Post by Rich James on Jul 16, 2009 21:19:31 GMT
Now that we've all recovered from Austria and are looking around for the next one it seems that there are two choices, a PB on a flat or fast course or a seriously tough one.
The flat/fast course options seem to be down to Copenhagen or Roth.
I can speak for Roth from a personal perspective having done the old course in 1996 and the current course in 1997, both times as an IM branded event as it was then.
In 1996 I did it with Phil 'Animal' Cutterham and Wayne Osmond.
Phil beat me by 3 seconds, Wayne had a tough race because of the heat but still came in at around 12.30 hrs and guy called Lothar Leder had a reasonably good race that day and became the first person to crack 8 hours.
In 1997 the race moved from the Rothsee lake to the canal for the swim section. This time it was just me racing with Animal, Wayne , Vic , Lighter and of course Alex(James) supporting. I was narrowly beaten by a Belgium guy called Luc Van Llerde who finished in a time of 7:48 or thereabouts. I was lucky enough to spend two hours with him that evening along with his sponsor. He bought me a beer or two and wanted to know about Bath Olympic Tri course in two weeks time ( he won it by a mile ).
So Roth looks fast, I think it is similar to Frankfurt although I have been faster on both occasions at Frankfurt despite being 10 years older!
I have decided to go for Lanzarote again on 22nd May 2010.
There are currently 960 places left, I anticipate it will be full by September.
Having done it once I feel that it is the best IM race I have done.
I remember going to La Santa on a two week training camp in 1992 and believing that I would never be fit enough to do the IM anywhere let alone there.
I did my first open water Olympic there and was hooked. It took me 16 years to return and nail the IM.
Yes , you are not going to get a PB, yes it is tough, but the measure is surely against yourself,.
I did 12:48 in Lanza last year, (I dont feel that my 11:06 at Austria means I am faster or it was a better result). But Lanza IM is my greatest achievement in the endurance world for me so far, and I will try to go faster there next year.
I dont doubt that those of you who have a faster time at Copenhagen will be proud of it, it is all a matter of context and who you are trying to beat, yourself or the record book?
At the moment Nick Kane ( a 2 x IM from Bitton Road Runners) and myself are the only registered entries from here, although Jer Dale is my top tip for the next one in. Eric is considering supporting again as he did last year. (He is having a break from IM next year). An old mate called Mark Carter from Trowbridge and former Bath Amphibian is also entered as his 8th time at IM Lanzarote,
So dont wait and look around for the 'easier ' option, there is no time like the present, you know you will want to do it at some stage, so go for it now and get your entry in.
So think about the Volcanoes and the warm wind in your face as you commute and train through the winter, it'll keep you warm inside.
Rich
The flat/fast course options seem to be down to Copenhagen or Roth.
I can speak for Roth from a personal perspective having done the old course in 1996 and the current course in 1997, both times as an IM branded event as it was then.
In 1996 I did it with Phil 'Animal' Cutterham and Wayne Osmond.
Phil beat me by 3 seconds, Wayne had a tough race because of the heat but still came in at around 12.30 hrs and guy called Lothar Leder had a reasonably good race that day and became the first person to crack 8 hours.
In 1997 the race moved from the Rothsee lake to the canal for the swim section. This time it was just me racing with Animal, Wayne , Vic , Lighter and of course Alex(James) supporting. I was narrowly beaten by a Belgium guy called Luc Van Llerde who finished in a time of 7:48 or thereabouts. I was lucky enough to spend two hours with him that evening along with his sponsor. He bought me a beer or two and wanted to know about Bath Olympic Tri course in two weeks time ( he won it by a mile ).
So Roth looks fast, I think it is similar to Frankfurt although I have been faster on both occasions at Frankfurt despite being 10 years older!
I have decided to go for Lanzarote again on 22nd May 2010.
There are currently 960 places left, I anticipate it will be full by September.
Having done it once I feel that it is the best IM race I have done.
I remember going to La Santa on a two week training camp in 1992 and believing that I would never be fit enough to do the IM anywhere let alone there.
I did my first open water Olympic there and was hooked. It took me 16 years to return and nail the IM.
Yes , you are not going to get a PB, yes it is tough, but the measure is surely against yourself,.
I did 12:48 in Lanza last year, (I dont feel that my 11:06 at Austria means I am faster or it was a better result). But Lanza IM is my greatest achievement in the endurance world for me so far, and I will try to go faster there next year.
I dont doubt that those of you who have a faster time at Copenhagen will be proud of it, it is all a matter of context and who you are trying to beat, yourself or the record book?
At the moment Nick Kane ( a 2 x IM from Bitton Road Runners) and myself are the only registered entries from here, although Jer Dale is my top tip for the next one in. Eric is considering supporting again as he did last year. (He is having a break from IM next year). An old mate called Mark Carter from Trowbridge and former Bath Amphibian is also entered as his 8th time at IM Lanzarote,
So dont wait and look around for the 'easier ' option, there is no time like the present, you know you will want to do it at some stage, so go for it now and get your entry in.
So think about the Volcanoes and the warm wind in your face as you commute and train through the winter, it'll keep you warm inside.
Rich
Lengthy Suicidal Distances I think is more appropriate after seeing the hours that will have to go in to prepare for an IM event.