maybe cda 10.30 or?? curious after sunday 11.05 at imcda …
I’m always curious as to why people ask which IM is best. Do you guys know something I don’t - like how exactly you are going to race???
Isn’t it better to enter one and see how you do. If you don’t get a slot then, well, you tried your best, but on the day there were faster people who coped with the conditions better. Try again. If you get a slot, then whooo hoooo!!!
swaco,
i’ve been at this game a long time…I’ve qualified 3 times and have been very close a number of of times, and way way out a few times…I am also 45-49. I really think that each day is different. Particularly at the IM distance it is hard enough predicting my own time, let alone anyone else’s. I’ve been surprised at “fast” races at how slow the last qualifying times was, and equally suprised at “slow” races that end up with very fast times. So, you just do your best and enjoy the day.
Best Wishes,
well i want to know if i shpuld commit to the 10.05 training plan or the 10.50 one…difference between 18 hour weeks and 26??
You should always commit to achieving your best. In which case the answer is easy 
I’d commit to the 10:05 plan and hope I get the 10:50 time 
.
swaco,
I actually look at this a bit different, unless you are a pro OR just want one shot; and, if you want one shot then do whatever you have to do. I say this because for me fitness is fully ingrained and intergrated into my lifestyle, and has been for many many years.
Unfortunately, my lifestyle only allows for x hours of training per week due to kids, work, charity work, my beautiful bride, etc. So, my goal is to optimize what I can do within my given restraints. Then, just do the best I can come race day…and be happy with that.
Agreed. There is a huge amount of variability that is at work here and from year to year there can be a tremendous range in the times that will get you an IMH spot in the same age-group at the same race. It could be a real scorcher of a year on the heat front and a “slow” time from the year before, becomes really “Fast”. Also, maybe more people decide to go to IMH this year or whatever year. Many think that there is this total obsession with going to IMH - I think there is with a certain crowd. But there are many very good age-groupers who pass on the slots year after year. IMH is a great race, but it’s hot, it’s humid, the hype is huge, it’s very expensive and for many it’s very late in the year. Not to brag, but between my girlfriend and myself, I think we could make a small fortune on the IMH qualifying spots that we have passed on over the years.
Fleck
The one you can train for the best…
The one that suites your strengths the best…hills/heat/flats…
Avoid Australia - avoid Europe - avoid U.S…or I’ve been told. Doesn’t leave much…
Closer to October = more roll-downs? Harder to go back to back.
You could always look at the Q-times for the past 2-3 years at each possible race - look at the pro men/women/top AGer’s times. Compare…doesn’t seem like the times for most races vary much. Granted IM Lanzarote seems quite hard but the rest seem to have similar times…see if there is a trend.
Don’t worry too much - train right/race right/hope.
Personally if I thought I was fast enough and wanted it - I think I’d try Canada…
Dave
IM Brazil???