@Rachel - I'm in there like swimwear babyyyyy!!!! Can't wait to hang with the coolest tri peeps I know! Lets get hype EN'rs y'all are going to ROCK it! If I can help at all, you know where to find me. I slice, I dice, I even make chili and fries ... but wait "there's more" haha
Hey guys, the below is taken from a post on a Facebook Group for IMChoo. It gives a good description of the bike course from a middle of the packer perspective. I rode part of the course this week and the description of section 2 is spot on and will be challenge to some. I would describe section two like stair steps with very little time to recover from each hill. I found that I needed to use my small chain ring, some may not. Additionally, I'd add to her comment that the 2.5 mile incline/climb out of Chicamagua is really a false flat that will make you wonder if you have flatted. It's a bit grueling and one needs to give way to it rather than grind against it. Just to give you a reference to my bike fitness so you can put this into perspective as to yours, my bike split in Augusta 70.3 last year was 3:07. My thought is that this course needs to be ridden wisely because stoopid will come and get you on the hills of the run course.
Her description of the bike course follows:
"After riding these loops 4 times this weekend, I've broken the course up into three sections. The first section is from transition to mile 11. I haven't seen too many comments on this first part, but I thought it worthy to note that it's relatively flat with multiple railroad track crossings and a pretty bumpy surface. Several 90 degree turns through the downtown area and some neighborhood roads. Worthy of noting, after 101 miles out I didn't seem to notice the surface when returning. Just glad to be finished. I'm guessing race day will be very similar. Section two is from mile 11 to mile 32. This is by far the most challenging part. It involves one hill after another. The down hill on the backside of climbs have less grade and are shorter than the climbs themselves so you can't carry your momentum very far at all. The only way I can describe is you feel like your brakes are rubbing because your bike just doesn't want to roll. There are very few flat or fast sections during this part. The best way to approach it is to just be steady and don't worry about speed. Whatever you feel you're losing in this section, you'll gain back in the next section (32-56) and the run. If there is any section that could ruin your day, it's this one. Section two ends with a mile long steady incline up to hog jowl rd that takes a sharp turn and starts section three. This section (32-56) is pretty fast. The asphalt is smoother and the hills are more like what we are accustomed to riding. After riding it 4 times, I couldn't wait to get back to this section because of the increase in speed and the decrease in effort. It's certainly a place you could pedal a little easier and still maintain a good speed. There are some long downhills that really help the average. I'm not suggesting that you should do anything but ride steady anywhere else. It's just the 2nd section taxes you mentally and it'll give you something to look forward as you're pressing through that 20x2 mile stretch (Hwy193/cove rd to hog jowl). The final comment on the third section involves the sharp left hand turn out of chickamauga. This is a 2.5 mile incline/climb that requires really steady riding. It ends with a 2 mile descent that rewards you for all your hard work. At the end of the descent you have two options: start the 2nd loop or go to the finish (mile 56 or 100) respectively. These are just rough numbers within a mile or two for mile markers. My overall opinion of the course is that it is challenging because of the numerous decisions that have to be made: Do I need to go to the small chainring or stay in the big? Do I stand here or stay seated? Should I conserve here or push it a little? I think knowing the course and having a plan will give you the best chances at a successful race for whatever your race goals may be. After riding the run course today, I think the run is what we need to be worried about."
@Mariah Thanks for stepping up to be our Captain at IMCHOO!
@All--- IMCHOO will be IM# 10 started , should be IM #9 finished , 2nd IM this year with the 1st being IMTX.... Heather and I will be arriving in Chatanooga on the 25th and leaving the 30th on our way to KONA where I will be racing 13 days after CHOO.... Heather will also be racing IMCHOO as her 4th IM ...My goal is to show up %100 , race %100, and KQ in the M50-54AG.... Look forward to seeing old EN friends and meeting the new ones!
All - Kathy and I arrive in the evening on the 25th and leave on the 1st. This will be my fourth IM start and hopefully my third finish. We are racing IMMD the week before IMChoo so it remains to be seen what type of shape I will be in for Choo. The plan is to take IMMD easy and race Choo.
My goals are to execute the EN way and get my nutrition correct so I can actually run the entire marathon and stay out of medical aid.
