My wife wants to do an Iron Man. To tell the truth I’ve never had any real desire to do one. I like the sprints/Olympic length because during the season we can participate every other weekend in an event instead of doing only one or two events a year. Plus I get to go near flat out on the bike instead of having to pace as in a long event. Still, she is determined that we should do an Iron Man. Probably not this year, but likely the next. I’m not really enthused about it, but then at least I could say that I’ve done one.
Location wise, Lake Placid is the closest event to us, but I hear this course is brutal. I am wondering what is considered the most newbie friendly Iron Man course. Any suggestions are appreciated.
Party on! What a fabulous way to share hours of training and a good excuse to travel someplace. While no Ironman is easy, I think the folks in Canada put on one heck of a race and take great care of the athletes. New Zealand’s organization and town do a great job as well. Regardless of where you go, to share an Ironman day with your spouse should be a cherished opportunity. Enjoy.
If A WTC Ironman is not the issue (some people want the status of the “M-dot”), may I recommend the Esprit Triathlon.
You mentioned that Lake Placid is close to you…Esprit occurs in Montreal. You can check them out a their web sight www.esprittriathlon.com.
I have done this race twice. Both times I found it to be simultaneously easy (if there is an easy Ironman), and very demanding (more so mentally…i.e. there are ALOT of laps to be completed on the bike course).
The swim is like being in a 2K long pool (old rowing basin) about 6 feet deep. There are guide wires underwater (used to anchor lane markers when the basin is accommodating rowing teams). Find a guide wire…basically never need to look-up to sight! The swim is an out and back.
The bike consists of 41 laps (very mentally demanding) around a 2.75 mile long Formula 1 race course. You’ll find it very hard to ride on a better road surface though (you’ll average 1 to 3 mph faster than your usual). There is an aid station at the top of a small incline (10 foot elevation gain in 200 feet), you’ll pass every lap.
The run is nine loops around the rowing basin (no shade).
If you can tolerate the repetitiveness…this is a gem of a race. It’s small (the years I did it, there were only about 70 people doing the full Ironman distance). There are a sprint, international and 1/2 Ironman race also being conducted the same day (different start times). I found there to be an overall sence of comradery and family at this race. If you’re looking for huge crowds (spectators and participants) and Hawaii qualifying spots…sorry, this isn’t this races’ venue.
Also, I am in no way compensated or sponsored by this race’s organization…I just had an enjoyable time!
Absolutely love Montreal. Thanks for the tip. It’s even closer to me than is Lake Placid. It’ll be one of those two most likely. IM Canada is a long shot, but as my daughter and son are both in BC, that could be a possible consideration. Would like to do Montreal. Always wanted to “drive” the Formula One circuit, even if it is on a bicycle instead of a Williams or Ferrari.
I’d agree with the others…There are no “Easy” Ironman races. Although there are a few “Hard” ones (Lanzarote and last year’s France come to mind).
With that said, I LOVED racing IMUSA in Lake Placid. It’s the best race I’ve done (I’ve also done Canada, Wisconsin, and Pineman). I prefer to stick with M-dot races since I’ve had a negative experience with Pineman. Although WTC can be a bit “sterile,” they are predictably well-run.
I worked the Med Tent at IM Florida this year…Judging by the number of “visitors,” I’d argue that it was pretty tough out there…Choppy swim, torrential downpour and windy ride, followed by a marathon…I didn’t see too many fast times there;-)
I’d recommend you do IMUSA. Feel free to contact me offline if you want a detailed “why I love Lake Placid” report.
I’m hearing similar reports to Puskas. I’ve done Hawaii and Canada. I love Canada- my favorite (of the two I’ve done- not much of an opinion). Doing Wisconsin this year. Whichever you do good luck!
I’ve gotta agree with the concensus that there is no “easiest” Ironman. Florida is flat but conditions can be brutal, and flat, as some have mentioned, can be mentally and physically hard or harder than hilly. Wisconsin has a lot of short steep hills and some of the best crowd support of any Ironman, but the urban setting, with hotels scattered around differs from the “Ironman village” setting of some other races. Coeur d’Alene will be beautiful and challenging, as is Lake Placid. I’d suggest choosing a course that is similar to the terrain you will be training on, as that will seem the “easiest” to you. Regardless of which race you choose, the experience will be one that will last a lifetime. Good luck and enjoy the journey.
I’ve never done a full IM, but I’ve been researching courses to pick my first one probably for 2004. I’m looking at ultramax and duke blue devil among others. IM FL has a draw for me because of scheduling and it is identical in terrain and climate to where I am training.
One big factor for me is the weather during training season. I don’t know if I can do a Sept. IM since it will require marathon training through the Texas summer.
About the bike course at the Esprit Iron-distance event: who counts the laps? Are you responsible to get it right or does someone yell a count out to you?
Because, man, I know that after lap five you can “count me out” of getting it right.
It is “chip” timed…there is a timming mat at the “hairpin” turn on the course. Near by is a large screen showing your last lap time and how many laps you completed. There are people manning this “station” so if your lap did not register, you normally holler your number and they can quickly review previous lap times (ave. lap time) and then enter your lap you missed…it is “very” accurate!!!
This question was the hot topic in our store yesterday. Here are several thoughts customers offered:
Canada was frequently mentioned as not necessarily the “easiest” but the “best” to do. The lap format of Lake Placid, Wisconsin and others can be demoralizing to first timers. Canada is basically a big loop on the bike with interesting terrain and the last 12 miles on the bike predominantely down hill and an out and back marathon with a dramatic finish venue and final 2-3 miles. This seems to be easiest psychologically. You don’t have to go by the finish only to go out and run another 13.1 miles.
The Easiest Ironman question is an easy one to answer. The Easiest Ironman is the one you train the most for, and race at the most relaxed pace. Any course done too hard is…hard. Any course you haven’t prepared hard for is…hard.
Lake Placid buggered me. Next time I go back, it will be easy.
No IM is easy but you can’t beat FLAT FLAT FLAT. IM Florida is the way to go. Yes, biking on a flat course can wear on your back but it beats hills which can wear on the legs (which you’ll need for that marathon thing). And nothing is faster than a completely flat marathon course. Yes, there can be wind and choppy water but that’s what wetsuits are for. The reason the pro finishing times may be a bit slow is because the top prose aren’t there. They just finished Hawaii several weeks earlier.
As a life long fan of Formula One I’m not sure I can pass this one up. I was planning on doing IM Wisconsin 2004 as my first IM, but now I’m not so sure.
I don’t like the idea of all the laps, but the thought of swimming in the rowing basin and biking on the Formula One circuit has my heart pumping!
No such thing my man… What Lanzarote will do to you with hills, FL will so to you with zero position changes and IMUSA will do to you on Lap #2 at the “Three Bears.” They’re all a bitch. Good luck!
