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Lake Placid IM: Thoughts? Suggestions?

smetz

Jun 8, 12 12:45

Post #1 of 24 (1834 views)

Lake Placid IM: Thoughts? Suggestions?	Quote \| Reply

In July I will be signing up for the 2013 Lake Placid Ironman. I'm hoping there are other athletes out there that can offer some input about the race and the race venue. After 4 years of racing this will be my first Ironman distance race, and from what I hear its a very challenging IM course to choose. Is there anyone out there who completed this course and has any thoughts, suggestions, or advice? Thanks a ton.

M~

Jun 8, 12 12:48

Post #2 of 24 (1825 views)

Re: Lake Placid IM: Thoughts? Suggestions? [SteveMetz] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Lots of race reports out there to look at.

http://www.google.ca/...biw=1280&bih=908

If you search for the same sort of thing here you will get a tonne of info.

david

Jun 8, 12 12:57

Post #3 of 24 (1798 views)

Re: Lake Placid IM: Thoughts? Suggestions? [SteveMetz] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I've done that race 3 times...love it! What do you want to know?
David
* Ironman for Life! (Blog) * IM Everyday Hero Video * Daggett Shuler Law *
Be satisfied with your very best, Never give up, Do unto others....

smetz

Jun 8, 12 13:17

Post #4 of 24 (1766 views)

Re: Lake Placid IM: Thoughts? Suggestions? [david] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

david wrote:

I've done that race 3 times...love it! What do you want to know?

To be honest I'm not really sure. I've never raced the IM distance before, I've only done one HIM, and many many Olympic. If you've completed other IM's, would you pick Placid as your first one? I heard the bike course is ridiculously hard, and the last time I ran a marathon the pain was unbelievable. I've come a long way since that marathon, but I just can't imagine running 26.2 after the 2.4 and 112.

Monsieur Trois

Jun 8, 12 13:23

Post #5 of 24 (1755 views)

Re: Lake Placid IM: Thoughts? Suggestions? [SteveMetz] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

The best way is to go up to Lake Placid and ride and run the course. Keep in mind that more than a few local residents can tire of less-than-respectful riders that feel entitled to the entire road so keep that in mind but if you train up there once or twice it'll put your mind at ease come race day.

The Mirror Lake swim is crowded and seems to get more crowded each year but there aren't many ways to simulate that in training.

Book your hotel early and get ready to have to swallow at least a five day minimum stay.

All that being said the course can be stunning given the proper weather.

david

Jun 8, 12 13:24

Post #6 of 24 (1752 views)

Re: Lake Placid IM: Thoughts? Suggestions? [SteveMetz] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Well, I have done 21 IMs.....I really don't find it all that terribly difficult relative to other races. Leave plenty of gas in the tank for the 2nd 1/2 of the bike. The climb back to town is long but not steep and there are some breaks. It can be windy.....rain is also a decent chance...usually not extreme heat. The run is "fair" with a rather steep hill at about 11 and 24. The venue is great and the spectators terrific. You'll love it! Just make sure your expectations and execution are appropriate.
David
* Ironman for Life! (Blog) * IM Everyday Hero Video * Daggett Shuler Law *
Be satisfied with your very best, Never give up, Do unto others....

DawnT

Jun 8, 12 13:45

Post #7 of 24 (1727 views)

Re: Lake Placid IM: Thoughts? Suggestions? [SteveMetz] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

IMLP was my one and only Ironman (so far). It's a perfect place for your first time. Beautiful course; challenging, but not impossible; only 2 loops; great support; cool town. It is a great IM experience and an excellent race.

Everyone talks about how crowded the swim is. I'm not a great swimmer, so I just stayed out of the mix and was fine. I stayed way to the right on the first outbound and then was able to get close to the middle for the rest of the swim.

The bike is so much fun - as long as you like hills. None of the hills are that hard, but there's lots of them. I rode the course in November prior to the race. That gave me a great perspective on how difficult it was and gave me the motivation to train hard all winter. It rained and I ran out of water. I remember having to stop at the bottom of the last several hills to gather my nerve to make it up. I was completely trashed and so depressed because it was so hard to ride one freaking loop. But, I trained hard all winter and spring and found the course not that difficult when the race came around. I finished the bike relatively fresh.

The run is hard on any course, I think. IMLP has great support on the run and that makes the difference. My main goal was to be able to "run" the whole course and I did that except for a few places where I had GI problems, but never had to walk for more than 30 meters or so.

