Best day for travel to Ironman
Hey guys,
I figured this question would be in the Wiki but I couldn't find it: What is the preferred day of travel during IM week? Here is my situation. I'm racing IM MT on Sun 8/19. I'm flying into Montreal from Chicago and will have a couple hours travel from Montreal to Mont Tremblant. I'm planning on travelling Friday but it seems like other folks are going over on Thursday. I'll be racing the 70.3 MT in June so I'll be familiar with the course and village. Hoping I can go in on Friday instead of Thursday, what is your take?
Thanks.
-M
0
Comments
"Last possible time to arrive"? Registration/check-in is OVER at 4 PM on Friday . You gotta be there by then to check in.
"Best day" to arrive? No right answer to that one. Me, even if I know the course, I like to ride key parts of it Thursday around noon (for a Sunday race), so I usually show up before then.
My opinion, especially for IM is as early as possible.
To echo what Al posted - be sure you're there in time for athlete check-in. I'd get there on Thursday if I were you. You never know what travel snafus await.
To chime in here as well, IME 70.3 is usually fine to get there the day before - so long as you make the registration deadline. There isn't as much chaos and hoopla and you'll be a lot less shattered afterward and could in theory go home the day of the race, if you're local-ish.
For IM, my experience has been that Thursday is a pretty good day to get into town - or late Wed eve - depending on your travel plans/times for a Sunday raceday. Given what most hoteliers do for an IM weekend, you'll end up with a 5 night min stay in a lot of places and that can also drive you to be there Wed (W/R/F/S/S nights). If you're traveling with your family and have kids under 10 or so, consider arriving later and adding days on the back-end to do something nearby to pay them back for standing out on a course in the sun all day. Also, afer an IM you probably won't want to get into a car or board a plane the next day anyway.
For myself, the earlier the better. I am thinking Wednesday this year for IM Lake Placid on Sunday. IM Florida is going to be a little more vexing since the race is Saturday and Trick or Treating is on Wednesday night. I am hoping to be able to grab a flight Wednesday night on Halloween.
For me, Wed or Thurs. I prefer to arrive in the afternoon with barely enough time to swing by the expo and take care of registration. I then have a full day(s) the next day(s) to take care of any admin stuff.
If you're not familiar with the course, I think it's valueable to have half a day where you get out and drive the bike course, using a driver so you can hop out and ride any key terrain on the course. This day should NOT be the day before the race, so on Friday for a Sunday race = arrive Thurs afternoon to take care of registration.
For IM I try to arrive Wed PM for a Sun race unless it it is in same time zone, then maybe Thursday. I prefer to have enough time to preview course like Al on Thurs unless I have done race more than twice. I also believe in the one day per hour of time zone difference esp if travelling west. Climate adaptation also would matter too but you have to take all variables into account so there is really no set rule. Just give yourself enough time to not be overstressed w/ travel, reg, course preview, etc.
For HIM, a day is plenty for me. Big difference in stress between a HIM and IM for me.