Race Recommendations for 2012
In my off time this week I was looking towards next season. Planning wise I see a potential mid-season and/or late season IM. Looking at the schedule IMLP fits time wise and we have family in the area making it a good location for the wife and kids. However, I have some reservations as this would be my first attempt at this distance and the course looks a little hilly. I am a big dude. Currently 260 trying to get down another 30-40 pounds but when I get there I’ll still be a big dude. I also train in SoFL where the only up and down are bridges and the climbs are ¼ to ½ miles at most. I am 3 hrs away from a very hilly area in central Fl and can get some hill work in there but my SAU cost will increase and there is the ROI as well but I could likely get 1-2 weekend trips in during race prep.
The alternative to IMLP would be Musselman, similar time and location to family in NY but only a HIM and total climbing would be similar to the last HIM I did. For late season IMFL seems to fit as I’m in Fl thus it is close when kids are in school. So I would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions on either IMPL and IMFL next year or Musselman and IMFL next year or other race combinations. Thanks for the input.
Comments
As for hills, we flatten them here in EN right? Sure you like to ride some in prep but maybe just sneak away for a big bike weekend to that hilly area. Even better if you can bring the family. To limit the away time.
And isn't that some awesome motivation for losing that 40? Have never done LP but trained on the course I would say it would be in your interest to drop the weight. It's not a course for really big guys. Except of course the descent to Keane. I hit 52mph there and was probably 205-210. Fun stuff.
I think you can totally do it. Losing the weight will most certainly make the day go by easier and make you much faster. Your bike and run will be so different you won't recognize the old you.
I'm doing Musselman this year. I'm originally from the central NY area and my parents and a bunch of family still live there. My goal is to get a HIM race in there every year. Last year I did Syracuse 70.3 and Musselman this year. I'll be back to do Syracuse 70.3 again next year because the race is moving to the end of June. So you might want to consider that race. The mid-September date of the Syracuse race for 2010 (even though I did it) and 2011 was not good for me either for the same reason -- kid in school. Late June will work great. My parents were not pleased when I came by myself last fall. It's all about the grandkid!
I also did IMFL last year. Very good first time IM course and very convenient for you since you live in FL. It's a flat and forgiving course. It's also a hell of a lot easier to find accommodations (and for cheap) because PCB is a ghost town in November. I'll let the IMLP vets talk about IMLP but that bike course is hilly and technical. The swim, from what I've read, is tough because they pack nearly 3000 people into a very small lake. That area is very beautiful though. A thousand times nicer than PCB.
@ Bob, Where in central NY, wife is from outside Albany. I spent some time in Saratoga Springs. Did not know that Syracuse was moving so that is definitely another option. I also hear that IMFL is a very good first timer course so that might be the way for me to go. Thanks for the input.
I grew up in Liverpool which is a 'burb of Syracuse. I went to school in Albany. SUNY Albany class of 1992... go Great Danes!
I was pleased to hear the 'Cuse race was moving to June. FWIW, I did hit 50 mph on one of the downhill parts of the 'Cuse course.
I think IMFL would be a good course for you. The course isn't technical or difficult at all. Yes, it's still 140.6 miles to traverse but there's no freezing cold water, mountains, 95 degree temps or whatever to worry about. Plus you're in your home state which eliminates some of the stress of traveling.
Just to second what Paul said, I live in VA and train on a pretty flat course (some short rollers and steady inclines) mainly because its a safe place to ride my bike. Im doing LP this year and just got back from LP rally. I adjusted pretty quick to the hilly terrain...EN way does flatten out the course..Just keep the same effort. Granted a lot of us folks were going 5.5 MPH up some of those hills while keeping in our zones...On my training course I will throw it in a big gear lower my cadence and push it to try and stimulate my hill climbing muscles. Also makes it easier to get the EN Work in.
IMHO as a new guy (2nd season of Tris and only a running background) LP is my first IM and I think the bike course is no joke. I've only been riding for 2 years and I was really trying to be a spunge to everyone around me during the camp. If I don't pace myself right on that course I'm gonna be done. I would recommend to anyone doing the race to attend the EN Rally or somehow Miracle a way up Placid before the race to ride the course. For me, I'm so glad I went to the rally in LP...As a first timer IM guy, I honestly can't imagine showing up in Lake placid the Thursday before the race then driving that bike course...Maybe if I was a more experienced biker, otherwise I would totally freak out. The plus side of LP is that it is STOOPID pretty. So many aweasome things to look at while you are riding around.
IMFL may be next for me in 2012 not because I really want to do the course but because it will be easier for me to roll it into a family vacation and split some of the housing costs with fellow family vacationers. The first person I am consulting with when deciding on which IM for 2012 is my wife. She is leaning towards FL so that is what I will do. Also just taking the stress of finding a decent place to stay is worth a lot to me after Placid...
I think either way, your gonna make it happen.
@ Paul: Thanks for the recommendations. Interesting I was just reading an article on becoming an Uber Cyclist by Torbjorn Sindballe and he was talking about the same thing (high resistance, low cadence) to build cycling specific strength. What is it they say great triatheleats think alike or something like that? But it is nice to hear that type of training can help a flatlander become a better climber.
@Nate you nailed the $64,000 questions with “What does your spouse want to do?” Well she is happy with whichever Upstate NY tri I pick because she gets 2 weeks at home with her family. I also think that LP rally would be great if I go with IMLP but I do not think that I could swing to trips to Upstate NY in the same year so may have to settle for the Blue Ridge trip. Also ditto what I said to Paul on the high resistance low cadence training suggestion. Hope you have a great race and get to look around and enjoy the scenery. I will likely see ya at IMFL in 2012.
@ Tucker I think you and Paul are right being lighter and with another year of solid EN style training and EN execution I would be more than ready.
I think I will look to sign-up for IMLP next year. You only go around once. Right? Thanks again to all for the input and help.
Dewey,
I've done IMLP once in 2004 at around 200lbs on LSD training and finished. Yes you can do the course but the standard discussion would be for people to have a 27 on the back cassette. At 220 you might even consider a 28, but that's a discussion for next year in April or May. With the EN execution you should be in a great position, much better than me as I felt good and hammered it out of town on the section loop and suffered.
Just spend the time now pushing the weight down and the watts up and you should be fine in LP.
As for the swim course yes it can be a slug fest if you start up front but will 2200 people in 2004 I started off the back with no problems. Who knows what another 800 people will do. The one advantage of the LP swim over IMFL is rowing lanes in the lake so you don't have to sight to swim straight, and on Ocean swells.
LP also has two loop swim, bike and run so and extra 30 seconds of face time for the family over the day. IMFL has a one lap bike .
The down side of LP is the cost of lodging and getting in, but NY and the Quebec IM could help this out. Who knows.
Having said all of this the 1/2 would not be a bad option as it would allow you to concentrate on more speed and a less distance, but if you want to do an IM.
Edit - Yes I was wrong IMFL run course is two loops, thanks for the correction
Gordon
The run at IMFL is two out & backs.
@ All I'll let ya know if I get ion when registration opens.