IMAZ or IMFL
Hi Team !
To put you in the background, in 2016 I am already registered for 70.3 MT in June and IMMT end of August.
I want to do another 140.6, but I don't know yet which races to choose between IMFL or IMAZ, both dates are good for me since it should be in November and will still have the weather here in the North Canadian area to still good outside trainings.
I also know they sell out fast.
What are your thoughts on both of those race ?
0
Comments
IMFL - susceptible to variable weather. Could be hot, could be cold, or just perfect. Better swim, nicer water than IMAZ. Flatter bike and run course. New route this year removes the 10 miles of jarring road surface from the past. Nicer run in my opinion. Families like the beach. No major airport, so more difficult to get to. Lots and lots of hotel options with good rates since this is off season. Best aid station: the "girl zone."
IMAZ - generally better weather. Tempe Town Lake is a mud pit. Water will be around 61-62 compared to IMFL at 70-72. I think the bike course has changed some since I did it 2010, but still mostly flat, but a little more elevation than IMFL. IMFL is a single loop but IMAZ was 3 loops, maybe 2 now - with a little more mojo as you came back into town. IMAZ run has a lot more concrete and lots of little turns as you go up and over bridges across the "lake" and back. Nearby airport. Nice restaurants around college area. Best aid station: Phoenix Tri Club "jail".
I too have raced both and think Paul hit the differences pretty well. Both are nice races, but I prefer FL for a few reasons:
1) My family likes FL better. You're on the beach, there are tons of nice beachfront condos for less than $100/nt. When we head off on the bike, the kids can hit the beach, pool or TV in the condo, then just walk out front to watch the riders returning. Lodging varies around Tempe, but odds are you'll end up in something like a Springhill Suites a couple miles away from transition. It really is the off season in PCB, so the town is very quiet/mellow, except for the 5,000 people there for IM. If top restaurants are essential for you, however, Tempe gets the edge for sure.
2) The AZ swim always sucks, unless you like freezing mud water. The FL swim can have chop, swells and/or jellies, but the Gulf is usually pretty nice and calm in early Nov. Very good visibility . . . easy to find bubbles to follow.
3) Both bike courses are very, very fast. I love one-loop bike courses like FL. Congestion is gone after 10-30 miles. Laps 2 and especially 3 at AZ are very crowded and can get sketchy. But cheating is much easier at FL and is rampant. Both races attract the top end of the AGs to see just how low of a time they can put up. Thus, both races are generally terrible if you're looking to KQ or post a high AG finish.
4) Both run courses have great spectators and plenty of admin, but I like FL better because it has less admin (AZ has too much stopping, turning, starting, etc. for my taste)
5) Flights into Phoenix are usually pretty cheap and plentiful. Getting to PCB by air can be more expensive, but with 4-5 airports within a couple of hours, you can get a good deal if you're patient and creative. I'm flying into Ft. Walton Beach (a little over an hour away from PCB) for $200 in a couple of weeks.
I need to plan accordingly, wife is working every 2 week end
that said, Arizona is a great event, I always went for that over FL because the swim was highly predictable, gulf storms are never an issue there.. Very little chance for rain (there was rain and hail in spots in '10)