IM 70.3

[bluedaisyus]

That would be ridiculous to even THINK about, right? I mean, I've never even done a tri before even though I've thought about it plenty. I should just look into volunteering, right? There's going to be a new one! Like, half an hour away from me! And it's more than 10 months away! How cool would it be to do the inaugural?!

I'm crazy.

[wambam]

I'm flirting with running a full marathon next year, so I deem this absolutelyNOTcrazy

[Susie]

Oct 6, 2015 10:45:19 GMT -5 bluedaisyus said:

That would be ridiculous to even THINK about, right? I mean, I've never even done a tri before even though I've thought about it plenty. I should just look into volunteering, right? There's going to be a new one! Like, half an hour away from me! And it's more than 10 months away! How cool would it be to do the inaugural?!

No.  If you want to do it, and have a pretty good idea going in of what the training will entail, then go for it - but I would find a sprint and/or Oly that is earlier in the season than your 70.3 to register for in addition to the 70.3 so the 70.3 isn't the first tri you ever DO.  There are so many moving parts to triathlon:  it's not just swim/bike/run, but also gear/T1 logistics/T2 logistics, and then when you move out to 70.3 distance you also have nutrition to give serious thought to.  It's best not to be doing all of that for the first time, all at the same time.

Inaugural races can be kind of a mixed bag.  Cool, but don't always have all the kinks worked out.  I wouldn't do or not do one on that basis.  IM has had a few 70.3s that have come and gone in recent years (e.g., Princeton), some more successful than others.

Be forewarned:  the tri bug is addictive!

[nichelobe]

bluedaisyus I'm going to do it!! (In case you don't remember, I'm local. )
I just found out about it yesterday, and I'm so excited.
If you're interested, one of the MIT coaches invited me to a end of season social for her triathlon club in a few weeks and I think I'm going to go. She told me their group rides are very much like MIT with bikes! I figure having a club to lean on will be super helpful during training. Let me know if you want the info.

[juliabug]

One of my friends did a fun, untimed mini sprint and then did a 70.3. She technically DNFed by 5 min because of the time limit, but she finished the race. I vote, not crazy, just be prepared to spend a lot of time training. You already have a solid foundation, you can do it!

[shorewife]

Oct 6, 2015 11:27:02 GMT -5 Susie said:

Oct 6, 2015 10:45:19 GMT -5 bluedaisyus said:

That would be ridiculous to even THINK about, right? I mean, I've never even done a tri before even though I've thought about it plenty. I should just look into volunteering, right? There's going to be a new one! Like, half an hour away from me! And it's more than 10 months away! How cool would it be to do the inaugural?!

No.  If you want to do it, and have a pretty good idea going in of what the training will entail, then go for it - but I would find a sprint and/or Oly that is earlier in the season than your 70.3 to register for in addition to the 70.3 so the 70.3 isn't the first tri you ever DO.  There are so many moving parts to triathlon:  it's not just swim/bike/run, but also gear/T1 logistics/T2 logistics, and then when you move out to 70.3 distance you also have nutrition to give serious thought to.  It's best not to be doing all of that for the first time, all at the same time.

Inaugural races can be kind of a mixed bag.  Cool, but don't always have all the kinks worked out.  I wouldn't do or not do one on that basis.  IM has had a few 70.3s that have come and gone in recent years (e.g., Princeton), some more successful than others.

Be forewarned:  the tri bug is addictive!

What she said!!! 

[osulori]

bluedaisyus and nichelobe, y'all have fun with that. I'll come cheer!

[trigal]

What susie said.

[joenali]

Can you swim 1.2 miles?

[joenali]

Safely.

[bluedaisyus]

Thanks for the input! I don't really think I could do it next year. It is a pipe dream, but I don't think I'm ready to do a tri yet. I am hoping to do one next year, but probably a sprint. I'm too slow and really it just isn't realistic to think that I'd be able to devote the training time to it that I would need and it would deserve. I will try to volunteer, but the idea of it being so close now, it's fun to think about actually completing it!

nichelobe I do remember that you're local! I actually thought about you at Oktoberfest this year because I remember we both were doing it last year and I looked for you but didn't find you.

[nichelobe]

Oct 6, 2015 21:06:33 GMT -5 bluedaisyus said:

nichelobe I do remember that you're local! I actually thought about you at Oktoberfest this year because I remember we both were doing it last year and I looked for you but didn't find you.

