i don’t understand the need to put down the venue. many people love it.
I do not think it is a put down
are the races to big ?
Sign up a year in advanced is weird
can you get your money back if you can’t race ?
is it hard not to draft with all the folks on the course ?
I don’t think a long course develops ones speed
lots of folks race only once and leave the sport
The price is a little high and the profit does not go to charity.
it takes a lot of time training
their are other races to try
Is an iron distance realy good for your health ?
Do iron distance racers live longer then sprint racers ?
it is a freeking company and they make lots and lots of money putting on the race. they are just like Ford or GM .
I love racing IM’s and the fees are actually low in comparison to what you get at the event.
However, IM has become an over-exposed marketed brand. Everyone that “does” triathlons wants to do an IM. Ten or fifteen years ago, IM’s were the bastion of the hard core triathlete. Today, any first year fat slob can register and complete an IM’s. Have you seen the shape most IM triathletes are in? So whatever was “special” or unique about IM is long LONG gone. There are people who train for a few months, do an IM, and then run out and get tattoos so they call tell the world they are special. And why? Because they can. All it takes is a credit card and registering before the race closes to do an IM. And when you get there, you have 17 hours to complete the race. SEVENTEEN hours to complete it. Honestly, old men and an old nun can walk that event in under 17 hours. So basically, with the right pace and a basic nutrion program, anyone can finish an IM.
If you are going to do an IM, then you have to do it for yourself.
I myself are taking a year ot two off of IM. And IF or when I come back I am only going to race non IMNA races. There are so many better venues out there.
That depends. Devil Mountain, definitely. Davis, a stroll in the park… well OK, an all-day stroll!!
It also depends on your strengths and weaknesses. The running is my downfall, or has been for the last fifteen years. So I’d rather bike an extra 88 than run 26.
Instead of signing up for an IM race, volunteer for it.
Totally agree. I got physically and mentally burned out from IM’s a few years ago and took a break, volunteered the next year at LP as a wetsuit stripper and finish line catcher and had a blast. Also made me want to do IM again.
I won’t say it was more or less difficult than an IM, but it was certainly on par. It was an …interesting day
the fun and challenge for the money was certainly a much better deal than an IM. I rode out my front door, did the event, and rode back home 13 or 14 hours later. $50, signed up the week before, all you can eat at well-stocked aid stations throughout the day, a beautiful course that beats any IM course I’ve ever been on, and best of all - no crowding. plus, they gave you a cool T-shirt at the end with no corporate logos on it.
Nice. Well put. I think we tend to overanalyze things. Like Kittycat said, it’s really a personal preference if you like to go long, go short, or go whatever distance. Some people like to smoke cigarettes and drink whiskey while some do not. Some like the color pink…some do not. Some like to do IM, some do not. Personally, I don’t analyze things all that much - either I like it or I don’t. As long as it’s legal it doesn’t matter to me…very simple.
“I’ve done a few doubles and none of them were even close to the difficulty of an IM”
DMD - The Devil Mountain Double. 200+ miles and 20,000+ feet of climbing. The first finisher last year came it just under 12 hours, and he’s a pro rider. Not only do you need lighting equipment for this one, but you’ll need a ride home because you won’t be able to work the pedals in your car after it’s over.
Other than that, I tend to agree with you. I’d trade 88 bike miles to avoid running 26.2 any day of the week.
20,000k would be a killer. The hilliest double I did had about 12k of climbing and it was a piece of cake compared to IM. Like you, running 26.2 is tough for me no matter how I look at it.
Oooh, oooh, ooooh, tell me about the one with 5000. I’m OK with Davis, Death Valley and Solvang, but I don’t want to do DMD or Terrible Two, because I’m just not that fond of climbing or riding in the dark. I’m OK with starting in the dark with a large pack of riders, but not with finishing in the dead of night.
I figure at DMD they’d be setting up for next year’s ride by the time I got back.
“i don’t understand the need to put down the venue.”
It’s not the venue, it’s the genre. And it’s IMNA more than just the distance. There are non-IMNA Ironman races (I refuse to call an Ironman anything but an Ironman, regardless of the company staging the event) that you can enter closer to race day.
“the only person faulted for your signing up and bailing is you…not the event.”
Sure, but if you have a bad crash, death in the family or other serious event, IMNA tells you to pound sand, like they so desperately need your money for a race you now can’t do for reasons outside your control. That’s just wrong, especially when you have to sign up a year in advance.
“as for registering a year in advance, that’s how it is. as for the fee–it’s a huge event, i kind of understand the big race fee.”
No argument with the fee, only the “no refunds no how” philosophy.
