Ironman Austria 2014

Shedite27

I'm looking to do an Ironman next year and this looks the most appealing (I have weighed up the pros and cons of Ironman V Challenge events so please don't go off topic).

Has anybody here experienced it? Course looks fine, more worried bout logistics. Does it really sell out in 10-15mns? Goes on sale next weekend.

Also, seems bout equidistant drive from Venice and Vienna, are there companies that organize transfers or is car rental a must?

And finally, heard mixed reports about accommodation? Myself and the other half would likely be looking for a 3* hotel off 3/4 days, are they in short supply in Klagenfurt?

Cheers

kingQuez

Shedite27 wrote: »

I'm looking to do an Ironman next year and this looks the most appealing (I have weighed up the pros and cons of Ironman V Challenge events so please don't go off topic).

Has anybody here experienced it? Course looks fine, more worried bout logistics. Does it really sell out in 10-15mns? Goes on sale next weekend.

Also, seems bout equidistant drive from Venice and Vienna, are there companies that organize transfers or is car rental a must?

And finally, heard mixed reports about accommodation? Myself and the other half would likely be looking for a 3* hotel off 3/4 days, are they in short supply in Klagenfurt?

Cheers

I did this race 3 years ago. It sells out pretty quick (think it was done in 20mins that year). If you know someone there this year, they can register you onsite the day after this years race.

When I went we flew and rented a car. You can look into using Nirvana Europe if you're happy to pay more and have some of the logistics taken out of it (they'll sort transfers, ground transport, and accommodation). Alternatively, you could use the company who are transporting bikes to european races and fly+drive without the additional trouble of lugging a bike box.

Cant comment on accommodation, we rented an apartment in the town when we were there. It's a lovely spot, but its a small town so wouldn't be setting off with the sort of expectations you might have for a standard city break.

Shedite27

Any other boardsies sign up for this? Went on sale at 11pm last night - not sold out yet it appears.

Oryx

Shedite27 wrote: »

Any other boardsies sign up for this? Went on sale at 11pm last night - not sold out yet it appears.

Havent got the shillings for it for 2014, but I would love to do it again. I'm sure another few locals will be doing it.

NeedsTraining

Yep, signed up last night.

A long way away but initial nerves of 'wtf have I just done ' are in play

gilleek2

Shedite27 wrote: »

I'm looking to do an Ironman next year and this looks the most appealing (I have weighed up the pros and cons of Ironman V Challenge events so please don't go off topic).

Has anybody here experienced it? Course looks fine, more worried bout logistics. Does it really sell out in 10-15mns? Goes on sale next weekend.

Also, seems bout equidistant drive from Venice and Vienna, are there companies that organize transfers or is car rental a must?

And finally, heard mixed reports about accommodation? Myself and the other half would likely be looking for a 3* hotel off 3/4 days, are they in short supply in Klagenfurt?

Cheers

Did this in '11 & '12, swim can be non wetsuit as it was in '12 altho that was the 1st time in 15 years.
Bike course has a couple of lumps in it but nothing like what you can find in Wicklow. Couple of rolly bits too. Wouldnt call them hills but they're not flats either. Road surface is lovely in general.
Run is virtually flat except for a couple of 100m sections along the canal which after 200k become hard as hell! Run is well shaded too(c.70%) especially as you run from the finish area towards the town.

Because they know they have you by the short and curlies hotels jack the prices right up! Stayed in Hotel Porcia Palais in '11 and the Hotel Sandwirth last year. Both lovely but neither were cheap. Both in the town & 200/300m from the bike shop (Mountainbiker.at) for last minute tweeks!

Get a room with air con just in case it's hot.

Shedite27

Cheers for the advice. Sounds an awesome race from what I've heard (only people seem to complain about is the canal at the end of the swim?). I'm signed up anyway so need to start looking at both logistics and training schedule now.

For logistics, I started looking at a few hotels (would barely call them that) who are quoting €95 for a double room - the gf is coming too. Sounds reasonable enough. Although 4 night minimum stay. Looking at apartments too.

For training, I've come from a 3.39 Connemarathon and 5.38 Skerries HIM this year so looking to just maintain the fitness this year (possibly another Olympic Triathlon and Dublin Marathon). Break of sorts then till Christmas, before jacking it back up in the new year. Thinking at the moment of doing Tri An Mhi HIM (probably 6 weeks before IM) and Cork Marathon (probably 4 weeks before IM) next year. Does that sound enough time to taper/recover?

tunney

Shedite27 wrote: »

Cheers for the advice. Sounds an awesome race from what I've heard (only people seem to complain about is the canal at the end of the swim?). I'm signed up anyway so need to start looking at both logistics and training schedule now.

