IronMan Cozumel : Official Thread
BY: trirun26 on 2010-01-08 4:10 PM

I know it is still early but I am excited that Cozumel will be my FIRST IM!!!

So who is in??? Has anyone booked the hotel yet?

RE: IronMan Cozumel : Official Thread
BY: csharp1171 on 2010-01-08 4:19 PM

I'm in and VERY excited as this is my first IM as well.  I've been looking at prices but most weren't letting you book this far in advance.  Maybe now they you can book.  I'm most likely going to try and get there Wed 11/24 to have plenty of time to relax.  After the race we are going to probably go stay in Cancun for a few days before heading back.  I want to get a little group going for the significant others that are not participating in the race so my wife can socialize while I'm out doing my thing.

RE: IronMan Cozumel : Official Thread
BY: trirun26 on 2010-01-09 10:35 AM

I am also arriving on Wed with my husband, mom and sis..."my loyal support team" ;-). I am thinking of getting them the VIP tickets which are 50.00 but I understand they are worth it for the people who are waiting for their significan others!!!

Getting a group together sounds like an excellent idea.

RE: IronMan Cozumel : Official Thread
BY: erin116 on 2010-01-11 1:00 PM

It's my first too, I am so excited about it and glad to meet other BTer's racing this as well! I'm trying to convince everyone I know to come watch me and being that it's Cozumel, it hasn't been a hard sell. I haven't booked the hotel or flights yet because I'm not sure what days we'll be there. I was thinking about flying in Thursday to miss the Thanksgiving crowds at the airport and then spending the whole next week on the beach. After all, that's good for recovery, right???

RE: IronMan Cozumel : Official Thread
BY: pschriver on 2010-01-11 3:37 PM

I signed up today. I'm taking my wife, 13 yo son and 6yo daughter and possibly a babysitter. I'm hoping to find an all inclusive resort to recover for a few days.

RE: IronMan Cozumel : Official Thread
BY: fireman70 on 2010-01-12 1:50 PM

Im in too. This will be my first IM. My brother,  and sister in law are doing the race too. My wife will be the support team. I cant wait to do this race I have been wanting to do an IM since I did my HIM. We are either coming in on Wed or Thurs staying a week total. Cant wait for the Margaritas after the race. Maybe a couple in the beginning of the week. Good to see the thread got started, keep up the training.  
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You get out of life what you put into it so start putting out.

RE: IronMan Cozumel : Official Thread
BY: csharp1171 on 2010-01-14 6:30 PM

My wife has narrowed down hotels to 4.  If anyone stayed at any of these last year can you offer your opinions please?  Iberostar, El Cozumeleno, Wyndham or Melia Cozumel.  Thanks.

RE: IronMan Cozumel : Official Thread
BY: gerrydiego on 2010-01-14 9:43 PM

Im in as well and also my first IM. I live across the pond just south of Playa del Carmen. I am not too familiar with Cozumel because the only times I cross over is to dive, but if I can help in any way, please let me know. Also, some friends have set up a local Tri Team called Trixperience (www.trixperience.com) and they will be doing a few Training Camps in Cozumel in case someone needs a nice vacation during your training.

Looking forward to seeing you guys in 10 months!!! 

Gerry

RE: IronMan Cozumel : Official Thread
BY: trirun26 on 2010-01-15 4:04 PM

Hi csharp1171

I am also in the process of narrowing down the hotels and I think I am going with either El Cozumeleno or Wyndham. Also, have your wife look at pricing through expedia as it appers to be cheaper than the IM price.

let us know what you guys decide!

Happy Training...only 10months away!!!!

RE: IronMan Cozumel : Official Thread
BY: trirun26 on 2010-01-15 4:06 PM



Hmmm training camp sounds enticing...don't know if the hybby will go for that though ;-)
so, how bad are the crosswinds that I hear about???

RE: IronMan Cozumel : Official Thread
BY: csharp1171 on 2010-01-16 6:01 PM

To everyone that did Cozumel last year and stayed in a NON host hotel how much was transportation to/from bike check-in and swim start.  My wife and I are having such a hard time picking a place to stay.  Reviews are all over the place so any recommendations from anyone?

