I posted about IM Tallinn here before the race, and it seemed like very few people knew much about it, so I thought I'd share. It was spectacular. I don't say this lightly; I've been pissed at MDot since they killed Beach to Battleship, and generally I only rave about their races if they're conducted by RDs I particularly admire.
1. Location and weather. Tallinn is absolutely beautiful, with tons to do and see, great food and lots of good options for places to stay (reasonably priced). It's easy to get to if you fly to Helsinki and take the ferry over (2-hour ferry ride from Helsinki). The weather the entire week I was there hovered between 63 and 72 (though with the heat wave in Europe they got up to high 80s before I arrived). The historical weather on race day ranges from a high of 63-72, with a 30% chance of rain (unlikely to be t-storms). Race day this year was perfect - high of 63, partly cloudy. This felt incredible after training in record-breaking mid-atlantic heat.
2. Swim. This is the trickiest part of this race. The swim was supposed to be 2 laps in the Gulf of Tallinn. We had been warned that the water temps fluctuate wildly, and the swim could be very cold. Three days before the swim the water temp was 19 degrees celsius - perfect. Early morning the day before the race the water tested at 11 degrees, meaning they would have to cancel the swim. But, and here is an example of some of the best race organization I have ever seen, they did not cancel. Instead they identified a lake about 3 miles away, tested the water there, had swimmers do the course to check for issues, brought in equipment to clear a path for bike out, relocated T1 and all of the race start equipment, revised the swim and bike maps and communicated the change to athletes via every resource you can imagine, all before the morning was over. And the new lake was really, really nice. Water temp 18.3 degrees, calm, murky but no bad taste or smell, one lap for the 3.8 km. If you weren't already aware, you never would have known it was a last-minute adjustment.
3. Bike. This is the safest IM bike course I've ever been on. The roads were completely closed to traffic and in great condition. It's advertised as flat and fast. Not quite the case. It's certainly not hilly, but there are a lot of false flats and low rollers, and yes it felt like 112 miles of nasty headwind. No heavy gusts or crosswinds that make you feel like you're fighting to control the bike, but steady headwind. Every intersection was exceptionally well marshalled (also true for the run) and the aid station volunteers did their jobs beautifully. It was also pretty.
4. Run. Four and a half laps through the tourist parts of Tallinn (seaplane harbor to old town). Personally, I love multiple laps on a full, makes it easier for me to break it up mentally and know what's ahead of me. The run was in the middle for difficulty for an IM run course. Several short steep climbs, more false flats, and also some cobblestone sections to manage. However, because it was the tourist section in tourist season, there were lots of cheering spectators along the whole route, and they never got in the way because of the excellent volunteers taking their jobs at crossing stations very seriously.
In terms of time, partially due to my own error in not adequately checking my equipment prior to the race, I fell a bit short of the day I wanted, but I loved this event so much I almost don't care. I swore this was my last full, but it was such a great experience I am seriously considering going back. I'm almost hesitant to spread the word on this race, since I got in at tier one pricing late in the game last year and it was nice racing in a field that wasn't overstuffed, but I can't begin to imagine why this race isn't a bigger draw and I really want it to succeed.
1. Location and weather. Tallinn is absolutely beautiful, with tons to do and see, great food and lots of good options for places to stay (reasonably priced). It's easy to get to if you fly to Helsinki and take the ferry over (2-hour ferry ride from Helsinki). The weather the entire week I was there hovered between 63 and 72 (though with the heat wave in Europe they got up to high 80s before I arrived). The historical weather on race day ranges from a high of 63-72, with a 30% chance of rain (unlikely to be t-storms). Race day this year was perfect - high of 63, partly cloudy. This felt incredible after training in record-breaking mid-atlantic heat.
2. Swim. This is the trickiest part of this race. The swim was supposed to be 2 laps in the Gulf of Tallinn. We had been warned that the water temps fluctuate wildly, and the swim could be very cold. Three days before the swim the water temp was 19 degrees celsius - perfect. Early morning the day before the race the water tested at 11 degrees, meaning they would have to cancel the swim. But, and here is an example of some of the best race organization I have ever seen, they did not cancel. Instead they identified a lake about 3 miles away, tested the water there, had swimmers do the course to check for issues, brought in equipment to clear a path for bike out, relocated T1 and all of the race start equipment, revised the swim and bike maps and communicated the change to athletes via every resource you can imagine, all before the morning was over. And the new lake was really, really nice. Water temp 18.3 degrees, calm, murky but no bad taste or smell, one lap for the 3.8 km. If you weren't already aware, you never would have known it was a last-minute adjustment.
3. Bike. This is the safest IM bike course I've ever been on. The roads were completely closed to traffic and in great condition. It's advertised as flat and fast. Not quite the case. It's certainly not hilly, but there are a lot of false flats and low rollers, and yes it felt like 112 miles of nasty headwind. No heavy gusts or crosswinds that make you feel like you're fighting to control the bike, but steady headwind. Every intersection was exceptionally well marshalled (also true for the run) and the aid station volunteers did their jobs beautifully. It was also pretty.
4. Run. Four and a half laps through the tourist parts of Tallinn (seaplane harbor to old town). Personally, I love multiple laps on a full, makes it easier for me to break it up mentally and know what's ahead of me. The run was in the middle for difficulty for an IM run course. Several short steep climbs, more false flats, and also some cobblestone sections to manage. However, because it was the tourist section in tourist season, there were lots of cheering spectators along the whole route, and they never got in the way because of the excellent volunteers taking their jobs at crossing stations very seriously.
In terms of time, partially due to my own error in not adequately checking my equipment prior to the race, I fell a bit short of the day I wanted, but I loved this event so much I almost don't care. I swore this was my last full, but it was such a great experience I am seriously considering going back. I'm almost hesitant to spread the word on this race, since I got in at tier one pricing late in the game last year and it was nice racing in a field that wasn't overstuffed, but I can't begin to imagine why this race isn't a bigger draw and I really want it to succeed.