Manatees - 2018 Edition Now CLOSED (Page 101)

Announcing....

What: Manatee Mini Meet in Chattanooga! (aka Ironman 70.3 Chattanooga)

When: The weekend of May 19th

Where: Chattanooga, TN

Confirmed attendees: Lisa, Ann-Marie, Janyne

i likes the Hyatt right at the finish. As you know, unlike Chattanooga, there is not one hotel that is good for transition/packet pick up and the finish line, so it was a good mile walk from the hotel to transition/ ironman Village, but I was happy to be right there at the finish line  when my race ended. There also seemed to be better dining options in that area. My Sherpa liked the hotel location too.

Past IM Louisville participants, what hotel would you stay at near the finish line and why? I saw that Nancy was looking for some feedback so I thought I'd just put it out there since we have a good number of Louisville alumni here.

Kevin and I stayed at the Embassy Suites near the finish line. The room was generously sized and we appreciated the fridge and wet bar (nice tall faucet for filling bottles) along with the breakfast. All of the Manatees appreciated the evening manager's reception. Kevin liked that run course went by the hotel at about the halfway point and that it was right by the finish line. He felt that aspect of it was very sherpa-friendly.

As Ann-Marie mentioned, there is a bit of a hike from the finish line to the transition/Ironman Village area.

The negative to this hotel was that they only had valet parking. Since Kevin wanted to mountain bike (pro tip: I've been informed that Louisville mtb is not where it's at), he needed to get the car. After the first day, he figured out that parking at the city lot down the street was better for us. The valet parking was also and issue at check out because a zillion Ironman athletes all wanted to leave at the same time. They seemed to have quite a wait. Kevin walked down and picked up the car and we left while they were still waiting.

That being said, we'd stay at the Embassy again if I were ever to race in Louisville again.

WHOOOOP! I better get to swim in that river!!! 

Originally posted by marysia83 Those of you who completed Chattanooga in the past (70.3 distance) and/or know 70.3 crazyness... What do you think about that race for beginner IM? I am considering doing half IM next year, and looking for the best race to suite my level. If so many of you go to Choo, if that's the race I would be capable of doing, I would like to participate with Manatees That would be fantastic!

Good Question! The possibility is intriguing.

Originally posted by ceilidh

Originally posted by marysia83 Those of you who completed Chattanooga in the past (70.3 distance) and/or know 70.3 crazyness... What do you think about that race for beginner IM? I am considering doing half IM next year, and looking for the best race to suite my level. If so many of you go to Choo, if that's the race I would be capable of doing, I would like to participate with Manatees That would be fantastic!

Good Question! The possibility is intriguing.

Is the course friendly? I'd say yes, if you are comfortable with a hilly bike (~2200 feet). The run is flat.

Swim: Rolling start, self seed by time. Shuttle from transition to swim start. About 300 upstream, then U-turn and the remainder of the swim is with the current. Wetsuit likely. (temperature cutoff is 76.1 and water temp expected to be in the low 70s).

Bike: Rolling hills with about 2200 feet of elevation gain. Two notable hills (one at about mile 25 when the course makes a sharp left on Andrews, the other is at about mile 45 or so, after Chickamauga and before heading back to town).

Run: Flat compared to the full but still not easy. About 500 feet of gain.

The not first timer friendly thing about it is that it's in Tier 3 pricing (read, spendy).

Note: This is NOT the same course that was used for 70.3 Worlds.

Full disclosure, my first half was at B2B. I still think that this is a good choice, although the event has been cursed since WTC wrested it out of the hands of Setup Events.

X

Originally posted by ceilidh

Originally posted by marysia83 Those of you who completed Chattanooga in the past (70.3 distance) and/or know 70.3 crazyness... What do you think about that race for beginner IM? I am considering doing half IM next year, and looking for the best race to suite my level. If so many of you go to Choo, if that's the race I would be capable of doing, I would like to participate with Manatees That would be fantastic!

Good Question! The possibility is intriguing.

Is the course friendly? I'd say yes, if you are comfortable with a hilly bike (~2200 feet). The run is flat.

