Looking to do first IM in 2012. The choices are IM FL or IM Louisville. Any strong opinions either way?
IMFL for sure–unless NOV is an issue. Way better first race…
Do you enjoy spending most of the day in 80-90 degree weather or 60-70?
Do you enjoy hills and heat over flat and windy?
You can actually see school of fish during your swim at IMFL.
VERY different races! I much preferred IMLou over IMFL though if you are just looking for opinions.
IMLOU is brutal.
but, I’ll be there!
IMKY was my first (2010). like you, debated which of those to do…chose KY for a few reasons which are irrelevant to you.
the race was a bitch for most, and hard for me. have the advantage of training in heat & humidity 9 mos a year. so the first question is, where do you live and train? if in the northeast or cooler climates, i would strongly recommend IMFL. there is about a 1 in 2 chance that LOU could be pleasant which means there’s a 1 in 2 chance it will be hellish. in '10 it was high 90’s heat index. i believe it had the highest DNF ratio of all IM’s in 2010 but don’t quote me. i had a nice race w/exception to the run which cost me and most humans. (5:08)
another question is how are you w/the swim? LOU’s swim is probably the easiest in IM. yeah, it’s in the crappy ohio river, but it’s a RIVER with jump in start. it’s so much less intimidating AND faster.
the town and race itself was great. the bike course is beautiful - yes hilly. run is flat.
Spectated IM KY 2009 (cool year)
Participated (DNF) IM KY 2010 (ridiculously hot)
Spectated IM FL 2010 (so cold)
Spectated IM KY 2011 (pretty hot)
Louisville is the better race hands down; it’s not even a contest.
I wouldn’t say LOU swim is easier, it’s no wetsuite, you can’t see past your eblow the water is so murky, so drafting is pretty much impossible. And if you don’t like heat, STAY AWAY from LOU, it’s RIDICULOUS!!! I did it in 2010 and DNF because of the heat.
Did IMFLA 3x’s loved it. Sun, beach in November. Beautiful condo’s for dirt cheap. Nice ocean swim, flat bike but fun, flat run, but it’s nice seeing palm trees and the aid station crowds are fun. Did IMLOU once…baking hot…even in the dirty swim…LOL. Loved the bike course, run boring, downtown cement, hot…yuck!
Did IMFL in '04, '06, '09 and IMKY this year.
I much prefer 5 days at the beach over 5 days in a central business district.
Louisville is the better race hands down; it’s not even a contest.
Agreed. Done both an Lou is awesome. I found the swim at Lou much easier that IMFL, even with the mourky water. If you choose IMFL, pray that you do not get the cold weather we glad last year. I would gladly be Lou hot of IMFL cold.
Does it have to be one of these two? Why? Curious.
This is just my personal opinion, but these in my view are the two least attractive IM races in North America. Both are very well run events as all the IM races are, but there are a several of, (again in my personal view), the others that are “better”.
Care to list your fav’s? (That aren’t sold out already)
Does it have to be one of these two? Why? Curious.
This is just my personal opinion, but these in my view are the two least attractive IM races in North America. Both are very well run events as all the IM races are, but there are a several of, (again in my personal view), the others that are “better”.
Okay, so throw IMAZ and IMCOZ in the mix, since they are in the same timeframe as IMFL. Which one of these would be the preferred IM?
In no particular order, my favorite IM’s in North America are:
IMC ( actually that is #1 - by a long shot)
IMLP
IMCDA
IMSG
IMMT (I think that Mount Tremblant has real potential to be a great event)
For me it’s a combination of, the course, the logistics of the race, the history, time of year, and some other issues.
The knock I have heard on IMAZ is the course is not that great - compared to the scenary of say, IMLP or IMC. Otherwise it’s got a lot going for it. The move to the fall was much better for timing/weather.
Don’t know a lot about IMCOZ. I have heard that there are some amazing deals on accommodation and like IMFL because it’s the shoulder season the pricing and the availability is outstanding - compared to someother races where accommodation can become a real issue.
I’ve done IMFL 3 times and IMLou twice. IMLou is by far a tougher course. I did it in 2007 and 2009 and both times it was unrelentingly hot! In 2007 I saw so many pros walking part of the run. The bike is rolling and pretty challenging. The run has some nice parts and some not so nice parts. Louisville is a cool little town and it is a pretty cool finish.
IMFL is at the beach! I race almost every year at Panama City Beach. I love it. Tons of cheap hotels that time of year. The swim is great and the course is flat. That being said, IMFL is traditionally a draft fest.
If you just want the experience? IMFL. If you would like to compete? IMLou. I am thinking of doing both this year.
I’ve done IMFL 3 times and IMLou twice. IMLou is by far a tougher course. I did it in 2007 and 2009 and both times it was unrelentingly hot! In 2007 I saw so many pros walking part of the run. The bike is rolling and pretty challenging. The run has some nice parts and some not so nice parts. Louisville is a cool little town and it is a pretty cool finish.
IMFL is at the beach! I race almost every year at Panama City Beach. I love it. Tons of cheap hotels that time of year. The swim is great and the course is flat. That being said, IMFL is traditionally a draft fest.
If you just want the experience? IMFL. If you would like to compete? IMLou. I am thinking of doing both this year.
I’d be surprised if it got over 75 degrees that day in 2009.
The main reason is I’d drive to both (live in Indianapolis). WI is sold out. Was thinking of making a family vacation to IMFL but did not realize it is quite that cold in November. IM Louisville is probably my choice.
I’ve done both (well, most of IM Lou anyway). Florida can be cold. I think it’s pretty chilly this year and was the year I did it.
Swim: Florida’s swim is ocean, somewhat big waves/swells. Louisville swim is the easiest swim I’ve ever done. Super easy to swim straight/sight. Can have a current (there was a slight one this year), but it depends on what they do with the channel.
Bike: Louisville has hills, but they aren’t bad. Almost all uphills are preceded by a downhill, so if you are comfortable hammering down hills in the aero position, then the uphills are really NOTHING. I had a friend from Oklahoma do the race and she wasn’t very comfortable descending fast in the aero position so the uphills were a little more significant for her. The Lou bike course was pretty nice. Some congestion on the out and back section (a little dangerous with so many people on the course and riding super aggressively for so early in the course). Florida has drafting. And can be windy.
Run: Pretty similar runs, but Lou can be HOT. Both two loops, mostly out and back. Some spectators along the course, but neither has tons.
I liked both races for different reasons. I’m planning on IMFl again next year, and someday will go back to IMLou.