I wasnt aware ware there had been a hotel mess up and don't know how I would of coped with that. I'm also impressed that you got a good sleep the night before. I have to have a couple of glasses of red wine to get to sleep the night before.
I do remember the sun in my eyes on the swim, the hillier than expected run and I too chose to walk the aid stations which worked well. This is great read for anyone doing the event. I have similarly posted my views in My Ironman FAQ at http://www.ironcrab.com/2013/12/my-ironman-uk-faqs/ . Hopefully can add a few more experiences that will help people doing the event.
I have toyed with doing it somewhere else but Bolton is on my doorstep and the last couple of years I've had great support because of this. I've also got half a dozen friends doing it too this time round so the competitive part of me wants to best them!
Definitely on the cards in future though. Be interested to watch how you go in Copenhagen
Well, my wife and kids were coming to watch but term times have now changed and she will be at work Monday morning so it looks like I'll be on my lonesome.
Better get my fuelling sorted after this weekends disaster.
Bonk & DNF A tough weekend, after bonking on the bike yesterday, due to lack of fuel on the ride whilst battling with the wind, hauling up hills in chilly conditions.
Today I managed just 5 of the 6 cross country miles in Corsham Challenge race, the soft sodden grass sapped the last of my energy.
Rest & recovery required tonight. Lesson learnt - don't forget to fuel on the bike- duh!
If you want to do an IM branded event then I would never talk you out of it but do consider the challenge races.
And once you have that nailed ask yourself if staying in this country to do a race of this magnitude on your 30th is maybe not reaching for the best race you can do.
there are a lot of races just over the water that would be worth a jaunt for such a great occasion, Frankfurt, Austria, Roth etc.
And if you are still in this country (well UK) then doing either of these races for your first will be tough but well doable if you train appropriately for them.
Wales is tough, hilly, can be windy and late on so exposed to weather variations on the coast as autumn sets in. Well supported and a well run race.
UK have bedded in very well over the last few years at Bolton and gets better each year, again well supported and tough but not as much as Wales.
Depending on your location being able to train on the course in my opinion (not always shared) is a benefit.
Thanks Crooky and Iron Rose. It would be in 2015. I had thought about the possibility of doing a European event, though the additional costs and logistics are making me think I should stay in the UK.
I've heard good things about the Challenge races, so they an another option too. Any recommendations on Challenge events in the UK?
I live near Milton Keynes, so location wise, training on either Wales' course or the Bolton course isn't really practical, though we do have a good few hills around the area.
SA.....Tenby cost me less than a £100....plus entry........there is no way you can do an overseas one for less than £1000 plus entry...by the time you pay flights and insurance and airport parking and accommodation and food abroad as you can't take your own.....and travel in the country etc...maybe overnight accommodation for the night before the flight
My trip to Nice isn't costing a fortune, cheap apartment, flights booked months back, and you have to eat where ever you are... And as we have an apartment we will use the local Carrefour
i did my first one last year in bolton, but as you can see in my name I am local and know the course.
but if you train enough then anybody can do one, if you are thinking of bolton next year make sure you book as soon as the event opens
it will sell out just like this year
When route confirmed Crooky if you know the course are you up for taking a few pirates on a recci ride ? My first ironman. Not sure 112 miles is ever easy with 26.2 to go afterwards !
i did my first one last year in bolton, but as you can see in my name I am local and know the course.
but if you train enough then anybody can do one, if you are thinking of bolton next year make sure you book as soon as the event opens
it will sell out just like this year
When route confirmed Crooky if you know the course are you up for taking a few pirates on a recci ride ? My first ironman. Not sure 112 miles is ever easy with 26.2 to go afterwards !
Red Stripe sounds like a good idea, with it only being a 2 lap course then doing 1 lap would make a good ride out
once course is confirmed and weather not so wet or cold
Comments
Great set of articles Adam.
I wasnt aware ware there had been a hotel mess up and don't know how I would of coped with that. I'm also impressed that you got a good sleep the night before. I have to have a couple of glasses of red wine to get to sleep the night before.
I do remember the sun in my eyes on the swim, the hillier than expected run and I too chose to walk the aid stations which worked well. This is great read for anyone doing the event. I have similarly posted my views in My Ironman FAQ at http://www.ironcrab.com/2013/12/my-ironman-uk-faqs/ . Hopefully can add a few more experiences that will help people doing the event.
Thanks
Andrew
www.ironcrab.com
Your right Andrew, the sun in my eyes on the swim heading back to the bank
but what happened to it later on in the day when the heavens opened on the run !
