Hello all. I am on a long journey to Ironman Canada this year from the east coast. That being said, I haven’t too many locals to get advice from. I did IMLP last year as my first and loved that course. Was wondering how the 2 compare.
The IMLP course is “harder” than IMC - just based on times. What I think it comes down to on both of these courses is knowing the courses and knowing how to race them. As an example - on the bike at IMLP the major climb on the loop comes right at the end of each loop, thus right at the end of the bike leg. The final 12 miles or so are almost all uphill. It’s almost the exact opposite at IMC, the final 15 miles or so is all downhill! Same with the run. There is a lot of going up in thew final half of the run at IMLP, whereas at IMC, for the most part the final 5 - 6 miles is downhill or flat. Where and when to dose the efforts is key.
If you recklessly pace yourself at IMLP, you’ll get eaten alive. While the IMC course is challenging, I would say if you know what you are doing, you can get away with things a bit more there, as the course is a bit more forgiving.
I did LP back in 2004 but have not been on the IMC course yet so the only thing I will add it that the 1 loop course at IMC has the special need well past the 1/2 way point, something like mile 70?
Gordon
I’ve done Lake Placid 4x and Canada 2x and would have to say Canada is a easier course To include the swim, bike and run. Just feels like more elbow room in Canada. Not near as much congestion in the swim or bike.
Agreed with Ironrod. I’ve done both once, back-to-back years. IMLP is a more difficult course and of course two laps of each (swim/bike/run) whereas IMC is one of each. LP has some tough climbs on the marathon too where IMC has some rollers, but nothing that I recall as long or steep on the run. IMC bike has some climbs, but as was mentioned, the last part of the bike is nearly all downhill allowing you to get a bit of last minute rest/nutrition in before the run. Of course, weather is the unknown factor. The year I did IMC (2007) the weather was ideal with temps in the 60’s and 70’s with just a bit of wind/showers in the last 20 miles of the bike. IMLP (08) it poured rain the entire day.
Except for last year with the 20 mph headwind down Yellow Lake negating the much promised speed at the end. 13mph and having to pedal… It was worse than riding back to LP along the Whiteface stretch!
Anyhow, I’ve done IMC 3X and LP 4X. I like LP better. Just personal I guess.
I have done both and would say LP is a bit slower 5 -10 min for 10hr person.
LP swim is faster, transitions longer, bike harder and run a bit easier then Canada.
Weather at Canada is usually around 90 degrees while LP is all over the map.
Over all level of competition was about the same based on my placing
i’ve done LP 3x (heading back this year for my 4th) and Canada once…
They are different mindsets, being two loop versus one. AT LP you KNOW you are facing some tough climbing near the end of the bike, so you tend to ride a bit more cautious, whereas Canada you know once you are past the 2/3’s mark, you are generally going more down then up…and you mentally know a rest is on the way, so you tend to push more.
I’d say LP swim is easier/faster, LP bike is harder physically and mentally, LP run is tougher…
I prefer LP as the two loop tends to break up the course a bit, but doing the one loop course in Canada, you really feel like you are a long way from town, so it is mentally just different.
Both great courses, both test your fitness and reace preparation in different ways. Both very worth doing.
Pacing the ride at IMC is key. It is mainly a highway ride so I think about 8 right angle or greater turn (compared to 56 at IMCdA) so it can be really fast. The winds make a big difference depending on which way they are blowing. South down the valley means warm swim & slow bike - north means cold swim & fast bike. The ride down to Richter is where people push too hard and the out and back in Cawston is the most overlooked part of the course.
The swim has lots of space and a serious drafting current. The run is beauiful along the lake. The area around the halfway point has a hilly stretch going in and out of OK Falls and the half way point.
Not that this is new information at any IM, but the number one comment of the lost at IMC, “I PBed the swim and I just rocked the bike. I felt just great and then…blah, blah blah…and my run fell apart”
Good luck, have fun and see you there.
I’ll take IMLP any day over IMC. Mentally on the run at IMC, Skaha lake never ends. Done IMLP 10x and IMC 6x. IMC for me is generally 15 minutes faster (transition ~ 1 min faster, bike 10 min faster, run 4-5 min faster). LP has more hills in the wrong places, nevertheless even though LP is slower and hillier, I like it more. Visually I like the greenery at LP and I like the humid climate better. IMC is dry and you don’t really know how much fluid you are losing (sweat is not visually aparent).
The heavier you are, the faster your time gets at IMC relative to LP, just cause you are doing less vertical (simply physics). Finally, I like the town of LP better than Penticton. Penticton is nice, but Lake Placid is just plain better being an Olympic city and a ski resort.
Dev
Canada you know once you are past the 2/3’s mark, you are generally going more down then up…and you mentally know a rest is on the way, so you tend to push more.
Maybe it’s the metric system but at 150km I was putting out 290 watts getting up Yellow Lake, if only the last 60 km’s were mostly downhill. I would say between 155km - 170km is mostly down hill, the last 10k’s is usually into a tough headwind.
I’ll take IMLP any day over IMC. Mentally on the run at IMC, Skaha lake never ends. Done IMLP 10x and IMC 6x. IMC for me is generally 15 minutes faster (transition ~ 1 min faster, bike 10 min faster, run 4-5 min faster). LP has more hills in the wrong places, nevertheless even though LP is slower and hillier, I like it more. Visually I like the greenery at LP and I like the humid climate better. IMC is dry and you don’t really know how much fluid you are losing (sweat is not visually aparent).
The heavier you are, the faster your time gets at IMC relative to LP, just cause you are doing less vertical (simply physics). Finally, I like the town of LP better than Penticton. Penticton is nice,** but Lake Placid is just plain better being an Olympic city and a ski resort. **
Dev
well, this wont supprise you but i disagree. The city of penticton is simply specatcular in scenery and with those 2 giant lakes…i prefer our little town to lake placid… and it s simply more spectacular course to look at.
that said…lake placid is one amazing race…imc imlp are about the best you can find for racing…