What is the ironman five day stay requirement?
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kylie posted 9 weeks ago.
It is often just something that hotels in the area do, from what I understand. Reading the athlete manual will tell you all the times you have to be around.
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tsilcyc posted 9 weeks ago.
+1
It's a hotel requirement unless they've added something new. Btw, book your hotel now.
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brittda posted 9 weeks ago.
This has been the "norm" for the last few years now. Fact is though you will need at least 4 nights probably any way with registration being on Thursday and Friday (you can register either day) Problem with IMC (and my ONLY complaint) is that all the hotels go through OK Reservations and require a minimum 4 nights. There are few options other than camping(there are quite a few camp grounds in the area) and staying in OK Falls where there are a few condo/house rentals. You will not find a hotel in Pentiction that does not adhere to the 5 night min. Sucks. The Days Inn is going for $239 (+tax, so $250) a night. Good Luck and call them asap to get your room. I can dig up the # for you to call if you need.
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zagfan posted 9 weeks ago.
Damn, sounds like I need to get my reservations now. Not trying to jump in on the thread but for us going up to IMC next year, where are the best places to stay? (prices, locations, etc) The 5 night requirement sucks. Between IMC and my wife I'm going to end up broke, sitting on the corner begging for money :).
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1716 days
beads1985 posted 9 weeks ago.
You can try looking up the town and look for the Chamber of Commerce.
There are some hotels that are small and don't have a web site or a small web site and can be cheaper.
When I did IM FL I stayed a very small hotel and got a great price, and stayed Wednesday-Monday.
If it is your first time it is fun to get the whole IM experience.
There is a lot going on and lots of schwag. I came home with tons of it ;-)
Nothing to it, but to do it
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burnman posted 9 weeks ago.
The 5 night minimum is a way for hotels to capitalize on the high demand during an ironman event, at a time of year when demand is typically low. You'll also notice that the rates during these 5 night minimums is substantially greater than that of the weeks before and after the event - usually 20% or more. It's nothing more than supply and demand. The event organizers don't care if you stay in town or 1000 miles away, as long as you're there when you need to be.
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brittda posted 9 weeks ago.
You can look them up on line like Beads said, but all reservations go through ok reservations. When I called the other day there were still rooms avaliable, but many of the hotels fill up on registration day(ie the host hotel). The hotels near the race, like Days Inn --which is still a bit away from the start and off the water, and strip where the race runs, are still gonna run in that $250 is range (after tax). Hotels over on the other side of town on Skaha lake were not significantly cheaper (enough to make the drive) and were $190 (before tax, so around $210/night after). I have stayed at Days Inn, but Sandman is ok too and I was quoted $220 (pre tax).
I personally have a place in OK Falls-- a bit cheaper since they did not take a pmt up front which ok res will do. I am PLANNING on doing the race, but HOPING to be pregnant (been trying a year now) and did not want the extra investment and since I have done the race 2x now.....
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TriSooner posted 9 weeks ago.
Five day min? What a rip. This is not IM-required. The only thing the race requires (in terms of early arrival) is packet pick-up and bike drop-off at least the day before the race. If you stay away from a five night minimum hotel con job, you could conceivably arrive Saturday morning, pick-up/drop-off Saturday afternoon, and leave Sunday night after the race. it makes no difference to the race organizers. I'm sure Penticton is nice and all, but I wouldn't want to stay there for the better part of a week. You can stay anywhere you want for as little - or as long - as you like. If I were faced with this, I'd look into staying outside of Penticton and/or stay at a campground.
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brittda posted 9 weeks ago.
TriSooner wrote:
Five day min? What a rip. This is not IM-required. The only thing the race requires (in terms of early arrival) is packet pick-up and bike drop-off at least the day before the race. If you stay away from a five night minimum hotel con job, you could conceivably arrive Saturday morning, pick-up/drop-off Saturday afternoon, and leave Sunday night after the race. it makes no difference to the race organizers. I'm sure Penticton is nice and all, but I wouldn't want to stay there for the better part of a week. You can stay anywhere you want for as little - or as long - as you like. If I were faced with this, I'd look into staying outside of Penticton and/or stay at a campground.