RE: IronMan Cozumel : Official Thread
BY: runnergirl on 2010-01-16 7:21 PM

I stayed at the Melia.  Here are my pros/cons:

Pros:
Great beach front
Wasn't too crowded- always got a seat for meals and chairs on the beach
Pool bartender was awesome and the drinks were good
Was 5 miles from downtown
Resort was on the run course
Free shuttle service to/from bike check in, as well as race day morning to the swim start
The resort is a lot nicer than what the pics online look like
Resort staff was friendly and very helpful
Never had to deal with anyone hassling us about timeshares- NEVER while we were there
For the price it was a good deal

Cons:
Pool was cold- but after the race it felt really good for the legs
Food was "ok"- a little bland, nothing great.  Breakfast was the best meal, IMO
Cabs usually cost around $6 to go downtown- it's cheaper to rent a car for a  day or scooters if you want to leave the resort frequently
Not close to the finish- we had to walk a few blocks after the race with all our bags and bikes to catch a cab.  Not a big deal if you have someone else with you who isn't racing.  But for the 2 of us racing it was a hassle, but could have been worse
Mosquitoes were REALLY BAD in the evening (around dusk)- but I think they were equally as bad anywhere else on the island.  Make sure to bring some heavy duty bug spray!

 
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Marathon Maniac #1423

"The more I run, the more I want to run, and the more I live a life conditioned and influenced and fashioned by my running. And the more I run, the more certain I am that I am heading for my real goal: to become the person I am." --George Sheehan, M.D., beloved former RW columnist

RE: IronMan Cozumel : Official Thread
BY: 98hogbay on 2010-01-17 5:14 AM

The Cozumel Palace was incredible. Period. The service was excellent, the food was great, the location couldn't have been better for IM. The hotel is literally 100 feet from the convention center (which is where meetings/registration take place) and about a 4 minute walk from the finish line. While there is no beach (because it is close to downtown), the pools are beautiful and there is a buoyed-off area in front of the hotel for snorkeling. They went out of there way to help IM athletes get prepared, with a 3am breakfast bar (to name one thing). Basically every room has an ocean view and a 2-person jacuzzi tub beside the bed--very helpful for recovery.You really felt like you were in a host hotel. You pay a bit more, but it was absolutely worth it. Because it is so close to the downtown, you can walk to most shopping, but you will need to take a cab to get to the Chakkannab. Cons? The only con is that you have to leave.

RE: IronMan Cozumel : Official Thread
BY: cwsiii on 2010-01-17 7:36 AM



I stayed at the Melia too - completely agree with Runnergirl on this hotel, particularly the food. 

If you go the host hotel route, reserve now, but keep an eye on the big travel sites like Travelocity, Expedia, Hotels.com, etc. throughout the year.  I was able to find a deal on one of the oceanfront jacuzzi rooms at the Melia on Travelocity for the same price as the IM special rate, which the Melia honored.

RE: IronMan Cozumel : Official Thread
BY: runnergirl on 2010-01-17 8:49 AM



If I ever do this race again I'd want to stay at the Palace.  Not only is it SUPER convenient, but I've heard nothing but good reviews about this resort- especially the food!

 
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Marathon Maniac #1423

"The more I run, the more I want to run, and the more I live a life conditioned and influenced and fashioned by my running. And the more I run, the more certain I am that I am heading for my real goal: to become the person I am." --George Sheehan, M.D., beloved former RW columnist

RE: IronMan Cozumel : Official Thread
BY: runnergirl on 2010-01-17 9:28 AM

Also check out vacationstogo.com  That's who we booked our resort through and we got a great deal- cheaper than going with the IM discount.  We also got a free transfer package- so our transportation to and from the ferry dock in Cozumel was covered.  If we were to fly directly into Cozumel then our transportation to/from the airport would have been included.
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Marathon Maniac #1423

"The more I run, the more I want to run, and the more I live a life conditioned and influenced and fashioned by my running. And the more I run, the more certain I am that I am heading for my real goal: to become the person I am." --George Sheehan, M.D., beloved former RW columnist

RE: IronMan Cozumel : Official Thread
BY: pschriver on 2010-01-17 4:50 PM

The Palace looks good. I"m planning to make it our 2nd honeymoon. Are there any couple resorts anyone would recommend?
Looks like the kids have to stay home due to school.

RE: IronMan Cozumel : Official Thread
BY: csharp1171 on 2010-01-17 5:31 PM

I remember seeing one that was an adult only resort and I think it was a sister resort of the Wyndham.  Cozumel Palace is looking pretty good but it is a little pricier but I guess you get what you pay for.

RE: IronMan Cozumel : Official Thread
BY: gerrydiego on 2010-01-17 11:21 PM

 

Sorry, have not checked here in a while. Winds in November can be anywhere from light to 25 knots crosswind. Out here our winds are front driven and November is when the NORTES or cold fronts start pushing through. In 2009 there was some wind, but actually it was a great race day. Two days before it was very windy, and a week later is was really blowing. Lets see what the wind gods have in store for us this November!!