My observations after doing the swim and bike - (pre planned dnf as I'm doing Hawaii in 9 weeks):

- Boulder is a perfect place (for supporters) to hold an Ironman - great restaurants, T2 and finish are centrally located, interesting shopping, riding and hiking for those from out of town. Not as clear on the hotel situation (I'm local) but I'm sure VRBO has some good options.
- Iron Village was muddy but we've had an unusually rainy month, unlikely that will happen again.
- Bike drop off could use some tweaks, but not too bad.
- Shuttle bus worked perfectly. Well planned and executed.

- Rolling start for the swim was brilliant! Spread everyone out early, and didn't have to get in line at 3 AM like Louisville. I think this helped keep the bike from being too crowded.
- Swim was long. I went without a wet suit but still seemed up to 400 yds long. Also, probably should not have been wetsuit legal as it felt like a perfect pool without one.

- Bike - I've ridden the full course twice in training and often train on parts of it. I like the course, and I kept thinking fast does not equal easy. The east side of I25 has been brutal every time I've done it.
Still haven't perfected heat management, and had some troubles breathing (allergies? ozone?) which I don't normally have. The good thing was that riding my month-old Speed Concept was like riding Silk.
The problem with moving the course to the hills around here (which I agree are better riding) would be the steep descents. Kind of a recipe for disaster at an Ironman.

- Run: Don't know as I dropped out, but looked like it was working with the volume of people. Most of whom seemed pretty shattered - just like every other Ironman I've done (Penticton, Coeur D'alene, St. George, Louisville).
I know there are a lot of complaints about the bike path but the year I lived in Boulder I saw a ton of world class atheletes training on it year round.

Liked it so much I'm signed up for next year.

The temperature for the race was a little below normal for August. The temp got to 86 on Sunday and it could have easily been 96 this time of year. And looking at the chart, there was virtually no wind on the bike and no thunderstorms. Good first year for Boulder but I wouldn't count on similar conditions in the future.

I got 3379 of elevation gain on my garmin 800. Despite the course riding the foothills for the first 30 miles the course had nearly identical elevation gain in first and second halves (1711, 1677 first and second halves respectively). Not bragging, but I rode 4:43 and my power was a laughable 210 (220 NP).

I have ridden on the flat sections of the course in nearly every condition and in much worse scenarios. The lack of shade and dry climate fry you. The "flats" are always unrelenting in their mini-rollers and long false-flats as you return to the foothills. Despite my knowledge, I even failed to properly hydrate. The dry heat and very hot sun were aspects that locals all discussed as being the difficulty in this race as soon as it opened for registration. You just don't work that hard in an ironman for the altitude to have a perceptual effect on your race. I know times will always be slower at altitude, but nothing hurts more than those threshold and sustained super-threshold type efforts (mile run road-race- Pearl St Mile).

The concrete on the run was also always going to be a factor. I could not have been happier with my old-man/pillow-bottom shoes. Another mental fail on my part was not knowing about that hill along Foothills Pkwy. My course recon had us following the creek path all the way to the ponds. More heat and shade-less running that I was not expecting. I have run that stupid over-pass hundreds of times and have despised nearly every time I ran it.

My wife, who I think quotes this from a friend in LA, says, "it's called Ironman, not Pussyman." That being said, we will always push our limits to the course and we will make it tough for ourselves- would we really want it any other way?

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later,
billy
Endurance Athlete and Coach
Naval Academy Triathlon Coach (USNA '00 and USMC)
billythekidtriathlete.com

I did not race but have done the 70.3 and was at the event all day yelling at everyone!

from what I saw and have herd one of the bigger issues was the black track and bear feet I was told that the medical team read 103 degrees from that track. I know a few people got blisters from it, I also thought that the path would be way crowded but from what I saw it was not terrible not great as you mentioned but not terrible I however did not see it around aid stations?

I also agree it was awesome that the run really had no impact on streets etc that was very cool and should eliminate some of the crying.

One thing we noticed as spectators was it seemed like pearl street and the area around was not prepared for how big this even was and how many people it would bring. A few of the restaurants we went into were running out of things late Sunday and seemed understaffed and frustrated with the crowds. A lot of them were running out of things like bottles of water, this is to be expected for a first year event though.

Were you rocking a Navy Tri kit? There was a dude waaaaay up front wearing the Navy colors, didn't catch his number though.

