[reply]
I think the fact the IMFL is a competitive AG race does even more to make for faster bike times because that puts more bikes up near the front and everyone benefits. The Pros, starting 15 minute earlier, it makes no difference to them.[/reply]

That makes the most sense.

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Gary Geiger
http://www.geigerphoto.com Professional photographer

TEAM KiWAMi NORTH AMERICA http://www.kiwamitri.com, Rudy Project http://www.rudyprojectusa.com, GU https://guenergy.com/shop/ ; Salming World Ambassador; https://www.shopsalming.com

[reply]tri-3 you might be interested in this race report from IMFL:

http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=605447;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread

Validates 100% the faster time theory. 48 minute PR and packs on the bike course.[/reply]

This race report validates nothing. One year. Not indicative of every one.

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Gary Geiger
http://www.geigerphoto.com Professional photographer

TEAM KiWAMi NORTH AMERICA http://www.kiwamitri.com, Rudy Project http://www.rudyprojectusa.com, GU https://guenergy.com/shop/ ; Salming World Ambassador; https://www.shopsalming.com

You could always look at the median times within AG's to get a pretty good indication of each race and avoid the pissing contest that has broken out.

Hire an intern to do the research for you if you want it done worng or outsource it to India if you want it to take twice as long.

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I'm beginning to think that we are much more fucked than I thought.

Fortunately, this whole topic has been discussed before on Slowtwitch with similar conclusions based on real data. Here's one of the summaries from this thread:

http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=257152;search_string=IMWI%20IMFL%20IMLP;#257152

Quote:
Just use the numbers. It's around 25-30 minutes for a true MOP cyclist. Stronger riders won't give up that that much and weak cyclists will probably give up much more.

Here are average bike splits for the entire field, from fastest to slowest for the last several IMNA events:

1. Florida '03 5:52
2. Florida '04 5:55
3. Florida '02 5:58
4. Canada '03 6:15
5. CDA '04 6:17
6. Canada '04 6:18
7. Wisconsin '02 6:23
8. CDA '03 6:24
9. Lake Placid '04 6:25
10. Lake Placid '02 6:26
11. Wisconsin - '04 6:27
12. Wisconsin '03 6:30
13. Lake Placid '03(Monsoon year) 6:39

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Justin in Austin, get it? :)

Cool races:
- Redman
- Desoto American Triple T

Can anybody comment on Lake Placid (or another hilly course) as compared to Florida? I would think that if you aren't bothered by hills your time would be faster there. More downhills on the bike and run to get a little recovery and free speed from. However, if you dont like hills I can see where Florida would be faster for that individual.

How about median run splits? I think a good point was brought up earlier about the bike taking away from the run.

Yes, the IMFL times are all clearly faster, and 140.6 is still 140.6 no matter how you slice it, BUT the question still remains: What is the time benefit from the drafting packs on the bikes? And is the drafting worse at IMFL than any other IMNA race?

Ironman florida was my 5th ironman........I think no matter which Ironman you do there will be drafting, even in France I raced there and the same happened...if the field is open to over 2000 atheletes, its just bound to happen. And I do not think that half the time it is intended.

[reply]There is a big difference in the level of competition in the age groups from IMFL to IMLP. There are many people that race Florida with only one goal ..... the Kona slot almost a full year out.

I don't know that I can agree to that. the race sells out quick, I don't think that only the competitive ones get to sign up. But mainly, the good age groupers JUST came out of kona and most of them won't do an IM 3 weeks later...

[reply][.reply]There is a big difference in the level of competition in the age groups from IMFL to IMLP. There are many people that race Florida with only one goal ..... the Kona slot almost a full year out.

I don't know that I can agree to that. the race sells out quick, I don't think that only the competitive ones get to sign up. But mainly, the good age groupers JUST came out of kona and most of them won't do an IM 3 weeks later...[/reply]

But the way the system is, it's almost impossible to do Kona every year. So, the ones doing FL for the slot are the ones that went to Kona the year before. It's tough going every year the way the qualifying races are and the crap shoot of qualifying.. Also, I've found the euros love to travel to florida, so the race is pretty fast. I know in my age group, the ones on the podium in front of me were all from Europe.

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Gary Geiger
http://www.geigerphoto.com Professional photographer

TEAM KiWAMi NORTH AMERICA http://www.kiwamitri.com, Rudy Project http://www.rudyprojectusa.com, GU https://guenergy.com/shop/ ; Salming World Ambassador; https://www.shopsalming.com