For logistics, I started looking at a few hotels (would barely call them that) who are quoting €95 for a double room - the gf is coming too. Sounds reasonable enough. Although 4 night minimum stay. Looking at apartments too.

For training, I've come from a 3.39 Connemarathon and 5.38 Skerries HIM this year so looking to just maintain the fitness this year (possibly another Olympic Triathlon and Dublin Marathon). Break of sorts then till Christmas, before jacking it back up in the new year. Thinking at the moment of doing Tri An Mhi HIM (probably 6 weeks before IM) and Cork Marathon (probably 4 weeks before IM) next year. Does that sound enough time to taper/recover?

Canal is nice, very nice atmosphere.

Breaking util Christmas is a bad idea, Oct/Nov/Dec is when the work is done.

HIM 6 weeks out sounds like a bad idea

Marathon 4 weeks out is so ridiculous an idea I think you must be trolling

Shedite27

tunney wrote: »

Breaking util Christmas is a bad idea, Oct/Nov/Dec is when the work is done.

HIM 6 weeks out sounds like a bad idea

Marathon 4 weeks out is so ridiculous an idea

hmmm, cheers for the reply.

That was my long term plan, felt if I continued training from now to then I'd burn out so was planning a "break" of sorts (ie still going for a few 8 mile runs, swim sessions, spinning classes etc a week, just not the long cycles/runs)

I always find I recover quite quickly after events, and most training plans seem to suggest that type of distance.

From Ironman.com ...."If possible, include an Olympic or half-distance race about six to eight weeks before your Ironman."
Most training plans would include max runs of 20miles anyway, the extra 6 is hardly gonna break the camel (or my) back at that stage.

Cheers for the feedback anyway, I'll have a rethink

Oryx

tunney will come back with his own comments, but for me, a marathon at all in a training plan, is unneccesary. Its not the mileage, its the pacing. In a race situation you will probably run too hard, and even if you don't, yes, that extra six miles will certainly matter. In the bulk of a training plan (4 weeks out is peak) you will be training tired all of the time and on an edge in terms of burnout/injury. A marathon is too much of an ask at that point.

That said, I did a double oly 4 weeks out from Austria last year, and it was fine, it was a confidence booster, if anything. It did mean my last peak week was torture though, as I was tired, and whether it affected my IM I will never know.

gilleek2

Oryx wrote: »

tunney will come back with his own comments, but for me, a marathon at all in a training plan, is unneccesary. Its not the mileage, its the pacing. In a race situation you will probably run too hard, and even if you don't, yes, that extra six miles will certainly matter. In the bulk of a training plan (4 weeks out is peak) you will be training tired all of the time and on an edge in terms of burnout/injury. A marathon is too much of an ask at that point.

That said, I did a double oly 4 weeks out from Austria last year, and it was fine, it was a confidence booster, if anything. It did mean my last peak week was torture though, as I was tired, and whether it affected my IM I will never know.

I did Tri an Mhi and Athy Double last year c. 6 & c. 4 weeks from race day and i think i was fine, bettered my 2011 time and moved up 400+ places on a challenging day. Marathon unnecessary. 4 weeks from the race is nuts! Do Dublin this Autumn and leave it at that.

smithwicks

I would recommend Hotel Dermuth in Portschach if you end up renting a car. It's 11km outside klagenfurt on the Krumpendorf side (run route). I paid €623 for 6 nights half board. They also had a 4am breakfast on race morning.

You will be able to rent a car for €100-€150. It was nice to have one to recce the cycle route and for spinning around in general.

I'm a bit wired by nature so staying away from klagenfurt pre race was a great thing. Portschach is a lovely town, right on the like also. Nice and chilled

Ps. Food is pricey so get half board if you can. Lunch was €40-50 for 2 @ expo

RacoonQueen

Think everyone in our club has done Tri an Mhi in the run up to Austria and Frankfurt this year and last. Including miller82 who just did 10 hours and one of the girls who dipped under 10:30....

kat2171

Signed up for Austria aswell. First IM.
Planning on going with other half and 3 kids.
Just wondering if anyone can recommend any self catering apts!
Any other advice appreciated.

Rough plan of staying away for 2 wks. Maybe 4/5 days at race then spending a wk somewhere else... mostly concerned with accommodation for race at this stage... Kids are 4,6 and 8.
Tks

tridying

I have signed up for 2014 , anyone interested in sharing transport from airport to race venue feel free to contact me , haven't done Austria , so accommodation advise welcome !!

