USA Triathlon Age Group Nationals

[keweenawlove]

I just got an e-mail that I qualified for age group nationals. I'm not really sure what I did to qualify. Has anyone ever done them? I hadn't really planned on doing anything big this year but this is tempting. I don't have any plans that weekend and it's only a 4 hour drive from here.

[joenali]

You probably raced in a qualifying event. Most likely they take the top ten in each age group for qualifying spots. I qualified for Worlds for the aquathon, because there were only 7 of us in my age group. I qualified before I even set foot in the water! Lol!

[shorewife]

In Milwaukee on 8/10?! I qualified too! It was from a qualifying triathlon last summer where I got top 10% in my age group. Like you I'm not really sure how that happened! I'm going though. I'm in NJ and my family is on the way in OH/MI. I'm not really sure what to expect other than probably a good ass-whooping

[keweenawlove]

That's the one shorewife ! I just talked to a family friend who's racing. He lives in mke and said I could stay with them. I'll have to talk to H tonight to see if we can swing it.

[shorewife]

Has your friend done it before? I'd love to hear a race review from someone who has!

[keweenawlove]

Jun 19, 2013 14:07:23 GMT -5 shorewife said:

Has your friend done it before? I'd love to hear a race review from someone who has!

I'll ask for a review and get back to you. I know this guy qualified last yet but was injured so I'm not sure if he raced. I've got a former college teammate who raced a few years ago I can check with too.

[trigal]

Some of my friends did it last year when it was in Burlington, VT. They had good experiences. If its close enough, then I would go. I didn't do the right races sat year to qualify, but now I wish I had, since it was so close to me!

Congrats!

[gumi]

Jun 19, 2013 13:05:52 GMT -5 keweenawlove said:

I just got an e-mail that I qualified for age group nationals. I'm not really sure what I did to qualify. Has anyone ever done them? I hadn't really planned on doing anything big this year but this is tempting. I don't have any plans that weekend and it's only a 4 hour drive from here.

You qualify when you are in the top 10% of your age group.  I would drive 4 hours to do it.  I'm not flying across the country to do it - maybe one day I will make the trip if I ever get to the level where I can podium there.  I am going to the duathlon nationals again since that is a short drive for me though.

These are very fast, very competitive races.  Although it can be humbling to race with the best, I do not think it is a bad thing.

[keweenawlove]

Jun 19, 2013 19:35:44 GMT -5 gumi said:

These are very fast, very competitive races.  Although it can be humbling to race with the best, I do not think it is a bad thing.

Oh I know I'll get my ass kicked by some of the field. As long as I'm not completely off the back of the pack, I'm fine with it. It's fun too be able to say you raced with the best. Although I have had the experience of lining up for an interval start race with an Olympian in the position behind me. That's a little intimidating.

[gumi]

Jun 20, 2013 9:23:27 GMT -5 keweenawlove said:

Jun 19, 2013 19:35:44 GMT -5 gumi said:

These are very fast, very competitive races.  Although it can be humbling to race with the best, I do not think it is a bad thing.

Oh I know I'll get my ass kicked by some of the field. As long as I'm not completely off the back of the pack, I'm fine with it. It's fun too be able to say you raced with the best. Although I have had the experience of lining up for an interval start race with an Olympian in the position behind me. That's a little intimidating.

I've never done the age group nationals but the other national races I have done have given out really nice swag...very nice hats, bib belts, sunglasses, etc.  Although considering its a $150 race, they better hook it up, right?

Also instead of using a sharpie to bodymark you, they will give you a stick-on tattoo (one for each arm and leg) and those suckers do not come off. So, you get to have a souvenir stuck on you the next week. 

[katinthehat]

I think it would be so cool. I hope to qualify for the Hy-Vee Oly Nationals with my September race but I'm having a lot of trouble convincing DH that a trip to Iowa would be an awesome use of our travel funds. I think if you got in and it's convenient for you to do, go for it!

[gumi]

FYI, it is now sold out. But if you register you will be placed on the waiting list.

