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Ironman Texas - Which Swim Wave Start?

John StarkJohn Stark
in Races & Places 🏁⛺

Hi Folks:

I understand there are 2 swim starts at IMTX?  The first for those who are shooting for Kona (non-wetsuit) and the second for the rest.  I am a decent swimmer and planning on a 1:10ish wetsuit swim time (maybe a 1:14 without a wet suit) but have no chance for Kona.  

Was wondering if I should jump into the Kona wave to avoid dealing with slower swimmers or should I just go with the second wave?  Or is it just a crap shoot either way?

Any help on strategy is appreciated.

Stark

Comments

  • tim cronktim cronk
    I'd let temps be your guide... air and water
    If you go wetsuit , definitely sleeveless....
    The wetsuit wave has gotta be more low key with less people and you will definitely save energy to be used elsewhere in your day!
    If you dont care about podium or KONA the only downside is possible overheating and starting your day a few minutes later....

    I swam 1:14 last year WO/wetsuit and was a pretty rough swim the entire time! Going sub 1:10 this year looking for cleaner water ! Oh wait I was going for sub 1:10 last year.
  • jalesliejaleslie

    Any chance they'll change this to a rolling/wave start, like the did with a couple of others last year...swim start initiative thingy?  Seems like it was pretty popular with all but the hard core old-school folks.  

  • GMAN 19030GMAN 19030
    Jeff, I think IMTX would be a perfect candidate for the rolling start since the start area is so small to begin with. That stated, the non vs wetsuit waves sort of do that already. The first year of the race (2011) was horrible from a swim perspective as everyone went at once. I think it has been smoother the last two years by separating the waves.
  • John StarkJohn Stark

    Thanks for the feedback.  Makes sense.  I am just concerned that since I am faster than the slow folks and slower than the fast folks I will be stuck in swim hell.  Looking for a way to avoid as much as possible.  I had a horrible swim experience at IMAZ and really don't want to repeat it.

    One thought was to go in wave 1 but start at the back and take it easy and look for as much open water as I can find as the field pulls away.  But will get I overrun by the wave 2 fast kids somewhere along the way as they catch up to the slower wave 1 folks like me?

    Maybe I am just over thinking this and need to man-up?

    Stark

     

  • tim cronktim cronk
    OK John Stark time for some tough LOVE! Its a freaking race.... I know you dont care about Podium/KONA positions but you still wanna beat everybody you possibly can... If your going to do all the IM training and prepare yourself for IMTX then you owe it to yourself to just Suck it up cupcake....... Your a good enough swimmer... take your lumps and go in the first wave.... And race IMTX to the best of your abilitlies..... It aint supposed to be easy!

  • Brenda RossBrenda Ross
    Would love to see this discussion in the IMTexas group. Maybe be other people in there that would have some advice for ya John. Just sayin.
  • John StarkJohn Stark

    @Brenda - You are right.  My bad.  Thanks for the whipping.  

  • John StarkJohn Stark

    Posted By tim cronk on 21 Jan 2014 09:29 AM


    OK John Stark time for some tough LOVE! Its a freaking race.... I know you dont care about Podium/KONA positions but you still wanna beat everybody you possibly can... If your going to do all the IM training and prepare yourself for IMTX then you owe it to yourself to just Suck it up cupcake....... Your a good enough swimmer... take your lumps and go in the first wave.... And race IMTX to the best of your abilitlies..... It aint supposed to be easy!



    I just got "Cronked."  

    Ya, I am overthinking it.  For those who know me I am one of those folks who will swim over the top of people who get in my way during an event.  2011 IMAZ was just my cosmic payback, I guess.

    Time to get busy.

    Thanks.

    Stark

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