All depends, what is the brewpub situation in Houston?
But I am guessing it is a two loop bike? Saw there are only 3 aid stations on the course.
On the Brew Pub situation, there are a large number of very nice Brew Pubs in Houston. Unfortunately the race is not in Houston. Think calling CDA Ironman Spokane and you have an idea of the distance from Houston to the Woodlands. It is still a nice area and very convenient to the airport.
Interesting - hope they allocate Kona slots from the other US events and not rest of the world! :-)
@Tom - IM Lanzarote 2011, which I think is on the same weekend, sold out in under 2 weeks, obviously not US however.
Tom if the amount of local interest is any indication, it will sell out very quickly. Lots of complaining about the time of year due to the heat, but people can't pass up an IM in their back yard.
And, Casa Wilson-Picciotto is open for reservations. We are about an hour from the Woodlands (in Sugar Land, but about 2 minutes from Highway 59). Mister Man & Angel (mascot pups) will happily host EN'ers.
I don't mean to be a curmudgeon, and if they are selling out, then they can get away with doing it... but I'm pretty irritated that they're crossing the $600 PLUS FEES barrier. Won't be surprised if that hits every race. It seems cynically price/demand related unless there's something I don't know.
William: I gotta agree. I haven't done an IM but as an IM spouse/sherpa, the fees do seem incredibly high. I do know that Keith Jordan puts on incredible races with amazing schwag, organization, etc. His fees are higher than for other races, but they are first-class events - usually conducted as "festivals" to make them family friendly. I'm not defending the high cost, just saying that with his races, you get more than "just a race" if that appeals to you and your support crew.
I don't mean to be a curmudgeon, and if they are selling out, then they can get away with doing it... but I'm pretty irritated that they're crossing the $600 PLUS FEES barrier. Won't be surprised if that hits every race. It seems cynically price/demand related unless there's something I don't know.
I don't doubt that local governments are probably demanding more due to budget tightness, but OUCH!
William, I don't think the local governments get paid for these races. According to a news article I read the municipality was paying $30,000 to host the event in return for a pledge by the organizzers to donate $100,000 to local charities. I know insurance rates are high for triathlons and have probably gone up but I think this is all about the bottom line for WTC. I feel bad that the pro money hasn't really risen in years. That is a joke.
And, Casa Wilson-Picciotto is open for reservations. We are about an hour from the Woodlands (in Sugar Land, but about 2 minutes from Highway 59). Mister Man & Angel (mascot pups) will happily host EN'ers.
Hey I just noticed I got second billing. What gives?
@Penny -- That's really good to hear. Certainly the same thing that Rev3 are pointing at.
@Tucker -- I really don't know the economics of IM races... I just assumed there were fees involved for use of the roads and the extra police presence, etc.
I do know that 2000 people x $500 = $1,000,000. Yes, I agree that the pro prizes are pathetic, considering how few races per year you can do. But realistically, "pro" sports is driven by admissions (not gonna happen for IM) and corporate sponsorship (including TV revenue, which is just indirect corporate sponsorship). But MLS players and minor league baseball players don't make much beyond a living wage...it's only the real top of even the most popular sports for which the money is big. Anyway, I don't mean to hijack the thread. I just thought it had to be said about the $600.
Supply demand works..as long as people will pay $600, expect it to go up to $700, repeat until a competitor comes along who puts on a better race for $500. Then Mdot will drop their price. That's how it works in the USA. I don't really like it either, but I don't blame them for making as much money as they can. If they kill the golden goose, then too bad so sad for them. Clearly there are more and more people interested in doing these races, so I would expect some real competitors to emerge.
And, Casa Wilson-Picciotto is open for reservations. We are about an hour from the Woodlands (in Sugar Land, but about 2 minutes from Highway 59). Mister Man & Angel (mascot pups) will happily host EN'ers.
Hey I just noticed I got second billing. What gives?
Hey- I just noticed John is on the Forum!!!! Cooool!
"Mr. Wilson" made a crack yesterday that IMTX could be my first IM. Damn him! Now, it is niggling around in the back of my head. But, I have until July 22 until I can even run on the treadmill. Have to get the running under my belt before I can even seriously think about this. And, I have to finish grad school (fingers crossed it will be December). I don't want to think about finishing a dissertation and IM training at the same time.