Shedite27

What distance markers are on the course for IM Austria?

Is the marathon marked in km/miles?

tunney

Shedite27 wrote: »

What distance markers are on the course for IM Austria?

Is the marathon marked in km/miles?

Europe == KMs

trinewbie

HIM 6 weeks out is a great idea - IMO its will give you a good sense for the level you are at across all 3 disciplines and help focus your last block leading into the race.

Don't mind the distance markers in Austria, if they are anything like this year they cant be replied on.

Oryx

trinewbie wrote: »

HIM 6 weeks out is a great idea - IMO its will give you a good sense for the level you are at across all 3 disciplines and help focus your last block leading into the race.

Don't mind the distance markers in Austria, if they are anything like this year they cant be replied on.

In 2012 I particularly remember the last km of the run being the longest km I ever did.

iarmhi1975

kat2171 wrote: »

Signed up for Austria aswell. First IM.
Planning on going with other half and 3 kids.
Just wondering if anyone can recommend any self catering apts!
Any other advice appreciated.

Rough plan of staying away for 2 wks. Maybe 4/5 days at race then spending a wk somewhere else... mostly concerned with accommodation for race at this stage... Kids are 4,6 and 8.
Tks

I have signed up as well and initially looked at this place(Wahaha Paradise)when we were considering bringing the children. They offer full board and half board in apartments and it looks as if there would be plenty to do for the children

Best of Luck

NeedsTraining

Everyone have acomodation booked at this stage?

I am looking at 2 places (of the few still available)

Hotel Seehof and Hotel Sonnenhof. Anyone have any knowledge of these hotels or stay there before?

Very few reviews on the web about them.

Cheers

Shedite27

Yup, booked into Carinthia Stadthotel - €150 a night for a double room.

Flight prices seem very high at the moment - bout €250 to Vienna. Presume you might pick up a bargain closer to the date.

tridying

when is everyone heading out to Klangenfurt ? im thinking the Thursday ?

Shedite27

As you've probably seen elsewhere the TI calendar for next year is out. Looking at a half distance event in the run-up to Austria. Options seem to be....
- 25th May -> Lough Cutra (Half Distance)
- 31st May -> TriAthy (Double Olympic)
- 7th June -> Tri an Mhi (Half Distance)

Would Tri an Mhi 3 weeks before Ironman be madness?

hf4z6sqo7vjngi

Shedite27 wrote: »

As you've probably seen elsewhere the TI calendar for next year is out. Looking at a half distance event in the run-up to Austria. Options seem to be....
- 25th May -> Lough Cutra (Half Distance)
- 31st May -> TriAthy (Double Olympic)
- 7th June -> Tri an Mhi (Half Distance)

Would Tri an Mhi 3 weeks before Ironman be madness?

Yes it would. No need to do a HIM before a full.

Oryx

I did Athy double, and I felt it set me up well. Tri an mhi is that it is just at the start of your taper anyway, you could see that as a plus, but if it were my decision Id be doing races further back.

Shedite27

Oryx wrote: »

I did Athy double, and I felt it set me up well. Tri an mhi is that it is just at the start of your taper anyway, you could see that as a plus, but if it were my decision Id be doing races further back.

Yeah Tri an Mhi was on my draft plan when it was mid-May. Will have to rethink now.

toomuchdetail

Got notification today that i got one of the "lottery" places for 2014 and I have 5 days to pay the €485 + fee .
It will be my 1st Ironman .
Would you recommend this or Weymouth in Sept?

pgibbo

Personally I'd go to Austria as it's an established race with a very good reputation. It gets great reviews in general. The only concern might be the chance on a non-wetsuit swim

Oryx

pgibbo wrote: »

The only concern might be the chance on a non-wetsuit swim

Which, trust me, is not as bad as it sounds.

tunney

pgibbo wrote: »

Personally I'd go to Austria as it's an established race with a very good reputation. It gets great reviews in general. The only concern might be the chance on a non-wetsuit swim

Any european race might be!

In 2009 (or was it 2010) we were told "the late is too hot for wetsuits in general, but there is one spot *over there* in the shade of that tree that its just acceptable so we measured it there.

For 90% non wetsuit == disaster, which is why its a good idea to learn to swim properly and get your body position and kick right. The really boring, painful crappy stuff that people avoid but that actually makes you able to swim.

