Ironman Louisville, Kentucky 2008- HERE I COME!

[KSH]

Well, I did it. I signed up!

Initial race reports from this year are as follows:

This was by far the best Ironman I've done (#4). WTC puts on a fantastic race. The TT start for the swim was something that had to be done for safety and they handled it very smoothly.

The bike course is fantastic. The road conditions were phenomenal! There were some solid climbs but they all come early. The rolling hills on the loop were no where near as bad as I expected and when I got my gearing down you could fly over them. The cheering station on the loop in La Grange was packed with people who would just go nuts as you rode past. And if all that wasn't enough, it's just a beautiful scenic course.

The run wasn't quite as flat as I thought, but there are no climbs. Just some gradual inclines. The heat and sun are there in places but there's also lots of shade. The volunteers did a great job manning the aid stations and the finish in 4th Street Live was perfect. Even if Mike Rilley isn't the announcer for this race, WTC did a better job than any NA Sports IM I've done.

I think this will be very popular race.

I'm going to focus on my HIM for now... and then start looking for a local coach for my IM training!

2008... HERE I COME!!!!

[Starfish]

I can't wait to follow your training, your HIM, and your IM next year. Congrats on signing up!! One thing you know from following Wahine's journey yesterday...you will have a ton of people pulling for you!

[SR500]

GREAT! DH had several friends do it at all levels, and reports were excellent as well. We hope to be there to watch next year

[Tri Girl]

Woohoo! How exciting that you've signed up and are committed. Nothing like dropping 500 big ones to seal the deal. I can't wait to read all about your adventures in the coming year as you prepare. Do you know what HIM you're going to do? There's a GREAT race in Galveston (at Moody Gardens) in early April that a bunch of our club people went down for and said it was a very well-run event. http://lonestartri.com/lonestar/index.html I'm thinking of putting it on the calendar to keep me focused this winter.

Just curious, how was the sign-up process??? Was it a mad dash at the computer trying to get in? I'm going to try to sign up for IMFL this year, but I know it closes so fast that I'll have to take the morning off work just to sit at the computer and hopefully get in (can't do it at work as I teach, and the district monitors our web use and IM.com is blocked).

[KSH]

Woohoo! How exciting that you've signed up and are committed. Nothing like dropping 500 big ones to seal the deal. I can't wait to read all about your adventures in the coming year as you prepare. Do you know what HIM you're going to do? There's a GREAT race in Galveston (at Moody Gardens) in early April that a bunch of our club people went down for and said it was a very well-run event. http://lonestartri.com/lonestar/index.html I'm thinking of putting it on the calendar to keep me focused this winter.

Just curious, how was the sign-up process??? Was it a mad dash at the computer trying to get in? I'm going to try to sign up for IMFL this year, but I know it closes so fast that I'll have to take the morning off work just to sit at the computer and hopefully get in (can't do it at work as I teach, and the district monitors our web use and IM.com is blocked).

Well, my HIM is October 7th 2007 in Austin, TX- Longhorn. That has been my focus and I need to NOT shadow that by signing up for my IM.

Unfortunately, because I was deep into my HIM training, my first Olympic race was very anti-climatic. It was kind of sad. I just went out there and raced and went home. Nothing exciting. I don't want my first HIM to be that way. I want it to be a memory and an experience.

The sign-up process was a little nerve wracking... only because I went straight to active.com and it kept saying that registration was not available, but yet someone on BT had JUST signed up. I was nervous. So I called over my coworker who had done an IM before... and she showed me how to go through Ironmanlive.com. That is how I got in.

Of course, registration is still open today... so I didn't have anything to worry about.

From what I hear... Florida is VERY HARD to get into. Doesn't it close online in like 15 minutes? I have heard horror stories of Active.com crashing during the registration... only to return and not be able to get in. I was just too worried that I wouldn't get in to shoot for Florida. But either way, Kentucky is going to work perfect for me. So far the reviews coming from the race are that it was top notch.

I wish you the best in getting into Florida!

[Tri Girl]

Oh- I guess I didn't realize that your HIM was in October. For some reason I was thinking it was spring next year (don't know what I was thinking you were training for all summer ). I've heard that race is really great, too!! I know you'll have a good time and you'll have a great race. KY excitement can wait until afterward. I'm hearing nothing but good from that race, too, so I know it'll be a great time!!!!



I may have to call on you for some help signing up when FL time comes. I know it closes FAST, but I gotta take the chance...

[colby]

Woo! A 2008 First TIme Iron Buddy. Hooray! Head down for that HIM, but you know you'll be thinking about next year. Big decision, but you know you can do it -- signing up is a huge mental commitment already.

[KSH]

Woo! A 2008 First TIme Iron Buddy. Hooray! Head down for that HIM, but you know you'll be thinking about next year. Big decision, but you know you can do it -- signing up is a huge mental commitment already.

Yep, I will be joining the first-time in 2008 club!

I am signed up and I have already scoped out a local coach who is reasonably priced. I hope his methods gel with my expectations and I can get someone locally to coach me!

[KSH]

Oh- I guess I didn't realize that your HIM was in October. For some reason I was thinking it was spring next year (don't know what I was thinking you were training for all summer ). I've heard that race is really great, too!! I know you'll have a good time and you'll have a great race. KY excitement can wait until afterward. I'm hearing nothing but good from that race, too, so I know it'll be a great time!!!!

I may have to call on you for some help signing up when FL time comes. I know it closes FAST, but I gotta take the chance...

Nope, HIM is in about 6 weeks. And I have had other races on my calendar so you probably thought I was just training for that stuff.

Take the chance for FL... just make sure you go through Ironmanlive.com and the registration link there.

[HappyAnika]

Wow! That's a huge step, way to go. I guess you don't really have a choice if you want to do an IM . . . no waiting until 2 weeks before to make the final call. But I'm sure it helps in the training process since the training is such a huge commitment. Good luck on finding a new coach.