I’ve done IM Moo for my first, looking to do my second IM and considering between these 2. For those that have done both, which would you recommend doing? I will have no problems getting to either one, so transportation is not a deciding factor. Recommendations please, thanks.
I did AZ in november 2008 and IMF 2000, 2002, 2007 and going this year again.
I live in SC so IMF easier to get to. Both are great and relatively easy IM races.My times were 10:45 ish at FL and 10:50 at AZ. Both MOP.
Logistics seem comprable but we stayed at a rental house in AZ which was a fair distance from the race site. Panama City has the beach but the town isnt much more than a spring breakers paradise. Arizona has the mountains nearby and I liked tempe. Arizona has had some issues with the town lake but I think thats resolved. It was a colder swim but faster for me than IMF. The swim at IMF is a cluster at the beginning and it seemed that there are more first timers at Fl which makes for a bunch of knucleheads sprinting at the start and thinking they are in a MMA event rather than an IM.
The bike at Arizona is a slow climb up and fly down three loop. Not too steep and really no different than flat because you are still sitting in the aerobars for the entire race just like IMF. I like the scenery at AZ but it was rather windy compared to FL.One other nice thing is if you have a computrainer, there is a real course video for AZ and not IMF. Im sure youve heard the bitching about drafting in Florida which is true but thats a personal decision to draft or not and I think its mostly the same yahoos that sprint the swim start.
The run at AZ is deceptively hilly because of the bridges. Mentally, you really dont think about the elevation but my legs felt it.A Really flat run in FL and easy double loop through rental homes usually packed with bikers smoking cigarettes laughing at the silly little spandex people. Post race food was some pretty good steak fries at AZ but that changes from year to year. Im usually tanked on two beers within 30 minutes of finishing anyway.
If I lived closer, Id probably do AZ rather than FL but cant go wrong either way.
Thanks for the info. I’m familiar with Tempe, I have done the Soma 1/2 a few times, which I think is part of the IMAZ course. I’m totally unfamiliar with IM Florida. I’m not too worried about the swim, I’m a MOP IM overall finisher, but the swim I’m a front of the pack swimmer. Thanks again. Keep the recommendations and thoughts coming!
Haven’t done IMAZ yet (looking to register for '12), but did IMFL last year and doing it again in a month. This assessment of FL at least is pretty spot on. Good race overall though.