Looking to plan a full for 2020…any advice on the best location for a first timer on the full IM course? Things like flat/fast course, no extreme weather/altitude, and wetsuit legal swim would be nice, but would love any insight based on experience.
Thanks!
Maryland. Super flat.
There are plenty of well run races that would fit the bill.
Ironman Florida, always did a great job when I raced it. Super well supported (more than most I’ve done). At least the run aid stations.
Click on THIS for some rankings of courses. Someone sent this to me recently on another thread. It seems a tad out of date, but helps. Google “Ironman Course Difficulty” and see what’s out there…Obviously, the hillier the harder it will be (St. George is going to be really hard, where Maryland is very flat & should be do-able for a first timer).
I would do a race that is most convenient for you. Least amount of travel, etc. there might be a perfect race for everyone but there is a lot of stress involved with travel and flying a bike. Having a race that places minimal stress on you and your family will far and away make up for any course that may be less than “idealâ€.
Arizona, Maryland, or Florida depending on where you’re located. I can only speak to IMFL. Done it twice and the swim has been wetsuit each time. Flat bike, and I’ve gotten lucky with winds the years I’ve done it. Flat two loop run.
Norseman looks fun. Really get your money’s worth there from what I hear. Good bang for your buck.
I would do a race that is most convenient for you. Least amount of travel, etc. there might be a perfect race for everyone but there is a lot of stress involved with travel and flying a bike. Having a race that places minimal stress on you and your family will far and away make up for any course that may be less than “idealâ€.
+1 on ease of travel.
If there is a race you can drive to, that would be my recommendation. You can over pack and be ready for any circumstance.
Time of year is also something to consider. When is your optimum time of year for training, and aim for a race at the end of that window.
I would do a race that is most convenient for you. Least amount of travel, etc. there might be a perfect race for everyone but there is a lot of stress involved with travel and flying a bike. Having a race that places minimal stress on you and your family will far and away make up for any course that may be less than “idealâ€.
+1 on ease of travel.
If there is a race you can drive to, that would be my recommendation. You can over pack and be ready for any circumstance.
Time of year is also something to consider. When is your optimum time of year for training, and aim for a race at the end of that window.
agree, driving distance race is so much easier if you are new! No worry about vaggage etc.
If distance isn’t an issue, come to TaupÅ and race IMNZ. It is absolutely phenomenal. Roth as well, if you can get there. A race being flat doesn’t necessarily make it “easier”, either.
If distance isn’t an issue, come to TaupÅ and race IMNZ. It is absolutely phenomenal. Roth as well, if you can get there. A race being flat doesn’t necessarily make it “easier”, either.
Second vote for IMNZ. Great place, great course, great people. Plus it’s still got a mass start swim, one of the reasons I chose it for my first. I wanted to do a mass start before they all disappear
Wales.
Because it’s supposed to be difficult…
Not any more, I’m afraid.
IM Western Australia is a great race, but not ideal if you need to travel from overseas.
Great swim (wetsuit legal) (OK there were sharks one year…)
Ride is dead flat and fast
Run is dead flat
Weather can get hot in December so that can make it rough, but not the humidity associated with races in the likes of Asia or Kona.
If you consider options in Europe, Copenhagen, Barcelona and Kalmar are very flat (warning: draft fests!).
Frankfurt (when they go back to the old bike course) would be a good option, but weather can be an issue (last few years had anything between 12 and 39 Celsius). Roth is less flat (but far from hilly), but has some downhill stretches where you can recover. Also swim in Roth is easy to navigate and wetsuit legal.
I did my first IM(-distance) in Roth and had a great time there.
If somehow a Canadian could drive to Wales, I’d be there. How much in Canadian $ is a hotel near the race site?
Hotels are cheap in Wales. £40 per night maybe
Another vote for making logistics easier (for example, driving vs flying).
Haven’t heard back from you but if it comes down to Florida vs Maryland, hands down the better race is Florida. I’ve done both.
Looking to plan a full for 2020…any advice on the best location for a first timer on the full IM course? Things like flat/fast course, no extreme weather/altitude, and wetsuit legal swim would be nice, but would love any insight based on experience.
Thanks!
Like many others have said being able to drive to your first IM should be the priority. Our first two IMs were both drivable. Our third was in Europe and that one was the best of the three (my best performance, best course, best weather). However I can’t stress enough how much harder it is to fly overseas with two bikes, long layovers, delayed flights, jet lag (the biggest kicker), logistics, new country, etc. While it was an epic journey I would not have wanted to do this as my first Ironman. At least do one IM w/o the added stress of flying if possible… or at least do an easy domestic flight.
Most people here in Vermont do IMLP or IMMT as their first IM. Both can have very bad weather and both are hilly. But not having to deal with air travel is pretty sweet and many less variables to worry about.
Where do you live??
Ironman Arizona checks all of your boxes. It does sell out quick though, so make sure you sign up right when registration opens.
Thanks for the help!
I live in northern NJ, so Maryland would be about a 3.5 hr drive. Very doable. I’m leaning heavily towards this one.
Thanks for the help!
I live in northern NJ, so Maryland would be about a 3.5 hr drive. Very doable. I’m leaning heavily towards this one.
IMMD is probably the best bet (cross your fingers for good weather. The swim was canceled a few years ago when our friends did it). IM Louisville is another that gets great reviews and you could drive. But weather is no guarantee either. If you do consider IMLP it’s an amazing venue. If you book early enough you could walk a couple minutes from your accommodation to the swim course/transition/finish line. The course is indeed tough but being in northern NJ you could also do a training weekend up there to preview the entire course. The swim course has buoys all summer for swimmers. Whatever you decide, best wishes!
Edited to add this PS:
