Vineman 1/2 Iron 2006

Triathlon Forum
1

Hey,

I’m going to be living in San Francisco next summer and would like to do the Vineman in July. The main reason I choose this event was the close proximity to the city. This will be my first half iron.

I was talking to a friend in the city and she felt that it might not be a good first 1/2 iron event. She said there was something about this event that I might want to consider another one in California. I thought it might be the course setup or participants (meaning fast pace??) but couldn’t come up with anything. This biggest problem I assumed would be, as it’s a popular event, it will sell out.

Can anyone offer any thoughts on Vineman. As mentioned this would be my first event so I don’t expect great results (MOP for sure).

Thanks for your time.

2

Your friend just said “there is SOMETHING about Vineman,” but then wouldn’t tell you what?

That is weird. I’ve never heard anything but props for the race. I am looking forward to doing next year as part of the 70.3 series.

3

Thoughts on Vineman: awesome race, somewhat logistically challenging in that there are two transition areas, but nothing a smidge of planning (and following of directions) can’t overcome.

Unique river swim, challenging but not overwhelming bike course, and a run that is similar in that it’s not a killer but will give you a good test. This was also my first HIM back in 2001 and I’ve been back twice since, and will again next year, and the year after, and so on.

Plan your accomodations accordingly—don’t wait until the last minute for that. IIRC, the race sold out in early June (?) so plan with that in mind as well.

Two thumbs way, way up on this race.

4

Great race. Great location. The only issue is if it is hot like this year was, (and it could have been hotter), I know the run became REAL tough for me.

Would say it may be one of the best 1/2M races!!

Dave

5

**Would say it may be one of the best 1/2M races!! **

As well as one of the most competitive. Who was that age-grouper that won…?

:slight_smile:

6

He was too far ahead of me to see him. Maybe I will see him for a few seconds at the californiaman

Dave

7

Yeah, you and me both!

Should be a fun day on the 17th…I’m sure we’ll have a nice warmup that weekend since it has been so relatively cool the past few weeks!

8

Sorry might not have explained clearly enough. When I say “something”, it was not in a negative sense. She thought the course might be tough for a first 1/2 iron. We simply didn’t know 100% about Vineman and she thought I should think/post/research more about the event.

Regarding the rest of the post’s, it looks like I’ll do it if I can get in. As mentioned I imagine it sells out in a hurry.

Thanks for your time!

9

It doesn’t sell out in a day, so don’t stress about that. It’s a big race but not one that you have to camp out online to get into.

It’s a challenging course—let’s face it, any HIM would be unless it was all downhill, and that would end up hurting on the run—but not daunting. The swim is in a body of water that you could walk in if you really needed to, current is negligible and it’s about as safe an open water venue as you can think of. The bike has one decent sized hill that comes at mile 45, so as the race literature says “it keeps you honest”. But the rest is either flat or rolling hills. The run also has some rollers in it but is not too difficult unless it does get real warm, which it can do.

Do not let anyone scare you away from this one.

10

I agree Mike. But, if you want to call the “hills” hills, I kept asking where were they, since living in the foothills is nothing but hills.

I will have my flower at the T2 bike transistion. Stop by and say hello, assuming I make it that far. :o) Never ridden my bike more than 58 miles.

Dave

11

Dave:

You doing the full? I’m “just” doing the half…prepping for IMF.

12

Did it for the forst time this year- my 3rd Half… great race. Swim is kinda weird, but fine. Bike is fast… I live on a FLAT island and had no problem on the ‘hills’. Run is a challenge- but nothing too bad really. Some good training and some hill running gets this course done. But there is the heat factor… not an issue for me, but it can get hot out there and dismantle a race plan in ten minutes… so plan for that. It is the only variable

Weeman

13

Mike, yep, going to try the full. Think of me when you are done. I will not even be half way yet.

And, I am praying for a cool, non wind day. :o)

dave

14

I’ll make sure to look for you and cheer you on a bit…

Yeah, cool, non-windy day…in Davis…in mid-September. What would be the odds on that? Any takers? :wink:

Best of luck—I’ll be on my new BP Stealth (presuming I get all the kinks worked out between now and then) so it should be easy to pick out of the crowd!

15

Odds are one in a million, but who would have guessed the KC nationals would have been rained out?

Dave

16

I did Vineman 1/2 this year and I loved it. Well put together, and a fun bike course. I’m not sure why someone would think it wouldn’t be good for your first half…but then again, everyone has an opinion.

17

My second favorite race! The women’s only HIM which is on the same course a couple of weeks later is probably 70% first time HIMers, so I don’t think the course is a problem. It does get a very fast field since it’s a Kona qualifier.

clm

18

do the full !!! its awesome, a great race, a good and chalenging course, but what 112 mile ride int chalenging and best of all great fun, great atmosphere and the organizers actually spend time to talk with you. you can ask the guy who runs the race where the best places for a beer are , and also if you want to run a disc or a hed 3, these guys are the biz, do the half, do the full, just go there and have a blast,

oh yeah, if you do it defitaley go to korbel the next morning for champagne!!!