Eyeing IM Louisville 2010, any thoughts?

[Urlea]

So since this is a bit of a lull in tri-season my hubby and I are taking the time to spread out our hopes/calendar for upcoming races.

We'd really like to do the Louisville IM in 2010, but I've got a few questions.

I just started doing triathlons this summer and stuck to sprint distances.

The plan is to start off with a full marathon & sprint tri in May and then work our way up to Olympic distances mid-season and then (hopefully) finish off with a HIM. We'd also like to volunteer for a full IM somewhere in there.

Is it reasonable to think that we could build up the base we need to do a full IM in 2010?

Are we insane to compete in the same IM?

I know if one of us competed and the other didn't that the one being the support crew would wish they were out there racing, but I'm a bit worried about us both being fried and without much of a support group.

Those of you that did the IM Louisville, would you suggest doing your first Im there?

Thanks for your input! It's appreciated as always.

[teigyr]

Warning, I have no practical input.

I think it is FANTASTIC that you are thinking of competing in the same race. Logistically it might be difficult what with all the training and all but that is so cute. Imagine the different perspectives at the end of the race.

What draws you to Louisville?

And I think you will be each others support group. You might have to figure out a way to do domestic chores but I think it is so wonderful that you want to both race the same IM.

I know there are so many hours of training involved but I think you can do it. And I think if the desire is there, both of you can do it.

Then again, I don't know what I'm talking about. I do periodic web searches of good "first time" IM races and then question my sanity.

Honestly, if you can pull this off, it will be such a fantastic experience for the both of you. I say go for it.

[Tri Girl]

I don't think it's crazy at all! In fact, I agree with Teigyr that it's a great idea.
I trained for my first IM 9 months out. I had never even done a sprint at that point. I had done marathons, but nothing tri related. My first sprint was at the beginning of May, my first IM was at the end of September. I did fine and so will you!

With all the training and life altering that has to go on to prepare for an IM, I personally think that doing it together is smart. The time you spend away from your spouse training can be tough (I know that for sure), and it can be hard when one is so incredibly focused on a goal and the other is just along for the ride (DH is very supportive and does tris, but it was still tough with the volume of training for the IM).
I think it's a great idea. You'll both have the same goals in mind and will spend a great deal of your training time bonding over that common goal (and spending time with hubby is always a good thing- not like "I'm going out to train for 9 hours- see ya later").

I think it's GREAT!

[KSH]

Hey, I did IM Kentucky this year!

I did IM Kentucky with only one Oly and HIM under my feet, along with many sprints. I signed up for IMKY before I even did my first HIM.

I had never done a marathon. And I had only ridden 100 miles one time.

If you want my full RR email me: energizerbunny25_98@yahoo.com.

I liked IMKY.

The swim start and the swim itself will be the best one you will find. It's a time trial start, and you swim down river 80% of the swim. I never once felt crowded or got hit on the swim. It's also warm water so no wetsuit, which I love.

The bike is hilly. I wanted hills myself, but you don't like hills you won't like Kentucky. It's not the hilliest course out there...but my whole day was me going 10 mph or 30 mph. Mind you, I live in Dallas TX and trained on very few hills, and I still held a solid 16.5 mph average on the bike (that was my average on my computer- w/rest stops my results were slower.).

The run is flat. Pancake flat. But it's a bit boring because you only get the spectators near the finish line. Once you go out into the neighborhoods, it's empty, quiet and dark. The neighborhood does not get into the race. Which reminds me, at mile 13 you pass within inches of the finish line, and then you go back out for another loop.

Otherwise, you have to ready for HEAT and HUMIDITY if you do Kentucky. You will need to know how to race in that kind of climate. The heat and humidity took a lot of people down this year. Which just meant they didn't understand how to hydrate and keep on top of their nutrients. As for me, I was fine, but I train in 100 degree heat on a regular basis.

It's a solid race and I don't have any complaints about it.

[KSH]

IThen again, I don't know what I'm talking about. I do periodic web searches of good "first time" IM races and then question my sanity.

You can't find an IM that is good for first timers. What you can find is an IM that fits what you want in a race.

What you do is you sit down and look at the race reports from IM's that you would even consider. Usually location helps you pick out what you will even consider.

Then you decide, do you want hills? Do you want cold? Do you want heat? etc.

List the pro's/con's of each race and pick out your perfect race.

[alpinerabbit]

There are non-Mdot long distance races that you could also look into. Barcelona for example, it's in September.

[Urlea]

Thanks for your thoughts. Just thinking about it makes me excited!

I passed the info on to my hubby and he was encouraged. We really appreciate being able to share our tri/foot race experiences with one another afterward and I can imagine after an IM there will be a lot.

We were considering IMKY because we have friends and a place to stay there. I'll take a look at non-Mdot ironman distance races in our area. There may be something. I know there are a few generic HIMs.
This is one of the races I'm really looking forward to next year...

http://www.burritounion10hourtri.com/

It's as many sprint tris as you can fit into 10hrs. You decide how much of a break you get between sprints. Did I mention it's a train run?