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Help me pick my 2014 Ironman

wareagledustywareagledusty
in Races & Places 🏁⛺

My plan to do IMFL in 2014 has been derailed, in a good way, by my wife's plans to start her Phd program next fall.  So I will need a summer Ironman race.  The ones that would work for me from a timing and logistics perspective are:

  • Coeur D'Alene
  • Lake Placid
  • Boulder
  • Mont Tremblant

Only CDA has slots available at regular registration prices so all will be a Foundation slot or a charity fundraising slot.  I'll save some cash by not driving down to IMFL this year to volunteer so that will help a little bit.  

Right now I am leaning towards Boulder because it will be a great post-race family vacation in Colorado.  (By race day we'll have a 5 1/2 year old and an almost 3 year old with us).  But I hear Lake Placid is also a great spot for a post race vacation.

Any input or advice from the team?  I won't be racing for a Kona slot or anything.  This will be a destination race for me.  Thanks!

dusty

Comments

  • Al TruscottAl Truscott
    Im partial to CDA ... '14 will be my 10th. Everything is all in one place downtown on the scenic Lake. The locals really support the race, and after 12 years, it runs like butter. The town is big enough to have all amenities, but small enough to still be friendly. Besides the local water park, Glacier and Yellowstone are fairly close, along with Idaho/Montana scenery as good as CO mtns, without the crowds. And youre pretty much a lock to finish before the 10 PM sunset. Saving $500 over the other three is not to be sneezed at, but airfare eats that up compared to Eastern races?

    Nothing against CO, I live there part time. But I worry about the heat and PM thunderstorms that time of year on the Front Range. And you saw how logistics can be a problem in a first year race, especially one with two transition sites like Boulder or Tahoe. I advise against this one.

    Between MT and LP, which one is the EN focus race?

    IM MT seems like it has a very family friendly Village as central location, and the charm of a foreign country.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    Not on your list - but Whistler is awesome! Hard hills but doable. They did a good job first year. Normally I do IM every other year but I am doing Whistler again in 2014. Registration still open.
  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    I did CDA once. We took the boat tour of the lake, tried to find all the bronze moose statues in the city (they are all similar and finding them is part of a game), went to Silverwood amusement park just north of the city, checked out the 19th century church at Old Mission State Park, and toured the old whorehouse museum in the mining town of Wallace (lots of antique shops too). Plenty of family fun! image But I think Colorado has more to do...especially if you go down to Colorado Springs after the race. You can go up Pikes Peak, drive around Garden of the Gods, check out the Olympic Training Center, visit the waterfalls, see the Air Force Academy (my alma mater), visit some caverns, check out the cliff dwellings, shop in Manitou Springs, or go down to Pueblo to see Royal Gorge. Obviously altitude is not an issue for you and I think Boulder should be lower than Tahoe.

    All I know about LP is that everyone agrees the lodging options are a total gouge...to the point it leaves a sour taste in your mouth. And there doesn't seem to be nearly as much to do as the other options. My wife is not the least bit interested in me ever doing that one.

    I have heard nothing but good about IMMT. It is expensive, but folks say you at least feel like you are getting what you pay for. I hope to do that one some day.
  • robin sarnerrobin sarner
    So as you know, flat bike course would suite you ( and me), if you are looking at all at your relative placing.

    Boulder a flatish bike course? I do not know this course.

    I have done Tremblant. Somewhat hilly but still big person fast if you work it.

    Cda terrible bike course for a big person to go fast on, imo.

    How about texas?
  • wareagledustywareagledusty
    I thought about Whistler but wife veto'd that one for next year. CDA won't play to my power strength on the he bike like a flat course would. As tough as IMLT was the bike was so beautiful that I enjoyed every minute of it. Based on feedback about Lake Placid I'll wait till I can get a regular priced slot. No need to pay extra and get gouged on lodging...

    So, with all that said... I've settled on CDA. Beauty wins out and I'll have some serious motivation to get really lean before that race. I'll try Boulder after it's had a year or two to settle in. The idea of a spectator friendly venue really appeals to my wife since she'll have our two little ones I tow all day during the race.

    Thanks for all the feedback. I'm going to put down this cheeseburger and start the CDA diet today.... ??
  • John StarkJohn Stark

    IM Texas cuz that is where the cool cats will be and if you show up I will buy you beers.  Lots and lots of beers!    Just Sayin'.

    Hope all is well, brotha!

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