Really, it depends. For example, I did Tahoe this year and learned from training up there that the later I got up there, the less altitude would affect me. So, I arrived early evening Friday.

Also, work has something to do with it. I'd love to arrive at a race site on a Monday or Tuesday and ride the course, and spend some time in the water and run course. But, it would be hard to do that with work obligations. Thursday would be the earliest I would be able to arrive and that is my plan for Arizona next year.

I have my family in tow so I want to make sure they're happy before I get all selfish near race day.

I'll arrive on Wednesday. Full family day Thursday. Friday check in and I'm riding that day. Saturday bike and bag drops and a swim

I used to arrive Monday for a Sunday race. Now, Wednesday works well for me, and the family.

umm, depends on timezones for local and race destinations vs schedule availability....Ideally, the race is in my back yard, and I can walk to swim start. Opposite is flying to a location across the globe. ambiguous answer to an ambiguous question.

Thursday for me

Depends on the race and whether it's a regional race or "destination" race. For a more local event, I'll show up Friday if within. IF flying, Thursday. Farther race, Sat or Sunday before

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I quit my job and spent a month in boulder for my first im it was amazing lmao

If I know the course, I like early Friday. Otherwise Thursday.
Depends on flight time, bike transport too.

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Team Zoot So Cal

I'd fly in Wednesday or Thursday--really depends on vacation time I can work out with work. Arrive, get some food, build up my bike & set out my clothes in the drawers/closet are the next things. Then maybe get out for a short ride or run, unless its Kona, I like to swim first then--because I miss the water being land locked. Something about Kailua Bay that is wonderful just looking at all the sea life. I think the important thing is to not scramble with so little time that you're rushing to get everything done. Too much stress.

You'll want some down time & 3-4 days is plenty. It does help time-wise to have a hotel or boarding close to the race venue just so you're less likely to be rushed with extra travel on a daily basis. Unless you enjoy being that remote.

For my A race IM, I like to get there on Monday or Tuesday. I take the week off work, last minute stuff and packing on the weekend, travel/arrive on Monday. Then I like to chill and watch the host town fill up with people all scurrying around.

That said, I have a slightly different taper than most people. Sure, I'm MOP at the best of times, but it works for me. I take the entire week before IM, completely off training. I rest with my feet up, read, watch TV, keep my feet off the ground except walking to supermarkets or getting massages. By race day I am itching to get going. No race nerves, no apprehension, just eagerness to show what I can do. I can't do much, but it's still the best I can do.

If I get to a race venue after Thursday lunchtime, I get wound tighter than a $2 watch.

Your mileage may vary.....

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TriDork

"Happiness is a myth. All you can hope for is to get laid once in a while, drunk once in a while and to eat chocolate every day"

If I'm crossing a lot of time zones - Wednesday. Otherwise Thursday.

I've done Louisville twice(Sunday race), both times I arrived approx noon on Friday.

ETA: just noticed you said fly....I drove to LoiUisville both times.

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Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

I've done a few different things, several years ago I did St. Anthony's and I flew in the day before the race, most of the IM races I have done I've arrived on Thursday (Wed. for a Saturday race) - which depending on flights, etc let's me knock out packet pick-up shortly after arriving or first thing on Thursday.

as late as possible. I have no desire to "soak up the atmosphere" - I just want to get in, race and get out. So far I'm yet to discover the downside of doing that.

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And really....what "atmosphere" is there to soak in? A bunch of the same stuff you see at any expo that takes you all of 15 minutes to walk through. OK, what do you do with the rest of your day(s)?

I went up to Madison last year on Thursday, mostly so I could beat the lines at registration. Next year I am going up Friday. Zero need to go up any earlier, IMO.

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One thing to also remember, if you are flying with your bike; it is possible that your bike may not arrive at the same time you do. A friend's bike was delayed and he had to get special permission to bring the bike in day of race.

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I do the same thing as them, just slower

Two years ago I arrived at noon on Saturday for a Sunday IM. I had a ticket to see Tool on the Friday night and wasn't going to miss that. Brilliant weekend!

Isn't there a story about a forum member partying with rockstars in Vegas on the Saturday night before flying back to race Arizona on the Sunday? That's cutting it a little closer than I'd like, depending on who the rockstars are.

Funny, hopefully not true :)

lmao it's true i quit and had a great time in boulder for a month then topped it off with an im