What is the easiest IronMan Triathlon to Qualify for Hawaii?

vyaw2003 · May 2nd, 2008, 12:17 AM

What is the easiest IronMan Triathlon to Qualify for Hawaii?
or
What is a less popular one, where the competition isnt as strong?

**pliny_2001** · May 2nd, 2008, 10:36 AM

There's just alot of luck involved - if your age group at a particular race (I think that some 70.3's can slots for Kona now, as well) has three slots available and the top 3 finishers all have cash on hand to go, then you're SOL - that said, though, I've heard about some slots dropping down to like the 100th finisher before they found someone to take it (who knows if it's true, and it'd be pretty rare).

If a race has more slots available, it may be easier, but it probably also means it's a more competitive field. Also, there are some Hawaii-local events that are supposed to be easier for qualifying - no luck if you're not from HI, though. No offense here, but if you're asking the question, I'd say that the most likely way of qualifying would be through the lottery or a charity auction. I've never IM'd, though, so what do I know.

RoJoGo · May 2nd, 2008, 12:19 PM

You know...I thought that IM AZ this past April would have been easy, however...it wasn't in fact, it was extremely hard.

There are so many factors to consider...

1) Time of year...like for IM AZ in April and living in NE, made for a difficult training schedule... everything was done indoors.
2) Location... the heat can suck the life out of you. The wind can really retard progress. The humidity can really make things difficult.
3) Participants in your age group...the more, then obviously more difficult, however your larger age-group may command more qualifying spots.
4) the course itself.... you can judge by going to the main link and finding the bike course profiles to compare.

You really need to know your strengths and weaknesses. So many things can go wrong on race day that you cannot prepare for... they are called Ironman triathlons for a reason.

I've done three and I have a fourth in August (a non-qualifying IM tri). I am still trying to figure out which one will be the best one for me...because everyone is different.

Good luck... if you have specific questions about any of the three IMs I've done (IM FL, IM Louisville and IM AZ in April)

Also note, that the IM AZ in April is being moved to November because the heat and wind is soooo frickin' wicked in April!

vyaw2003 · May 5th, 2008, 06:05 AM

thanks,
focusing next one; AUS IM next year. But want to plan another one to try for hawaii if there is an easier race that has less competition.

RoJoGo · May 9th, 2008, 08:40 AM

I've heard that IM Austria is a fast course, however...if the course is faster, then so are your competitors... and I don't think they have as many KQ slots as US IMs.

vyaw2003 · May 13th, 2008, 07:16 AM

ahh so maybe i should be asking which race has the most slots avaliable?
and is that race the most popular and most competitive?

RoJoGo · May 13th, 2008, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vyaw2003

ahh so maybe i should be asking which race has the most slots avaliable?
and is that race the most popular and most competitive?

Yes more slots help... most IMs in North American have 80 total slots, which are then divided among the AG-ers based on the size of said AG. For example, if your AG has 400 people in it, chances are that you may get 10-12 KQ slots, which means the top 3% will get in. If your AG only has 100, then you may only see 2 slots... I do not know how they divide it up exactly, but I think you get the idea.

Each IM has it's difficulty. IM FL ('06) had wind and a lot of great competitors. IM AZ (in April '08) was extremely hot and very windy with the run mostly on concrete. (tough on body) IM Louisville ('07) had high heat and humidity. Since I am speaking from personal experience, these are the only ones I've done. Others: IM LP (USA) is a beautiful course, I've trained on it, but if you cannot handle the climbing, then don't do this one. IM Canada and IM CdA again, very hilly and beautiful courses.

It is difficult to say which is the easiest because it is all relative. Statistically speaking, for IM AZ (in April '08) was the "easiest" choice for me, however, let me tell you I wasn't prepared for the extreme heat! I posted my slowest ever IM finish because of it.

I hope this makes sense. If you would like some guidance, figure out what your strengths are first, figure out the best time of year for you based on where you live/train and then set your goal and stick to it.

Good luck.

vyaw2003 · May 13th, 2008, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoJoGo

Statistically speaking, for IM AZ (in April '08) was the "easiest" choice for me, however, let me tell you I wasn't prepared for the extreme heat! I posted my slowest ever IM finish because of it.

how much slower were you? Were you shattered that you didnt improve? or was it relative to the course.
US seems to have a lot of IM's thats lucky. In AUS we only have 2 a year. and 1 in NZ.

RoJoGo · May 22nd, 2008, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vyaw2003

how much slower were you? Were you shattered that you didnt improve? or was it relative to the course.
US seems to have a lot of IM's thats lucky. In AUS we only have 2 a year. and 1 in NZ.

Shattered? I lost that feeling out on the course that day when I watched my goal time tick by. I feel stronger, both mentally and physically now that I just finished that course on that day. So it goes w/o saying, had conditions been more in my favor, I would have seen different (hopefully better) results. If I had DNFd (Did Not Finish), I would have been more crushed... I am not one to back away from a challenge, but at IM AZ in April'08, I was close to DNF'ing.

I think "improving" is relative... I think I have improved... even though my times did not reflect said improvement.