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The secret of a long life is you try not to shorten it.
-Nobody

I was talking to the captain of the 2nd bike aid station and he said the only problem they saw was some of the locals were losing their minds a bit. They had to move their entire aid station a half mile down the road that morning due to some mix up and then several locals stopped by just screaming at him that they were breaking the law, etc. demanding to see who was in charge and calling the authorities. I guess somehow this whole "Ironman thing" snuck up on them.

I saw the guy in the Navy kit finish and he looked really good. Nice job out there.

As for your point about the bike course, it really is too bad that you had the "Iowa in Colorado" bike course option rather than the "Colorado version of Stelvio-Gavia-Mortirolo" (from what I understand, you guys can one up those too). At Whistler they delivered spectacularly on the best that the local roads can offer...

Dev,

Indeed - Left Hand Canyon would have been great for IM Bloulder ( even if they could after the floods), but I guess you have not heard the grumbling about the IMC(Whistler)bike course being, "too hard"!

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

I did the course when the first announced it with the original carter lake climb and it was amazing I had never done that ride before and up by the lake was awesome too bad that had to go. Although the climb was not too crazy im sure people would have blown up on it.

It took over a week last year.

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36 kona qualifiers 2006-'23 - 3 Kona Podiums - 4 OA IM AG wins - 5 IM AG wins - 18 70.3 AG wins
I ka nana no a 'ike -- by observing, one learns | Kulia i ka nu'u -- strive for excellence
Garmin Glycogen Use App | Garmin Fat Use App

The gains are so gradual that such a number does not really paint a true picture of the course. There really aren't any hills on the course as much as there are constant false flats.

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36 kona qualifiers 2006-'23 - 3 Kona Podiums - 4 OA IM AG wins - 5 IM AG wins - 18 70.3 AG wins
I ka nana no a 'ike -- by observing, one learns | Kulia i ka nu'u -- strive for excellence
Garmin Glycogen Use App | Garmin Fat Use App

Quoting because Lara is awesome.

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36 kona qualifiers 2006-'23 - 3 Kona Podiums - 4 OA IM AG wins - 5 IM AG wins - 18 70.3 AG wins
I ka nana no a 'ike -- by observing, one learns | Kulia i ka nu'u -- strive for excellence
Garmin Glycogen Use App | Garmin Fat Use App

yeah, that was him.

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36 kona qualifiers 2006-'23 - 3 Kona Podiums - 4 OA IM AG wins - 5 IM AG wins - 18 70.3 AG wins
I ka nana no a 'ike -- by observing, one learns | Kulia i ka nu'u -- strive for excellence
Garmin Glycogen Use App | Garmin Fat Use App

To first address what someone commented on earlier, I don't believe the descents in the canyons are too steep. You might be able to say that about Lee Hill or Flagstaff or Mags or Sugar Loaf but not South St Vrain or James/Lefthand. That's also why i think they are fair game for a future course. 4-6% grades the whole way up (some very short kickers not much higher tho) is something that a sea leveler should be able to handle.

Jamestown needs support right now, sending the course up there and donating money to the town (hell, bus people up there to cheer ala Verona) would be great. Likewise with Lyons.

As to whether that was possible this year or even into next.... roads are still not built. 40%(?) of the gross mileage up to Jamestown is dirt and gravel.

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36 kona qualifiers 2006-'23 - 3 Kona Podiums - 4 OA IM AG wins - 5 IM AG wins - 18 70.3 AG wins
I ka nana no a 'ike -- by observing, one learns | Kulia i ka nu'u -- strive for excellence
Garmin Glycogen Use App | Garmin Fat Use App

I don't know how you'd manage traffic to get off 36 and then back on without shutting down 36, and I don't think Boulder County would go for that - not saying there isn't a way, I just don't know it. Still disagree on the descents, they're fine with a dozen folks out for a ride, put 3000 people with less than stellar handling skills on super bikes with aero wheels they don't normally ride, then tell them its a race, and I think you end up with a ton of injuries. Penticton, Coeur d'alene and St. George all have/had long sweeping descents so the climbs worked. We can argue that people should have better handling skills, but you race with the people you get.

Still, second half of the course is pretty dull. What about an out and back to mile 56?

It's an idea... work on the details (such as 36 shutdown) later.

We descend LHC in the Peak as well as Old Stage, which is far more treacherous (yes, one way).

Edit to add: doing this very early in the day is one way of convincing Pelle we can pull it off. I.e. get off the roads before people wake up.