Swim: Rolling start, self seed by time. Shuttle from transition to swim start. About 300 upstream, then U-turn and the remainder of the swim is with the current. Wetsuit likely. (temperature cutoff is 76.1 and water temp expected to be in the low 70s).

Bike: Rolling hills with about 2200 feet of elevation gain. Two notable hills (one at about mile 25 when the course makes a sharp left on Andrews, the other is at about mile 45 or so, after Chickamauga and before heading back to town).

Run: Flat compared to the full but still not easy. About 500 feet of gain.

The not first timer friendly thing about it is that it's in Tier 3 pricing (read, spendy).

Note: This is NOT the same course that was used for 70.3 Worlds.

Full disclosure, my first half was at B2B. I still think that this is a good choice, although the event has been cursed since WTC wrested it out of the hands of Setup Events.

X

Originally posted by jmkizer

Originally posted by ceilidh

Originally posted by marysia83 Those of you who completed Chattanooga in the past (70.3 distance) and/or know 70.3 crazyness... What do you think about that race for beginner IM? I am considering doing half IM next year, and looking for the best race to suite my level. If so many of you go to Choo, if that's the race I would be capable of doing, I would like to participate with Manatees That would be fantastic!

Good Question! The possibility is intriguing.

Is the course friendly? I'd say yes, if you are comfortable with a hilly bike (~2200 feet). The run is flat.

Swim: Rolling start, self seed by time. Shuttle from transition to swim start. About 300 upstream, then U-turn and the remainder of the swim is with the current. Wetsuit likely. (temperature cutoff is 76.1 and water temp expected to be in the low 70s).

Bike: Rolling hills with about 2200 feet of elevation gain. Two notable hills (one at about mile 25 when the course makes a sharp left on Andrews, the other is at about mile 45 or so, after Chickamauga and before heading back to town).

Run: Flat compared to the full but still not easy. About 500 feet of gain.

The not first timer friendly thing about it is that it's in Tier 3 pricing (read, spendy).

Note: This is NOT the same course that was used for 70.3 Worlds.

Full disclosure, my first half was at B2B. I still think that this is a good choice, although the event has been cursed since WTC wrested it out of the hands of Setup Events.

X

Ive not done the 70.3, but since the bike course is 1 loop of the full I can speak to that- I really liked the first loop of bike course , the secondloop was not my favorite . But hill training is highly recommended.  

Originally posted by amd723

Originally posted by jmkizer

Originally posted by ceilidh

Originally posted by marysia83 Those of you who completed Chattanooga in the past (70.3 distance) and/or know 70.3 crazyness... What do you think about that race for beginner IM? I am considering doing half IM next year, and looking for the best race to suite my level. If so many of you go to Choo, if that's the race I would be capable of doing, I would like to participate with Manatees That would be fantastic!

Good Question! The possibility is intriguing.

Is the course friendly? I'd say yes, if you are comfortable with a hilly bike (~2200 feet). The run is flat.

Swim: Rolling start, self seed by time. Shuttle from transition to swim start. About 300 upstream, then U-turn and the remainder of the swim is with the current. Wetsuit likely. (temperature cutoff is 76.1 and water temp expected to be in the low 70s).

Bike: Rolling hills with about 2200 feet of elevation gain. Two notable hills (one at about mile 25 when the course makes a sharp left on Andrews, the other is at about mile 45 or so, after Chickamauga and before heading back to town).

Run: Flat compared to the full but still not easy. About 500 feet of gain.

The not first timer friendly thing about it is that it's in Tier 3 pricing (read, spendy).

Note: This is NOT the same course that was used for 70.3 Worlds.

Full disclosure, my first half was at B2B. I still think that this is a good choice, although the event has been cursed since WTC wrested it out of the hands of Setup Events.

X

Ive not done the 70.3, but since the bike course is 1 loop of the full I can speak to that- I really liked the first loop of bike course , the secondloop was not my favorite . But hill training is highly recommended.  

Did they change the 70.3 bike course? I thought when Karen did it they went up Lookout Mountain.