Kieth, the RD, just posted on Houston Racing Triathlon Club's forum that he is trying to get the bike to be one loop. He said that is how he originally designed the course, but it hasn't been approved yet. Keith tends to give HRTC a lot of "preview" information since we are huge supporters of his races. John and I will post more info as it comes across.
Find out the average water temps for that time of year too! If it's a high % chance of wetsuit-legal, I might consider it. no wetsuit = no IM for this fearful swimmer.
Find out the average water temps for that time of year too! If it's a high % chance of wetsuit-legal, I might consider it. no wetsuit = no IM for this fearful swimmer.
I think this is the right lake: http://www.fishingnotes.com/lakeinfo.php?id=29258 ; Right now it is 79. You can see all the types of fish in the lake and how they are biting on that link, too. Just in case you decide to bring a pole and fish rather than swim.
No wetsuit is one of my concerns about this race (for 2012).
I'm in too.. first full IM so I also had to check. My wife's from Houston and we have a lot of family there. Also in for Longhorn in October... we used to live there before moving to PA. Kinda funny to have two "hometown" races 1500 miles from home :-) But there's a Chuy's there too!! Cannot wait...
Comments
All depends, what is the brewpub situation in Houston?
But I am guessing it is a two loop bike? Saw there are only 3 aid stations on the course.
Like Nemo, May is a little early for me as well.
Think it will sell out fast?
tom
Interesting - hope they allocate Kona slots from the other US events and not rest of the world! :-)
@Tom - IM Lanzarote 2011, which I think is on the same weekend, sold out in under 2 weeks, obviously not US however.
On the Brew Pub situation, there are a large number of very nice Brew Pubs in Houston. Unfortunately the race is not in Houston. Think calling CDA Ironman Spokane and you have an idea of the distance from Houston to the Woodlands. It is still a nice area and very convenient to the airport.
Tom if the amount of local interest is any indication, it will sell out very quickly. Lots of complaining about the time of year due to the heat, but people can't pass up an IM in their back yard.
Here's and article in the NY Times that (doing a tiny bit of math) says fees were $375 in 2003. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/11/fashion/11Fitness.html
I don't doubt that local governments are probably demanding more due to budget tightness, but OUCH!
William, I don't think the local governments get paid for these races. According to a news article I read the municipality was paying $30,000 to host the event in return for a pledge by the organizzers to donate $100,000 to local charities. I know insurance rates are high for triathlons and have probably gone up but I think this is all about the bottom line for WTC. I feel bad that the pro money hasn't really risen in years. That is a joke.
Hey I just noticed I got second billing. What gives?
@Tucker -- I really don't know the economics of IM races... I just assumed there were fees involved for use of the roads and the extra police presence, etc.
I do know that 2000 people x $500 = $1,000,000. Yes, I agree that the pro prizes are pathetic, considering how few races per year you can do. But realistically, "pro" sports is driven by admissions (not gonna happen for IM) and corporate sponsorship (including TV revenue, which is just indirect corporate sponsorship). But MLS players and minor league baseball players don't make much beyond a living wage...it's only the real top of even the most popular sports for which the money is big. Anyway, I don't mean to hijack the thread. I just thought it had to be said about the $600.
Hey- I just noticed John is on the Forum!!!! Cooool!
@John: At least I didn't say "Mr. Wilson."
"Mr. Wilson" made a crack yesterday that IMTX could be my first IM. Damn him! Now, it is niggling around in the back of my head. But, I have until July 22 until I can even run on the treadmill. Have to get the running under my belt before I can even seriously think about this. And, I have to finish grad school (fingers crossed it will be December). I don't want to think about finishing a dissertation and IM training at the same time.
tom
I am in!
But I had to check with Penny first.
Smart Smart Man
I think this is the right lake: http://www.fishingnotes.com/lakeinfo.php?id=29258 ; Right now it is 79. You can see all the types of fish in the lake and how they are biting on that link, too. Just in case you decide to bring a pole and fish rather than swim.
No wetsuit is one of my concerns about this race (for 2012).
I'm in and registered. Will be doing the Longhorn 70.3 in October before going into the OS on the way...........
Welcome to Texas!
SS
Hey Scott, there's Chuy's just across the freeway from the couse. Now, THAT is motivation