I know the IMUK course but not the Longest Day. The question really is whether you want to chew on duckshit, get cheered by fewer people than your bike has gears and run up and down an old railway cutting or picturesque swim course by a pair of Castles, beautiful rolling bike course and cheered the whole race long. On the other hand TLD has some cool retro finisher tracksuit jackets a couple of years ago.

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"How bad can it be?" - SimpleS

thanks, just how rolling is the bike course, apparently they have changed it a bit this year and it has 2250m climbing now! i am just an ordinary age grouper no elite by a long way. also waht is run course like?

thanks again

The bike course has no major hills, although Lions Gate is a hill that you want to get into a rythmn for. You can do it seated fine but it is a little taxing last time around. It's not the course you want to do if you are after a fast time, that would be Austria, but it's hardly IM France at Gerardmer with 8000m climbing. The run course is like a normal 1/2 course doubled by who wants a flat run course anyway. Go enjoy it. The crowds and organisation and (as much as can be guaranteed) the better weather of the two.

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"How bad can it be?" - SimpleS

longest day is RIP

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http://www.wimdedoncker.be

Be careful what you say about IMUK. The organisers have been taking legal action against people who criticise their event. This includes comments made on websites. Believe it or not, I can assure you this is true.

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Deceptively slow.

??? http://www.longestday.co.uk/ld/

Can you give us an update on this - I remember reading the guy's story somewhere but can't remember any of the details

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"Are you sure we're going fast enough?" - Emil Zatopek

Comments were made on websites which questioned how competent the organizers were. Safety concerns were made about the bike and run course. Allegations of course cutting were made on the swim and bike.

Organizers have demanded compensation with threat of legal action if comments are not withdrawn and public apologies made.

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Deceptively slow.

Hi

I did the first half IMUK and have done TLD, i thought that TLD was very very good, the atmosphere was great, the support was good, aid stations good, course good and not too busy, enough people so as not to be lonely but no worry about draughting. The run is a bit dull though and was very muddy when i did it in 2004. However, i would definately do it again over IMUK, i just don't see how an IM can fit into Sherbourne without overcrowding etc.

Just my opinion though, if you need or love the buzz of the BIG event and the spectators etc then go Mdot, if you like it a bit more old school (and cheaper) then i couldn'y fault Martin who ran TLD.

Let us know what you decide...

William

Is the duckshit some kind of English delicacy?

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Deceptively slow.

I'll leave that kind of thing to you down home boys in Iowa with your world famous cusine.

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"How bad can it be?" - SimpleS

I did IMUK last year as my first IM and although the course was tough I wouldn't have described it as brutal. I got around in 11:46 with an average of 9hours/week training in the 6months leading up to it - peaking at 18hours (once !), but I'm used to cycling and running in pretty undulating terrain (the Chilterns) and like a challenge. I thouroughly enjoyed the race and thought the atmosphere was great. Ironman isn't meant to be easy...

I've signed up for TLD this year - the profile still look rolling, but not quite as lumpy.

I'm also planning on The Grand Columbian (Washington state) in September (which has a good climb or two on it).

Looks like I hit a nerve there, no wonder you all have rotten teeth.

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Deceptively slow.

You should have no problems whatsoever on either course with this amount of training. They are both 140.6 miles long, one is lumpier than the other. What are you worrying about? It's the same for everyone.

Also have to add that if you are consistently averaging 15 hrs per week, I would consider you more than 'normal'.

JC

I've done longest day and totally recommend it as a long course event. No major hills to speak of on the bike and the run course is pretty flat. I have not done IMUK but from all that I have heard about it I personally would not enter the race yet until all the teething problems get ironed out.

The main difference between the two races is that longest day does not have all the bells and whistles attached that an M dot race would. If that is not a problem for you, you will enjoy the event.

LD is only organised by a local tri club but the race crew support is fantastic and I felt it was as well supported as any m dot race I have done. ( have done 3 so far).

happy to answer any specific questions about the course.

thanks for all the help and replies, the bike course supposedly has changed this year for ironman uk and is harder than last year with 2250metres climbing which wouldnt look out of place on a tour stage! but as mentioned you dont do it cause its easy!

My ain't you a purdy one, I bet all the boys love you.

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"How bad can it be?" - SimpleS

thanks, i think i will go for imuk might as well go for the official one as it may be the only one i do. i think i need the 15 hrs a week because of my weight 210lbs. i used to play rugby so not carrying much fat but juist big frame-thats why i am worried about the climbing on the bike