Originally posted by rrrunner

Originally posted by amd723

Originally posted by jmkizer

Originally posted by ceilidh

Originally posted by marysia83 Those of you who completed Chattanooga in the past (70.3 distance) and/or know 70.3 crazyness... What do you think about that race for beginner IM? I am considering doing half IM next year, and looking for the best race to suite my level. If so many of you go to Choo, if that's the race I would be capable of doing, I would like to participate with Manatees That would be fantastic!

Good Question! The possibility is intriguing.

Is the course friendly? I'd say yes, if you are comfortable with a hilly bike (~2200 feet). The run is flat.

Swim: Rolling start, self seed by time. Shuttle from transition to swim start. About 300 upstream, then U-turn and the remainder of the swim is with the current. Wetsuit likely. (temperature cutoff is 76.1 and water temp expected to be in the low 70s).

Bike: Rolling hills with about 2200 feet of elevation gain. Two notable hills (one at about mile 25 when the course makes a sharp left on Andrews, the other is at about mile 45 or so, after Chickamauga and before heading back to town).

Run: Flat compared to the full but still not easy. About 500 feet of gain.

The not first timer friendly thing about it is that it's in Tier 3 pricing (read, spendy).

Note: This is NOT the same course that was used for 70.3 Worlds.

Full disclosure, my first half was at B2B. I still think that this is a good choice, although the event has been cursed since WTC wrested it out of the hands of Setup Events.

X

Ive not done the 70.3, but since the bike course is 1 loop of the full I can speak to that- I really liked the first loop of bike course , the secondloop was not my favorite . But hill training is highly recommended.  

Did they change the 70.3 bike course? I thought when Karen did it they went up Lookout Mountain.

Maybe that was for World’s.

Originally posted by amd723

Originally posted by rrrunner

Originally posted by amd723

Originally posted by jmkizer

Originally posted by ceilidh

Originally posted by marysia83 Those of you who completed Chattanooga in the past (70.3 distance) and/or know 70.3 crazyness... What do you think about that race for beginner IM? I am considering doing half IM next year, and looking for the best race to suite my level. If so many of you go to Choo, if that's the race I would be capable of doing, I would like to participate with Manatees That would be fantastic!

Good Question! The possibility is intriguing.

Is the course friendly? I'd say yes, if you are comfortable with a hilly bike (~2200 feet). The run is flat.

Swim: Rolling start, self seed by time. Shuttle from transition to swim start. About 300 upstream, then U-turn and the remainder of the swim is with the current. Wetsuit likely. (temperature cutoff is 76.1 and water temp expected to be in the low 70s).

Bike: Rolling hills with about 2200 feet of elevation gain. Two notable hills (one at about mile 25 when the course makes a sharp left on Andrews, the other is at about mile 45 or so, after Chickamauga and before heading back to town).

Run: Flat compared to the full but still not easy. About 500 feet of gain.

The not first timer friendly thing about it is that it's in Tier 3 pricing (read, spendy).

Note: This is NOT the same course that was used for 70.3 Worlds.

Full disclosure, my first half was at B2B. I still think that this is a good choice, although the event has been cursed since WTC wrested it out of the hands of Setup Events.

X

Ive not done the 70.3, but since the bike course is 1 loop of the full I can speak to that- I really liked the first loop of bike course , the secondloop was not my favorite . But hill training is highly recommended.  

Did they change the 70.3 bike course? I thought when Karen did it they went up Lookout Mountain.

Maybe that was for World’s.

What Ann-Marie said. (run was also different)

Originally posted by jmkizer

Originally posted by amd723

Originally posted by rrrunner

Originally posted by amd723

Originally posted by jmkizer

Originally posted by ceilidh

Originally posted by marysia83 Those of you who completed Chattanooga in the past (70.3 distance) and/or know 70.3 crazyness... What do you think about that race for beginner IM? I am considering doing half IM next year, and looking for the best race to suite my level. If so many of you go to Choo, if that's the race I would be capable of doing, I would like to participate with Manatees That would be fantastic!

Good Question! The possibility is intriguing.

Is the course friendly? I'd say yes, if you are comfortable with a hilly bike (~2200 feet). The run is flat.

