As for the Redman (yes, that was my IM). It was the BEST race! Granted, it's in my hometown and I know all the people running the event, but that's only a little (ok- LOT) of partiality on my part. This year was so much better than last year and next year they're planning to make it even better!! It was a fantastic event, with a lot of support. Granted, the field is pretty small, so there are no crowds of thousands cheering you on, but then again, there are no athlete crowds of thousands that you're trying to swim/ride/run around. If your cousin's considering it, please tell him to seriously consider it. It's a very athlete friendly race (after all, the race committee is made up of all athletes- many are IM veterans), and with the added flexibility of having no finish line time cut-off, you'll be able to finish your race no matter how long it takes you (this year the last runner came in somewhere around 1:30-2 am). The swag/goodie bags are incredible,and the volunteers were the best. AND, you don't have to sign up a year in advance. You can sign up at the end of May (before the price jumps up) and by then you pretty much know if you'll be able to do the event. Plus, you're welcome to spend the night at my house if you do Redman- I'm literally half a mile from the start line.
Ok, enough about Redman. sorry I got carried away. My love of the event and people is tremendous.
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You read my mind!

I was seriously about to send you an IM about the Redman. I looked up the website and I do recall seeing the information on it before, when you posted it up.

It has many appealing points:
1) Not having to sign up a year ahead of time.
2) Paying $250 vs. $500.
3) It's close to Dallas, so I won't have to drive very far.
4) Not as crowded. Although, I like the idea of crowds cheering for me... let's face it... that only happens at the finish line at an M-Dot race.

I am certainly going to forward what you wrote about the race... to him.

And, if I do it, I will do it in 2007. I don't think I could wait till 2008 for a September race. If I am going to do an IM in 2008, then I'll go for IMAZ I think, as my cousin said he is probably doing to do that one.

Oh... the decisions.

Thanks for reply! I do appreciate it!