Choosing a Spring HIM in early June 2008, please help :)

I have no idea, but I just wanted to mention that I think you put a smiley face after every one of your posts. You must be a very happy person. I find that annoying. (joking).

Here's how I would think this through. Which of the two courses is more similar to IMLP (in terms of elevation and all that)? Go with that one.

Mooseman is a great race; nice and hilly but shorter steeper hills than IMLP. Lots of folks here in NE use it as training for IMLP. Water temp. can vary..I've done the Oly distance last 3 years...water was 56-7 first year and maybe 64 last year and inbetween this year but closer to the higher end. You really need a full sleeve wetsuit, booties and neoprene cap just to be prepared.

If you plan on doing Mooseman look for lodging soon after registering when it opens 11/1 as it is in a location where there are not many hotels but lots of campy/cottage/resort type locations.

Keith puts on amazing races and the organization, execution is top notch.

You know my vote, see you at Black Bear .

I would make Mooseman your other top contender. Don't do Devilman.

Ok, maybe I'll be the black sheep here but personally all this talk about which HIM will better prep you for LP seems to not matter all that much in my opinion.  This past spring I (as well as a number of the folks from CT and Mass who did LP) did Mooseman ahead of IMLP not so much to prepare me for the hills of LP but to work on my nutrition under race conditions and practice adapting my race day plan to the changes my body was requesting.  The real beneficial prep for LP would be heading up in mid to late June for one of the training weekends that will inevitably start showing up on the threads next spring.  No better prep for LP than to get up there and swim in Mirror Lake, ride the bike course twice (it's very different the 2nd time) and run the mary loop.  

My vote is for Mooseman. 

I, of course, voted for Harriman. Devilman may be closer, but by all accounts the water is a swamp. Lake Welch at Harriman is very clean save some seaweed. Devilman's ride is flat as a pancake. Fun, I'm sure. Prep for LP? Not a chance. Harriman is a proven training ground for LP. Many say the terrain is tougher. Just ask Johnny Kay   I'll be back and I'll be doing  a training camp in LP in June as well. I'd agree that's prolly more important.

Harriman is more a local race than Mooseman. It won't have the fanfare. But it's closer. I'm sure Mooseman would be great, based on my experience at Timberman.

not exactly early in june,, while I've never done the course I'm told it's a bit hilly if that's what your looking for.

http://www.ironman.com/events/ironman70.3/buffalosprings70.3

 course description

http://www.buffalospringslaketriathlon.com/bslt/elev_map.htm 

Don't know if you are open to traveling, but the Deuce Man HIM in Northern Arizona will certainly prepare you for the hilly course of IMLP. And it is the first weekend in June.

www.trisportsracing.com

ETA: I did the Oly there this year, very happy with the venue, organization, water quality, etc.