Swim: Rolling start, self seed by time. Shuttle from transition to swim start. About 300 upstream, then U-turn and the remainder of the swim is with the current. Wetsuit likely. (temperature cutoff is 76.1 and water temp expected to be in the low 70s).

Bike: Rolling hills with about 2200 feet of elevation gain. Two notable hills (one at about mile 25 when the course makes a sharp left on Andrews, the other is at about mile 45 or so, after Chickamauga and before heading back to town).

Run: Flat compared to the full but still not easy. About 500 feet of gain.

The not first timer friendly thing about it is that it's in Tier 3 pricing (read, spendy).

Note: This is NOT the same course that was used for 70.3 Worlds.

Full disclosure, my first half was at B2B. I still think that this is a good choice, although the event has been cursed since WTC wrested it out of the hands of Setup Events.

X

Ive not done the 70.3, but since the bike course is 1 loop of the full I can speak to that- I really liked the first loop of bike course , the secondloop was not my favorite . But hill training is highly recommended.  

Did they change the 70.3 bike course? I thought when Karen did it they went up Lookout Mountain.

Maybe that was for World’s.

What Ann-Marie said. (run was also different)

Mmmmm, makes sense.  Chatty with one loop of each would be AWESOME!!!!!!!

Originally posted by jmkizer

Originally posted by amd723

Originally posted by rrrunner

Originally posted by amd723

Originally posted by jmkizer

Originally posted by ceilidh

Originally posted by marysia83 Those of you who completed Chattanooga in the past (70.3 distance) and/or know 70.3 crazyness... What do you think about that race for beginner IM? I am considering doing half IM next year, and looking for the best race to suite my level. If so many of you go to Choo, if that's the race I would be capable of doing, I would like to participate with Manatees That would be fantastic!

Good Question! The possibility is intriguing.

Is the course friendly? I'd say yes, if you are comfortable with a hilly bike (~2200 feet). The run is flat.

Swim: Rolling start, self seed by time. Shuttle from transition to swim start. About 300 upstream, then U-turn and the remainder of the swim is with the current. Wetsuit likely. (temperature cutoff is 76.1 and water temp expected to be in the low 70s).

Bike: Rolling hills with about 2200 feet of elevation gain. Two notable hills (one at about mile 25 when the course makes a sharp left on Andrews, the other is at about mile 45 or so, after Chickamauga and before heading back to town).

Run: Flat compared to the full but still not easy. About 500 feet of gain.

The not first timer friendly thing about it is that it's in Tier 3 pricing (read, spendy).

Note: This is NOT the same course that was used for 70.3 Worlds.

Full disclosure, my first half was at B2B. I still think that this is a good choice, although the event has been cursed since WTC wrested it out of the hands of Setup Events.

X

Ive not done the 70.3, but since the bike course is 1 loop of the full I can speak to that- I really liked the first loop of bike course , the secondloop was not my favorite . But hill training is highly recommended.  

Did they change the 70.3 bike course? I thought when Karen did it they went up Lookout Mountain.

Maybe that was for World’s.

What Ann-Marie said. (run was also different)

Mmmmm, makes sense.  Chatty with one loop of each would be AWESOME!!!!!!!

Oh, man(atees), you are making my brain hurt!  Decisions, decisions!

Long story short: there's a race I want to do but it has a qualifying restriction of sub-7 HIM.  I went 7:12 at LP 70.3 The 'wish-list'  (that's not actually on my blog wish-list, LOL) race people aren't answering my inquiry if 7:12 on a hillier, 'harder' 70.3 is sufficient and the hefty registration fee is non-refundable if they discover you don't meet the qualifying standard.  So I'm looking for a less hilly than LP half for 2019 to hopefully make the cut for the wish-list race in 2020.  

I really would love to race with the manatees but it sounds like the bike elevation is similar to LP although Chatt's run is possibly flatter?

A friend suggested Muncie in July - has anyone ever raced there?

Edited to add: I'm not afraid of the hills, I prefer a rolly, hilly race to dead flat, I'm simply looking for a race at which I can make the sub-7 qualification.  Further edit:  I think a dead flat bike would be pure torture so please don't suggest any such races.  The Oly at Williamsburg was too flat IMO.