Considering an IRONMAN? Top 3 courses for 1st timers EUROPE
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.ย. 2024
- Ready to challenge yourself and do an IRONMAN ? If so, then you'll want to check out the best courses available in Europe for absolute beginners. In this video, we'll take you through the best courses available, giving you information about the course, the logistics involved and what to expect.
After watching this video, you'll have a better idea about which IRONMAN course is right for you and you'll be able to choose the perfect course for your fitness level and experience. So make sure to watch it to find the best course for you!
Thinking of going long next season - in a series of videos I outline what I believe are the best beginner/1st timer friendly courses to choose
IRONMAN EUROPE: th-cam.com/video/_BwFjTEYD2Y/w-d-xo.html
IRONMAN USA: th-cam.com/video/8KV66V86Be0/w-d-xo.html
70.3 Europe: Coming shortly
70.3 USA: Coming shortly
I would agree with you about Bolton I did it for my first Ironman. If you don't mind some hills you will be ok.. my honest opinion train on Hills and you will be fine.
The course is well supported which will help you on the way around.
Regarding travelling no need get a flight just go on the boat put your gear in your car and drive from Holyhead Bolton centre in about 2-hours 15 minutes
Defo positives on the travel front for UK folk - and yes for a strong cyclist - nothing to worry about - actually becomes a bit of an adv!
Agree Steve,Logistics for Barca is great and road surface is 2nd to none.
We did have some good times on that track pal - literally and metaphorically ... have you in for the draw as an auld cap could help you in the winter ;-)
TOTALLY AGREE!! I did Barcelona this year and it was beautiful... extremely friendly, course is really nice and there is always someone cheering for you (in all languages, lol)... It is a must if you can do this race. My only suggestion is take into consideration the transport from Barcelona to Calella... not so close and if you arrive without a plan, can get complicated.
Have a nice race!!!
Yup one of my fav races - re logistics - I find the train connection from the international airport pretty simple and gets you (and bike) there in 90 or so mins
Love all the choices and that you have given out so much information
Thank you - have built up a good bit of knowledge over the years
Another great video with some really good options. You forgot to mention the No.1 training plan to accompany these races😉
ha - not trying to push my plans = have the marketing guys to do that - I just love a good bit of debate
Great stuff again. Years off a long distance triathlon but following a brief conversation with Anthony I'll be using a Coach Steve plan for the marathon in '23. Keep up the good content 👍
Perfect! Glad we can help out!
CONGRATULATIONS - your name was randomly drawn in tonight's competition - so please email info@smartendurancesolutions.com to help you get your prizes (Merch and a free training plan of your choosing)
Great options for the first race coach. It is also a good idea to keep the first race to be close to home or at home if possible so that your support system is large enough to step in and carry you over that fi is line.
logistics are key too - this is true
Really helpful. Signed up to Copenhagen 2023 as the IM UK bike course looked a bit heavy for my first. Reassuring I'm on the right track👍
Whoa with the spoilers Jon :-) everyone has to watch to find out top 3 ... but yes always get a lot of happy athletes who trained/raced for IM Cop
So helpful and a relief as I’m on the start list for IM Barca 🙏🏼✨
looks like I will see you there - a couple of my 1-2-1 guys want me to sherpa for them when they race it
Reassuring that I've chosen one of the top 3 for my first 😁. Some more good advice in there - with logistics and time of year thrown in with type of course.
Fantastic!
Haha, it was fun to try and guess which race you were talking about, I only missed Copenhagen! Vichy is also one to avoid for first timers.
yup heard Vichy can be el sorchio too
Very good video. Thank you steve
Glad you enjoyed it and as a bonus - you are in for tomorrows draw!
Lots of choices. Other possible contenders: IM Cozumel... along with IM Arizona, Western Australia and Florida/Texas/Maryland? Arizona and Western Australia are similar in difficulty. Wind for the bike is the only handicap for Arizona/Western Australia but flat and lots of laps. IM Florida, Texas and Maryland are also similar. Swim is wetsuit legal and in a lake for Arizon. Florida and Maryland... Swim in ocean might be negative but is wetsuit legal. The currents for Maryland can be a negative for weak swimmers. Bike and Run is mostly flat but if you train at altitudes the run and bike at sea level is a plus. Humidity is the biggest negative but its impact it is typically reduced by sea breeze. Finally, IM Cozumel is probably the best IM for weak swimmers since you swim with a current while bike and run is Flat. As for logistics, they are all about the same and require some effort and time. That being said, I have never heard a beginner IM triathlete complain about logistics half way into an IM.
100% agree so many great choices - hence why I split it by region - seems to have caught the imagination so think I might even do a global one at the end and let people vote ;-) and re the above suspect Maryland (and others) might feature in the AMERICAs version coming next week ... and yes you are right re logistics - more a pre worry than mid race concern .. thanks for watching sir!
CONGRATULATIONS - your name was randomly drawn in tonight's competition - so please email info@smartendurancesolutions.com to help you get your prizes (Merch and a free training plan of your choosing)
Was hoping it was going to be Barcelona, signed up for next year, it'll be my first full distance. Good crew from Drogheda Triathlon Club heading out. Guessed hamburg and Copenhagen but in the wrong order 😁.
SPOILERS!! But still worth watching the video for the reasons why and the races to avoid as a 1st timer! Good luck in Barca
Thanks for the tips Steve. I was thinking of Copenhagen, but now rethinking about Barcelona. Decisions, decisions...
both quality races!
Hamburg was my first - such a great atmosphere on the run!