[keweenawlove]

Jun 20, 2013 14:33:25 GMT -5 gumi said:

FYI, it is now sold out. But if you register you will be placed on the waiting list.

I'm in. I'm glad I decided fast. I saw it was 98% full yesterday but had to wait until today for the link to register. I got the registration link just as DH was going into surgery. Signed up right away. Got an e-mail an hour later that it was full.

[gumi]

Jun 20, 2013 15:13:34 GMT -5 keweenawlove said:

Jun 20, 2013 14:33:25 GMT -5 gumi said:

FYI, it is now sold out. But if you register you will be placed on the waiting list.

I'm in. I'm glad I decided fast. I saw it was 98% full yesterday but had to wait until today for the link to register. I got the registration link just as DH was going into surgery. Signed up right away. Got an e-mail an hour later that it was full.

good!  Everyone ranked in the top10% of 2012 got first dibs at entry. Kinda sucks for those who qualify during the year - I am also glad you decided fast.  I never decide fast, I hope the duathlon doesn't sell out as quickly because I am not a good mind maker-upper and need months to think about it.

[Susie]

I read the blog of an elite triathlete who went when it was in Burlington last year: elizabethfedofsky.blogspot.com/2012/08/nationals-in-burlington.html

[shorewife]

Wow. Interesting that an elite triathlete still gets nervous!
I figured it would be a fast race but this helps to know a little bit of what to expect about what the conditions might be like too (ie - I didn't really think about a crowded bike course...).

[keweenawlove]

Jun 21, 2013 9:14:18 GMT -5 shorewife said:

Wow. Interesting that an elite triathlete still gets nervous!
I figured it would be a fast race but this helps to know a little bit of what to expect about what the conditions might be like too (ie - I didn't really think about a crowded bike course...).

More pressure.

Our family friend did it in Burlington last year. He didn't give me nearly as detailed a report as the blog entry (thanks Susie !) He said it's a great experience though to be surrounded by thousands of hand-core tri geeks. He's excited to see the transition area this year. That's got the take a lot to organize. Last year there was 2,400 people and this year, they just closed with 3250 registered.

I'm just a little nervous about how Lake Michigan is going to be that day. I grew up swimming Lake Superior but the temperature wasn't always the best for long open-water swims so we usually ended up swimming smaller lakes.

[katinthehat]

Jun 21, 2013 8:55:02 GMT -5 Susie said:

I read the blog of an elite triathlete who went when it was in Burlington last year: elizabethfedofsky.blogspot.com/2012/08/nationals-in-burlington.html

Love her blog. 

[shorewife]

Jun 21, 2013 10:42:15 GMT -5 keweenawlove said:

Jun 21, 2013 9:14:18 GMT -5 shorewife said:

Wow. Interesting that an elite triathlete still gets nervous!
I figured it would be a fast race but this helps to know a little bit of what to expect about what the conditions might be like too (ie - I didn't really think about a crowded bike course...).

More pressure.

Our family friend did it in Burlington last year. He didn't give me nearly as detailed a report as the blog entry (thanks Susie !) He said it's a great experience though to be surrounded by thousands of hand-core tri geeks. He's excited to see the transition area this year. That's got the take a lot to organize. Last year there was 2,400 people and this year, they just closed with 3250 registered.

I'm just a little nervous about how Lake Michigan is going to be that day. I grew up swimming Lake Superior but the temperature wasn't always the best for long open-water swims so we usually ended up swimming smaller lakes.

Will a race like this have wetsuit strippers, or is that only for longer races?  I think if I have to take my own off then I may just pass on wearing one even if the water is chilly.

[keweenawlove]

Jul 1, 2013 10:14:52 GMT -5 shorewife said:

Will a race like this have wetsuit strippers, or is that only for longer races?  I think if I have to take my own off then I may just pass on wearing one even if the water is chilly.

I haven't seen anything on wetsuit strippers so I would assume no. I plan on wearing one if the water temp allows. Lake Michigan shouldn't been too cold that far south. I know I can do the swim without it but I just feel like I swim so much faster with a wetsuit that it's worth the time for me to take it off. I coat myself in TriSlide before putting it on and it slides right off.