Anyone have any thoughts on Vineman for my first iron distance? Im in So Cal so this would certainly be an economical choice. Also I would have at least a chance at getting in, sign ups start in Nov i think. Would love to do IMAZ but i am doing O-side 70.3 right before and AZ is sold out.
I’m also in SoCal and was thinking about doing this race for my first IM. I hear you can register almost last minute also which is a plus.
Vineman is a well run race in a beautiful venue. While I highly recommend it, please know that it is not a big event like you would find at an “Ironman” race. You will not find any huge Ironman village or volunteers to rip off your wetsuit. You will also not have hundreds of people passing you on the bike or a constant flow of runners. But there will be plents of people on the course. Signing up the day before can be a huge advantage in a race distance that often causes injuries that lead to withdrawing from the race before you even start.
Get a room early, sign up late. You can always cancel the room.
Depending on what happens in my training, I may join you for my 9th Full Vineman.
The post by Karl is accurate about being a well-run race, in a beautiful place, and you can sign up for it at the last minute. There are some things, you should know about this race however. I do one of the Vineman races every year (since its inception, which is a very long time). Along with the Full Vineman race, there is an all woman’s half marathon (Barb’s Race), a Full Aqua Bike (2.4mile swim, 112 mile bike) and a Half Aqua Bike (1.2mile swim, 56 mile bike). The Full Vineman and the Full Aqua Bike start at the same time and the other two races start about 1-1/2 hours later. So…you have plenty of company (especially if you are a slow swimmer) on the bike course until you start the 2nd loop. Then it gets lonely, and you start wondering if you are going the right way. The run especially gets this way, which is a 3 loop hilly course. The difficulty of this run is greatly underplayed, described as rolling hills. These are NOT rolling hills. These are steep little hills, linked together in a concentrated area which you just don’t need in a full ironman distance run. And you have to run these hills THREE TIMES. Then the problem of darkness occurs. If you can finish in 12 to 12-1/2 hours, you will be ok, only having to deal with the terrain (this is the hardest run I have ever done in an Ironman, by the way, and I have done 12 of them since 1983 when I started). These are country roads, no streetlights at all. You definitely need a flashlight or headlamp. The other problem is that the aid station people start leaving early, and if you are out there a very long time, like in the 14 to 17 hour range, that’s when you need them most.
so, in summary, if you think you might be out there longer than 12-1/2 hours, I would sign up for another Ironman.
I did the full Vineman a few weeks ago (race report here) and can vouch for almost everything that triswmbkrn had to say about it, especially the hills and darkness (for late finishers) on the run course. However, it was my experience that:
a) It definitely gets dark out there, and I saw some folks running with headlights, but I personally had no trouble running without one. Remember, you do the same route SIX times (3 out and back loops) so by the time it gets dark you pretty much have the course memorized. And there is so little car traffic that you can literally run right in the middle of the country road.
b) I didn’t finish until about 9:45, a good hour later than “planned” and about an hour after dark. Even bringing up the rear, I found all the aid stations still fully manned and fully stocked. The ones out in the boonies were lit with propane lanterns, giving off a nice friendly glow in the darkness. You could tell that the volunteers were getting tired but they were still upbeat and encouraging.
Having zero experience with other IM courses I can’t say if Vineman is “good” for a first iron distance race. However, for me (age 57, third year doing triathlons, under trained for the marathon) I can say that I had an absolutely great time the whole day, never once even thought about quitting, and would definitely do it again.
Dan
I agree with all posts. I did Barb’s race last year and the full this year–a great experience. I finished in the dark with all aid stations open. If you are a reluctant swimmer, this is the perfect first time venue. It is a lonely course, though, very low key. I actually prefer smaller events, but if you need crowds to keep you going, this one isn’t it. Good luck
Anyone have any thoughts on Vineman for my first iron distance? Im in So Cal so this would certainly be an economical choice. Also I would have at least a chance at getting in, sign ups start in Nov i think. Would love to do IMAZ but i am doing O-side 70.3 right before and AZ is sold out.
congrats first of all on committing to doing an ironman! big decision – hope everyone in your life is on board.
oceanside is a great race – a taste of ironman, and a tough early season race. cold water! hilly bike. i did it as my first triathlon 2 years ago. this year i did my first ironman – vineman. i’m also here in so cal.
vineman this year was a great 1st ironman. i had a busy year (marriage, new house) and was a bit undertrained and felt it on the run. but with no swim background before triathlon, the swim was the nicest swim i’ve ever had – even better than the pool. granted, my only other triathlons were oceanside 70.3 (cold cold but proteced) and la tri (last year, cold and huuuuge waves).
the vineman swim was warm and easy to sight with shore and cones nearby. beautiful tree lines river, no noticeable current. never felt too crowded with the wave starts.
the bike has some rollers/small hills but definitely stretches of flat to really fly and get in a groove. well stocked aid stations.
the run is definitely hilly. and if you’re a big sweater like me, your biggest enemy will be being out there a long time and slowly getting drained. i was hurting by mile 80 on the bike - not physically but i lost my desire to drink or taking anything in – my gi system was slowsly shutting down. after the first loop (9miles) of the run i was beat…limped half run/walk the 2nd loop and just walked the last loop.
support was great, volunteers fantastic, course beautiful and reasonably priced compared to ironman. lots of beautiful winerys for family and friends to enjoy. definitely recommend vineman as a first ironman. but if you’re big on the cachet of an “ironman” brand race, then CDA or AZ are closed to california…
john
Family support…my wife thinks i am nuts doing sprints!!! I guess I can keep her stocked full of wine and that will keep her happy. I imagine my donation to the M dot PR machine in Oceanside will satisfy that urge (doubtful) so the race doesn’t have to be a big to do to get my motivation. Great advice everyone. Now I have to figure out a way to sell my wife on our next “family vacation”.
"Now I have to figure out a way to sell my wife on our next “family vacation”. "
Where are you going? I will buy her. I need a wife.