@Zach.. I'll be at Muncie this year and is virtually in my back yard. It's great flat bike and semi hilly run, but weather has been the greatest obstacle most years. From crazy hot years to wild thunderstorms others. It's been the place though were I've felt I had the best races of my career. Went 4:26:xx in 09' and hope to better that this coming year and be in the running for a qualifying slot. Really stoked that this is a 70.3 now!!!
Muncie has been well run in the past. Bummer it's a 70.3. The water is clean. Wave start. Pretty much an out and back. Sun in your eyes when you come back so sighting is difficult. The swim seems long-times are slow even for the amazing collegiate swimmers that I know. I'd say it's long by 200. RD would say no. You run up a hill to T1, well organized, grassy. T1. Bike flat, boring, can be windy. You bike on a people trail for maybe 1.5 miles to get onto the road. The road is CLOSED, yes closed for the race. amazing. Well, in the past years. Some false flat on the bike back. It is very flat. Good aid stations. Bathroom at the turn around of the bike/ mile 26-ish. You go thru some turns and neighborhoods near the end, some poor roads near the end. Enter T2. Run is well organized, aid stations are awesome, every mile. They have iced towels-that was before 70.3. It was amazing b/e NO SHADE on the run. F-ing hot. Full sun on hot roads, no wind. It can be killer. Heat is a factor every year. Some times thunderstorms. The run has rollers, which is surprising b/c of the bike. So expect some very small hills, not flat. Great support, amazing volunteers. Gotta love the iced towels. Good luck.
I raced there a few years ago and had a great time ! Excellent race organization, but that was pre-70.3. Hopefully the transition goes smooth and the race maintains it's great reputation.
I may be the nay sayer in the bunch. I raced it in '08 and I would not do this race again, even though it's only a few hours from me. Volunteers were nice but not well instructed in what to do. Did not enjoy this course at all. Especially now that it's a 70.3 and cost $75 more than I paid when it wasn't WTC.
I did hear/read somewhere that the race director is the same even though it's a 70.3. That being said, while I don't like WTC taking over the world, the branded races I've done have all been done well IMO. I've done plenty of not-so-pleasantly run, safety-last races, so generally I'm happy with WTC even if it's a little more $$.
Looking forward to seeing you guys there! I know somewhere on the forum we talked about getting everyone to meet up at the 70.3s, similar to what RnP do at the IMs. As we get closer to the race we will definitely have to get something together
One thing to add is about the Hotels or lack there of in the Muncie area. Not the greatest but there are a few decent (like Hoiday Inn Express i think) places to stay. Any more questions on the area etc... just ask away and I'll try and help.
Jennifer, I'm all for meeting up at Muncie! It would be great to meet all of you! I better sign up pretty soon I suppose...Kinda was waiting for Christmas to be done.
Actually, I hate flat bike course as it puts me at a big disadvantage...but it's good for me to force me to get stronger and learn to race bigger/stronger guys.
Just got to sort out the logistics, but I'm really leaning do it. Just have to get the permission slip signed. Anyone know how long the drive is from Chicago?
Believe it's just around 4 hours. (Sadly) I think I should warn you that if 2011 is like 2010, then the race is the same weekend as the EN IMOO rally. But, I think that being able to race the flat course would be a huge mojo booster then!
Actually, I hate flat bike course as it puts me at a big disadvantage...but it's good for me to force me to get stronger and learn to race bigger/stronger guys.
Just got to sort out the logistics, but I'm really leaning do it. Just have to get the permission slip signed. Anyone know how long the drive is from Chicago?
Matt-- If you want to come and play I'll have a place for you to stay if you like. I'm like 40 minutes from the race sight from my house.
You'll be surprised I think with the course, although flat for some reason us little guys still can hang with the big boys on the bike. I went 2:17:xx and I think was 7 overall time on the bike so I think 2:15:xx or under is in the books for both of us on this course. I think the sneaking part of the course since its dubbed as so flat, is the run with all the little rollers the whole way, can really get to you if you are not ready.
Would be totally stoked to have you come!! And since you are not in my age group all the better, as I'm going for a Vegas slot.
Since Jennifer mentioned this in another thread it reminded me to check in and share that I am registered for Muncie ... see you guys there! After 5 years of Racine I decided it was time for something different.
Just my 2 cents, I was a regular at Racine the last 4 or so years, and did muncie the first time last year. Run was killer compared to Racine, heat was a big factor (but it really was all summer!) Pretty hilly run compared to Racine as well. THere are hotels pretty close by that were decent and cheap....I paid like 70 bucks for a room last year and it was full of racers. I didnt get a room until 2 weeks before the race, either. Thatll probably change this year though, being a 70.3. I loved that bike course....flew on it! Comparable to Racine, except less bumpy than the roads up there!
Comments
Looking forward to seeing you guys there! I know somewhere on the forum we talked about getting everyone to meet up at the 70.3s, similar to what RnP do at the IMs. As we get closer to the race we will definitely have to get something together
You should do Muncie! I'm sure you'll be riding enough hills prepping for WI. Will be fun to do a flat course like Muncie
Just got to sort out the logistics, but I'm really leaning do it. Just have to get the permission slip signed. Anyone know how long the drive is from Chicago?
Matt-- If you want to come and play I'll have a place for you to stay if you like. I'm like 40 minutes from the race sight from my house.
You'll be surprised I think with the course, although flat for some reason us little guys still can hang with the big boys on the bike. I went 2:17:xx and I think was 7 overall time on the bike so I think 2:15:xx or under is in the books for both of us on this course. I think the sneaking part of the course since its dubbed as so flat, is the run with all the little rollers the whole way, can really get to you if you are not ready.
Would be totally stoked to have you come!! And since you are not in my age group all the better, as I'm going for a Vegas slot.
I think I might have to make a preemptive hotel reservation!
Joe