Look at a map :) Penticton is the only "hub" within 30 miles. You could go south to Osyoos, by the border but who wants to deal with that drive race morning. There really are few options outside of town and they know it. Camping is an option BUT the only reason I would not want to do it is it could be HOT, Pentiction is high desert and race day has run in the 90's. Don't want to sit around in a hot tent while resting up.
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jonovision_man posted 9 weeks ago.
How bad is the race-day traffic?? I was thinking of Kelowna, my sister has a time-share there, but might be too much of a hike. :(
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brittda posted 9 weeks ago.
I was thinking there too, since we have one I can exchange into. Its still a drive, not sure of traffic since I have always stayed in town. We shall see. like I said we are staying in ok falls (for now) which is at the run turn around. There is really only one motel there, and houses/condos. Hubby will just have to drop me off :)
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cuds posted 9 weeks ago.
brittda wrote:
Problem with IMC (and my ONLY complaint) is that all the hotels go through OK Reservations and require a minimum 4 nights.
This is actually not right. There are many hotels in the area that do not use Okanagan Reservations - I'm staying in one such hotel.
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cuds posted 9 weeks ago.
TriSooner wrote:
Five day min? What a rip. This is not IM-required. The only thing the race requires (in terms of early arrival) is packet pick-up and bike drop-off at least the day before the race. If you stay away from a five night minimum hotel con job, you could conceivably arrive Saturday morning, pick-up/drop-off Saturday afternoon, and leave Sunday night after the race. it makes no difference to the race organizers. I'm sure Penticton is nice and all, but I wouldn't want to stay there for the better part of a week. You can stay anywhere you want for as little - or as long - as you like. If I were faced with this, I'd look into staying outside of Penticton and/or stay at a campground.
You would actually have to get there at least Friday since registration closes on Friday. Keep in mind, this is not a Penticton only thing (the minimum stay standard) so no need to just rip on that town. And it is definitely worth a full week stay!!! I LOVE it there. Just absolutely beautiful. It is a resort town after all.
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brittda posted 9 weeks ago.
cuds wrote:
brittda wrote:Problem with IMC (and my ONLY complaint) is that all the hotels go through OK Reservations and require a minimum 4 nights.This is actually not right. There are many hotels in the area that do not use Okanagan Reservations - I'm staying in one such hotel.
Then PLEASE share, I have not been able to find one---
and one close.
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brittda posted 9 weeks ago.
cuds wrote:
TriSooner wrote:Five day min? What a rip. This is not IM-required. The only thing the race requires (in terms of early arrival) is packet pick-up and bike drop-off at least the day before the race. If you stay away from a five night minimum hotel con job, you could conceivably arrive Saturday morning, pick-up/drop-off Saturday afternoon, and leave Sunday night after the race. it makes no difference to the race organizers. I'm sure Penticton is nice and all, but I wouldn't want to stay there for the better part of a week. You can stay anywhere you want for as little - or as long - as you like. If I were faced with this, I'd look into staying outside of Penticton and/or stay at a campground.You would actually have to get there at least Friday since registration closes on Friday. Keep in mind, this is not a Penticton only thing (the minimum stay standard) so no need to just rip on that town. And it is definitely worth a full week stay!!! I LOVE it there. Just absolutely beautiful. It is a resort town after all.
Exactly.. My only complaint is that you have to stay 5 nights. Principal of the matter really. They started that after my first IMC in 05 . Penticton IS a great town..and so is the race (else I would be doing CDA or another one again)
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cuds posted 9 weeks ago.
brittda wrote:
Then PLEASE share, I have not been able to find one---
and one close.
As of right now I'm staying at the Super 8 (I am on the waiting list for a couple of other non-OK Res locations as well). I stayed there in 2006 and it was pretty darn decent and has cont. breakfast included, not to mention close to Safeway and restaurants on Main which I really like. Stayed next door at the 5000 Motel this year. A little cheaper, but not very nice and no breaky.
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TriSooner posted 9 weeks ago.
brittda wrote:
Well, what do I know? :) Not much.
Look at a map :) Penticton is the only "hub" within 30 miles. Camping is an option BUT . . . it could be HOT.
