I'm not familiar with how the qualification works for pros, other than actually winning an IM race.... Does Lionel actually have to win at MT to qualify?? Would second place get him enough points (assuming the first place finisher takes the kona slot)? Is it just the first place finisher that automatically gets a spot?

I (respectfully...) disagree with most of the armchair quarterbacks here...... I'm sure lots of pros try different approaches, they just don't publicize it like Lionel does. I don't believe he has 'failed' because of his diet and/or training choices. I think his swim, that puts him 5+ minutes behind the pack of pros working together on the bike, is quite simply what kills his chances in Kona, end of story. Maybe the extra swimming he's done during his fracture recovery will close that gap in Kona for him.

Lionel had more than a bad swim in kona and mt last year, he was off on bike power and run speed, probably caused by poor eating, and very very likely in kona not tapering for the race correctly, and not training for the race correctly. He is king of overcooking himself at least that is the general slowtwitch consensus.

Thorsten Radde has a nice writeup of the current rules on his site trirating: https://www.trirating.com/...o-qualifying-system/

Specifically looking at Lionel and Mont Tremblant, the answer is it depends. Each race has at least 1 female and 1 male slot. In some races Ironman will allocate an additional two slots (allocated as either 2 male, 2 female, or 1 each depending on the number of pro-starters in each gender) - not sure if MT is one of those races, but I don't *think* it is. So basically he either has to win or hope that if he finishes 2nd or lower that those that finish above him have already earned their slot or decide not to take it.

The one question that I am unsure about is if Ironman will offer invites in order to get the field to a certain size. So far 43 men and 32 women have qualified. A few years ago they would have 50 men and 35 women at Kona. Last year 53 men and 39 men started the race. Not sure what Ironman's plan is this year

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Matt

Was that 15 hrs week 14-8 days out or 21 to 15 days out and are you saying during that time he was also low on intensity sessions....15 hrs and limited intensity and you would definitely get detrained at least for an Ironman pro. If you're on 15 hrs as a pro, that's tapering....you don't need to taper down from 15 hrs...that's barely maintenance mode.....5 hrs swimming, 6 hrs biking, 4 hrs running....that barely feels like rolling out of bed to to go to Lava Java if you're a German pro LOL.

Dev

Anyone know of Luke McKenzie is planning to qualify this year or has he retired? Seems like I haven't heard his name on the race side in a long time.

looks like hamburger got his slot today, i noticed lanos already had one from arizona. that leaves really just lionel of the heavy hitters not in.

I think many people will watch MT Facebook live because of LS. I will watch from the beginning to the end see how he does. If he makes it, it’s going to be a such a great come back and a story.

Are they broadcasting it now? Didn’t think it was on the schedule?

Many thanks for the insights Hutch. Fascinating input. I still remember post Kona 2018 LS mentioned he was going to work with someone who was based in Florida and had known him for many years. He even stated he would be traveling periodically to Florida for one on one sessions and training camps, etc. Was always curious who that was, and now I realize that was you. I even remember some videos where he stated he was following his coach's instructions to a T and not debating them, just executing and trusting the coach and plan.

Such a shame the relationship did not continue both with yourself or DTD post Kona 2017. From one of his recent videos my understanding is he is getting counsel from a series of advisers in swim, bike, run respectively, hope that is the case and he is seeking outside counsel from respective experts in their field. LS is great for the sport and wish him nothing but success moving forward. Will be definitely rooting for him at IM Mt Tremblant.

What about Brent McMahon? Anyone know if he'll be there after missing out at IMLP?

I just checked and yes, it's in the schedule.

https://www.ironman.com/...g.aspx#axzz5vpczVdvl

Doesn't look like it.

https://www.ironman.com/...mont%20tremblant.pdf

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blog

Have you seen his running form lately? It's been improved significantly. If he makes it, it will be an epic race this year at Kona.

Any idea if Costes has a kona slot already?

He doesn't according to Thorsten

He doesn't. But he's also on the start list fro IM Sweden.

https://www.trirating.com/

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blog

"looks like hamburger got his slot today... "


May be Amberger will add an H to his name if sponsored by McDonald ?

That is last year's schedule... I wish it were true, dont see it on the schedule they posted in March https://www.ironman.com/...e.aspx#axzz5vpoa3D6c

This is 2018 schedule

It is not on 2019 schedule apparently :
https://www.endurancebusiness.com/...live-event-coverage/

Hi S13tx.

I sure have, in his latest video where he is running on the treadmill. Definitely can see an improvement. I wonder if it's a self correction or if LS is working with a running advisor.

Ahhh!! Sorry about that. It sucks, but I'm sure ST will write a nice post race article about it.

He has a tall runner friend who runs with him often(saw him in several Youtube videos) and I think mirrors in the endless pool and by the treadmill help him a lot with his forms as well. I'm curious to see if his old form will come back or not when he's tired during the second half of the run.

Bummer. I would watch to see how it goes for Sarah True.