. . . is apparently still open. What is the verdict? Is this race worth doing, especially if IMOO is difficult to get into for next year?
Wow! So this is not an ST endorsed event.
f*&k that, I am in for Wisconsin, its go time jackass.
Deeg
Having done both IMWI and IMlou, I would say that this is a comparable event experience to IMWI and I will definitely do both races again.
I think you hit it on the head. I believe many people will wait and see what happens with IM WIS. At IM WIS you will get to wear the wetsuit and do not have to battle the river current. I think that makes it more attractive to many people. I would guess IM LOU will sell out right after IM WIS fills up this year (but I personally would not chance it, kind of like gambling)
I find it kind of sad that in a sport that prides itself on endurance and challenges that people wouldn’t race because they can’t wear a wetsuit…and I am a crap swimmer.
and do not have to battle the river current
There was no current to battle.
it shouldn’t be that surprising. People also don’t (for the most part) race independent Iron distance races because it doesn’t have a M associated with it.
I agree with you, but I think we may not be the majority. I think that Slowtwitch is more of a minority than the majority.
Is it really true that there was no finisher shirt?
Yup, Cath, we were told at the finishline, NO T-SHIRT! No finisher’s NUTHIN! The post race service was pathetic compared to all the other IM’s I’ve been to.
My friend who did her first IM was a little disappointed. For some reason, they included this IM LOU event shirt and hat in the race bag, but no finishers gear.
Did you do an IMLOU report or are there any good descriptions about the race around?
Congrats!
That’s a bummer!! Of course, I’m sure you could later BUY finisher stuff.
Hope you find your phone…
I was there and spectated from 5am until 9pm. I would say that the swim and run are VERY spectator friendly, you could basically see the whole swim, the transitions and your athlete multiple times on the run. There is lots of food, and beer right at the finishline for spectators (despite at least 4-5 of the major restaurants in the 4th Street complex NOT BEING OPEN until after 4pm if at all???!?! - clearly they had no clue about the numbers IM brings).
The bike is another story. We had to drive out 20-25 miles from L-ville on the freeway to this nice little town called La Grange (yes that is ZZ Top you are hearing in your head). You could see your athlete 2x times there in the span of 1:30-2:00 depending on how fast they ride, and still make it back to watch them start the run.
What L-Ville lacked, IMHO, was an athlete’s village and finishline village like you get at LP, CDA and IMC. IM’s seem to work best in small resort towns with lots of real estate to house their stuff, and the roads do not have city-type drivers and traffic. L-Ville is an urban city, and one that is essentially closed up on weekends (except 4th Street). We had a hard time finding some chow after my friend finished her race and settled for the hotel buffet at 10 pm.
One thing that totally freaked me out was the open nature of the bike course. I will flat out say that several sections were SO DANGEROUS I COULD NOT BELIEVE WHAT I WAS SEEING. In La Grange, we witnessed at least 2 or 3 close calls between cars and bikes, as people were trying to turn into their streets, driveways, etc and athletes screaming down the road at 25 mph, weaving around the cars, hitting their brakes and trying to avoid the cars. I had to stop myself from yelling at people on the bikes to slow down, as I was so worried that someone was gonna get killed. Indeed, 2 people WERE hit by cars on the course yesterday, one is still in serious/critical condition at the hospital. I know accidents happen at these things, but on there narrow roads with LOTS of Sunday traffic driver, it’s a recipe for disaster. I dunno, I guess I’m spoiled where I live and ride.
That all said, the race organization did do a great job. Totally professional, however, the lack of a finishers shirt just sort of chaps my ass. My friend did her first and no freaking T-shirt. Just left a sour taste in my mouth. I’m thinking about making her one myself.
No Finishers medal or t shirt? Whats up with that? I guess I’ll stick with NASports IM’s.
? This is how rumors get started I guess.
HUGE, nice finishers medal. No finishers shirt, but a nice shirt with no “Finisher” crap on it. Am I the only one that doesn’t wear any of that IM Finisher crap anyway? Very nice headsweats hat (same as NAS events by the same designer (my friend) and company)
? This is how rumors get started I guess.
HUGE, nice finishers medal. No finishers shirt, but a nice shirt with no “Finisher” crap on it. Am I the only one that doesn’t wear any of that IM Finisher crap anyway? Very nice headsweats hat (same as NAS events by the same designer (my friend) and company)
I agree, and congrats on the strong performance, rroof. The medal looks great, and I have always thought that having “Finisher” plastered across the T-shirt takes something away from the accomplishment.
Overall, I would recommend Irontucky to anyone who is interested. Well organized, very challenging course (the run could use something extra to spice it up), and a great finish.
What rumor? I asked if there were a FINISHER shirt as that is what I’d heard (and by participants who were not happy about that). And, it looks like it’s true.
Believe it or not, not everyone is so above it that they might like the FINISHER shirt. Some people hate hats and would toss it (that would be me).
clm
My reply was to Ed in IL who now mentioned that no finishers medal was also given! This was simply not true and was stated. No finishers T-shirt is true and also stated. It is merely my preference to NOT wear “finishers” T-shirts. Simple as that. Just the facts.
Ah, missed the no medal sentence. Thanks for clarifying.