@Skip... And I thought I was freaking crazy... 8 days between IM's.... Last year I took it easy in KONA and Raced IMFL 3 weeks later with very good results.... BUT I really did go easy in KONA and it was 3 weeks not 8 days! Good luck with that and look forward to seeing you and Kathy again....
Glad to see some action in this thread. 12 weeks starts Monday! Choo will be my 6th IM. Bringing my best shape ever into the 12 week build and looking to make some noise! We are arriving on the 25th but wil have to roll for home in the afternoon on the 29th. Looking forward to it! En is going to have a big prescence!
Awesome @Mark! I arrive on the 24th and will be there through Monday- If anyone needs anything let me know- I have some great places for us to eat and will put all that together closer to the race and send you- Once we fill out the excel sheet on how many family members and EN'rs will be there. Feel free to find me on Facebook so we can all keep up even more- Post your workouts here- chat it up- can't wait to see everyone completely crush CHOO! Brian Myrick assures me it is going to be a day that we will never forget, his team is always on point!
@Tim - I suspect we are all a bit crazy. The problem is there is no voice of reason in our house. One of us says "you know what might be fun...." And the other one says "ok, we should do it."
We look forward to seeing you and Heather again as well.
Thought I would drop in and say hello to y'all racing IMChoo. Will be racing IMMT next month, then joining you guys in Sept to volunteer at mile 10 of the run course. Looking forward to cheering everyone on. Go EN!! Happy Training!!!
signing in to IMCHOO. This is my first full IM, and my first season with EN. I have been very pleased with gains i've made through EN during the local tri races here at home, and can't wait to cross that finish line!!
@Chris WELCOME TO THE COOLEST IM RACE THIS SEASON!!!! Join in on the weekly training forums and share with everyone your success! Can't wait to cheer you on either and hear "CHRIS... YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!"
My name is Ken Smith. I've been with EN since 2011 until just after Lake Tahoe. Took a leave of absence from EN until yesterday. Tahoe took alot out of me mentally and physically. I concentrated on the Dopey Challenge then Boston (5th year in a row). Since Boston, I have been following my EN plans in the pain cave with the computrainer and trainer road. It's coming together and am once again excited for my 3rd IM.
Sorry I'm a little late signing in for IMCHOO. 1/2 way through my 2nd year with EN and have been very happy with the results. Looking forward to a solid race. Really appreciate all the info and feedback on the bike course.
Hey Team, I'm not racing CHOO this year but I will be volunteering (at the timing tent) in order to sign up for next year's race. I'll be keeping an eye on the forum and watching all of your hard work. I can't wait to cheer you on at the race.
I'm officially signing in with the team for IM Choo. This will be my 4th IM and the fittest i've been for a race to date. MY vdot and FTP are higher than they've ever been. I feel great and look forward to executing a race plan that could possibly result in a KQ. BTW, I wrote the bike course report that Amy Ferguson reposted. I think there was some confusion because my wife and i share a FB acct. and it was posted to our local triclub page and eventually to the IM choo page. i would have posted it here earlier but i just became aware of this page. Be aware, the course may have changed since that report. There is a lot of chatter on the IM choo fb page about the course changing, so my report could be irrelevant. Anyway, I look forward to meeting everyone and representing EN along side all of you.
Looks like we have a GREAT crew Headed to IM CHoo. I am personally ready to roll!!! Scheduled for the 3 hour run today and just blew the hell apart around 2:20 and pulled the plug around 2:40. Goal was 9:15 or so for 6 miles then drop back to my comfy 815-830 pace but with the heat, humidity, and hills I just couldn't do it. The worst part was running out of water way early. Oh well its over and ave 9:15 for 17 miles.....last week was 17 miles with an ave 8:28 pace. The humidity and I just do not get along.
Tim looking forward to see you destroy another course. Love watching you execute a race!
I am a last minute immigrant from IMLake Tahoe. I have been in EN since April this year. IMChoo will be my first Ironman. My goal is to finish strong my first IM. I am too new to triathlons to have a time goal. I am a runner. I have done 13 marathons and 2 ultra- marathons. My last marathon was on April 21 (Boston). Hope to meet you all in Choo I am now on a crazy preparation day to be ready to take the plane tomorrow morning and be with you all.
