Any suggestions? I am doing Windsor OD and also would like to do my first MD. Anybody done Cowman or Little Woody? Also contemplating Ironman 70.3 Germany? Suggestions welcome ...
I did Little Woody this year, first attempt at HIM. It is the best day. Really well run event, low key, and laid back. Nice swim location, bike is hard, but do'able, and a pleasant run through the woods. Aid stations on the run are probably the best and most friendly I've come across, and you could lose quite a bit of time just socialising at them. Good value, and the biggest benefit of it's your first HIM is that once you are out of the water, there are no other cut off times, so you can enjoy your day.
+1 for the Little Woody. It was my first middle distance and was very enjoyable (in hindsight - sure I didn't think that at the time!). Nice toasty warm swim down one side of the lake, tough bike and a gently undulating walk/jog for me. You can camp the night before and after for free which is a massive bonus too
I'll be at IM 70.3 Germany! It's supposed to have a lovely bike leg, very pretty....though it is also supposed to have murderous hills......1500Hm on the 90km circuit. Looking forward to it. It's almost full I think, so you might want to hurry.
I plan to do Big Woody next year, having read nothing but good things about both HIM and IM distance events there. Also hope to do Bala Middle in June for the same reason. Plus, I know the Bala area well, and the course is in some of the most stunning countryside in the UK.
One event I'd suggest you avoid is the Gatorade Big Half at Trentham, Stoke on Trent. That was my first HIM, and it was let down by a dangerous bike course in Sunday traffic and piss poor aid stations. Only got water in an event sponsored by Gatorade. Sounds like you weren't considering this anyway, but if anyone else is, give it a wide berth.
Last year I did UK 70.3 and Germany 70.3, both are great events although I would say Germany had the edge, just lots of little things made it extra special.
Big/Little Woody is a local event for me and I have to say, I've only ever heard bad things about it, but having never done the event it would be unfair of me pass judgement, I can only go on what club mates have said.
It just so happens I was looking at events last night, and there is an abundance of 70.3's to consider:
May 22nd, West Cornwall Middle Distance June 14th, Bala Middle June 20th, Wimbleball July 4th, Cowman August 28th, The Little Woody September 4th, Vitruvian September 19th, New Forest Middle September 11th, The Accelerace Extreme Triathlon September 26th, Bustinskin Middle Distance
Please feel free to add to the list or gives comments regarding the events...
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Looking forward to it. It's almost full I think, so you might want to hurry.
One event I'd suggest you avoid is the Gatorade Big Half at Trentham, Stoke on Trent. That was my first HIM, and it was let down by a dangerous bike course in Sunday traffic and piss poor aid stations. Only got water in an event sponsored by Gatorade. Sounds like you weren't considering this anyway, but if anyone else is, give it a wide berth.
Big/Little Woody is a local event for me and I have to say, I've only ever heard bad things about it, but having never done the event it would be unfair of me pass judgement, I can only go on what club mates have said.
It just so happens I was looking at events last night, and there is an abundance of 70.3's to consider:
May 22nd, West Cornwall Middle Distance
June 14th, Bala Middle
June 20th, Wimbleball
July 4th, Cowman
August 28th, The Little Woody
September 4th, Vitruvian
September 19th, New Forest Middle
September 11th, The Accelerace Extreme Triathlon
September 26th, Bustinskin Middle Distance
Please feel free to add to the list or gives comments regarding the events...
Thanks.