question about IMs

[tygab]

So, in my limited exposure to IMs, it seems like they fill up nearly immediately and there aren't enough of them to meet the demand. How would an interested person actually get into one? Just curious about the process. Thanks.

[Tri Girl]

Yup, the Ford IM series races fill up very quickly (I think IM Canada filled up within an hour or so). If you know when the registration date opens, you can be vigilant online and try to get a spot. I think the registration for IM Kentucky opened up last Sat.- don't know if it's full yet or not.
If you don't want to mess with the hassle (and higher expense) of a Ford IM race, there are numerous other iron distance races held all over the country. Most will have a much lower entry fee, and are much easier to get in to. That is what I did for my first IM last month. Sometimes smaller races are nice, sometimes they are lonely. Depends on what you're looking for. For my first IM, I was nervous about doing a race with 2000 other swimmers at the same time. My little race of 500 suited me just fine! Look on www.trifind.com and the USAT site www.usatriathlon.org for more information on sanctioned races (make sure it's a USAT sanctioned race for sure).
Now, don't get me wrong, tho- I'm jones'n to try my hand at a Ford IM race in 2008. I'm eyeing Arizona in '08!
Have fun!

[Offthegrid]

Yes, they fill up almost immediately (and they're more than $400). You have to know when registration opens online and get to it. If there's a race somewhat near you, you could volunteer and then sign up in person the next morning (I think).

[crazycanuck]

Ok, this may sound silly...but if you ever want a vacation to coincide with your ironman race..why not do one of the two in Australia or NZ?

December 5th in Busselton, Western Australia.

Port Macquarie on...i'll have to go and look up the date...

Start saving now and you could kill two birds with one stone-nice vacation and cool place to do a tri.

Oh, even better: YOu can stay at our house....

c

[tygab]

Yes, they fill up almost immediately (and they're more than $400). You have to know when registration opens online and get to it. If there's a race somewhat near you, you could volunteer and then sign up in person the next morning (I think).

Ohhhh really??? Hmm. It just so happens that someone I know has registered to volunteer for IM LP next year. Maybe that would be a good time for that someone to have figured out if this is of interest to her.

[tygab]

Ok, this may sound silly...but if you ever want a vacation to coincide with your ironman race..why not do one of the two in Australia or NZ?

December 5th in Busselton, Western Australia.

Port Macquarie on...i'll have to go and look up the date...

Start saving now and you could kill two birds with one stone-nice vacation and cool place to do a tri.

Oh, even better: YOu can stay at our house....

c

That sounds good too, would be good to keep in mind.

[Offthegrid]

Oh you're psychic. I'm actually planning to volunteer at Lake Placid next year. I went in 2004, and it was one of the most inspirational things I've ever seen. Oh, and I accidentally hit Simon Lessing while taking this photo. Fortunately it didn't affect his performance.

(Although I will NOT be doing an Ironman in 2008. Maybe a half.)

[tygab]

I haven't volunteered yet but I've been up there for 05 and 06 on unrelated or semi-related business. This year I brought my bike to train for the PMC so it was a real thrill and inspiration to be among all the athletes and just have Ironpeople and cyclists all over. Plus there is some beautiful riding up there.

That was when I got the bug to see how a triathlon might be, which I hope/plan to do next summer. It's a big leap yet to go to IM level, but then again seeing them all makes me think could that be me? And hearing stories of the Iron Dad who pulls his son around, etc. I have a friend in Jay NY (along the IM route) who used to manage a wheelchair IM competitor (who sadly was killed while training a few years ago) and the stories he's told me are just unbelievably inspirational as well.

[Running Mommy]

I guess I should weigh in...
But really what Tri girl said was pretty much spot on. Here are some other tid bits... This is all WTC Ironman branded races I'm speaking of.....

For most all the races, registration for the next year will take place at the race site and online at 10:00 am the day after the race. But it's best to check the Ironman website for specifics as sometimes this changes.

IM lake placid (IMLP) and IM Wisconsin (IMOO) probably fill the quickest as far as stateside IM's go. In fact I believe that IMOO is going to a lottery set up next year. You pretty much have to be onsite the day after the race in line with all of the other kooks. Or you need a real fast internet connection and be ready to pull the trigger. Think "concert tickets for the Stones"...

IM canada is nearly impossible to get into. I believe they have a partial lottery set up right now. I'm a little fuzzy on the facts, but I don't even think standing in line for next day registration is a guarantee up there anymore.

IM Couer D'Alene(IMCDA) and IM Florida (IMFL) are the next easiest, but they still fill really quickly. In fact now that I think of it IMFL probably fills as fast as IMLP or IMOO. I think it filled in two hours last year, so nix IMFL and put it on the other list.

IM Arizona (IMAZ or IMHOT) and the new race IM Kentucky (IMKY) are probably the easiest to get into. I think it took IMAZ a good 4-5 months to fill up. Usually mid summer before it fills. IMKY is a new race, so time will tell on that one, but there are alot of people who are leery about spending 500 clams on a first year race. They want to sit back and see what others think of it. IMAZ prolly takes longer to fill because it is such an early season race. Most folks have no desire to train through a rough winter for an April IM.

Now all of that being said, if you have deep pockets you can pretty much sign up anytime. They have the charity slots that go for a thousand dollars a pop. Also Canada has some new high dollar system where you can pretty much buy your way into the race. I'm not too big on it, but whatever. I still think 500.00 for an entry fee is outrageous, but heck I paid it! Twice now infact!!
The WTC races are top notch first rate. They treat you well and there really is a big buzz around the race. There is nothing like the nervous energy of Ironman village in the days leading up to the race. But I do acknowledge that they know they have a money maker and are doing whatever they can to capitalize on that.

And like tri girl said, there are some top notch races out there that are 'Iron distance". There is the full vineman in nor cal, and the Silverman in Nevada. My friend Kil did that and he really enjoyed it- tho I understand the course is TOUGH!
So really what you need to decide is what you want out of the race, and also what kind of terrain, weather etc you want to race in. Do you mind humidity? Or will the hills kill you? How would you do in the desert? There are alot of things to take into consideration as it's a LONG race!!
Ohh and then there are the overseas races!! Now you could combine a vacation AND a race! That's a whole other topic!!
Anyway, hope this helps. Feel free to send me a pm or email if you have any other questions.
Ciao!
Denise

[Nanci]

Sometimes they have a sign up for a bunch of different already filled IMs after other tris. For instance, at Gulf Coast Triathlon in Panama City, which is a half IM distance in the spring, after the race (can't remember if it's the afternoon of the race or the afternoon the day after) some woman from IM comes, and people line up very very early to get about 40 slots for different IMs. That's how BF has gotten into IMFL after it was closed- but they also had Wisconsin and other ones available. They must do that in other places, too.