Redman is a very well run event. |
2014-06-18 1:09 AM in reply to: EKH |
Member 110 Denton, TX | Subject: RE: Choosing a Texas IM Originally posted by EKH It's not in Texas but a fairly short trip from Austin is Redman in OKC. I've never done the full at Redman but have done the half twice. The half and full are the same course except you do 2 loops on swim, 2 loops on bike, and 4 loops on run. All I can say Redman is a very well run event. Emile has talked me into the Redman....seriously, the support is awesome I keep reading and only about 300 for the full. 14 wks remain I think which is plenty of time if your base is there. I am doing Redman and avoiding the TX heat of IMTX and using a wetsuit. It will be hot on the run, but I like the venue from what I have read. This is a slam dunk logistically too. |
2014-06-18 11:29 AM in reply to: Todd13 |
Member 1293 Pearland,Tx | Subject: RE: Choosing a Texas IM Originally posted by Todd13 Originally posted by EKH It's not in Texas but a fairly short trip from Austin is Redman in OKC. I've never done the full at Redman but have done the half twice. The half and full are the same course except you do 2 loops on swim, 2 loops on bike, and 4 loops on run. All I can say Redman is a very well run event. Emile has talked me into the Redman....seriously, the support is awesome I keep reading and only about 300 for the full. 14 wks remain I think which is plenty of time if your base is there. I am doing Redman and avoiding the TX heat of IMTX and using a wetsuit. It will be hot on the run, but I like the venue from what I have read. This is a slam dunk logistically too. i would do Redman in a heartbeat only if i live somewhere DFW are or N.Texas its more expensive for me to do Redman than IMTX. Someday ill do Redman or maybe Marblefalls Full. |
2014-06-18 12:20 PM in reply to: bcagle25 |
Master 5557 , California | Subject: RE: Choosing a Texas IM Originally posted by bcagle25 Originally posted by GMAN 19030 So if you want a IM like the original with a grassroots feel without drafting problems then Marble Falls sounds perfect. The Marble Falls full had 15 participants. Yes, I said 15. IMTX had 2500. What problems? If you aren't going for a Kona slot, who cares about other people drafting? And if you are going for Kona, you're not choosing a non-WTC race anyhow. |
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2014-06-22 8:41 PM in reply to: strykergt |
Member 31 | Subject: RE: Choosing a Texas IM Originally posted by strykergt i would do Redman in a heartbeat only if i live somewhere DFW are or N.Texas its more expensive for me to do Redman than IMTX. Someday ill do Redman or maybe Marblefalls Full. I did Redman as my first full last year. I am not sure of your exact situation, but here are the financial factors I took into account. IMTX is about $300 more than Redman. IMTX also requires you check in a day earlier, which means 3 days hotel vs 2 (staying the night after). The hotels near IMTX also double their rates the week of the race. Some hotels for Redman actually give you a discount for being part of the race. For me that was about $400-$500 difference Unless you have free lodging at one of the locations, you could probably fly to Oklahoma city and have you bike shipped cheaper than driving to IMTX ( I did drive since I am in NTx) Besides the numbers, Redman was an awesome race and I have no regrets making it my inaugural full. I would love to be back this year if I was not injured. |
2014-06-23 6:52 AM in reply to: mx119 |
Extreme Veteran 1986 Cypress, TX | Subject: RE: Choosing a Texas IM The host hotel for IMTX actually lowers its rates for Ironman. I think it was $229 this year and will be $249 next year. It's usually $309. |
2014-06-23 8:15 AM in reply to: GMAN 19030 |
Expert 1644 Oklahoma | Subject: RE: Choosing a Texas IM Most hotels close to the race lower their price to under $100 for Redman. |
2014-06-23 8:58 AM in reply to: mx119 |
Member 1293 Pearland,Tx | Subject: RE: Choosing a Texas IM IMTX is 45 mins away e enough said |
2014-06-23 1:05 PM in reply to: EKH |
Extreme Veteran 1986 Cypress, TX | Subject: RE: Choosing a Texas IM Originally posted by EKH Most hotels close to the race lower their price to under $100 for Redman. Prices tend to be different in OKC compared to The Woodlands. It's all relative. |
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2014-06-24 9:12 AM in reply to: GMAN 19030 |
Expert 1644 Oklahoma | Subject: RE: Choosing a Texas IM Originally posted by GMAN 19030 Originally posted by EKH Most hotels close to the race lower their price to under $100 for Redman. Prices tend to be different in OKC compared to The Woodlands. It's all relative. That's what makes Redman such an awesome race! You have a city that has a come along way in the last 15years and is making it self a very nice place to visit but has kept expenses for hotels, restaurant's, shopping, etc. down at reasonable prices. You also have a community that has embraced their races Redman and Memorial Marathon and make sure that participants are treated to a first class race. I just made reservations at a hotel with a 1 bedroom suite for $86 plus tax with Redman discount. I've stayed at this hotel for the last two years and the hotel is nice and the staff go out of their way for all Redman participants. |
2014-06-24 10:22 AM in reply to: bcagle25 |
Member 241 | Subject: RE: Choosing a Texas IM Originally posted by bcagle25 Originally posted by GMAN 19030 The Marble Falls full had 15 participants. Yes, I said 15. IMTX had 2500. So if you want a IM like the original with a grassroots feel without drafting problems then Marble Falls sounds perfect. My first IM had about these many finishers (15). It was Expedition Man in Reno last year. The race is now dead because most people opted to do IM Tahoe last year and so the race had a huge loss. It's really sad because this was one of the best organized small races I have been a part of. The SWAG was even decent. However, the day was HARD. I spent my day on the bike mostly by myself which was very difficult. I did see more people on the run but it is still very mentally difficult. The only redeeming grace is that you do get a feeling that this is really how the original "Ironmen" did it. Low-key, just you and the course. I am actually very glad I did a small one as my first one. However, that level of challenge is a bit much for most people. That being said I have done a few IM 70.3's and if you are looking for an "event" atmosphere WTC does an awesome job. I definitely want to do IMTX someday but I'm still glad that my first one was a smaller event. |
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