IM UK

marianne

http://ironmanuk.com/2011/ironman-uk/latest-news

July 31st

cool Youtube on bike course....

Tenth year,

 

so what can you tell me about this Ironman.  Weather looks typically English in the 60 - 70 degrees and water at 60 (brr)****

BEWARE FEMALE SCHEMING..... REPEAT, "SCHEMING"

okay I should have never ready my Ironman news email.. so here is the dealio.  I am 1/2 British and haven't been to England for 12+ years.. and keep saying that I really should go.  and meanwhile, we try to take each of our kids at some point on an indiv trip.  so my 3rd son Daniel is interested in going to England and he will be senior Fall of 2011....and weather is poor in England in Jan - March so Spring Break is iffy cuz many of the sites aren't open for the season and he has soccer in the Spring as HS goalie...but practices football in summer so end of July is ok but not August.  okay TMI but you get the drift of my mind.



so I looked at this and looks like you fly into Manchester, which I am familiar with as my cousin lives in Sheffield.  so yes I pinged him to see he if was up to IM level yet.  cuz wouldn't it be cool for American/English cousin to do this together...  and Aunt lives in Huntingdon so it might be close enough that they would come to watch depending on logding cost.

 

and also take a look at my AG, 2010 there were just 13 competitors (W 45-49) with 1 Kona slot which is by far the lowest # of women at at IM that I have done, and recently IMTRI studies rank UK as high for slowest Kona finishing time or something like that..!!!. now, I am BOP don't get me wrong.  but if you pick an IM it is always nice to know what the AG holds for you.

http://www.runtri.com/2010/07/ironman-kona-qualifying-times-comparing.html?spref=fb

 

one study I just read, ranked WI, CDA and KY (I have done them) "harder" than UK but LP "easier"... and I thought KY was "easier" than KY.  hmm

 

so one thought is :: just take a vacation over there and don't try to combine it with an IM because I have signed up for TX!! May 21 and the other thought is, if you are going over there and you are an IM nut, then why not do this if you had the $$ resources.  and nope, endurance sports does not go to IMUK.  so I would have the travel logistics to get my cousin involved in or something... it's the bike!!  cuz last time I took my oldest son in 3rd grade and we backpacked and used trains, subway, taxis and the like but I did not rent a car..cuz of the opposite side of the road thing!!  m

 

 

Linda Patch

My friend Karen did it the inaugural year., 50-55 AG. Won it with a 15-hour+ time. Only three women that year. Hillier than she ever thought it would be. Start delayed 2+ hours b/c of fog.  Otherwise, she liked it fine.

Paul Hough

Take the vacation and skip the race! My daughter was born in England, but we moved back before she was 1 year old (she'll be 12 this month). I've promised her a tour when she's 16 and will appreciate it. I've thought about doing a race there too, but I know that it will interfere with the larger goal of introducing her to as much of England as possible. I just think if you are going to go back to the home country, you'll want to be doing and seeing things, not staying off your feet for the race.

Driving on the other side isn't that big of a deal, but most cars are tiny which is a bike limiter. You would have to spend a fortune to rent a vehicle large enough to accomodate a bike and your family. Plus, the "car-parks" are lined for very small cars. I had a Volvo and a Mini over there. If I was going to a village to shop, the Mini was the vehicle of choice for parking reasons.

Weather in July could be great -- or NOT. Rule one for being a tourist in Engand is to not let the weather dictate your plans. GO see the sights whether it's raining or not.

Big thing about your decision is not whether to race or not, it's whether to go or not. JUST GO and enjoy it.

marianne

Thanks for advice. yes I am used to the dicey weather. used to visit my grandparents every other summer! and lived there as a kid. I should find the pics of me and oldest son at Stonehenge in February!!! man was it cold then but we had a grand time there by taking the train, bus to get there with backpacks on too. I did google air fares and have been mulling on when to go... will let you know what I decide. Son wants to see a soccer game (football) and wants Manchester United! yeah right. m

Coach Patrick

We have some veterans, I believe...it's a very challenging course. When is Marianne going to do an EASY IM?

Bomber

I did the race last year... let me know if anyone needs any info about it...

I woudn't recommend it, though

Paul Hough

Bo - fess up and give us your reasons for not recommending it!