Ironman open slots - Triathlon Week

10-18-2004, 11:17 AM

My how things have changed; seems the IM events are crowded compared to
6-8 years ago. Seems to get registered for an IM event you have to be
there in person the day after the race.

Are there any IM events in the US that aren't so crowded? Next summer
I've planned on Ohio HFP's full distance Pineman event, but I so much
want to do an authentic Ironman. I want to crawl across the finish line
to say "I am an Ironman" for the cameras (but by the time I finish the
press cameras will have gone home, but maybe my wife and kid will take
pictures if they can stay up that late)

Eric

10-18-2004, 12:30 PM

On 10/18/04 1:17 PM, in article, "Eric" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

> My how things have changed; seems the IM events are crowded compared to
> 6-8 years ago. Seems to get registered for an IM event you have to be
> there in person the day after the race.
>
> Are there any IM events in the US that aren't so crowded? Next summer
> I've planned on Ohio HFP's full distance Pineman event, but I so much
> want to do an authentic Ironman. I want to crawl across the finish line
> to say "I am an Ironman" for the cameras (but by the time I finish the
> press cameras will have gone home, but maybe my wife and kid will take
> pictures if they can stay up that late)
>
> Eric
>

Eric,

Sorry, but if it's an "authentic" Ironman you're after then you better get
yourself to the race site the day after the race to sign up.

If you want to cover 140.6 miles you've got lots of choices. Pineman is
one, the Blue Devil is great, I've heard good things about Chesepeakman,
UltraMax, Vineman, and Great Floridian.

Which is more important, the lack of a "crowd" or the logo?

John

10-18-2004, 06:13 PM

> Which is more important, the lack of a "crowd" or the logo?

You're right, it ain't the log that's most important to me, it's the
event and the ability to finish.
Eric

10-18-2004, 08:44 PM

In article <JTScd.1419$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>,
Eric <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

> My how things have changed; seems the IM events are crowded compared to
> 6-8 years ago. Seems to get registered for an IM event you have to be
> there in person the day after the race.
>
> Are there any IM events in the US that aren't so crowded? Next summer
> I've planned on Ohio HFP's full distance Pineman event, but I so much
> want to do an authentic Ironman. I want to crawl across the finish line
> to say "I am an Ironman" for the cameras (but by the time I finish the
> press cameras will have gone home, but maybe my wife and kid will take
> pictures if they can stay up that late)

I'll see you at the full Pineman next year. I did IM Wisconsin last year
and had a blast, but I think you can call yourself an Ironman if you do
any Ironman-distance race in under 17 hours.

IIRC, IM Couer d'Alene took a while to fill up this year, while IM
Wisconsin filled up in 13 hours. You have to sit by your computer if you
want to get into that one.

--Harold Buck

"I used to rock and roll all night,
and party every day.
Then it was every other day. . . ."
-Homer J. Simpson

10-19-2004, 06:34 AM

Eric <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>
> but I so much
>want to do an authentic Ironman.

An "authentic" Ironman is 2.4 / 112 / 26.2

Do the distance and you're an Ironman, no matter the logo.

Mike Tennent
"IronPenguin"

10-19-2004, 06:50 AM

Mike Tennent
> "IronPenguin"
Is "IronPenguin" any referral to an old column in Runner's World? I
think the writer used to end with "waddle on friends?" It was very
inspirational to me, especially now since I'm a good bit older and slower
Eric

10-20-2004, 06:10 AM

Eric <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

> Mike Tennent
>> "IronPenguin"
>Is "IronPenguin" any referral to an old column in Runner's World? I
>think the writer used to end with "waddle on friends?" It was very
>inspirational to me, especially now since I'm a good bit older and slower
>Eric
>

Yep, that's what I derived it from - the "penguin" runners. The
author's name is John Bingham. He's speaks at a lot of marathon expos.

I'm a last hour Ironman finisher. But just because I'm slow doesn't
mean I'm not competitive. I finish as fast as I can (and still
finish.) It just takes me a while. <g>

Mike Tennent
"IronPenguin"

10-20-2004, 08:34 AM

) It just takes me a while. <g>
The way I look at it: last guy works a lot longer (and thus harder) than
the front finisher. I'm usually one of the first in my swim wave, and
near the back at the finish. I thought of telling sponsors that if their
name is on my back, I can guarantee everyone will see it.

I'm 52 and figure if I stay in this another 10 or 15 years I'll have a
good shot at an age group 1st place trophy. I just need to outlive the
competition

Eric