I'm in. Heading over with a bunch of local triathletes and camping. Most of this group went to Kansas 70.3 in 2011 and camped, and had an awesome time!
This is my first time racing Muncie. I heard it's rolling hills on the run. From looking at the elevation chart, it's flatter than Racine which was pretty flat except for one hill you did twice. Anyone done both that could compare the courses?
I haven't done Racine, but I've done Muncie the last two years. I've lived in Michigan for 30 years now, but grew up in Muncie and used to run the same roads as a HS cross-country runner. It is a rolling and challenging run course in my opinion. That said, I think if you complete the bike leg via the EN race execution standards and start the run cautiously, it should be fine. (There's a fairly good downhill stretch near the start where it's easy to take off and go too hard. But of course it's an uphill stretch on the return as you near the finish!)
I did it last year and consider it unfinished business. I'm coming from Florida but I use it as a twofer to check on my son in Dayton, OH. Muncie is 5 weeks before IM Sweden so I may back off on the run ...depends on how I feel that day. My wife and I are staying at the same B&B as last year. My camping days are over!
About half of the people we're traveling with raced it last year and are headed back for the same reason.
My days of tent camping are over. We upgraded last year to a travel trailer, and then upgraded again this year to one with a 'real' mattress for a bed. I actually prefer it over a hotel now. I don't have to worry about people running up and down the halls waking us up (with the air on in the camper it drowns out any outside noise), we're usually closer to the race site, and we can take the dog along.
I'm in! @ Rachel. Totally agree about the water temp. last year. Also, I joined EN last Nov. and let's just say I didn't have a very good race "execution" at Muncie. It was definitely a "could" bike pace rather than a "should" pace, which lead to a pretty painful run in that heat Looking not only for the full 70.3 experience this year, but being smarter in preparation for IMFL. I would like to meet some fellow EN'ers if possible. Any plan to to make that happen?
Steve - I won my age group last year and I credit that to backing off on the swim, not the bike. The water was too hot for a full out race effort, but it wasn't too hot yet during the bike...especially since it was only 30 miles. I would like to meet EN members as well.
I will be there also, looking forward to seeing the EN team. This will be my 5th Muncie and the run is very challenging and the run is my strongest event. Play the game right and you will pass a ton of peeps on the run. Each year I average passing over 250 other athletes on the run. I run with a throw away water bottle the first 3 miles to hydrate continuously to be able to deal with the heat. . The bike is fast and flat until you get to the wind at the turnaround ( the area that was cut last year) I agree with Paul regarding backing off the swim. Muncie is a great test for EN race execution because you have to be smart prior to the run.
Hi all. Will be doing the swim leg of a relay at Muncie. Never done a relay before so looking forward to it. Did IMTX last month. Plenty hot there too!
getting excited!!! Only one week away, weather forecast looks good, ESPECIALLY when you compare it to last year Any plan to meet at any spot? This is first race as an EN'er.
Comments
This is my first time racing Muncie. I heard it's rolling hills on the run. From looking at the elevation chart, it's flatter than Racine which was pretty flat except for one hill you did twice. Anyone done both that could compare the courses?
My days of tent camping are over. We upgraded last year to a travel trailer, and then upgraded again this year to one with a 'real' mattress for a bed. I actually prefer it over a hotel now. I don't have to worry about people running up and down the halls waking us up (with the air on in the camper it drowns out any outside noise), we're usually closer to the race site, and we can take the dog along.
Kip-Will you be there this year?
I will be back for a third year. The bike is fast, the run is a challenge with the hills and potential for heat.
@ Rachel. Totally agree about the water temp. last year.
Also, I joined EN last Nov. and let's just say I didn't have a very good race "execution" at Muncie. It was definitely a "could" bike pace rather than a "should" pace, which lead to a pretty painful run in that heat