Next year I want to do a Ironman race, is this one a good one for a first time and is it filling up quickly.
thanks,
Stef
I guess it would be as good as any for your first IM, although my first (and my preference) is always a smaller, lower key atmosphere like Vineman. But, if you are out for the whole m-dot experience, then - sure - this would be as good a race as any. It’s not an overly challenging course.
No, it does not fill quickly. the last three years I’ve waited quite awhile after registration opened to sign-up. I think it usually takes about 2 months to fill.
I think you’re off a bit. The 2007 race filled in just a couple of days, I believe. If they have their acts together this year and registration opens the day after the race (last year it was a couple weeks after), then it will probably sell out in a day. However, there are rumors about a date change, so registration may be weird again.
Yes, it’s a good first-time course. Also a great course for spectators with the multi-loop bike and run and the swim in the canal. Less than 8 weeks to go!
-C
Arizona was open until early August - at least.
I’m sure about this, because my wife and I briefly talked about her signing up for it after she did her first half (July 23) and thought it wasn’t to bad.
stef
you will be crazy to go ahead with imAz… it s hugly race, nothing special, probably one of the more average race on the ironman series and you would have to do all the hard training in the rainy season of victoria… not a good choice at all…
you have ironman canada just next door, it s the best race in the world…the best organisation and probably the best possible experience you can think of… so get your butt in penticton this summer to watch the race and register… you will see that the choice is easy…
and if you are scare about the hills of ironman canada…well dont worrie…there is no easy ironman and you will enjoy all the rest you get from all this fun downhills… remember what i told you before…your strenght is the downhill…it s where your performe the best…better use it!!!
Yeah, IMAZ registration was open for months.
Wow, you’re right, looks like they put up a press release announcing closure on 8/30. I must just be a spaz.
-C
On the same note, I would say that IMCA is also nothing special. Lets face it, a race is a race is a race. what makes on better than than rest? Hills? Toughness of the course? They all the same thing, same type of layouts in the tansistions…etc…etc…
no worries… stef will make the call on that!!! and yes…for a canadian…ironman canada is something very special…i think it is for most people also but there is no way to compare penticton athmosphere, volunteer and city, geography, beauty of the lake, landscape, crowd, organisation to down town tempe loop course around a industrial neighboorhood…have you seen the smell and color of the water in tempe town??? im Az is a good race… but ironman canada stand on his own as one of the best race in the world…
and no…a race isnt a race…they are all different and layout are very different…i wont agree on that… and a hard course for me…it s a lot more fun than a less challenging course…but it s a personal reflection…
no worries… stef will make the call on that!!! and yes…for a canadian…ironman canada is something very special…i think it is for most people also but there is no way to compare penticton athmosphere, volunteer and city, geography, beauty of the lake, landscape, crowd, organisation to down town tempe loop course around a industrial neighboorhood…have you seen the smell and color of the water in tempe town??? im Az is a good race… but ironman canada stand on his own as one of the best race in the world…
and no…a race isnt a race…they are all different and layout are very different…i wont agree on that… and a hard course for me…it s a lot more fun than a less challenging course…but it s a personal reflection…
I agree with you that a race is certainly not just a race, and I am greatly looking forward to competing in IM Canada sometime soon, it’s always been my dream race. But AZ being a “less challenging course”? No way. There are no “less challenging” IM races. A higher percentage of the field might get a faster time at AZ vs. Penticton, but you still have to do the distance. A race is what you make it, as easy or as hard as you want. Want a hard race at IMAZ? Just start hammering. What an easy one in Penticton? Get some serious touring gears and spin up Yellow Lake with your HR less than 100.
-Colin
you are right… a race is as hard as you make it… and i will be racing ironman arizona this april. IT s a good race…a should not have said ugly race… it s not the greatest race in the world but will be a hard day for sure. I dont think the course is as hard as penticton but like you said…if we hammer the course…it s going to hurt!!!
i guess i love hilly race, it s a total personal preference and i love beautifull scenery …for me, it s not only about racing but the athmostphere and the total experience that i get out of it… but for now…i will focus on getting ready for arizona and get the best out of it!!!
my point is…for stef… do canada…just trust me on this!!!
It’s one of the easier as far as corses goes. There are rumors that it might not be until nov next year. If it’s in Nov next year it might fill up quickly but if it stays in April you will have a few months to sign up.
thank you for the Advices.
Great post. Agree 100%.
How dare you say that seeing dead wild dogs along the Beeline Highway is not beautiful scenery!?!?! What is wrong with you? Swimming in water where you sometimes can not see you hand enter the water is nice as well! C’mon jonnyo.
Wasn’t the rumor it was to be a fall race in 2008?
are you racing??? i hope to see you there!!! it will be fun…
yeah…i like training in arizona, people out there are super nice… just not my favorite race for some reason!!! must be the airplane flying over my head all day long!!!
my guess they wont announce the nov event until after the end of feb so that people wont cancel on the april event?
I will be there but I don’t know if I would call it racing. Competing is better. You will be just like Sergio. You finish top 3 and it will be your favorite race!!! The Stover’s will have to build an addition on the house! They already call the extra bedroom Johnny’s Room! I gave Gravy some hell for you this last weekend. I think he sharpened his teeth waiting for you… and Monty was chewing on a green Adidas shirt waiting for you as well.
Yeah, IMAZ registration was open for months. -Be the person your dog thinks you are!
I love your signature line. I came home from a really shitty day and my dogs were so happy to see me…one of them went on and on telling me about her crazy day of gecko chasing…they put me in a good mood because they assumed I was just as happy to see them as they were to see me…I’ll remember your line the next time I’m bitter and angry at everyting.