“a 140.6 mile event shouldn’t be for everyone”
Amen to that. Too many people get into the sport and go for IM their first or second year. Bad idea - matriculate, grow with the sport.
“rather then get all negative about it.”
I didn’t take it that way. This is a discussion forum on the sport of triathlon, and I think this sort of opinion-sharing is healthy. Hopefully some newbies will read this thread and decide to have some fun with Olys instead of trying to go IM in their first year.
i don’t understand the need to put down the venue. many people love it. the only person faulted for your signing up and bailing is you…not the event.
as for registering a year in advance, that’s how it is. as for the fee–it’s a huge event, i kind of understand the big race fee. as for training, IMO, if someone enjoys riding their bike for hours on end, running long, etc, then it could be a great event for them. as for the money, yes, it’s an expensive proposition.
and yes, for that reason plus other reasons, ironman is not for everyone. but a 140.6 mile event shouldn’t be for everyone to begin with. just like climbing Mt Everst isn’t for everyone, neither is ironman.
but if it is for someone and they complain about the company that puts the events on, remember there are off brand iron distances. there are adventure events, long cycling challenges, all sorts of events if a person just looks for them.
it seems healthier to just say, “this isn’t for me, so i’m out” rather then get all negative about it. many people enjoy it, but it’s not for you, and that’s that. it’s not that big of a deal IMO.
As far as not getting refunds, most of the races I do (both tris and xc-ski races) claim they will give no refunds regardless of the reason. It is my understanding that most of the expenses to put on an IM are already paid for well before race day…if this is true, the $450 you pay to enter is spent well before the race happens. I’m not saying I would like it if IMNA didn’t refund my $$ if I had a serious illness, death in the family, etc. but I do understand their reasoning.
Elwood, thank you for saying those things in my defence. I affirm what you wrote and want to make it clear that I am not putting anyone or anything down. I am mearly trying to discuss relevant topics of a triathlon lifestyle. I’m not looking for people to say NYSLIM you are right… I’m just hoping this spawns thought because as you said it best:
“Too many people get into the sport and go for IM their first or second year. Bad idea - matriculate, grow with the sport.”
Having done just under 10 Ironman’s and now in my 30’s I look back and wish I would have paid more attention to speed and not gone long so early.
Do you all think Macca would now be a sub-8 guy if he didn’t do Olympic distance races all those years. What would have happened if Macca just started with IM in his early 20’s? We may never know but I think it is safe to say that over-all development is a good thing. Do you think Simon Lessing would have broken the record at LP if he didn’t have a huge background in prerequiste speed at the shorter distances? True he did Nice early but… I also want to say that I am friends with Graham Fraser and I want to make it clear that IM North America races are top-notch events that do a great job of (his words paraphrased) making people feel special and dreams come true. No put-downs to anyone doing, managing or volunteering an IM event but I just wanted to point out that it is not the only thing to do in the sport. I wonder how many people ignored other events? How many people know who placed third at the Olympics in triathlon? How many people pay attention to the other events? How much are we controlled by the masses and triathlete peer pressure? Who is more deserving of recognition? Olympic distance or Ironman distance or duathletes… Macca, Kemper or VanSteelant?
I’m in the same boat. Started feeling really guilty leaving my family at home for a 5 hr bike ride. I’ve done 4 IM’s, and may/may not do another one. I love the sport, but the regimented training finally got to me. It started to feel like a job, and not “fun”. Do I think IM’s are healthy??? Nope…I know we’re really fit, but it’s not healthy IMO. Honestly, we’re all just guinea pigs. The sport’s new enough that we don’t have the data yet to see what could happen to us down the road, doing IM’s for years.
I think IMNA/NAS does a great job (keep in mind the Boston Marathon is $200!!!) for the price. Yes, many/most races offer NO refunds. As a RD, we do spend most/all of the money in advance of the race. You’ve reserved a spot, it’s 3 weeks from the race, and now you want a refund? It’s too late to fill the spot, and you’ve spent the money. I totally understand people’s frustration with this, but they do need to see both sides of it.
I LOVED doing IM’s when I focused on them. The journey to get to the starting line was something I’ll never forget. Great fun. I would certainly continue to encourage people who want to do them to keep at it! But, there is a life outside of IM. I put on 4 Half IM’s, 2 Oly’s, and 3 sprints. I love all of those distances. I still think sprints, Oly’s, and Halfs are a great part of a healthy life, with a great challenge. But, won’t beat you up too badly. Plus, you can race a lot more…
I think there’s something for everyone in the sport. That’s the great part! Do what you do, but just make sure you ENJOY it. Life’s too short!!! Be thankful you’re healthy enough to be a participant. For me, it’s all about being able to do this stuff now. That may be just me justifying my diminishing speed, but that’s ok:)