Awesome track alright
ah ok so that is Lanzarote off the list - love the review here CS - thank you!
sure is - raced there once and I will go back even though it sooo hard - amazing experience
Choosing your first IRONMAN course is as daunting as making the decision to take on the challenge - so here are my top 3 tips for races in Europe - and also my top 3 ones to avoid (as your first - never say never) - let me know if you agree/disagree in comments below - it is good to chat ;-)
Oh and make sure to subscribe via black button above - as next in the series - Top 3 best 70.3 for beginners (EU) and then Top 3 best IRONMAN & 70.3 (Americas and ASIA PAC)
Nice video. Short and to the point. Looking forward to the US video, although I’ve already made my choice and registered for my first full IM (Chattanooga)
Yup that one is in the pipeline ... Chattanooga is a good track especially for weaker swimmers ;-)
CONGRATULATIONS - as per draw- so please email info@smartendurancesolutions.com to redeem your free plan
Looking forward to your take on US races.
yup in the pipeline!
Kenny I was thinking of you when viewing this video.
Pricey stuff the Ironman . Want to the full distance potentially next year but trying find a cheaper option around October time some where in Europe
Yes they are pricey but you do get what you pay for in terms of razzamatz - the IM show is very good in terms of race build up and execution-they get all the athletes and spectators riled up so make it a big deal - challenge do the same (and slightly cheaper) but the other non branded ones eg outlaw etc struggle in this regard IMHO / but if only looking to complete the distance - do check out local options on the circuit
Yeah am doin the nottingham 70.3 in couple weeks lookinh forward to it . Defo would love to do an Ironman but it’s been a dream for a while need get saving the money 💰 . Love watching the videos about it . And especially your stuff aswell always good stuff on your channel.
@@jamesmckenna5993 Great stuff and good luck in Nottingham - keep us posted how you get on! and thanks re the YT feedback - enjoying the content creation craic!
Good man Steve. Might make a return to barca
Always a chance to get a nice PB there too ;-)
Great video very useful
Glad you liked it
Great options! Wish I had’t done Lanzarote for my first 💀
well on the up side - things could only get easier ;-)
What about Tallinn - I have heard that is a fast course?
yes another fast option but little harder to get to being in Estonia .. I took points off it for that ;-)
Very helpful thank you
Very welcome - see you in Hamburg!
You should do a video on what the best gifts are to get for a triathlete
great idea
Tossing up cascais or Barca for first IM next year…. Would be great to get your take on Portugal!
Hit 👍🏻 on the video and I will reveal all 😉
Cascais is a great option - little more hilly than Barca but not as crowded a bike course as more spread out - swim is nice too - also a nice time of year for a full as most of your training done in summer
Thanks for the guidance👌
thanks for watching and in for Sunday's draw!
Love the sound of Copenhagen - any more info on it
Actually just did a course review on it - loads of dets here
th-cam.com/video/R-8_T1NdzkM/w-d-xo.htmlsi=JHGmBxpR_pcgPAWy
Hi Stephen, great video! I was considering the Kalmar Ironman and don't hear much about it. On paper it's very flat and moderate temperatures but I've heard it can get windy. What are your thoughts on this for a beginner?
Couple of my Noobie guys have done this race and loved it -flat and fast / yes can be windy but key there is learning to be aero (reduces wind resistance) and equipment selection (don’t be reliant on a disc/deep wheel combo) - it’s a great race - good luck with it
amazing, thanks for this!@@CoachSteveMoody
Barcelona is always in the running for anyone’s first IM. Where would Cascais Portugal rate relative to Barcelona?
Cascais is new enough on the circuit so did not have huge athlete input on it - but suspect it could be a top 3 contender in next years review ;-) [Thanks for your comment btw - you are in for tomorrows draw!]
Just curious to know whether Barcelona is a non wetsuit swim for all? In previous year IM event videos, the participants were swimming in wetsuit, is it for Age-group participants only? Also is total time for the event is less than 17 Hrs ?
Never been a non-wetsuit swim to my knowledge (highly unusual for an ocean swim tbh) and I believe the cut off is slightly shorter 16 hours or so due to the fact it is quite a fast track ... great venue and course - I would just go for it if I were you
What about Ironman Vitoria on early July? I’ve heard the scenery is impressive
Also heard good things about this race - also a bit new to the calendar so not a huge amount of athletes to research/ask Questions about it - could be one for the 2023 top 3 ;-)
I did Nice in 2011 and it was harsh…took me days
it is a beautiful course but as you said it is hard!
@@CoachSteveMoody I didn’t look up once 🥹
@@nickb964 ah man waste of a view ... LOL
CONGRATULATIONS - as you saw on the draw tonight - so please email info@smartendurancesolutions.com to help you get your coupon of a free plan
Any comments on why Frankfurt is not on the list ?
Raced it back in 2010 - lovely race but ended up being non wetsuit due to heat (and has happened a couple of times since) ... and for that alone as one of the typically biggest noobie fears ... I docked it marks! (But yes one for the honorable mentions category as that run by the water is great!)
so the issue only about the wetsuit?
last year frankfurt more attendance then hamburg
Hamburg or Frankfurt ??
My preference would be for Hamburg - faster track for sure
Is a super packed bike course with tons of drafting really a good race for a beginner?
Lots of courses are facing this challenge with 70.3 and fulls on the same day - and whilst yes drafting can be a problem on the Barca course (and others btw) - it is just one part of the race review I was considering - appreciate you watching and feedback though! All comments welcome!