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brittda posted 9 weeks ago.
cuds wrote:
brittda wrote:Then PLEASE share, I have not been able to find one---
and one close.As of right now I'm staying at the Super 8 (I am on the waiting list for a couple of other non-OK Res locations as well). I stayed there in 2006 and it was pretty darn decent and has cont. breakfast included, not to mention close to Safeway and restaurants on Main which I really like. Stayed next door at the 5000 Motel this year. A little cheaper, but not very nice and no breaky.
Can I ask how much it is ? Like I said, currently I am in OK falls--$110/night
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cuds posted 9 weeks ago.
$200/night so, of course, much more than you're paying now. But I would much rather be closer to the action because I will more than likely work for Gatorade again while I'm up there. That said not too close, which is why I like having a place down main rather than on Lakeshore.
5000 Motel was $180/night (can't speak for next year's rates, of course) for a 1 bed suite with a kitchen.
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brittda posted 9 weeks ago.
cuds wrote:
$200/night so, of course, much more than you're paying now. But I would much rather be closer to the action because I will more than likely work for Gatorade again while I'm up there. That said not too close, which is why I like having a place down main rather than on Lakeshore.
5000 Motel was $180/night (can't speak for next year's rates, of course) for a 1 bed suite with a kitchen.
Thanks I will check them out. I stayed close the first 2 times and am ok with just relaxing away from everything if I have to. I only did the one in OK falls as a "fall back". I dont want to put a ton of $$ down and get pregnant and not be able to race, since I am already out the race fee. The place i got into didnt take a deposit. In any case we will be there even if I don't race since I will sign up for the next year and hubby didnt get in this year and will sign up too
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cuds posted 9 weeks ago.
Super 8 didn't take a deposit. I just pulled out the "terms"...
Min. 5 days
Full payment due March 1
Cancellation by February 28th: No cancellation fee
Cancellation after payment: No refund unless there is a replacement for the reservation (which is pretty much guaranteed... let's be honest here lol)
5000 Motel was similar except there was a one night deposit because they go through OK Res.
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brittda posted 9 weeks ago.
cuds wrote:
Super 8 didn't take a deposit. I just pulled out the "terms"...Min. 5 days
Full payment due March 1
Cancellation by February 28th: No cancellation fee
Cancellation after payment: No refund unless there is a replacement for the reservation (which is pretty much guaranteed... let's be honest here lol)5000 Motel was similar except there was a one night deposit because they go through OK Res.
Really? Cool I just checked their website, it is too early to do it on line. I will give them a call. Just did not want to put up more$$ right now what with the race and now also needing to pay for my room and stuff for the Disney World marathon in Jan
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brittda posted 9 weeks ago.
Perfect! I am in :) They have one room left.
THANKS Cuds!
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jnrice posted 9 weeks ago.
Doesn't anyone on Trifuel.com couchsurf? It's great, it's free, it's the only way to travel. check it out, couchsurfing.com :)
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beads1985 posted 9 weeks ago.
jnrice wrote:
Doesn't anyone on Trifuel.com couchsurf? It's great, it's free, it's the only way to travel. check it out, couchsurfing.com :)
I signed up awhile ago but I won't have too many events to travel to anytime soon. ;-)
Nothing to it, but to do it
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brittda posted 9 weeks ago.
jnrice wrote:
Doesn't anyone on Trifuel.com couchsurf? It's great, it's free, it's the only way to travel. check it out, couchsurfing.com :)
Uh no...like my personal space. I CAN afford the hotel, just don't like the idea of being arm twisted into 5 nights paying 2x the normal going rate.. I am happy to pay $250-+ for a good hotel with room service, but that is not what you get here. And, if I end up not doing the race while I CAN suck up the nearly $600 for the race entry and $1000-$1200 for hotel I would rather not.
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TriSooner posted 9 weeks ago.
brittda wrote:
I'm glad I learned about the five night min at IM Canada. Based on principle above, I'll scratch Canada off my list . . .
Uh no...like my personal space. I CAN afford the hotel, just don't like the idea of being arm twisted into 5 nights paying 2x the normal going rate.. I am happy to pay $250-+ for a good hotel with room service, but that is not what you get here.
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brittda posted 9 weeks ago.
TriSooner wrote:
brittda wrote:I'm glad I learned about the five night min at IM Canada. Based on principle above, I'll scratch Canada off my list . . .Uh no...like my personal space. I CAN afford the hotel, just don't like the idea of being arm twisted into 5 nights paying 2x the normal going rate.. I am happy to pay $250-+ for a good hotel with room service, but that is not what you get here.
