IM Canada or AZ?
Trying to decide on IMC or IMAZ for next year. Hills aren't a real problem for me on the bike - although the hills at IMC aren't exactly what I'm used to in a race. Looks like you get a climb like Mt. Diablo in NCAL right near the end - then a 40 minute downhill rest before the run. I don't do well with hilly runs, but IMC doesn't look too bad on the run. I really don't do well with cold water - can't find any information on that. I usually enter the Kona lottery, and have never won. If I got into Kona, I may still be able to do AZ (if I really felt like doing another IM), but Kona and Canada are pretty close together. If I start OS in December or January, AZ is an awfully long time to be training. I'm usually 4-6 weeks into recovery mode by then. Thoughts on both races? I have read some of the race reports, but new inforamtion is always good. Thanks
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Training for IMAZ now and all I can say is its a long season, usually winding down after Timberman which is this weekend but not this year, 12 or so more weeks to go.
Did IMAZ in 2009 and IMC in 2 weeks so can't tell you about IMC first hand yet however I can tell you doing a 3 loop bike and run SUCKS with that many people in the course. Both swims are cool but IMAZ is closer to 60 and IMC is closer to 65-68 historically. I was COLD getting on bike at IMAZ with the cool water and low humidity. There is one long shallow climb on bike, not too steep, at IMAZ you do 3 times and it usually windy. The run at IMAZ is awful as it is mostly on concrete now and very crowded.
I've done both races twice. After IMC, I felt that was my favorite course, primarily due to the bike which is not only very scenic, but also FUN - the hills are long, but not steep, allowing you to get into a rythym and hold it. The town and support is GREAT.
But then I did IM AZ, and have to say it is just about perfect (for me). The temps are very consistent that time of year, 65-72 max, with sunset about 5:15 PM, so the sun is not a factor. The weather is much more likely to be stable that time of year in AZ then August in Canada - hail, thunder, heat, all are possible, even on the same day.
Both are single loop swims. The water in Tempe, while "cold", is manageable, and calmer than Canada. Both swim venues offer plenty of room at the start, and one should not have any crowding issues in either. (Don't lisen to Paul about what's cold - he wears ear muffs when it gets below 70F in FL.)
Unlike others in this thread, I found I liked the three loop (run) meander around the Tempe Town Puddle trails, criss crossing three bridges five times each loop. There's always something coming up and lots of people around to distract (misery loves company). On the single loop out and back run in Canada, it gets kinda lonely coming back into town. Spectator support is easy with the three loops and multiple bridge crossings in Tempe. The triple bike loop may sound boring, but, again, it's easy to get into a groove on that course, unlike, say, CDA or Wisconsin with the constant change in grade.
All that said, I'm also thinking of doing both of those next year. I guess I'll have to decide real soon, though? I still haven't signed up for anything in 2012. CDA and St Gerorge are both still open. Those four races are the ones in my "neighborhood". Maybe I'll do all of them?
What caused the Froto feet? Concrete vs pavement?
Bob,
I can only comment on IMC. It was a great race and excellent venue for am IM race. I don't remember the water temps but they were not an issue for me in a full sleve suit. From the IMC website "Average water temperature on race day is 68 F / 20 C."
Bike was very scenic and great if you like the hills. Great course for EN execution as people go hammering by early in the race on Mcclean creek road. Special needs for the bike is late in the course around around 120km (~70 mile) so not at the half way point if using your own nutirion such as infinit this is key.
One comment on the course in general is all three disciplines are one loop so not as family friendly for viewing, that is instead of seeing you for 1-2 minutes you could get only 30 seconds to 1 minute with the family over the day.
Penticton is a small community an hotel fees and minimums are the order of the day like Lake Placid.
After the race you are in wine country and can do wine touring and sample if you are in to that. I don't drink wine and took my wife around which was great as she had a designated driver.
Gordon
@Al - thanks for the feedback. Long hills don't bother me much on the bike. I am able to watch my power and keep a low vi (low watts also with my ftp - but maybe higher next year if I follow the program). Rolling courses like Vineman cause me trouble. Hilly enough to be dangerous, but most of the hills are so short that it's hard for me to be smooth - this is my first full year with power, and I'm still not an execution ninja. I've done Vineman 12 times, and I thought I'd be able to be smooth through course knowledge and concentration, but ended up with a vi of 1.14. Maybe I could do better in Canada. IMC and IMAZ are equally long drives for me from NCAL, but they're about as local as I get. CDA and IMCG is just a little too early for me. I guess you're right - need to decide pretty quick.
I am going to Canada this year to volunteer on the swim then signing up for 2012 and am doing Arizona this year. I was concerned about the three loops, but looking on the bright side you're in the mojo the whole time on the run. Concrete/pavement running doesn't bother me as that is what I am used to.