IM MOO vs Choo

Robert Sabo

There are foundation slots to both MOO and CHOO and I'm considering adding a late IM as my IM in July was cancelled.  Maryland is all full(most convenient).  Family will probably not want to go to either.  So what are the pros and cons.  I want to have a fun race experience.  Not worried about times,PRs or KQs.

Coach Rich

Posted By Robert Sabo on 04 Jun 2015 04:12 PM


There are foundation slots to both MOO and CHOO and I'm considering adding a late IM as my IM in July was cancelled.  Maryland is all full(most convenient).  Family will probably not want to go to either.  So what are the pros and cons.  I want to have a fun race experience.  Not worried about times,PRs or KQs.

My personal preference is Wisconsin:

• Bike is more difficult to figure out = favors a smart, well-executing athlete.
• Run is "just a run," nothing particularly epic about it. 
• Very easy to get to, usually easy and affordable to find lodging, lots of great places to eat, etc. IOW, it's more of real city/town. 

Chattanooga:

• The downriver swim, as a swimmer, just burns me. It sucks, frankly. 
• Bike is "sneaky hard," but easier to figure out, overall, than WI
• Run has some legit hills in the last few miles of each lap. About miles 21-25 or so are much harder than those same miles at WI. 

We have a great crew racing each race but I'd have to give the OG-vibe to WI this year. Lots of great EN personalities and peeps doing WI with me. 

And I've got training camps on each course this year if you're interested. Definitely helps to know each course but knowing / having previewed WI before the race is a huge advantage. Tons of speed to be had on the course if you know the course. 

rlh2000

Especially with your hamstring injury, I vote MOO since the run is flatter!

Dawn Cass

I cannot speak to Choo as I have not done it....however I have done MOO.

It's a great race with a ton of atmosphere. If you like your crowds and in general a fun place to be...this is it. Swim in small lake so no chop to deal with ( at least year I did it). The transition from swim to bike up,the helix takes time however is fantastic fun as you have 1000's of your fans cheering you on. Bike needs brains as you have lots to figure out but for the EN racer you would have the edge up. Run has one big hill but that's it. Pretty flat otherwise.

I am entered...and goal is to do it this year assuming my hammy behaves as I had to bow out last year.

If you do it let me know...would be great to meet after all the chatter around injury. ;-)

Joe Matchette

Having done both, I will be doing MOO again before I do CHOO again.

Everything Rich says is spot-on.

Nothing spectacular about either swim.

The bike at Chattanooga is geared somewhat to the smart EN athlete, but not at all like Wisconsin. And the mojo on the bike course is not even comparable. It is the difference between throwing a bullet and shooting it.

The runs are pretty different as well. While I did chug a beer at mile 20-something at CHOO last year....something I have never done at MOO...I much prefer the run around Madison. There are only one or two lonely spots on that run. Not so at Chattanooga. The couple of miles along the main road (highway almost) are lonely lonely lonely. The worst you get is a small section in the park at Madison, and even then there are lots of signs and even a few spectators out there.

Hope this helps.

drjohnson08

I've done MOO, Louisville and LP and volunteered at CHOO last year. My favorite course to date is MOO. WI was my first IM so that could be a big part of the reason, however, there are a bunch of things I like about the race that hasn't been matched at the others I've been at. The spectator support is just awesome. I don't know the names of the roads but there is one challenging hill on the course that people are lined up on both sides of the road. It reminds me of a Tour de France climb. The spectators are cheering, yelling, dressed up all crazy and holding funny signs. The 2nd time you come around it is a huge pick me up. The run goes through the city of Madison and there are spectators everywhere and again, they are very supportive. You get a chance to run through the football stadium that the WI Badgers play at, pretty cool. I forgot about it until Dawn mentioned it but the run up the helix from the swim to T1 is pretty cool. Then, the finish line is one of the most recognizable in Ironman. Again, a ton of spectators on both sides of the finishing chute.

I don't think you could go wrong with either course. There were a lot of positive responses to CHOO from those on our team that raced it last year. That's where I'm headed this year. The crowd support there was great as well from what I witnessed.

Let us know what you decide!

[Deleted User]

Rob, come on down to CHOO with Turby and I!!!!
We heard lots of great things about it from the folks around here that went.

Scott Giljum

I am biased, so take this for what it's worth but I would (and have) picked MOO. It was not my first IM, but I keep going back now (this year will be my third go round) because of many of the things Rich and others have said. Fun atmosphere, challenging bike course, good run, nice town, etc. Though you would miss out on an event sponsored by Little Debbies, Moo wins it for me.

Robert Sabo

Is MOO usually a wetsuit swim? Will the pre-race webinar and driving the course give me enough EN knowledge for the bike course since I wouldn't be able to make it to the camp?

Scott Giljum

The last two years Moo was a wetsuit swim, which I think is typical. The first year I raced I did not get to do the camp and between the webinar and pre race driving/riding some of the course, I felt pretty prepared.

drjohnson08

2012 was a wetsuit swim. I raced without camp or watching a webinar or driving the course (stupid) and I had a successful day.

Coach Rich

IMWI has always been wetsuit legal

rlh2000

Yes, the wetsuit is important protection from all the snakes in the lake. Though apparently the sharks are doing a good job keeping them in control. :-)

Daniel Huhn

One big thing to consider is weather. MOO has had variable weather over the years. Second weekend in Sept should be ideal, but there's been times when it's been super hot & humid (mid/high 80's) as well as miserable pouring rain in the 50's & 60's. But that's what makes it a great race if you have EN knowledge. Swim is also a mass in water start vs. TT start at CHOO. Not sure about CHOO's weather, but I would think it might be a little more consistent year over year.

My vote would be MOO. The total experience is just incredible.

John Withrow

Rob--

IF you decide to do IMMoo, please don't just buy a Foundation slot. I have several (at least 5) Team ReserveAid Charity slots still available for IMMoo. So if you (or any of your friends) want to do IMMoo, hit me up. I was just about to put up an EN post marketing these and haven't gotten around to it yet.

Also, if you do IM Moo, you'll get a chance to watch me try to beat the bike cut-offs on my Fat Bike!

Robert Sabo

John I was going to either buy a foundation or use an EnduranceSportTravel spot ($1050), but I won't do either till I talk to you first.

Jonathan Brown

Rob, I would say do Moo! This way u can ride by John and chuckle as he is riding the fat boy. Now I would not do Moo because John would be passing me on the fat boy. Just and extra bonus.

Robert Sabo

I have not made the arrangements yet but I have decided on IMMOO. I'm excited for a new race and new challenge.

Joe Matchette

Posted By Robert Sabo on 08 Jun 2015 07:54 AM



I have not made the arrangements yet but I have decided on IMMOO. I'm excited for a new race and new challenge.

Sweet!  You are going to LOVE it.