i’m planning on racing imwi next year. i’ve been to madison plenty of times, but never to witness the event. we live 2.5 hours away. this will be my first IM. because of commitments, we have to travel on sunday morning and leave by 4 on sunday afternoon. i plan on doing an on-course training camp next summer.
is it worth getting up at 4 to drive and see the race unfold first hand on sunday?
I think so…
The best parts of the race as a spectator in my opinion are 6:30-7:30 in the waterfront and 9pm to midnight at the finish line. The Old Sauk Road hill is pretty great during the heart of the bike leg.
Yes, without a doubt. If nothing else, it gives you some really solid mental pictures to help with the next 12 months of training.
The swim spectacle is enough to warrant going. Be sure to wander over to T1 for awhile. But, come back to see the folks who miss the cutoff (heartbreaking).
Go ahead and take a nap while they’re out on the bikes or go out for a run along the lake. I’m look forward to seeing the Swedish Doodes come through and see how Harju holds up to that onslaught. Something tells me that this year it won’t be so easy for him to put minutes up on the whole field.
Later, find a quiet spot on the run course (I’ll be out by the front of Camp Randall) and pick a few folks to wait and cheer for. Watch closely and you’ll see more than a few get stronger throughout the day. Many will crumble. Most all will finally succeed. It gives me shivers just thinking about it.
It’s worth it.
-jeff
Yes
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if you’ve never watched one before, go for sure.
i agree with the other poster who said you’ll at least go away with some great mental images that will keep you motivated through the cold, dark winter.
My ex-girlfriend did the race last year. We made a road trip out of it by taking our time driving out to WI (from NC) and back. The day I spent as a spectator was simply fantastic. I had a wonderful time. I almost wish it could have lasted longer. I was never bored during the 17 hours I watched the race. For example: While I was waiting for the first biker to come in, I bought a piece of fruit at a vending cart. A woman walked up beside me asked the vendor if he could break a $100 bill. He couldn’t but I could, so I offered to do the exchange. When I realized the woman was PNF, I nearly lost all self-control. I know it sounds like a small thing, but there were a lot of small things like that during the day. The entire day was fun and inspirational.
The only problem I see is that you’ll miss some of the good action if you leave at 4:00PM. I think you’ll miss the first finishers. I really enjoyed seeing the first finishers and the last bikers.
Make sure you cheer loud for the old, slow, balding, chubby guy in bib 1067…
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i drove in from Atlanta yesterday … i’m a peeler for the swim … then the rest of the day all over the course … in my opinion - totally worth it
Great fun to watch, it’s going to be nasty hot again this year. Normal high temp is around 75F but they are talking near 90F with heat index of 95F. My friends did it 2 years ago when it was almost this warm and I believe that there were 350 DNFs, most ever at any IM N.America iron distance event. The hills on the bike leg are going to cook people.
Ill be on one of the press moto bikes… definitely worth it.
Volunteer at the race - it is even better than watching. You get to be up close and personal with the athletes. I volunteered at IMF one year and was so inspired I was on the computer the next day signing up for the following year’s race. I was volunteering in the transition area - the great side benefit was that the next year, I already knew how everything worked in the transition areas since I had seen it first-hand when volunteering.
Honestly - volunteering is awesome fun! Especially if you can be a wetsuit peeler or finish line person. But any job is good. I’d do it again in a heart beat.
I plan on heading out to Old Sauk Pass to watch some of the bike. Does anyone know where I might park to do so? Do people park on Old Sauk along the side of the road and then walk. That’s my plan for now, I’m just not sure it I’ll be allowed to do that. Anyone know?
Dan
Based on my family’s actions last year, you should be able to park on Old Sauk Rd just East of Timber Lane or on one of those residential sideroads right there. Then you can walk to the B/tch or all the way to the Old Sauk Pass hill. You’ll get the shade on Old Sauk Pass - not on the closer hill - so it would be worth the walk if you are going to spend any time there.