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FBStreet Wonderings and Questions -- Kona Qualification at IMCA vs IMLou

Frank BroadstreetFrank Broadstreet
in Races & Places 🏁⛺
Coaches, My season plan was to train hard through the winter, hit StG 70.3 and KS70.3 before stepping up for IMLOU. All with the intentions of having a remarkable year clipping a late qualifying slot to Kona in 45-49AG. As I was looking around, I noticed that IMCA still has foundation slots left and that they also have 100 Kona spots. Comparing that to IMLOU, I'm thinking it would be 4-5 more slots allocated to the AG. My question is what you guys may think the difference in the competition will be like, especially with Roth occurring on the same date. To be honest, I'm not that good of a swimmer, so the wetsuit in IMCA could be a help, and although I'm a smaller guy, climbing isn't my forte either so I have questions on how well the bike would end up. Since the $$ investment to try IMCA would be quite a bit more, I just like some input from folks who may have a broader perspective of how the year is setting up across the board. Thanks for any thoughts.

Comments

  • Coach RichCoach Rich

    Frank,

    More slots is more better but alllll of the AG's are fast these days and you just never know who is going to show up. Then you also need to factor in the additional costs, etc. 

    I'm going to change the title of your post and move it into another forum so the rest of the team can weigh in. We have many members who pay more attention than I do to how Kona slots and qualification shake themselves out across races. 

  • robin sarnerrobin sarner

    If I don't make it in Texas I'll be trying again in Canada.    185 lbs.     So the flatter Texas will suit me with absolute power being ok.    You being smaller I assume the better watts/kg will suit Canada.    Though not sure why you would say you're not a climber being small with I assume a good w/kg.   Hilliness of Louisvillle I assume between flat Texas and Canada. 

    So maybe we'll get to try for those slots together.  

  • Al TruscottAl Truscott
    IM Canada is a crapsoot this year, as it is the first time an IM has been done on that course. From the point of view of a "smaller guy" whos qualified on both flat (AZ) & hilly (CDA, WI) courses, my thought is ... A good, fit racer will rise to the top regardless of venue. From pure KQ perspective, unless you have a strong history of great performance in heat/humidity, the combo of wetsuit swim and bonus slots argues for Whistler.
  • Coach RichCoach Rich
    Al brings up a good point: hot races can often be a crapshoot, ie, how will the competition, and you, do in those conditions?

    As an average sized guy, I prefer to harden up a course by choosing ones with hilly bikes, especially short climbs, as I know that historically this is where a LOT of people make mistakes. But I prefer to keep crazy heat of that mix, if possible.
  • Coach PatrickCoach Patrick
    I'd also consider course familiarity...if you can get to / train on LOU, it will be a better course for you...
  • Frank BroadstreetFrank Broadstreet
    A lot of great feedback everyone. Thank you. I've raced LOU before and did OK, but not as well as I would have liked. Will have to keep giving it a bit more thought, but not for too much longer. My run has been off an on all spring with a nagging injury, I also hesitant to jump into the investment of CA without knowing I'm going to get past this calf problem.
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