Best and worst ironman races: poll

Triathlon Forum
1

I’ve done 13 of these things, and I’m curious to see what other people think of the races they’ve done so…

What are the best and worst ironman races you have ever done, in these catergories:

swim:

bike :

run:

For me,

Swim: best - Kona (love those tropical fish…)

     worst - Ironman Australia (I'm a triathlete, not a wrestler)

Bike: best - Canada (love the hills, and less drafting)

     worst - Ironman Australia (no hills, potholes aren't fun, don't like riding in a peloton)

Run: best - NZ (check out the view…)

    worst - Kona (energy lab...my ass)
2

you like the run in nz? i find it quite boring! i train on it about once a week.

3

worst - Ironman Australia (I’m a triathlete, not a wrestler)
Take up knitting instead, nancy boy!

4

Swim too rough at IM Australia ??

You seppo’s are a pack of poofta’s.

5

Pretty hard to comment as I have only done races in 2 different Countries. That being Australia and NZ.

But for me

Swim - NZ

Bike - Australia

Run - NZ

Crowd - NZ

Finish line - Australia

The issue at Australia isn’t the crowded swim, it’s the shallow/dirty water. The NZ bike course is worst than Australia. And the Run at Australia is really dark for the late finishers. In NZ there is only one dark section (At the far end) and other than that there are lights.

And before you say run faster Roxi, Piss off.

6

re:the aussie swim leg

Hey i feel for you snookems. Give this ago then-

http://www.lawnbowls.net/

rs

7

Any race except IM Florida! Hell, I’d race in Siberia or Waco, Texas before I’d go back to Panama City Beach.

-Robert

8

could you translate Seppo and poofta?

9

could you translate Seppo and poofta?

Seppo is ;american–>yank–>septic tank–>seppo

poofta is; a gay guy aka horses hoof.

hope this helped

10

Yes thanks…why do you call them a horse’s hoof? sorry for the questins…I find the slang references very interesting.

11

its rhyming slang

cause im in a good mood i will give out the translation to the aussie language

http://www.lexscripta.com/desktop/dictionaries/slang.html

dont tell anyone ok?

12

http://goaustralia.about.com/cs/language/a/rhymingslang.htm

this is better
.

13

I sure like the old Ironman Canada.

15

dont know
.

17

I’ve only completed TWO Ironman’s to date, but I would have to agree. Worst: Best way I can explain it is: Ironman Florida was my first IM. I lost my virginity (IM) there but wouldn’t go back for seconds. No matter how desperate I was. The event was run well. The volunteers were nice. It is just a disgusting area. The beaches are beautiful but the second you exit the sand there’s nothing to see or do for miles! The whole experience was such a let down. We are very fortunate here in North America to have so many choices.

Best: I just returned from Lake Placid…Incredible! The swim is brilliant, love having a pseudo lane line the entire swim. The bike is tough, scenic…the run is “hilly” (for me at least) and tough. I loved the entire course and my family and I stayed for a week to enjoy the area after the race. The volunteers and support was the best in any race I"ve been to. I loved it and would do it and recommend that race for anyone who asked.

-bz

IM Florida-

19

Swim: Best = Kona (the sea life was awesome…so was the beautiful woman swimming stroke for stroke next to me), Worst = Wisconsin (kinda murky and not that pretty)

Bike: Best = Canada (it’s a classic 1-loop affair with great climbs and plenty of heat), Worst = Florida (I only trained there, but it’s ugly. Besides, I like CdA, LP, Wis, IMC, and Kona.

Run: Best = Lake Placid (I love running through that town), Worst = Wisconsin (I thought Camp Randall Stadium was really weird)

The truth is that “worst” is a very relative term since I really loved all the events. Next spring I’ll try my first international race in South Africa…

20

Swim = Ironman Canada, Bike = Roth, Run = Roth, total experience = Roth. I’ve done IMC 5 times, Ironman LP 5 5 times and Roth once, way back in 1993. Hope to head back to Roth in 2006.

Dev

21

Any race except IM Florida! Hell, I’d race in Siberia or Waco, Texas before I’d go back to Panama City Beach.

I am doing IMFL, and would be interested in knowing the problems you encountered/issues you had, so I can be prepared. Thanks.

22 
 You'll love South Africa - I did the 1/2 last year and it was my favorite overall race, and if there was a catagory for best vacation after an Ironman, it would have to be IM South Africa.
23

Jon,

Please hit me offline with recommendations for travel, lodging, etc.

My wife has lived in Cape Town, but I don’t know much about P.E.

What’s the course like?

Cheers,

Jonathan C. Puskas