Why do I do this? Rethinking my tri - for serious this time

[ktzmoh]

So I just was feeling nice and confident after my ride this morning that I could totally handle 25 miles and decided to start thinking about what kind of climbing I might have to do out at Donner Lake (part of Lake Tahoe area).

The first 3 miles average 6% grade, with some sections at 10-15%.  And also I live at sea level and donner lake is at 6 or 7k feet. We have lots of hills, but I don't live in the alps, so we don't have those kinds of climbs to train on.

I'm seriously thinking about whether or not this is an appropriate first triathlon for me. Donner Lake would be beautiful, but I don't want to be miserable. I should rethink this, right? Or is that a not horrible bike ride? It's an out and back course, so I'd have to do the climb twice.... I don't want to die. I could also defer to next year.

I also want to do Oakland, which is nice and flat and 1 month later than Donner Lake. More time to train, less painful experience, but way less pretty.  What do you think? should I bail on Donner Lake and just do Oakland or should I be fearless and do both? I have no experience and  no frame of reference here!

[hannahb]

Take this with a grain of salt since I've done one oly tri and that's it. I think you should do both. The first few tris will be mostly about getting your feet wet, getting comfortable with transitions, and just learning from your mistakes. I think you're letting too much self doubt kick in, which I totally get. If you were an experienced triathlete, fighting nagging injuries and this wasn't your A race, then yeah maybe bail. As someone who is just getting into the sport, I think you'll have this feeling before any race and you just need to jump in

[Mushe]

Honestly, I like the advice to do both. Like with the marathon or any first distance or activity, so much is going to be getting used to transitions and all that. Or did you do a/some sprint tris last year?

[sadlebred]

How many feet of climbing is it? If you ride a lot of hills, you will be fine....

[clseale]

Do you have any particular tie or meaning to the course? I only ask, because IMO, you picked a pretty tough course for your first marathon, and it probably made things a bit tougher than it needed to be. I know you had good reasons, and I definitely understand that, but if there are no reasons for this particular course, I would do Oakland & let yourself just experience the distance. The tough courses & bucket list courses can come later. It's not that I don't think you CAN do it, you absolutely can. I just don't really see the value in adding any other obstacles to a brand new challenge.

[kams]

My first Ironman was IMTX, which is pretty well known for incredible heat and humidity, and is one of the slowest in North America. It wasnt an ideal first race (though it turned out to be a great day), but it's what worked for me, and I had to shit or get off the pot, so I jumped in to that one with two feet and I loved every minute.

SO, I think that can happen for you. I would say that if you can find a course that's similar to your training conditions, and minimizes stress and logistical issues, I would choose that for a first. But, if Donner Lake works best for you, I think you'll always remember it fondly as your first. And then probably have a massive PR at your next race

[ktzmoh]

Thanks guys - a bunch of enablers !

I don't have any doubts at all about oakland. The distance will be fine. I'm honestly just worried about my ability to climb that peak as such a new cyclist KWIM?

I have no connection to Donner other than wanting my cherry tri to be a little epic and tahoe is so pretty.

[mrs.jacinthe]

You can do it. It's hard, but not impossible. Worst case scenario, you walk a little. But you can do it.
If you absolutely have to, you can always back down to the Sprint for Donner (last minute only ... Don't be defeatist yet) and then try oly at Oakland.

The bike course at Donner is a climb, but then on the way back it's a huge descent, (not scary, just fun) so even if the out is hard, the back will be great.

Also, we were just out your way this last few days and there are plenty of places to get hill practice between now and then. Diablo, Tilden, etc. You'll be OK. I promise.

[clseale]

Well, if one of your goals is for your first one to not just be about the distance, but for it to be on a great & scenic course, go for it! It sounds like you realize it's going to be a bit of challenge, but do doubt that it's one you can conquer! Go into with no expectations & have fun! IME, as a flat, coastal runner, I can still run hills okay, (so I wouldn't let that deter you). The elevation is what gets to me. You can do it!!

[Susie]

I think you've already gotten a lot of great advice. FWIW, I'd do both, and be prepared to enjoy a huge PR at the 2nd one, both because of things you've learned and the flatter course.

When you're actually climbing on race day, be patient with it and yourself.  Don't worry about speed going up steep inclines, and tell yourself you CAN DO IT.  You CAN KEEP GOING.  I promise you can for much further than you think you can.  Don't entertain walk thoughts unless you're serious about to tip over.  I can say from experience that I have climbed some things I thought I could not, and I have never failed to keep the pedals going 'round.  You can do this.

[ktzmoh]

Thanks all. I was talking to H about it and he suggested I train hard in June on the hills around me and then in July we take a couple of day trips to test the waters with some training rides to build confidence (and red blood cells!)

[chw57]

If you ever want to ride Redwood road, let me know

[ktzmoh]

May 30, 2015 12:28:36 GMT -5 chw57 said:

If you ever want to ride Redwood road, let me know

6/13 or 6/14? Redwood Rd from CV to Skyine?

[chw57]

May 31, 2015 14:18:02 GMT -5 ktzmoh said:

May 30, 2015 12:28:36 GMT -5 chw57 said:

If you ever want to ride Redwood road, let me know

6/13 or 6/14? Redwood Rd from CV to Skyine?

Yes please!

[shauni27]

I have no experience in tris what so ever, but I do have experience with Tahoe, I used to live on Donner Lake

I am in full support of your husband's plan--work on your hills for the next month, take a trip up north and test it out, and then, in the worst case scenario, you knock it down to the sprint rather than the oly and do the oly at Oakland a month later.

I remember feeling breathless when we first moved to Tahoe, but my husband and friends all felt fine. I adjusted quickly.

While you are there, go to wild cherries for vegan chili (get it topped with everything though!) and go to jaliscos tacos for fish or chicken tacos. both in truckee. And then tell me about them so I can live vicariously through you.

[mrs.jacinthe]

If it is reassuring to you - most of the bay area triathletes at Donner don't seem to have altitude trouble with the bike or the run. It's the swim - they don't give themselves enough time to acclimate, aren't prepared for a rough-ish start, and go out too fast. In the last three years, 99% of the athletes I've helped on the swim have been from the bay area. Of those, exactly ZERO have quit - they've just needed a chance to rest from going out too fast (yay adrenaline) and then they move on and finish fine.

You'll be awesome.