The Great Floridian. Anyone have tips or reviews???

Briansmeby

 Planning on doing the great Floridian ultra in October. Any tips, reviews, or training suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Paul Hough

I've not done the whole thing, but I go to Clermont every year to race and train. I did the GFL Swim-Bike in 2010 (plus 6 mile run) as a race rehearsal for Arizona. I've biked the course many times and run the entire course at one point or another. In 2011, I did the Intermediate distance (same day as Great Floridian)...that consisted of 1.2 mile swim (the full is just two loops of that), 1st loop of the 3 loop bike (38 miles) and a 15K run. Clermont is where I go to get serious (for Florida) hill work. OK here's the skinny:

Sommer Sports has worked hard to improve the race. I thought 2011 was a real step up over 2010...nice starting banners...new motto...more festive finishing area etc. But we are still talking small potatoes here. With the Full, the swim only, the swim-bike, the Intermediate, a Sprint, and a stand-alone 15K all going on the same day, the race doesn't draw but maybe 500 entrants total...and fewer than 200 finishers in the full. On the plus side, you can park real close to the race.

2010 and 2011 were pretty cold in the morning...like 50s, but warming into the mid-70s. Both years I've been cold starting the bike but warmed up within 15 miles. Not sure if these were aberrations because past years have been really HOT. If you are in the full you have to rack your bike the day before.

The Full starts first, two loops in the lake which has been wetsuit legal the past 2 years, but not real cold...like 72-75 degrees. Good thing is that there is plenty of room to swim without getting banged around by other people. Wear tinted goggles for the sun coming up to the east. Short run up the beach and across the grass to the changing tent. No WTC amenities...i.e., put on your own sunscreen lotion. They did have wetsuit strippers last year though.

Bike - Hilly. You are coming to the hilliest area of Central Florida. It isn't flat and this course is going to prove it to you. It's a 3 loop course with the 1st loop going over the front ridge of Sugarloaf Mtn (1/2 mile climb at 19% grade...bring mo gears). The 2nd two loops cut the front pass out and go up the back of the ridge which is still very steep. There are plenty of other hills. Mostly 2 lane roads that are lightly traveled, but there is a good stretch (maybe 8 miles) on a well traveled highway that I hate. It's windy on that stretch and some big trucks may come by. After loop one, you'll pretty much be on your own except maybe to pass a few of the swim-bike folks who started later. I've never seen a ref out on the course, but they really don't need one...it's just you and your tri-bike. The water stations are adequate and the volunteers are friendly, but many do not understand that it is a race. Be prepared to stop to get what you need...you may come by and they'll just look at you and not hold anything out...just depends on who is manning the station. But I've been offered a beer at an official station there!

Run - you come out of T2, hang a left and go 1 mile to a turn, then back by transition...that part is totally flat, then a mile to the east and the rollers start. Nothing terrible, but it is NOT flat. You will do several loops to get the marathon in. Your family can stay at T1/2 and watch you go back and forth. There is no MoJo like at a WTC race. Expect virtually zero crowd support except for the families hanging around transition. They have adequate water, gatorade, and powergel on the run course.

If I don't make it to Kona (unlikely), I will be there as my race rehearsal to IM Cozumel. Some year I will have to do the whole thing!

morpheus

I did the GFT a long time ago, maybe 2006, as my first 140.6.

It's a tough course. And if you catch it on a late summer early fall heat wave, it can mean trouble. It's well 'put on' by the RD. Safe and organized. They give everything they got to the athletes. As evidenced by my wife pulling a 12 hr shift volunteering and getting a piece of pizza and a bottle of water....for the whole day! (It's a long story, no grudges held)

Paul hit a good point. If you 'need' the fanfare that big WTC events bring, you may find the GFT a little too quiet for ya. But, if you like a hard core crowd who's just looking to push it, this is a great race. Plenty of fast peeps show up, too.

WTC events are fun, and there's stuff at stake like kona slots.
Indy races....well, we do 'em cuz we like the hardcore stuff, anytime and anywhere, under any conditions.

GFT is one of the better Indy's.

Paul Hough

@ Chris - I'm not sure when they made the switch, but the old bike course was a lot easier (and I've ridden it). It used to come around from the east, hit Sugarloaf and the BuckHills, then head west to the flatlands in a kind of large figure 8 that never saw transition until you finished the 112 miles. By 35 miles you were pretty much done with hills. The new triple loop course makes it easier to logistically support, but the downside is that you never get out of the hills. I think it's on par or maybe even a tougher bike than Couer D'Alene.

Briansmeby

Thanks!!! Great stuff guys! I think the smaller venue may be good. A little less intimidating for my first ultra distance. A little intimidated, but I got 9 months to get ready. Time to get to work!! May not be a Clydesdale by then! Lol

Dave Tallo

Brian, I'm late to this thread, but wanted to add to the positive reviews of GF. It's a very well-organized, established race on a course with varied features, but it's not killer. I hope you have a great experience.

(best part ... if you're undecided, you can wait until the week before the race before you have to commit to registration!)

Briansmeby

 Thanks Dave!  I already registered. I needed the motivation. . Glad to hear its well put on. I think the smaller venue will be less daunting for my first.