One of these two will be my first half IM (or should I say 70.3?). I’d love to hear from anyone with experience with one or both about any part: swag, course, overall experience, etc.
(or should I say 70.3?)
You should not say 70.3 as the ironstar bike is actually 59 miles. So maybe you can say 73.3
My colleague who offices next door said it was extremely hot at ironstar last year and many people were walking the run portion. He said portions of the roads in Montgomery county were also pretty bad too.
Myself, I will probably do ironstar. I like the idea of staying at the Del Lago resort so that the kiddies can watch parts of the race and take refuge there while I am out riding and running.
I’m doing both this year, but I haven’t done either in the past. Which is probably of no use to you whatsoever.
I’ve done dozens of Jack Weiss’ races (he’s the RD for PrarieMan) in the past and they are always well run . . . in the military discipline sort of way. The good news is, Jack doesn’t take any crap and he’s a stickler for detail. So you can expect there won’t be any mistakes, at least not ones that can reasonably be blamed on the RD. The bad news is, Jack doesn’t take any crap and he’s a stickler for detail. So you might get yelled at from time to time. If you do Prarie Man, have your documents in order, follow all the rules, make sure you don’t even say the word “bicycle” without your helmet on, and keep your head down and you should have an enjoyable race. I don’t remember hearing any complaints about this race last year (the first year it was run).
Most of Jack’s races are held at the same park (Lynn Creek Park on Joe Pool Lake), where I have raced and trained for years. The roads are in good shape, and the City of Grand Prarie is very accommodating as far as traffic control goes. The ride and the run are very flat (more than half the run is an out and back on the dam–a long, pancake flat, straight road where you can see all the way to the end), which is kind of unfortunate since some of the best (only) hills in North Texas are about 5 miles from the transition area. Apparently, the City of Cedar Hill (where the hills are) is not triathlon friendly, so the bike route turns around right at the city border.
PrarieMan is also earlier in the year (September) that Iron Star (October), so I imagine it will be hotter than Iron Star.
You might want to try asking the same question on http://www.dallastrigeeks.org/ I’m sure some of the good folks there have done both races.
I have not done the Iron Star but I did do the FKA TexasMan (now PrarieMan). Keyster is correct on the military discipline… sorry, Keyster is correct on the military disipline, sir!. The only complaint I had was the run portion last year across the damn was damn hot and not adequate in terms for hydration of nourishment. FWIW & IMO.
Actually, Jack will have little to do with this race. Tom Ryan and Dallas Athletes are the major players putting on this race, and last year they did an excellent job. It will be hot, bike course is pancake flat with smooth roads along Hwy. 360 and Lake Ridge Pkwy., and the run goes across the dam and back (8 miles) No shade, but if you wanna race fast come here. Last year the post-race food was great…Dominoes Pizza, Smoothie Factory, cookies, fruit ,etc.
Are these Wetsuit legal races?
I think IronStar was, but forget about PrairieMan. Joe Pool Lake is just too warm, even in Sept.
I’m doing the Iron Star but that is because the training program that I’m doing has that race as the goal for the program.
It’ll be my first HIM as well.
I have done them both. Ironstar is a much better venue. Joe Pool Lake in my opinion is kinda boring.
I did PM last year. The JW comments are accurate. However, I thought that the pre-race behavior of JW was frantic and unprofessional. For example, he berated racers while they lined up in the water. While ranting for 5 to 10 minutes, the race line began to drft apart and some actually were several 100 meters out into the swim when he finally started the race.
As for the dam, Jw did not provide enough nutrition. I think there was one station in the middle of the dam. Furthemore, they ran out of supplies like GU and cold water.
I would punt on both these and go up and do the Redman half in Ok City in late Sept.
Can you give some detail as to why? What’s so great about it or so bad about them? I’m in Austin, so the ones I mentioned would be about the same distance. OK would be a much further hike for me.
I did PM last year. The JW comments are accurate. However, I thought that the pre-race behavior of JW was frantic and unprofessional. For example, he berated racers while they lined up in the water. While ranting for 5 to 10 minutes, the race line began to drft apart and some actually were several 100 meters out into the swim when he finally started the race.
Don’t expect any “southern hospitality”… he’s a little gruff… but more in a Yankee-sorta way that Texan’s aren’t accustomed to. I think he puts on a good race, though.
May not make sense if you are in Austin - thought you were in Dallas area. Ironstar was wet suit legal 2003 (when I did it), bike had some real crappy roads, 59 miles, and run was somewhat hilly - nothing like BSLT (best Tri in Texas IMO). PM - not a fan of Joe Pool lake and the run across the DAM. Am sure JW or DA will do a good job. Actually saw JW at Buffalo Springs yesterday and he was tearing up the bike…on one of the out and backs heard him yelling “on your left” as as was motoring by a group (drafters) heading into the 20mph headwind.
I am contemplating doing Redman in September, but the web site doesn’t say much (except “flat” and “fast”). Do you know anything more about this than what is on the web site?
“As for the dam, Jw did not provide enough nutrition. I think there was one station in the middle of the dam. Furthemore, they ran out of supplies like GU and cold water.”
That is incorrect…there were 3 aid stations positioned across the dam, meaning you hit them a total of 6 times. I do believe the water ran low for MOP-BOP’ers, but they did their best to manage the problem. I came in @ 5:50 (major bonk) and don’t remember or hear any negatives about the race. I’m sure any logistical problems will be taken care of for this year.
If you wanna go fast ,this is the course to do it on.
Redman full IM distance:
2 loop swim in Lake Hefner (expect chop)
4 loop bike - flat (expect wind)
4 out-and-backs on the run
Redman Half is half of each of the above distances.....I live in Dallas and did IronStar last year. It was hot, but I think you would like it better than Prairie Man. It will always be hot in Dallas in September–at lease there is a chance of a decent day a month later in Houston.
I think Ironstar was a wetsuit legal race in 2003, but not last year.