IMPOSSIBLEMAN - The most fun failure you'll ever have

Tad_M

Either this year or next, the IMPOSSIBLEMAN will be a real, certified triathlon. However, we are doing it this year. @P_Cottrell and I tested it out last year. It will always be free to Roosters! You should try it this July and experience the bliss of failure.
I mean, how hard can it be to do 7 triathlons, each 1/7th of an ironman, in 14 hours. The run is on the famous Ode to Laz trail loop, but the swim is relatively flat, and the bike is on pavement for Pete's sake. How hard can it be? 600 yd. swim, 16.8 mi. bike, 3.74 mile run. (just cause we feel sorry for you, the last round on the bike is only 11.2 miles). You can also not do 7 rounds - there is free cold beer in transition.

KHilgendorf

I see that the swim is an out and back. So is it uphill one way and down the other, or more of a rolling course? Trying to develop a pacing strategy.

Tad_M

@KHilgendorf said:
I see that the swim is an out and back. So is it uphill one way and down the other, or more of a rolling course? Trying to develop a pacing strategy.

Keen eye @KHilgendorf ,!!! @P_Cottrell will tell you that it is uphill both ways. Nonetheless, the swim is almost flat according to our best calculations. The upshot is that there are no sharks, you can drink the clear water, and the turn point is very near halfway. While we can't really say how flat it is, we can definitely say it's flatter than the bike. The proper pacing strategy is the one that causes you to arrive at the beer keg when you are thirsty. Hope this helps.

wchevron

I'm a bit disappointed the course isn't in the shape of a penis.

M_Ware

The water is so clear you can almost see the Grindylows reaching for you.

KHilgendorf

@wchevron said:
I'm a bit disappointed the course isn't in the shape of a penis.

It wouldn’t be too difficult to modify the swim; I definitely see the opportunity for a half-chub with scrotum.

wchevron

If we're going to modify we want fully erect. You don't want the participants going off half-cocked.

Tad_M

These are all good points @KHilgendorf and @wchevron. I hope that you two can attend a live committee meeting where we test and improve. I think the course for the Vanstone Mile is about as good as we can get. Can't really make it any harder, right @Brew_Tri .

Brew_Tri

It'll be stiff competition.