Post by Des on Jul 8, 2009 11:40:29 GMT -5
Ironman France is as tough as "they" say it is - cetainly a lot harder than Ironman Switzerland - its not that the course is particularily hard, you start with a 500m hill that is probably equivalent to the steepest part of Sherman and then most of the other hills are similar to Old Mill Road, but just soooooooo much longer, 21 Km and just when you think youre on the downhill theres another one of 7Kms. Anyone who loves techinical downhills will love this course, its a great finish going back down into Nice, but at least 2 people were airlifted out as the roads are narrow and the barriers are not solid or particularily high, but they did have adequate warning signs and lots of yellow flags. The support busses worked hard and were never empty.
The feedstations were chaotic and you either fought your way in and out or just went through to avoid a collision. Coke, water and Infinit were on offer, so there was plenty to go around, just very narrow roads and the stations were too small to accomodate the riders, even at the late stage that I was going through
Its the heat, dry winds (someone described them as riding with a hairdryer at your face) and the lack of support in the hills that make the bike hard.
The sea was amazing - nothing like Lake Eire at 6.30 in the morning Tim - it was warm, clear and like glass, but 2500 people all fighting for swim space caused great amusement for the spectators, some even obliging by emerging with black eyes. I wish I had a video of my route as everytime I looked to my right side there were people swimming in the same direction but at least 500m away.........were they "out" or was it me??
The run is flat and pretty uneventful, 4 loops and well supported, not much action at the feedstations, but at least there were showers and a cool hosepipe which was soooooooo welcome.
It was still THE BEST feeling crossing the line - quite equal to the first and in same ways even BETTER as all the long tedious hours on the trainer and treadmill had worked.
The biggest hiccup was that Air France mislaid my bike and bags for almost 2 days going out there ......this gave me a chance to blow off some pent up tension and arrive at the start feeling quite relaxed.
Rob and Tim thanks for bearing with all my insecurities and concerns during the winter training and the good kicks where and when they were needed you sent me to France with the mindset required to have an amazing day at the races.
Would I recommend IMFrance - ABSOLUTELY
The feedstations were chaotic and you either fought your way in and out or just went through to avoid a collision. Coke, water and Infinit were on offer, so there was plenty to go around, just very narrow roads and the stations were too small to accomodate the riders, even at the late stage that I was going through
Its the heat, dry winds (someone described them as riding with a hairdryer at your face) and the lack of support in the hills that make the bike hard.
The sea was amazing - nothing like Lake Eire at 6.30 in the morning Tim - it was warm, clear and like glass, but 2500 people all fighting for swim space caused great amusement for the spectators, some even obliging by emerging with black eyes. I wish I had a video of my route as everytime I looked to my right side there were people swimming in the same direction but at least 500m away.........were they "out" or was it me??
The run is flat and pretty uneventful, 4 loops and well supported, not much action at the feedstations, but at least there were showers and a cool hosepipe which was soooooooo welcome.
It was still THE BEST feeling crossing the line - quite equal to the first and in same ways even BETTER as all the long tedious hours on the trainer and treadmill had worked.
The biggest hiccup was that Air France mislaid my bike and bags for almost 2 days going out there ......this gave me a chance to blow off some pent up tension and arrive at the start feeling quite relaxed.
Rob and Tim thanks for bearing with all my insecurities and concerns during the winter training and the good kicks where and when they were needed you sent me to France with the mindset required to have an amazing day at the races.
Would I recommend IMFrance - ABSOLUTELY
