IM CDA info
Can't believe I'm even posting these questions as after my post race experiences in Lake Placid '09 I never thought the family would let me do another IM. But here I am with their "go for it" so I'm actually trying to decide which race will mark my 2011 return. Had been considering a fall IM (IMAZ or IMFL) living in northeast I see a number of challenges with training for these Nov races and then the logistics of dealing with kids being in school at time year . Now considering one of the Ironman Foundation slots for IMCDA. Timing of CDA seems like it would work well for me, plenty of time to emerge from the pain cave and ride outside, get in some OWS outside. Early year A race which leaves the rest of the summer for cool, fun stuff with the family without training for A race looming over my head all summer. Issue for me is I know nothing about the race and venue. A few questions for folks that have experience here
Where do you fly into?
How difficult would it be to find lodging now as I'm registering well after everyone has already registered and likely locked up their accommodations?
How does the course profile / climbing compare to Lake Placid? Swore after doing Lake Placid twice I would take a break from dragging this big old clydesdale body up a lot of hills. Planning to do a major body comp overhaul over the winter so should be carrying markedly less weight but still curious how the climbing compares.
What's the area like for family stuff to do? Figuring we could build a family vacation onto the week post race as we've never been to that part of the country.
I'm sure I'll have other questions but welcome any and all thoughts, input, feedback folks have. thanks.
Aaron
Comments
Aaron,
Fly into Spokane, WAshington (airpot code GEG).
Lodging... Try VRBO.com, which is Vacation Rental By Owner. We stayed in a house on Government Way. 4 people, 7 nights = $2k. No worse than hotels unless you aren't going to stay the extra nights. Advantages: several close groceries, so you can cook exactly as you want, only 0.25 mile from the race site and Sherman Street, family walkable, on the bike course (family can shower, nap, get lunch while you are out on the loops). The rental car stayed parked for a couple days.
Hills... There are no long sustained hills. There are quite a few, some steep (I was loving my 34x27 with my 195#s). There are also several flat (+/- 0-1-2%) sections to get into a good groove. Not the relentless hills of Madison.
There is some hiking, add the Mudgy and Millie story (http://www.mudgyandmillie.com/) for the younger kids.
Those are the quick answers. Dinner's on!
-Joe
HI!
Im going back to CDA next year too. Flying wise, Spokane is the way to go. At the end of June, Spokane will set some sort of record for flying in the least amount of body fat per airplane.
In 09, I stayed at the host resort. It is a true "resort" and the prices match. It was crazy expensive and they have minimum night stays during Ironman week. It did have a nice spa, a parking deck, and a Starbucks in the lobby. Despite the expense, it was great with my family. I had my wife, a 4 year old, and a 1.5 year old with me. Being so close to the transition, it was easy for my wife to go back and forth to the room as needed.
I havent done other IM's, so I cant really compare it to others. It surely has hills. Not too long, but pretty steep in parts. I found gearing and tempo to be key. The run has some small bumps in it. For a good portion, it is exposed to the lake wind, and that can be a bummer. In 09, the temp dropped big time and it rained. People were stuffing those foil space blankets everywhere they could; it was like running with a thousand poorly built Terminators. I think the year prior, the temp was in the 90's.
As for family time, I didn't find much to do with my little ones there. There is a huge, I mean HUGE, playground in the center of town right next to transition, and my kids spent hours there. If your little ones are older, there are all sorts of water activities to do and golf. Whatever you do, don't drive to Kellog to see the Gold Mine tour. Its like the movie "The Hills Have Eyes" except without the stereotypical sexy chick and suprising hero.
Look forward to seeing you there!
Greg
I just made made my reservation yesterday for a rental house that sleeps 4-6 $1600 yesterday on VRBO.
My family has gone three years now and there is a ton to do. The kids love the lake and the beach where the swim is at plus we've been lucky enough to stay on the lake at houses with kayaks. Someone mentioned the playground right outside transition already. There is a Go Kart place, a water park, and a theme park (theme park 10-15 minutes away). We've done the touristy boat ride, hiked Tubbs Hill, and of course many post race ice creams. I think its great for family vacations.
I'll find you on race weekend for sure.
The lake cruise is as fun family thing. Beach time was great and the down town playground was a hit with the kids. As others have stated, lots to do and kids had fun.
Thanks for all the tips on things for the DW and kiddies to do. I am sure they will have fun.
I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in CDA - we did a suite which worked for a family of 5. It was in the mid $300s per night but had the breakfast thing each morning and they served dinner every night we were there (which saves some money (50-90$ per dinner) for a family of 5) They ran a taxi at $5 per person the morning of the race and there was a Red Robin, some micro brewery restaurant and a movie theater within walking distance next to a nice park and several bike trails (one went all the way to Spokane).
I booked this about a month and a half before the race.
Tom
Oh I know some people who have stayed in Hayden at the Holiday Inn Express which I believe is across from a indoor water park which would be cool for kids - if the weather isn't as nice as it was this year.
This past year my kids 8-13 had a great time down by the lake and were there until I finished (which was quite late in the day - er I mean evening).
Good Choice Pete! Look me up when you get over there and we can jump on the bike course right from the hotel and do a little preview ride into Hayden Lake.