Fazz

Reputation says Austria

Weather says Austria

Course probably Austria

Kona qual probably UK

So down to cost differences and whichever race date suits you best as a fair diff there June vs sept.

If Sept , Mallorca may be worth considering also.

RacoonQueen

I assume there is no choice in IM when it's borderline wetsuit/non wetsuit?
If it's too warm in general, you can't choose to not wear a wetsuit?

pgibbo

RacoonQueen wrote: »

I assume there is no choice in IM when it's borderline wetsuit/non wetsuit?
If it's too warm in general, you can't choose to not wear a wetsuit?

My understanding is you can still wear the wetsuit but you can't get a qualification spot. I may be wrong but I thought that was the rule.

Oryx

pgibbo wrote: »

My understanding is you can still wear the wetsuit but you can't get a qualification spot. I may be wrong but I thought that was the rule.

In 2012 wetsuits were banned altogether. I think it depends on the water temp. I presume it was over the maximum for permitted wetsuits then.

tunney

pgibbo wrote: »

My understanding is you can still wear the wetsuit but you can't get a qualification spot. I may be wrong but I thought that was the rule.

If you are american. (well in an american race).

Europe? HTFU this is ironman, next you will want swim breaks on pontoons.

tunney

Just got my Christmas card from Hotel Dermuth. Really disappointed I binned Austria 2013.

pgibbo

tunney wrote: »

If you are american. (well in an american race).

Europe? HTFU this is ironman, next you will want swim breaks on pontoons.

I merely stated what I believed to be the rule. I wasn't implying that it was what I wanted or what I would expect No point signing up for the distance if you can't swim it without a wetsuit IMO

tunney

pgibbo wrote: »

I merely stated what I believed to be the rule.

It is the rule for the north american IMs. Wetsuits at any temperature but no slots. They also have pontoons for rests in case people get tired in the swim.

pgibbo

tunney wrote: »

It is the rule for the north american IMs. Wetsuits at any temperature but no slots. They also have pontoons for rests in case people get tired in the swim.

Really???? :eek: I thought you were slagging my crap swimming Apologies

tunney

pgibbo wrote: »

Really???? :eek: I thought you were slagging my crap swimming Apologies

No, deadly serious

Anchored resting rafts to be strategically placed along the swim course (please note that athletes will NOT be disqualified by resting on these floats).

http://www.ironman.com/triathlon-news/articles/2013/05/swimsmart-initiative.aspx#axzz2SnyxkCEv

Oryx

General triathlon rules allow competitors to rest on kayaks without dq as long as they don't gain any forward movement or advantage.

Not saying I agree with it but the rules are clear.

RacoonQueen

Oryx wrote: »

In 2012 wetsuits were banned altogether. I think it depends on the water temp. I presume it was over the maximum for permitted wetsuits then.

Yeah what I was wondering was, in the case tunney mentioned, could people have gone non-wetsuit?

tunney

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Yeah what I was wondering was, in the case tunney mentioned, could people have gone non-wetsuit?

In Austria (and Frankfurt) there is the assumption that you can swim. Don't want to wear a wetsuit then don't.

Dory Dory

tunney wrote: »

It is the rule for the north american IMs. Wetsuits at any temperature but no slots. They also have pontoons for rests in case people get tired in the swim.

Hey now.....;)

The rules I am familiar with in the US are that age groupers can wear a wetsuit and qualify for prizes/slots if the water temp is 78 F or less. If the temp is between 78.1 F and 84 F, then age groupers can wear wet suits, but are not eligible for prizes/slots. And at temps above 84 F wet suits are NOT allowed for safety/health reasons. Elite athletes apparently have to follow different water temp rules.

http://www.usatriathlon.org/about-multisport/rulebook.aspx

pgibbo wrote: »

Really???? :eek: I thought you were slagging my crap swimming Apologies

No. He wasn't slagging you.

altercor

Wetsuits were banned outright in Zurich this year. I can't remember exactly the temp but think it was in the region of 28.5c No choice on wetsuit/no wetsuit. I think I remember a comment that the choice depended on the race/country's federation. I could be wrong there.. THere seems to be a discrepency from race to race on one or two things in the rules. It made for a tough (slow) swim for me but Lake Zurich: What a place to do an OW swim without a suit! Amazing feeling.

For me to go from training all year in a pool and sometimes wishing I had two suits on to keep warm anytime I went in to the OW to being able to swim in a clear, warm lake without a constricting suit was really cool. I did a training swim without the suit in the days leading up to the event over there and it was just amazing!