Definitely would recommend LP for your first IM. It's just about perfect.

Good luck!

Brian in MA

Jun 8, 12 13:49

Post #8 of 24 (1721 views)

Re: Lake Placid IM: Thoughts? Suggestions? [SteveMetz] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I've done it twice, great venue for a race and the crowd support is awesome. Challenging bike course with the descent into Keene, proper pacing is key especially coming back towards town through Wilmington; you'll pay for it on the second loop if you went too hard the first time around. Run course has a short steep hill coming off River Rd back towards town and a longer tougher one (mile 11 and 24) right in town but is otherwise not bad. Also, run pacing in an IM is going to be completely different than running a standalone marathon. Best advice is get up there and ride beforehand (ride some of the other roads as well besides the bike course, it's a great area!). Swim is crowded where everyone tries to get to the buoy line in order to sight off the yellow cable underneath - stay to the right or hold back a bit at the start if you want more room.

Hope this helps, good luck!

"You can never win or lose if you don't run the race." - Richard Butler

TaxAdvantage

Jun 8, 12 13:50

Post #9 of 24 (1721 views)

Re: Lake Placid IM: Thoughts? Suggestions? [SteveMetz] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I'll be doing Lake Placid as my first Ironman this year, in six weeks. I'll let you know what I suggest around July 23rd!
_______________________
"I believe that I'll finish." - Herb Brown (IMLP 2012)

Honey

Jun 8, 12 14:41

Post #10 of 24 (1680 views)

Re: Lake Placid IM: Thoughts? Suggestions? [SteveMetz] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

As David asked, "what do you want to know?" I've race this 6 times, trained on it a lot more. It is not that difficult of a course but I suppose that's a matter of opinion.
leslie myers
http://www.foodsensenow.com

Record10Carbon

Jun 8, 12 14:45

Post #11 of 24 (1675 views)

Re: Lake Placid IM: Thoughts? Suggestions? [SteveMetz] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

There are a few of us that have done that race 8+ times - I am sure we will be able to answer any questions that you need help on.
----------------------------------------------------------

What if the Hokey Pokey is what it is all about?

NickG

Jun 8, 12 15:10

Post #12 of 24 (1661 views)

Re: Lake Placid IM: Thoughts? Suggestions? [SteveMetz] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Great venue. Bring your bike with you when you go to sign up and ride the course. I will be there spectating this year for some team members who are racing, if you want to get together for a loop of the course (swim/bike or run) let me know. The course is hard but doable and beautiful. I did it as my first last year and plan to do it again after I knock out a few other IM's on the North American circuit. This is our third year headin up to LP, just because it is that nice up there.
_________________________

- The key is to lift with your back in a twisting, jerking motion

TheBeek

Jun 8, 12 15:34

Post #13 of 24 (1643 views)

Re: Lake Placid IM: Thoughts? Suggestions? [R10C] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

How close to a guaranteed entry is it if you're there to sign up on race day?
If you're not there but waiting with your hand on the mouse button?

Tri-Banter

Jun 8, 12 19:51

Post #14 of 24 (1545 views)

Re: Lake Placid IM: Thoughts? Suggestions? [TheBeek] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

TheBeek wrote:

How close to a guaranteed entry is it if you're there to sign up on race day?
If you're not there but waiting with your hand on the mouse button?

I've done IMLP 5x and will be hitting it for one more round this year. I've hemmed and hawed in the past and made the mistake of not signing up on the day before, regretting it, and stood in line on Monday. They've changed the registration procedure a couple of times in the recent years, not giving priority to volunteers. Basically, this year's current participants get to register first on Saturday. Race on Sunday. This year's volunteers get to stand in line first on Monday (they check your wrist band). Everyone else gets to register after the volunteers.

I've never heard them turn away anyone waiting in line. It's pretty much guaranteed.

That said, I know people who brought a friend with a laptop. Had them in a spot with internet access (hotel, starbucks, etc). You wait in line. Friend waits for online registration to open up. Compete to see who can register first.

____________________________________
Take a short break from ST and read my blog:
http://tri-banter.blogspot.com/

TheBeek

Jun 9, 12 3:28

Post #15 of 24 (1458 views)

Re: Lake Placid IM: Thoughts? Suggestions? [Tri-Banter] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Tri-Banter wrote:

That said, I know people who brought a friend with a laptop. Had them in a spot with internet access (hotel, starbucks, etc). You wait in line. Friend waits for online registration to open up. Compete to see who can register first.

and are there occasions where the laptop actually wins?