I didn't make it this year and I was so sad! I hope you had fun!

And I'll just throw this out there for you. There's a super low key indoor triathlon January 3 in Dublin. 10 minute pool swim, 30 minutes on the stationary bike, and 20 minutes on the treadmill. I did it this year and will do it again in 2016. It's really fun, absolutely beginner friendly, and a GREAT way to see if you like multi-sport events. I think it's only $25 right now.

[boston340]

Oct 7, 2015 7:55:19 GMT -5 nichelobe said:

Oct 6, 2015 21:06:33 GMT -5 bluedaisyus said:

nichelobe I do remember that you're local! I actually thought about you at Oktoberfest this year because I remember we both were doing it last year and I looked for you but didn't find you.

I didn't make it this year and I was so sad! I hope you had fun!

And I'll just throw this out there for you. There's a super low key indoor triathlon January 3 in Dublin. 10 minute pool swim, 30 minutes on the stationary bike, and 20 minutes on the treadmill. I did it this year and will do it again in 2016. It's really fun, absolutely beginner friendly, and a GREAT way to see if you like multi-sport events. I think it's only $25 right now.

Will you share details about this race? This is about 90 minutes from me and is intriguing!

[bluedaisyus]

Oct 7, 2015 18:50:54 GMT -5 boston340 said:

Oct 7, 2015 7:55:19 GMT -5 nichelobe said:

I didn't make it this year and I was so sad! I hope you had fun!

And I'll just throw this out there for you. There's a super low key indoor triathlon January 3 in Dublin. 10 minute pool swim, 30 minutes on the stationary bike, and 20 minutes on the treadmill. I did it this year and will do it again in 2016. It's really fun, absolutely beginner friendly, and a GREAT way to see if you like multi-sport events. I think it's only $25 right now.

Will you share details about this race? This is about 90 minutes from me and is intriguing!

I think I found it and it looks like it's sold out. but it also looks like they have them in a couple other locations that aren't, so maybe there's one closer to you? I'll let nichelobe confirm though...

[nichelobe]

Oct 7, 2015 18:50:54 GMT -5 boston340 said:

Oct 7, 2015 7:55:19 GMT -5 nichelobe said:

I didn't make it this year and I was so sad! I hope you had fun!

And I'll just throw this out there for you. There's a super low key indoor triathlon January 3 in Dublin. 10 minute pool swim, 30 minutes on the stationary bike, and 20 minutes on the treadmill. I did it this year and will do it again in 2016. It's really fun, absolutely beginner friendly, and a GREAT way to see if you like multi-sport events. I think it's only $25 right now.

Will you share details about this race? This is about 90 minutes from me and is intriguing!

Sure! It's put on at Lifetime Fitness in Dublin. www.indoortri.com/page/show/152666-ohio-indoor-triathlon

bluedaisyus is right, it's officially sold out. HOWEVER, we were told to email the race director if you're really interested. It's a very laid-back event and they'll work people in who want to do it. It was really fun this year, I'm excited to do it again. Let me know if either of you decide to do it!

[mrshandy]

I believe most people as long as they are healthy and dedicated can achieve way more than they think possible.

I would love to run an Ironman some day, but I'm not much of a swimmer and don't own a bike. I know that I could do it, but I also know that I could only do it if I put in the time and training to make it possible.

You can definitely do it, just make sure to listen to our wise tri ladies and be smart about your timeline. Start small and work your way up. You'll get there!

[joenali]

Oct 8, 2015 8:52:07 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

I believe most people as long as they are healthy and dedicated can achieve way more than they think possible.

I would love to run an Ironman some day, but I'm not much of a swimmer and don't own a bike. I know that I could do it, but I also know that I could only do it if I put in the time and training to make it possible.

You can definitely do it, just make sure to listen to our wise tri ladies and be smart about your timeline. Start small and work your way up. You'll get there!

I agree up to a point. Swimming is technique driven and if you can barely keep your head above water, then it's not time to do an ironman (not saying you, just in general). The cutoff for an IM swim is two hours and 20 minutes. That's a long time to be in the water if you are a slower swimmer. I don't understand when people say "oh, I'll just through the swim!" It's water, you are swimming with a mass of people. Even people who are good swimmers get overwhelmed at the swim start. The swim portion of a tri should not be taken so lightly.