Yeah and the Super 8 really is $209/night. Now that would be just ok 6 years ago, but not now that it really IS $209. But then again, I spent $300/night in Deadwood two summers ago during bike week with a 3 night minimum for a crappy hotel that normally runs $69. Same idea , limited rooms lots of people.
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cuds posted 9 weeks ago.
TriSooner wrote:
I'm glad I learned about the five night min at IM Canada. Based on principle above, I'll scratch Canada off my list . . .
You're going to be scratching A LOT of IM's off your list because this isn't just limited to Canada.
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brittda posted 9 weeks ago.
cuds wrote:
TriSooner wrote:I'm glad I learned about the five night min at IM Canada. Based on principle above, I'll scratch Canada off my list . . .
You're going to be scratching A LOT of IM's off your list because this isn't just limited to Canada.
I don't know of any others that do-- and most there are other options close by--ie: CDA- you can stay in Spokane (close . lots of options), AZ - Phoenix, Scottsdale, MANY choices. Florida, same thing. Could go on. The first two are even close enough to drive to CDA closer even. Honestly I love IMC, not clear why I keep doing it when there ARE so many options. CDA stayed open for a week after registration this year. For people who have to fly in, get a room for a week, you really may as well do any of the others or even a European one (any of which have plenty of hotel options)
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cuds posted 9 weeks ago.
You do it because you know it's the bestest IM ever :) I live in Vancouver so it's my home IM. I'm tempted to do CDA one day, but I have so much home comfort in Penticton that it'll be very hard to rip me away from it.
There are plenty of places outside of Penticton you could stay, like OK Falls or Kelowna or Summerland just like Spokane for CDA, but I prefer to stay right in the city. The minimum doesn't really affect me since I stay for 6 days anyways.
From many athletes POV's, nothing compares to IMC. Obviously you feel the same way since you keep comin back ;)
Oh, and I hope I don't see you next year.... cuz you will be pregnant! :)
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brittda posted 9 weeks ago.
ahahha well not holding my breath on that. I will be up there in any case, Hubby wants to sign up for 2010 and I will as well. I agree. I really do enjoy that race. I think because I had SUCH a good first IM experience I keep going back. The hotel in Ok Falls had the 5 night too, only cheaper and honestly didnt look so great, not sure about Kelowna didnt look. Don't really want to go that far and I DO like Pentiction, just get irked by the 5 night thing (and the %50 increase in rates) but I live with it. Honestly that is one of the reasons I have not done CDA which is just as close.
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tsilcyc posted 9 weeks ago.
brittda wrote:
I don't know of any others that do-
All of the places I called for Lake Placid do.
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brittda posted 9 weeks ago.
tsilcyc wrote:
brittda wrote:I don't know of any others that do-All of the places I called for Lake Placid do.
I guess I could look at a map--but are there other towns/cities near by that have more housing?
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tsilcyc posted 9 weeks ago.
There are a few other towns but they are also 5 night stays... at least the places I called. I decided to book the Crowne Plaza. I figure if I have to spend $250 for a dive, I'll spend the big bucks and live large. Plus, for me, the IM's are my vacation so I can kind of justify it.
LP is different though, it's a vacation town anyway so business in July is probably pretty decent without IM.
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KitKat posted 9 weeks ago.
I'm going up to race with 12-15 friends + who knows how many family members and spouses. I've heard that the forum Mile141 will start listing homes/housing available in the next few months...that's what I'm counting on. It's going to be hard to fit us all.
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brittda posted 9 weeks ago.
tsilcyc wrote:
There are a few other towns but they are also 5 night stays... at least the places I called. I decided to book the Crowne Plaza. I figure if I have to spend $250 for a dive, I'll spend the big bucks and live large. Plus, for me, the IM's are my vacation so I can kind of justify it.LP is different though, it's a vacation town anyway so business in July is probably pretty decent without IM.
ahh well makes sense. We usually tie races into trips too, makes it fun to find new places.
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ht001 posted 9 weeks ago.
tsilcyc wrote:
brittda wrote:I don't know of any others that do-All of the places I called for Lake Placid do.
