Question about Ironman Florida
 

Have any of you done Ironman Florida? I would really like to make that my first iron distance event, which means I will need to sign up this November in order to get an 08 slot. I hear that it fills up really quickly. What I'm wondering is, do I have a shot at registering online, or are the available slots pretty much gone once the people at the actual 07 event get the first shot to register a day earlier? I would hate to miss it, and then be 2 years out. Thanks!

I've thought about making Florida my first also. I'm doing my first HIM this fall but don't think I'll be ready to commit to the training needed for an IM in 08. Still working and going to school. Maybe when all I have is work.

Sorry I can't help with your question though. Good luck to you if you get a spot.

I think they reserve some spots for online.
best bet if you know someone who is going to be there who can sign you up.

Can you elaborate a bit on that? I have a cable modem, so my connection is pretty quick. But what do you mean about being online 30 minutes before?

You can sign up online but you should be ready as soon as the entries open. But here's the thing...the race is mediocre at best, the town is a dump, the flat bike course is boring...and last year it was freakin' cold. I've never met anyone who did the race that came away saying it was great. Why not sign up for 2008 Coeur d' Alene (I know I mispelled it)?

There will be so many people online trying to get in that you should probably already be on the site so you limit the amout of access issues you have when a site gets overloaded like that. IM.com is not known for being a stable website.

And I agree with cjbruin. LP, CDA or IMMoo would all be much better destinations for an IM attempt. An IM is an IM, which is no small feat, but about anyone who has done IMFL and then another one says IMFL is a joke.

LP and MOO are ass kickers

Well, I understand what you are saying, but keep in mind where I am coming from. I still consider myself a new triathlete, and won't finish an International distance until this fall, and a Half IM next spring. If I'm being truly honest, I'm not looking to compete in the toughest IM out there, I just want to finish one. I'm originally from Alabama, and can stop there for a break with some family and then drive to the event. No plane needed - road trip with the wife and kids - (Grew up vacationing on those beaches) I know what PC is like, but I'm in this thing for the race. Other than the potential for some cool weather, is the event run well? Does it have the same IM atmosphere I see in the other IM venues? (watched most on OLN) I hope to do more than one of these in life, so I'm seeing this as my introduction to Ironman. A flat "boring" course doesn't sound that bad to me, since where I'm coming from right now, there is nothing boring about the concept of biking 112 miles, no matter what the terrain. But seriously, other than not being the ultimate Ironman for a competitor, what do you folks think of it for someone like me? Someone who has never really been an athlete, and is just in this right now to see if I can really do it?

From talking to folks down here, The Florida Iron Man is supposed to be the easiest Iron Man there is.

However, because it's the easiest, lots of people enter it trying to qualify for Kona. Thus it ends up being very fast, and actually the hardest race to qualify from.

But if your goal is to just finish, it would be an excellent first Iron Man.

The folks I know who have done multiple races including Florida all consider it to be the worst of the races they've done. I've heard that the fans and the energy does not stack up to the other races. I wasn't suggesting that you should try a harder race...IM is tough no matter where it is. I'm just going off the feedback of others who have done it. No one I know who has done it has said that it was a great event. YMMV.

Thanks all, I really appreciate the feedback, and cjbruin, thanks for clarifying that. I wonder why it is so different? I think because it is close, it still may be my first option, though I would love to do some of the others some day. The only other one I could conceivably drive to (with family) would be Louisville, but I know nothing about it, and though Louisville is a neat town I think my kids would still prefer to hang at the beach.

Just my .02. I found the IMFL event itself to be great. Afterall, it is an Ironman event, and the event, to a certain extent, is what you make it. That said, I have to agree that the course and the town on which the event is held just aren't stellar. It isn't a place I'll ever go back to IM or not. BUT...I'd say go for it. You will love the event because it will be your first Ironman, that right there is worth it. So, get yourself on your computer early, and ready to type fast and enter your CC# swiftly. As soon as the registration opens on line, be there! Sure it is a gamble, and it'll make you nervous, but it is acheivable....best of luck!

Foolish question - what does LP stand for?

Lake Placid. I *think* MOO is IM Wisconsin, but I'm not sure on that one.