Tri-Banter

Jun 9, 12 5:00

Post #16 of 24 (1416 views)

Re: Lake Placid IM: Thoughts? Suggestions? [TheBeek] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

TheBeek wrote:

Tri-Banter wrote:

and are there occasions where the laptop actually wins?

2 years ago I was in line behind the volunteers. The volunteer line was VERY long. This woman was 2 places behind me and a group of people who had about 3 hours to get acquainted. Her husband was at Sbucks. Online reg opened up before we got into the building. She got a call, told us that hubby had signed her up on active, wished us luck, and promptly left.

____________________________________
Take a short break from ST and read my blog:
http://tri-banter.blogspot.com/

Record10Carbon

Jun 9, 12 7:59

Post #17 of 24 (1371 views)

Re: Lake Placid IM: Thoughts? Suggestions? [Tri-Banter] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

LOL - I have heard that story time after time.
----------------------------------------------------------

What if the Hokey Pokey is what it is all about?

TheBeek

Jun 9, 12 12:24

Post #18 of 24 (1314 views)

Re: Lake Placid IM: Thoughts? Suggestions? [Tri-Banter] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

guess I'm staying home on the couch in front of the laptop

benhawn

Jun 9, 12 12:26

Post #19 of 24 (1310 views)

Re: Lake Placid IM: Thoughts? Suggestions? [SteveMetz] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I've done 8 IM's including Texas 3 weeks ago. Did Placid once - great race in every way, beautifully produced in a great setting, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. But contrary to some of the other posters on this thread, I rate it a very tough bike, and the bike is my strength. If you're on the heavy side and/or not a climber, it'll be a hard day. Still, I say go for it!

Ben

J_R

Jun 9, 12 12:29

Post #20 of 24 (1308 views)

Re: Lake Placid IM: Thoughts? Suggestions? [SteveMetz] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Just do it! It's a great IM race.

eappel

Jun 9, 12 13:07

Post #21 of 24 (1293 views)

Re: Lake Placid IM: Thoughts? Suggestions? [J_R] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

i've done it 3 times - it's not the course - it's the engine - get a coach - best advice i ever took - good luck

cusetri

Jun 9, 12 15:52

Post #22 of 24 (1249 views)

Re: Lake Placid IM: Thoughts? Suggestions? [SteveMetz] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

not as challanging as folks say, it is simply one of the more hilly IM venues.

Do Quassy next year as part of your prep, and that will take care of any perception of LP being hilly.

The swim, again, an over-hyped issue that results from two things:
-lack of swim prep
-poor seeding

combine the two items above with a last second wet suit optional swim, and you have a bunch of under swim trained athletes who don't know where to start get the shit kicked out of them.

ANY IM mass swim is dangerous, and can result in you get seriously injured. That risk is reduced with proper training (as in 10-12k per week) and proper seeding at the start.

Course specific thoughts:
control your effort leaving town on the bike. Everyone is jacked up and ready to race, let them go! Save any additional effort for the climb back into town.

If you can pace your ride to up your effort on the climb back into town on both loops, you will shave tons of your total time. Pace the ride with the ability to lift effort back into town on the 2nd loop.

The run, watch pace out of town, as its downhill. Its mainly rolling, with a nasty climb coming back into town, but it's short and sweet with lots of crowd support.

IMLP is probably the most talked about IM race on this site, so search away....you could spend hours upon hours with good threads on the course.

good luck, and go up during race week--it'll pump you up for next year!

BrianRunsPhilly

Jun 9, 12 19:13

Post #23 of 24 (1190 views)

Re: Lake Placid IM: Thoughts? Suggestions? [SteveMetz] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

SteveMetz wrote:

Me too, volunteering this year and this will be my first full in 2013. I'll be bringing my road bike and riding Saturday. Looks like a tough course if you live somewhere flat, but that just means figuring out how to train for it. Looking forward to taking the next step. Something to be said for swimming in water that isn't dark brown!

renee

Jun 10, 12 2:48

Post #24 of 24 (1154 views)

Re: Lake Placid IM: Thoughts? Suggestions? [BrianRunsPhilly] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

cusetri sums up in a few, accurate statements key thoughts on LP. A training trip to LP is always a fun time too.
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