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As some of you know, I've been mulling around the idea of doing a triathlon. I've booked so many running races this year(5 left to go) that I can't seem to find a triathlon to do. Actually there is one that I would like to do but it's like $150 bucks now - for a Sprint! Jeez. I know that these races are more expensive but jeez that a lot of money. If I wait until next year, I can get into some races for as low as $55-65 which is much more reasonable. I'd really like to get at least a sprint in so that I have an idea that I want to actually do these but I'm sure I will like it.
I also think that I've(almost) convinced myself into doing a half ironman next year. This distance seems to be the most I'm going to be able to do with my current equipment. I would really need a new bike for anything longer. I have been looking at all the races that are within about a 5 hour drive. I have narrowed it down to two that I'm considering. The first is an Ironman 70.3 race in Muncie, Indiana. It's actually coming up very soon but I would do the one next year. Why this race? It's about a 5 hour drive from my home. Overall it's flat. The swim(which still scares the hell out of me) is in a preserve that typically has calm waters and will not be a swim like in a great lake or river where there is a current or really cold. Do I sound like a wuss or what? This race is also only $200 when you sign up early so not too bad.
The other race I'm considering is the Rev3 70.3 in Cedar Point. This one is only about 3 hours away. The nice thing about this is the course is overall flat. The swim is what really scares me since you have to swim in Lake Erie(cold and current). It's at a great location at Cedar Point. If you have never been there, it's a great amusement park. I have heard some really great things about Rev3.
The big issue for me is swimming. Can I swim 1.2 miles? Hell, can I even swim 0.5 mile? Fortunately, we have many lakes in Michigan so I will be taking full advantage of them when I'm on vacation this summer to get used to swimming longer distances. I think most people freak out about the swim because they don't like open water but that's really never been an issue for me. It's more about doing the distance and doing it in the time allowed. In the Ironman 70.3, it has to be done in 1 hour 10 minutes? I assume that is do-able for most people but I hate to train for many months and then miss the cutoff and not be able to finish. I really need to take a class about changing a tire as well. A co-worker of mine trained for months for an Olympic tri and then got a flat after one mile but did not have a spare tube so he DNF. I don't want that to happen to me.
Yes, Ok, I'm rambling and I know you have heard this from me before but writing it down helps convince myself that I should do this. With running, I'm always in my comfort zone no matter the distance. Not that I'm a super runner or anything but if you can run one, you can run many. With tri's, it's the unknown - I'm out of my comfort zone. I really should not back out of something just because I have not done it before.
The other big decision is training - 10-12 hours per week at least! Wowza, and I thought marathon training was long. Due to the time commitment, it will mean more training will need to be done after work as well as before work. I can deal with before since nobody in my family is up then but, after work, takes time away from other things and it makes me gone all Sunday morning for 4-6 months.
Decision, decisions? What would you do? Is 70.3 really that bad to do?
Have a great day and....Keep Running!!!!!!
There is also Steelhead, which is at western Michigan. It might suit your needs because the swim is based on the current, the race directors determine the current the day of the race and and you swim with the current, making it one of the fastest swim venues.
ReplyDeleteI have had heard nothing but good things for the Rev 3 races. I would give that one a try. I am thinking about doing one of the races next year. You can do the swim. You just have to put in the time to get to the distance.
ReplyDeleteI have heard so many good things about the Rev 3. Was wondering about the Cedar Point area, good to know it is relatively flat. I am training for a 70.3 in September right now (my first). To me, the 70.3 seems like a long enough distance to make you feel like you are challenging yourself but not so long that your family forgets what you look like because you are always training.
ReplyDeleteI just finished my first 70.3, it was great but it was much more work than training for a marathon. I have heard great things about rev3 races so that might be a good one. Don't worry about the swim, you can do it, can you get to a pool and start work now?
ReplyDeleteI've never done 70.3 but I say do it Jeff! You are doing great with all your training and this is just another step for you! You can do it!
ReplyDeleteI was also contemplating doing the Cedar Point Rev3 half - I'm originally from a Toledo suburb, so that's practically my back yard! I have heard that, if the water is too choppy, they have an alternate swim course option on the more sheltered side of the point. I have also heard that the wind can pick up on the bike, but I think that was going to be more of an issue for the folks doing the full (it gets windier as the day progresses, so the athletes for the half are done before the wind picks up too much). I've also been contemplating doing a 70.3 for a while. You should do it! I would say that you should definitely do at least one shorter tri before you do a 70.3, whether it's this season or early next. There are plenty of things to learn when starting triathlons that are much better learned during a shorter race!
ReplyDeleteOf course you can do it, but you might want to try a sprint tri first just to get some experience with all the gear fall-der-all then do the 70.3
ReplyDeleteJeff, @ the risk of stating the obvious, keep your blog updated on your training decisions and activities for the Tri. I'm interested in how you tackle the swimming 'demons' you have, being I share alot of the same ones.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Mark
Ha! Go for it! It is more than I care to take on right now... but I would love to watch your metamorphosis :)
ReplyDeleteBDD - I thought of that one but I did not think about the current helping me. Great thought!
ReplyDeleteBeth - I read your report. Awesome job. It's what inspires me! I can get to a pool too.
Paul - that's my plan. a sprint or Olympic distance first before I jump in for the big one!
Mark - of course, all details to follow if I actually follow through with it!
No, a 70.3 is not really that bad! You can totally get up to the 1.2 mile swim in a year!
ReplyDeleteDo CP! It's a big party... and a lot of blogger friends may be back there again next year!
I know this is an old post. What did you decide? I just signed up for Muncie for 2012. I did it last year too, and it was a blast. I did Racing for Recovery in Monroe, MI, as a "practice" race to make sure I could do the distance before spending the big bucks to do an IM brand since I didn't need to travel for it too. The entry fee is also 100% tax deductible, as far as I know, 3D provides there race services for free to Racing for Recovery. I did start doing sprints in 2009 and an Oly in 2010, and am a HORRIBLE swimmer, STILL! Muncie swim was very calm. R4R was not, but it was wetsuit legal. It was a small race, so not a lot of hype, decent support on the bike, but just OK support on the run compared to IM, who has water, ice, sponges, ect every mile.
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