Comments
@Rachel - I'm in there like swimwear babyyyyy!!!! Can't wait to hang with the coolest tri peeps I know! Lets get hype EN'rs y'all are going to ROCK it! If I can help at all, you know where to find me. I slice, I dice, I even make chili and fries ... but wait "there's more" haha
Her description of the bike course follows:
"After riding these loops 4 times this weekend, I've broken the course up into three sections. The first section is from transition to mile 11. I haven't seen too many comments on this first part, but I thought it worthy to note that it's relatively flat with multiple railroad track crossings and a pretty bumpy surface. Several 90 degree turns through the downtown area and some neighborhood roads. Worthy of noting, after 101 miles out I didn't seem to notice the surface when returning. Just glad to be finished. I'm guessing race day will be very similar.
Section two is from mile 11 to mile 32. This is by far the most challenging part. It involves one hill after another. The down hill on the backside of climbs have less grade and are shorter than the climbs themselves so you can't carry your momentum very far at all. The only way I can describe is you feel like your brakes are rubbing because your bike just doesn't want to roll. There are very few flat or fast sections during this part. The best way to approach it is to just be steady and don't worry about speed. Whatever you feel you're losing in this section, you'll gain back in the next section (32-56) and the run. If there is any section that could ruin your day, it's this one.
Section two ends with a mile long steady incline up to hog jowl rd that takes a sharp turn and starts section three. This section (32-56) is pretty fast. The asphalt is smoother and the hills are more like what we are accustomed to riding. After riding it 4 times, I couldn't wait to get back to this section because of the increase in speed and the decrease in effort. It's certainly a place you could pedal a little easier and still maintain a good speed. There are some long downhills that really help the average. I'm not suggesting that you should do anything but ride steady anywhere else. It's just the 2nd section taxes you mentally and it'll give you something to look forward as you're pressing through that 20x2 mile stretch (Hwy193/cove rd to hog jowl). The final comment on the third section involves the sharp left hand turn out of chickamauga. This is a 2.5 mile incline/climb that requires really steady riding. It ends with a 2 mile descent that rewards you for all your hard work. At the end of the descent you have two options: start the 2nd loop or go to the finish (mile 56 or 100) respectively. These are just rough numbers within a mile or two for mile markers.
My overall opinion of the course is that it is challenging because of the numerous decisions that have to be made: Do I need to go to the small chainring or stay in the big? Do I stand here or stay seated? Should I conserve here or push it a little? I think knowing the course and having a plan will give you the best chances at a successful race for whatever your race goals may be. After riding the run course today, I think the run is what we need to be worried about."
@All--- IMCHOO will be IM# 10 started , should be IM #9 finished , 2nd IM this year with the 1st being IMTX.... Heather and I will be arriving in Chatanooga on the 25th and leaving the 30th on our way to KONA where I will be racing 13 days after CHOO.... Heather will also be racing IMCHOO as her 4th IM ...My goal is to show up %100 , race %100, and KQ in the M50-54AG.... Look forward to seeing old EN friends and meeting the new ones!
My goals are to execute the EN way and get my nutrition correct so I can actually run the entire marathon and stay out of medical aid.
I look forward to seeing everyone.
We look forward to seeing you and Heather again as well.
signing in to IMCHOO. This is my first full IM, and my first season with EN. I have been very pleased with gains i've made through EN during the local tri races here at home, and can't wait to cross that finish line!!
Sorry I'm a little late signing in for IMCHOO. 1/2 way through my 2nd year with EN and have been very happy with the results. Looking forward to a solid race. Really appreciate all the info and feedback on the bike course.
jason
Tim looking forward to see you destroy another course. Love watching you execute a race!
See you all in a few weeks.
I am a last minute immigrant from IMLake Tahoe.
I have been in EN since April this year. IMChoo will be my first Ironman. My goal is to finish strong my first IM. I am too new to triathlons to have a time goal.
I am a runner. I have done 13 marathons and 2 ultra- marathons. My last marathon was on April 21 (Boston).
Hope to meet you all in Choo
I am now on a crazy preparation day to be ready to take the plane tomorrow morning and be with you all.
See you soon!
Victor