Ironman Question

[Wahine]

I've only ever done Ironman Canada so I can't comment much on the US races. On the Ironman website, you can pull up course maps with elevation profiles for the bike and run. Do this for each race you are considering and try to find the flatter ones. Florida is very flat, that's why it's a good 1st timer. I would expect that the newer IM additions would be easier to get in to but I'm not sure. As for the volunteering question, I have no idea.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[Zen]

I'm pm'ing you a contact who has competed at Kona a few times. If you manage to connect with him I'm sure he can point you in the right direction.

[KSH]

Hello and welcome.

Well, I really encourage you to go read the race reports on different Ironmans at www.beginnertriathlete.com.

That is how I picked out the IM for me.

Really, picking an IM is all about personal preference. Sure, people say Florida is a great first time IM... if you like flats with wind and swimming in the ocean (with the possible threat of jelly fish- yes, people have been stung). I hate riding flats and I hate wind. So no thanks. I also did my research and it fills up QUICK. I wanted an IM where I knew I wouldn't have to travel to the race site just to get a spot.

Sit down and write down each of the possible races you might want to go to, and then start writing down pros and cons.

For me, Ironman Kentucky was perfect. No ocean swim, it's warm (I hate it when it's below 80 degrees), hills on the bike, flat run. YES! Perfect for me.

I was looking at Ironman Arizona for April 2008 (which is now going to be in November from here on out)... but I didn't want the bulk of my training to be in the dead of winter. Not to mention in 2007 they had horrible wind. No thanks.

So what's good for one person, is not for another.

All of this information can't be gathered or obtained in one thread on a message board. Read the IM reports. Think about what matters to you and pick yours.

[mkidd]

I'm definitely not ready for an IM, but this seems like really good advice for future.

I am about the same distance from a couple Danskin sprint tri race locations, and I had initially thought I'd do the NY Metro one b/c I had lived in NYC for so long.

But after some research I weighed flat vs hilly and ocean vs lake swim too.

I'm really glad that I chose Webster for the lake swim, though being out of shape and having a crappy ancient mountain bike with no gears, the NY Metro flat bike and run courses were very tempting! The hills on the Danskin Webser are killer--they say 80% of the women get off and walk at some point. I was so proud that I made it all the way.

[Tri Girl]

On the IM site you can overlay the different elevation profiles for each race and see how the compare. It really puts the different races into perspective. How DO you IMCD and IMLP or IMWI people do it????? Hmmmm.... for me it's no mystery why I chose AZ.

KHS said it all. It's such an individual decision on what's best for you. For my first iron distance race, I did one literally in my backyard (I can see the race start from my window now). It was close to home, pancake flat (although windy as all heck), and it came with tons of people I know cheering me on. For my next race, I chose an IM that held personal meaning for me. I'm from AZ and haven't been back on desert soil in almost 15 years. It'll be a homecoming for me of sorts. Plus, I'm a hill weenie (seeing as how we have none around here to train on), so any race with hills was out. I hate salt water (unless it includes me sunbathing on the beach), so an ocean swim was out. Canal water, OK. Fairly flat bike and run. OK. Wind? I live in OK, so that's definitely OK with me. AZ was a good choice for me.

Do you like hills? Are you comfortable in possibly colder temps? Do you dare tangle with jellyfish? When choosing a race, chose a place that you'll not only enjoy and do well on the course, but that you'll enjoy racing through and getting to see. For me, racing has a LOT to do with location. I choose places to race that let me see a bit of the country that I'll enjoy (a rule in our house is: every marathon must be in a different city so we can sightsee while being fed and watered on the course by strangers who are dedicated to making our day enjoyable). Enjoying my surroundings on race day makes the event much more memorable.

Good luck with your decision, and let us know what you decide.


Wow, I'm sorry that was so long-winded.

[JmcG]

These are all good advice. My first (and only so far) IM was IM FL in 2007. It does fill up fast esp with the new way that they do it (where it's going to be really tough to sign up online I think). But there are many other non-IM sanctioned iron distance races. I've heard great things about the Great Floridian. Up here near us is the Chesapeake Man. But yes, it all depends on the courses you like, how far you want to travel, etc. I loved the IM FL course, and am hoping to get into Lake Placid for '09. I like flat but I also like hills. I did IM FL as my first one b/c I was doing it with a friend (we wanted to train together, compare notes on training, etc) and the one that fit both our schedules was Florida. And I loved it, but I think you can't really go wrong on any course (my opinion of course!).

Good luck. Let us know which one you decide on!

[ALCR]

Thank you to everyone for giving me such good advice. I have considered IM AZ, but I think that it will be difficult to register this year since there will be participants registering for the 2009 race after both the April/Nov events. There may not be very many slots open after returning athletes register. Right now, I am leaning toward IM Louiville since I would prefer not swimming in the ocean, I am strong on the hills on the bike, but weak on the hills for the run, so the course sounds perfect. The only drawback for me is the time of year. I have two young children, so the bulk of my training will be before school starts. My husband is supportive of my quest to become an Ironman (IronMom), so we will find a way to work this out. I am also considering the Great Floridian (thanks JmcG), I really like the coarse and the time of year the race falls. It also looks like it will be easy to get into. Right now, my plan is to try and register for Louiville, but if I can not get into that race, I will register for the Great Floridian. Again, thank you so much for all your advice. It really has helped me make my decision.