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2007-07-17 1:41 PM

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Subject: Want to Ironman before kids
I'd like your input on the race for me.

I've met the love of my life and we are getting married next year. He wants to have kids soon, but says he will wait for me to attempt my dream. This means I want to IM either very late next year or early 2009. My goal is only to finish in under 17 hours.

The best race for me needs a tamer swim as far as ocean waves. Biking is my strength, but because I'm pushing the IM goal up a year earlier than had dreamed, I'd like to have a less hilly course in comparison to say, Lake Placid.

I was thinking the Great Floridian at the end of next year. Or IM Arizona, but I live in the northeast so it'd be very difficult to train through the winter for that race.

Has anyone done the Great Floridian? How's the course and the swim? Any northeastern folks do IM Arizona? Is there another race in early 2009 that I'm missing?

Thanks for any input!


2007-07-17 2:34 PM
in reply to: #889539

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Subject: RE: Want to Ironman before kids

If you want less hills then the Great Floridian is NOT the course for you. It is as hilly or hillier than Lake Placid (and I have done both so I speak from experience). Not to mention the Race is poorly organized and has serious safety issues.

 

If you are looking for something flatish then IMFL in November is what you want, keep in mind thought that the swim can be rough there. I posted on an IM thread and gave a rundown on most of the Mdot races in North America. You can read that and form an opinion from that.

 

Good Luck

2007-07-17 4:35 PM
in reply to: #889539

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Subject: RE: Want to Ironman before kids

The other race you can check out is Cheseapeake Man.  It's in September in Cambridge Md.  The swim can be a little rough depending on the weather but it is usually down river and point to point.  The bike and run are perfectly flat.  It's a small race, approximately 400 athletes.  It's run by the Columbia Tri Assoc, who also runs Columbia Tri and Eagleman.  They have a reputation for running organized races.  It's worth checking out their website.

Ernie

2007-07-18 7:14 AM
in reply to: #889539

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Subject: RE: Want to Ironman before kids
Ernie, after doing more research, ChesapeakeMan may be the winner. Swimming is definitely my weakest spot and the one thing I fear, so I don't want to do IMFL. With ChesapeakeMan, I could drive there and there's a chance my family would actually come down to see the race. It's also cheaper than an MDot race.

By the swim being rough, did you mean currents, waves or both? Or the jellyfish?
2007-07-18 7:20 AM
in reply to: #889539

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Subject: RE: Want to Ironman before kids

There's an Iron Distance race in Mattoon Illinois... Called the Great Illini. It's the weekend after IMWI. Illinois is flat as a pancake. The swim takes place in an inland lake. A couple of my friends did the Half there last year and smoked it. They are going back to do the full Iron distance this year. Calm swim, flat bike, flat run.

The only caveat is that you might be BORED to death. Staring at 112 miles of cornfields. And then another 26.2 miles of cornfields. ((YAWN!)) Surprised

http://www.findatriathlon.com/illinois/greatillinic-338.html

 



Edited by Whizzzzz 2007-07-18 7:22 AM
2007-07-18 9:17 AM
in reply to: #889539

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Subject: RE: Want to Ironman before kids
Ooh, another good option. And still driveable. Thanks!


2007-07-18 12:29 PM
in reply to: #889539

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Subject: RE: Want to Ironman before kids
Congrats on following your dream OTG!

Something I have learned recently... in wanting to ahieve my own HIM and next year IM goals... is that sometimes achieving a goal means that you have to do stuff you don't always want to do. Thus far my HIM training... at times has been something I don't always love. I know IM training will be brutal.

Anyhoo... what about IM Kentucky for a MDot race?

It's a bit hilly, but the swim is in a river. It's probably going to be hot and humid though. For me that works out perfect... but maybe not for you?

Good luck!
2007-07-18 1:01 PM
in reply to: #889539

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Subject: RE: Want to Ironman before kids
KY is a possible, too. Driving distance. For me I think I'd like a bit of a bigger event so that there are people cheering, but just didn't think any MDot races were suitable for me at this point in my life.

I think I'm realizing there are more races I could choose from than I previously thought!
2007-07-18 6:47 PM
in reply to: #890701

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Subject: RE: Want to Ironman before kids

Sorry for the delay in responding.  The swim is in the Choptank river and it can live up to it's name.  If it gets windy, it gets choppy.   The first year I did Eagleman was a little rough but this past year it was a fast swim.  It shouldn't be as bad at Cheasapeake Man as you're swimming with the current, while Eagleman is an out and back.  I've heard they usually have fast swim times at C'Man.  They do have jellyfish sometimes but I wear a long sleeve wet suit and I've never had a problem.  I know Scott (3558) is doing C'Man this year and Oipolli did it last year.  There should be race reports in the race forum.

Ernie

2007-07-18 8:44 PM
in reply to: #889539

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Subject: RE: Want to Ironman before kids
I have to second the CMan. It was my first IM race and it was great!!! Great volunteers, great course, great RD. However last year in the Choptank we swam against the current. But the year before, they swam with the current. So it can change obviously....

Good luck in your decision.

2007-07-18 11:38 PM
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Subject: RE: Want to Ironman before kids
I agree, you've got to examine what's right for you because each person is different.

For me it was drivable (so I didn't have to ship my bike and I could go to the course at least 1x in training).

Non-Ocean swim was also important.

Most important though was a very spectator friendly course in a place my friends and family were either already near or would be interested in visiting.

IM CDA was the logical course and it was an absolutely amazing place to do my 1st IM. Seriously, it's a far drive for you but you will have an unbeatable experience.


2007-07-20 8:54 AM
in reply to: #889539

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Subject: RE: Want to Ironman before kids

The choptank is a tidal river of the chesapeake bay - the direction of the current will depend on the tides for that day.

I am currently planning for it to be my first IM... 2008 goal.

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