Most in CDA do as well. Although you can get into AmeriTel which is only a couple of miles away from the race HQ that doesn't impose the minimum stay and doesn't jack up their rates.
The whole thing is annoying. I actually called the CDA Chamber one day last year and expressed my disappointment with this approach of increasing prices and holding people hostage. Told them calmly that they should hope that we Iron folks would come to their town and then WANT to stay for numerous nights, rather than be forced to. The lady I talked to didn't care what I thought, of course, which is what I expected. She even told me that the businesses do it "because they can." But I felt better having expressed to her my thoughts. It isn't like there's that much to do around there aside from the race from a vacation point of view IMHO. At least in place like Florida you're at the beach (our vacation in a beach front condo was perfect)....although Panama City itself isn't spectacular.
I have also heard the same happens in LP.
My best hope for future IMs is having friends in the places where I want to race and staying with them....
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tsilcyc posted 9 weeks ago.
Ahhh... I just remembered something else. There's a $10-$15 a day refrigerator fee. I found that out when calling around for LP and also when I was booking a room for Silverman. It's not just the IM participants that get nailed... that do it to indie races as well.
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brittda posted 9 weeks ago.
tsilcyc wrote:
Ahhh... I just remembered something else. There's a $10-$15 a day refrigerator fee. I found that out when calling around for LP and also when I was booking a room for Silverman. It's not just the IM participants that get nailed... that do it to indie races as well.
WHAT???? you mean to have a refrigerator in your room? For races I drive to I carry my coleman cooler that has a car/home (what ever its called) plug. Like a refrigerator so don't need theirs.
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tsilcyc posted 9 weeks ago.
brittda wrote:
tsilcyc wrote:Ahhh... I just remembered something else. There's a $10-$15 a day refrigerator fee. I found that out when calling around for LP and also when I was booking a room for Silverman. It's not just the IM participants that get nailed... that do it to indie races as well.WHAT???? you mean to have a refrigerator in your room? For races I drive to I carry my coleman cooler that has a car/home (what ever its called) plug. Like a refrigerator so don't need theirs.
Yes, to have a refrigerator in the room. What is the name of hit Coleman cooler thingie?
EDIT: is this it...
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4810828
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brittda posted 9 weeks ago.
tsilcyc wrote:
brittda wrote:tsilcyc wrote:Ahhh... I just remembered something else. There's a $10-$15 a day refrigerator fee. I found that out when calling around for LP and also when I was booking a room for Silverman. It's not just the IM participants that get nailed... that do it to indie races as well.WHAT???? you mean to have a refrigerator in your room? For races I drive to I carry my coleman cooler that has a car/home (what ever its called) plug. Like a refrigerator so don't need theirs.
Yes, to have a refrigerator in the room. What is the name of hit Coleman cooler thingie?
EDIT: is this it...
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4810828
YES!! I actually got it at Walmart (HATE that place but I have a few purchases from there that were a deal). Got it a couple of years ago, actually about 30 bucks cheaper in the store, not online, and it came with the extra plug for the car. Costco had one but a bit more. It has been really handy for car trips, races, camping where there is electricity etc. You can't put ice in it though.
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tsilcyc posted 9 weeks ago.
I will be getting one of those. I can't tell you how many car trips I've taken with ice coolers where I've needed to keep buying ice along the way. I'm sold.
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cuds posted 9 weeks ago.
I'm totally sold too. I don't know how often I'd use the thing, but any time I will I know I'll be really happy to have it.
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brittda posted 8 weeks ago.
We use it all the time. Love it.
edit: it can also be used to keep stuff warm (you can turn it up to heat too)
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jonovision_man posted 1 week ago.
I just booked the Best Western in Penticton, $189/night, 5 nights... just happy to get something in hand. I can cancel right up to the day before without penalty.
My parents have a timeshare in Kelowna, anyone know how hard it is to get there on race day? It's only an hour away, and I assume the 5am traffic isn't too bad... :)
jono
I just got registered for IMC (my first) and keep seeing references to a required 5 night stay for the Ironman events. Can anyone explain this? I know you have to be there a certain number of days in advance, but I thought registration was two days before the event. I will be traveling down from Alaska, so want to make sure I have all of my ducks in a row.
Thanks,
Todd