Ironman Lake Placid 2014

Notes from the IM official site;
"Adverse weather affects the age group race
Thunder and lightning in the area forced race officials to cancel the second loop of the swim for the age group athletes. The official age group results will include one loop of the swim, the bike, T2, and the run. T1 will not be included."

I feel sorry for the competitors mostly, but it also sounds like a dreadful morning for spectators, volunteers and race organizers. Jan and I went to watch the race in 2008 and it rained quite a bit, though not horribly hard during the bike that year. In 2009 when Jan completed the race it rained some during the swim then cleared up. But neither year had the lightning this year brought. Yuck.

I also found this photo, which is quite disturbing on many levels;

Okay ladies, stop staring at the speedo man with the buttoned up white cover over his privates.

1. As MW wrote to me, who dresses like this in the morning and decides at the last minute that he must have a visor?
2. And why is the visor backwards? 
3. With any luck the State Trooper ran him over.
4. Speedo Man is obviously quite comfortable in his own skin (since that's mostly all he's wearing).while running and cheering, but what happens when he's done? He just calmly walks back to the car like he's strolling to the grocery store?
5. Where are his car keys?
6. What, do we live in France now and are watching the Tour de France with the loonies they have spectating?
7. I think he's wearing socks. Again, it begs the question why? His feet get cold?
8. Speedo guy has a really large....watch on his left hand. So, I'm going out for a run in my speedo, 90% naked, and I need to get the exact time and distance I ran?
9. I don't think there is a gel pocket in those shorts.
10. Okay, where is the Smart phone hidden?

Ironman

Yesterday I received notification in my email that a new full IM race will be held in Muskoka, Ontario Canada. Why do I receive this notifications? I'm not sure, it must be a holdover from Jan entering Louisville and Lake Placid.
The new race will be held August 30, 2015 and the previous 70.3IM will be moved to July, making a perfect training race for the full distance. The cost is only 700 Canadian, plus HST (tax) plus Active.com fees. ($757 US, plus tax and fee, so way over $800).

Today, I was presented with a new offer in my email. If I register within the next 24 hours for Lake Placid IM 2015, I also get entry to the Syracuse 70.3 race held a month earlier, the so called "RACE READY PACKAGE". This package is limited to 400 athletes and costs $940 plus Active.com fees. It's a bargain I guess as Lake Placid IM entry alone is $725 plus fees. I suppose if you are entering LP anyhow this package kind of makes sense assuming Syracuse is your destination of choice for a 1/2 IM.

Interesting, when we went to watch the 2008 LPIM, to register for 2009 your best shot was to wait in line on Monday morning, charge account in hand, for 2-3 hours. With the link above you can register before this year's race, if you are ready to commit to two races next summer.

This also tells me the IM corporation (now an equity group owns IM, not a private person) is looking for new methods of marketing their product, expanding the brand and driving profits. When Jan completed LP in 2009 around 2,100 people were allowed in the race. The transition area was busy, lets say, but roomy enough. This year (Sunday actually) 2,500 are expected to start the race. At $700 per runner entry fee that's an additional $280,000, not bad if you can keep the race safe and not burn out the local townspeople.

So hurry, click on the one of the links above. Just choose Canada or the Adirondacks for your race!

Lake Placid Ironman

Well, I was considering registering for the 2013 Lake Placid Ironman at noon today. After all, I just  finished my first 70.3 distance, who cares if I slogged to a 6:48 time and probably wouldn't have made it to the finish line without Jan and Lou biking along for much of the half-marathon?

I went to the web site, the price for registering went up to $650, plus a processing fee. If you decide not to do the race they will refund $150. Yet their business model absolutely is a success judging by almost every one of the IM's selling out, usually in a few hours at most. When Jan did Lake Placid three years ago registration was under $500. Still a lot of money, but a 30% increase in fees seems ridiculous. But then, the first NYC IM sold out in minutes and is over $800.

Yes, in addition to all of the other sane reasons not to attempt an Ironman, I am too cheap.

Ten Reasons Not to Enter an Ironman;

1. I would need a new wetsuit, my current one was bought used and has gouges all over it.
 Cost $180+
2. I would need a faster bike. My road bike is nice, an "entry" level Trek that was under $800. Yes, training helps get better, but buying speed would make a 112 mile ride easier. So, let's say I find a lightweight, aerodynamic, fitted bike on sale. $1500-$2000 would be a moderate amount for that.
3. Accomodations. Understandably the local motels/homes for rent/condos charge more during IM periods. Usually there is a minimum 3 night stay, in fact, you have to check in to IM by Friday for a Sunday race, so your hand is forced. Figure room costs to be doubled. Many times homes you can rent require 2 weeks, one for IM week, one around that time or another time in the year (this is assuming you can find a room or house at all-they get booked while people are standing in line the morning in-person registration opens). Let's go with 4 nights in an average motel, nothing fancy. $1000.
4. Swimming lessons. With a wetsuit I am a moderate swimmer, middle of the pack in my age group maybe. A few lessons when having to race 2.4 miles might be in order. $400.
5. It's a damn long way to race. 140.6 miles. Ridiculous.
6. I get dehydrated easily and the older I get the more susceptible I am to the vagaries of weather.
7. I don't own a pool, public pools aren't always open (Bport state closed all summer, Roberts Wesleyan closed...well... the water disappeared overnight...). Lakes get darn cold around here between October-May.
8. 112 miles on a bike? My butt is sore just thinking about it.
9. Planning ahead. I'm supposed to know what I am doing with my life a year from now? I have a hard time thinking about what to make for dinner tonight.
10. Time. Time to train, eat, sleep. It's a part-time job, 15-25 hours a week of training, for months. That's a big load on the athlete and his/her family.

Total monetary price is a minimum of $3900, plus transportation and food. If you have a nice bike and wetsuit already, still figure $1650 plus food and transportation. Really, this is a big commitment, one I won't be doing.