I was on a plane Monday during the online IM LP registration and obviously missed the registration (since it filled in 13 minutes not sure if I would have gotten a online slot even if I was at a computer). How does IM MOO compare to IM LP? I hope someone who has done both can compare the two courses, towns, spectator support, etc. Having done IM LP twice, I am curious about other races before I send the community fund forms and checks.
Thanks for the insight.
Earl
Take a look at these threads:
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=997914;search_string=IMLP%20compare;#997914
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=165172;search_string=IMLP%20compare;#165172
.
didn’t read the other threads, but FWIW, I was at the table about to sign up my sister when Graham showed up and changed the rule to only allow one to sign yourself up. I asked the lady at the table (as Graham wouldn’t talk to me when I asked him about the mis-information Melody had emailed people) about WI and she said to count on it being in person sign up only on site.
it’s anyones guess if they will release any online for that one or if they will decide to change the rules whenever they feel like it.
k
IMWI 2004, IMLP 2006
Swim: At WI you do two loops without getting out of the water. The lake is also MUCH larger, so if there’s any wind there will be a chop. There’s no rope either.
Bike: Instead of longer hills at LP, there’s a bunch of short steep stuff with a bunch of sharp turns. Definitely a more technical course than LP. The crowd support in Verona is amazing and there are a lot of folks on Old Sauk Pass cheering you on up the Col d’IMWI.
Run: LP is hillier and more rural run course. The upshot of the WI run is running by folks having dinner at the bars on State st. and running through the university.
The transitions are also in very nice ballrooms instead of a tent. The run from the swim exit to the ballrooms is a bit long if I remember, longer than IMLP.
Getting to/from WI is easier if you’re not local (I came from NJ). Flew right into Madison and got a rental car. Stayed in a hotel about 8 miles from the start for well under 100/night.
Overall, both are great races, and I’m doing LP again next year, with WI to follow the next year.
I’m just getting home from LP. Great town, course, atmosphere–you know that. Probably my new favorite. Wisconsin was my old favorite though and you should do it if you haven’t. Madison is a city vs. a small mountain town so you have a lot bigger crowds in Madison. It’s a very outdoor city so the locals are into the race. The bike has short steep climbs vs. long climbs but overall is a little easier. The run at Wis. is flat with just a few short hills–nothing like that ski jump hill a LP.
IM LP 2002, 2003, 2007 and IM WI 2006(registered 2007)
Without a doubt spectator support is better at Moo. It was 55 and raining last year but there were more people out on the course including some pretty rural areas than this year in the sunshine at LP.
It’s cheap and easy to fly into Chicago and then drive up to Madison(about 2.5 hours from Midway) and I’m staying walking distance from the start for just the 3 nights I actually need to be there. Moo will cost me less money than LP even though I live just a couple hour drive from Placid.
The course- Lake gets choppy but still not a bad swim. Bike- climb, descend, turn, repeat over and over again. Lollipop shaped w/ 14 miles(give or take) out, twice around 42 mile loop and then 14 miles back into town. They run shuttles out to Verona for your family/friends plus there is a festival out there. Run- you get to make a lap around the field at Randall Stadium. I could care less about football but that was still pretty cool plus running down State St and by Lake Mendota.
So it’s not Lake Placid but still pretty neat in it’s own right.