Definitely on the cards in future though. Be interested to watch how you go in Copenhagen
Well, my wife and kids were coming to watch but term times have now changed and she will be at work Monday morning so it looks like I'll be on my lonesome.
Oh well, at least the pirates will be there...
Sneaky peek of the revised bike course??
http://www.lep.co.uk/webimage/1.6380727.1389972699!/image/2497942320.jpg_gen/derivatives/articleImgDeriv_628px/2497942320.jpg
Not detailed, but I've got someone who is trying to map a GPX from this...
It also looks as we will be climbing hunters hill twice! a nice steep climb
Better get my fuelling sorted after this weekends disaster.
Bonk & DNF
A tough weekend, after bonking on the bike yesterday, due to lack of fuel on the ride whilst battling with the wind, hauling up hills in chilly conditions.
Today I managed just 5 of the 6 cross country miles in Corsham Challenge race, the soft sodden grass sapped the last of my energy.
Rest & recovery required tonight. Lesson learnt - don't forget to fuel on the bike- duh!
Hi everyone,
Thinking of taking on an IM for my 30th next year, and was wondering what people's thoughts on IM UK and Wales are for my first one.
Cheers.
Hi jamie
i did my first one last year in bolton, but as you can see in my name I am local and know the course.
but if you train enough then anybody can do one, if you are thinking of bolton next year make sure you book as soon as the event opens
it will sell out just like this year
are you talking 2014 or 2015 ? just checking ?
If you want to do an IM branded event then I would never talk you out of it but do consider the challenge races.
And once you have that nailed ask yourself if staying in this country to do a race of this magnitude on your 30th is maybe not reaching for the best race you can do.
there are a lot of races just over the water that would be worth a jaunt for such a great occasion, Frankfurt, Austria, Roth etc.
And if you are still in this country (well UK) then doing either of these races for your first will be tough but well doable if you train appropriately for them.
Wales is tough, hilly, can be windy and late on so exposed to weather variations on the coast as autumn sets in. Well supported and a well run race.
UK have bedded in very well over the last few years at Bolton and gets better each year, again well supported and tough but not as much as Wales.
Depending on your location being able to train on the course in my opinion (not always shared) is a benefit.
Good luck with your decision.
Thanks Crooky and Iron Rose. It would be in 2015. I had thought about the possibility of doing a European event, though the additional costs and logistics are making me think I should stay in the UK.
I've heard good things about the Challenge races, so they an another option too. Any recommendations on Challenge events in the UK?
I live near Milton Keynes, so location wise, training on either Wales' course or the Bolton course isn't really practical, though we do have a good few hills around the area.
looks like a new route has been published for the bolton bike course.not confirmed but it seems to be easier than previous years
they indicated this at the end of race party last year, still does sheep house but only 2 loops.
MK is fine for training, I work in NTON 2 days a week and know a few triathletes down there.
What additional cost for doing a European one?
Its costing me more to stay in Tenby for 3 nights, than 1 week in lanza and that includes flights to lanza,
SA.....Tenby cost me less than a £100....plus entry........there is no way you can do an overseas one for less than £1000 plus entry...by the time you pay flights and insurance and airport parking and accommodation and food abroad as you can't take your own.....and travel in the country etc...maybe overnight accommodation for the night before the flight
Naybe nort a fortune Dave but definitely all in over the 1000 compared to 100 in this country
without the cost of the entry, I bet it isn't over a grand....
Sorry Seren.... Just added it all up:-
EasyJet from Scouseland, airport parking, and a 2 bed apartment with a sea view (and less than 200 yds from transition) = £826.
And that includes flights for 2 of us and my bike.
John Lennon airport is only 12 miles from home so negligible fuel in my diesel.
Bus from Nice airport into town ? Dunno but I doubt it is more that £10 each way for us both.
So less than £850. We would have to eat if we were at home, and as we are in an apartment we don't have to eat out all the time.
No doubt we could have found a cheaper apartment without balcony and sea view and saved a bit more.
I'm doing my first Ironman at Bolton looking forward to it, may need some good advice from some experienced Iron men.
Hi and welcome Rick
When route confirmed Crooky if you know the course are you up for taking a few pirates on a recci ride ? My first ironman. Not sure 112 miles is ever easy with 26.2 to go afterwards !
Red Stripe sounds like a good idea, with it only being a 2 lap course then doing 1 lap would make a good ride out
once course is confirmed and weather not so wet or cold
http://m.eu.ironman.com/triathlon/events/emea/ironman/uk/residents.aspx#axzz2rzq1vP00
Did the proposed loop last weekend, nice ride