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36 kona qualifiers 2006-'23 - 3 Kona Podiums - 4 OA IM AG wins - 5 IM AG wins - 18 70.3 AG wins
I ka nana no a 'ike -- by observing, one learns | Kulia i ka nu'u -- strive for excellence
Garmin Glycogen Use App | Garmin Fat Use App

Refs don't wear Zebra stripes?

Similar to one of the reasons for the rolling swim start: Refs were stationed in areas to affect athlete density early in the race in an effort to prevent groups from forming later in the race?

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Jimmy
http://www.Riccitello.com

USATs do and your's don't?

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36 kona qualifiers 2006-'23 - 3 Kona Podiums - 4 OA IM AG wins - 5 IM AG wins - 18 70.3 AG wins
I ka nana no a 'ike -- by observing, one learns | Kulia i ka nu'u -- strive for excellence
Garmin Glycogen Use App | Garmin Fat Use App

There is no zebra shirt requirement at USAT. The standard USAT referee outfit is a red polo and khakis.

A USAT certified Head Referee working a USAT rules event is required to "wear distinctive clothing or other means of identification," and will often use the zebra shirt as a means to distinguish him/herself from the other referees.

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Jimmy
http://www.Riccitello.com

Got it.

I'm all for stealth refs!

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36 kona qualifiers 2006-'23 - 3 Kona Podiums - 4 OA IM AG wins - 5 IM AG wins - 18 70.3 AG wins
I ka nana no a 'ike -- by observing, one learns | Kulia i ka nu'u -- strive for excellence
Garmin Glycogen Use App | Garmin Fat Use App

I'm a Boulder resident, 2nd full distance tri and first IMC 140.6. I thought the race was great and I signed up for next year. A few thoughts and possible changes that would make it even better from my perspective:

1) looks like rolling starts are here to stay, I haven't heard too many negative things about them and many positives. I am comfortable swimming in a pack and I would like to do a mass start some day, but if rolling starts keep a few people from panicking in the water, it's worth it.
2) It would be great if special needs drop off was at the same time and place as bike check in. I thought it was strange and a little inconvenient to be on race morning.
3) I live about 2 miles away from the race site as the crow flies and 5 miles if I take roads. I had to get up about 1.5 hours earlier than I should if there just would have been an option for the athletes to get dropped off somewhere near the swim start. This is my biggest gripe.
4) I felt ok after the race, so walking from the finish, to the high school to get my bike then walk back to my car was not that big a deal. A little too much walking after a race for those really struggling.
5) Very little to no drafting from my perspective (1:04 swim, 5:38 bike)
6) As a MOP cyclist the removal of Carter Lake favored me but on the same day, if the Carter Lake portion remained, it would have added 7 minutes or more (best guess) onto my time as the descent on the north side of Carter is a little too sudden to help make up for lost time on the climb. The roads should be sorted by next year and Carter Lake portion will be a welcome change.
7) The shade on the run course was extremely helpfull, the support from the volunteers on the run course was outstanding. I never got overheated as ice was always available.
8) local officials did an amazing job with the traffic.

These are small gripes. I had a blast and I can't wait until next year.

I heard a rumor that the course will change next year, cutting out much of the eastern portion of the course and instead going up to Fort Collins and going around Horsetooth Reservoir which is probably more challenging than Carter Lake. That is unsubstantiated, but it wouldn't surprise me because they always intended on having a high grade climb but Carter Lake refused the permit.

Did you hear this from someone authoritative on the subject or a stranger standing around the course?

I heard that from someone I trust but I have not yet determined how she found out so I will call it unverified. I have spoken to the race director on a few occasions (this is where I learned about the permitting issues surrounding Carter lake), not to the point where I can just call him up, but I have some friends that can. If I find out more, I will share.

"10/11) Swim went well. Aside from them announcing that the waves would be run by 10 minute intervals and then having different signs at the start. (Briefed 1:00-1:10, 1:10-1:20, etc. Signs 1:00-1:15, 1:15-1:30, etc.). Again not that big of deal, but not a hard thing to know in advance. It was even being briefed the 10 minute intervals on race morning at the reservoir when they had the signs. ????"

I take full responsibility for this mistake. I did not look at the signs before the race and could not see them them from where I was announcing in the transition. I assumed that they were 10 min. intervals. I will not make this mistake again! Z

They got permitted to do the carter lake road race (even though it was in Feb) and I think they are planning it next year also. So I don't imagine it would be out of the question for a big bucks operation like ironman to get permission.