Shame about what happened for the rest of the day!

Shedite27

I see next year they are allowing 800 age-groupers start with the pros at 6.45am rather than at 7am. Presume this is to cut down the madness at the start. So by my calculations, if there's 2,200 competitiors, 800 start first, then 1400 take off 15 minutes later. It's first come first served with regards to who gets in the first wave, not reliant on times etc

Think I might aim to be towards the back of the first wave, a lot of people will overtake me for sure, but at least I'll avoid the massive mess I've heard about at the start.

Quick question tho, how will the clock at the finish line know my finish time? Is the finish time clock set to the starters or age groupers wave start? Obviously I'll have the chip timing me, but I'd like it to be right for the photo

Registration for the first starting wave at the IRONMAN Austria 2014
Like the year before we will have a first and second starting wave this year again in order to secure an even fairer race.

What is new?
The first starting wave at the IRONMAN Austria 2014 will be raised to 800 starter.

Registration criteria:
After the principle – first come, first served. The first 800 athletes who register for the first starting wave, after the registration opens will get the slot. There is no need of prove that a certain race time was achieved in a previous IRONMAN race.

When is the start?
The start is on the 30th June 2014 at 6:45 am together with all professional athletes.

Important information:
Please note that it is not possible to change the starting wave, once you have registered for it.
Furthermore we would like to ask you, not to register for the first starting wave if you are a slow swimmer.

Start of registration:
Tuesday, 21st of January 2014 at 12am CET

.

Shedite27

How's everyone's preperations going for this? NeedsTraining, kat2171, tridying, iarmhi1975, are ye all still going? 17 weeks left.

I've been ticking away nicely. Since Christmas I've been swimming in UCD pool 3 times a week, 2 bike sessions (1 long, 1 short) as well as one spinning session a week, and 3 runs (1 long, 1 short, 1 interval) a week. Been building them up nicely and haven't missed too much.

Feeling good about the swim and run, cycle is still a bit slower than I'd like (averaging about 24km/h at the moment but putting some of that down to weather, traffic, hilly routes etc). Hopefully it'll be a lot easier to get out for long cycles in April, May, June.

Plan for me from here gets a bit mixed - 3 stags and a wedding in the next 5 weeks is a spanner in the works, clean sweep then for April, May, June. Hoping to do Tour De Foothills, Orwell Radonne, TriAthy Double Olympic (planning not to do all the run), and then Killiney Ironman Swim.

Have flights booked to Munich on the Friday, 5hr train then to Klagenfurt.

Oryx

Which wave did you get into?

iarmhi1975

Shedite 27

Im still going but lucky as I had a couple of falls on the bike. One due to black ice the other due to a stupid cyclist and not this stupid cyclist.

I am running reasonably well for the heart rate that I am training at and have seem the pace per km come down and that is good.

Swimming well for my abilities and I am happy with that too. However, my biking is poor at the moment and I am not happy with my averages at all. I have been working on the base and concentrating on cadence before I add any power but it still seems poor. Hopefullly I have enough time for it to come right.

Very hard to get out on the bike with the weather conditions that we are facing.

Currently its 3 swims, 3 bikes(2 turbo and 1 outdoor), 3 runs and 1/2 gyms depending on the work week.

Like yourself I am planning Double Athy and also not planning on full run there as I don't like the surface of the run. I didn't know about the swim in Killiney nor the Tour de Foothills so I will look them up.

What kind of setup on the bike works in Austria. I have no idea how severe the hills are?

toomuchdetail

Heading to Austria too , only booked hotel last Friday .

Training going ok, using the Don Fink plan at intermediate level, swimming about 2 1/2 sessions per total about 140mins . Bike sessions are 3 per week usually on the Turbo (begining to hate the sight of it), I tag a brick onto 1 of these and 1 long 3hr+ spin Sunday in usually shi*e weather , thats been tough as the averages are way down . Runs are ticking over usually 3 per week but getting the long weekend run which is at about 90/100mins .Looking forward to the brighter mornings to get early morning sessions to halp balance the schedule , currently traing 6 days a week which is a drag with Monday been a rest day but I might change that around to get Sunday in as a rest day with the family.
Planning on the Connemara half marathon , Joey Hannon and the Athy Double at training pace .

I am not planning on setting the world on fire in Austria and if I can get around in about 13:30 I will be happy .
I haven't booked the flights yets but no option fills me with joy looking at the way the flights are set out .
How many nights are people staying ? I am tentatively staying for 5 nights (Thurs-Tue).