Swissman Extreme Triathlon - too hard for old guys?
I've been very interested in attempting an extreme triathlon ever since I watched the 2011 Norseman trailer. Then came Celtman and now Swissman to tempt me further. But thinking about one and doing it are very different. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking and these kinds of things are probably even more difficult as you age. I've been competing for over 4 decades and each additional year is now gravy. I'm only one serious injury away from retirement and cannot put this off indefinitely. I've thought hard and am leaning towards tackling Swissman in Jun 2016. Here is my rationale:
1. After listening to Tim Deboom's podcast where he talked about the training necessary for Norseman, I have to admit that Florida doesn't have the right weather to prepare for that race, especially since it's late August. I would be training through the heat of the Tampa summer for a race which is prone to exceptionally cold conditions. Swissman is a little milder and 2 months earlier...although snow is still possible on the mountain passes.
2. Swissman water temp is about 64 while Norseman is in the mid-50s plus or minus a few degrees depending on the snow melt. I've done a number of races between 61-64 degrees, but 50s is too cold for me. 
3. Swissman is new and may be easier to get into. Norseman gets about 5 applications for each of the 250 entry slots. Swissman will have 50 slots for the inaugural race in 2013, then go to 250 in year 2. Hopefully, it won't have achieved Norseman's popularity by 2016.
4. Swissman is vastly easier to get to. I can fly non-stop to Zurich from Tampa, and the race start is not too far of a drive to southern Switzerland. By contrast, it's a difficult 5 hr drive from Oslo to get to the start of Norseman.
5. Swissman looks to be epic. The photos on their facebook page are amazing. The elevation profile is terrifying. The suffering is sure to be incredible. And the accomplishment will stand above anything I've ever done. 
Due to other travel and family commitments, 2016 is the earliest possible date for me. I will be 58 yrs old (USAT 59) then and would like to complete one before I turn 60. Swissman's bike elevation looks more intimidating that Norseman, and the run is just as steep but would be on a much better surface than Norseman's rock trail up Gaustotoppen. To get ready, I would probably take on some of the following challenges in the run-up: For 2015 as a gut check: AMZOF middle course, SixGap Century Ride, Great Floridian, and the Horrible Hundred. For 2016 I would throw in a cycling trip to Tuscon to build some more hill strength, repeat the Cross Florida bike ride (170 mi) and make a few trips to Clermont for repeats up Sugarloaf mountain (19% grade). AMZOF Long Course might make a great final RR the month prior.
Are we too old to dream? Is this physically too much at this age or am I nuts? 
Comments
Looks like road bike for the ride. And double walking sticks for the run.
Paul ... what kind of Saturday Night Fever has afflicted you?
Since the whole reason I started this triathlon thing, back at the end of the last millenium, was to discover and demonstrate what was possible as I got older, I guess I have to seriously consider this.
Let's see, 180 km bike with 4 climbs ranging from 1800 to 3500 vertical feet, mostly @ 5-7% gradient, except for the final 2.5 miles up the Gotthard, which is 9%. Massive downhill over km 139-160, 4800' @ 7% (a real arm killer). Followed by a reasonable marathon, except for the final 5 miles, which is set at a 12% gradient. In the dark, and cold. Whom could I sucker into being my support for this, seeing as how they have to go up those last 5 miles with me, after following and feeding me for 14 hours?
2016 would be a good year for me, age 67, so still feasible. I would train 4+ weeks in May-June @ altitude in CO, where I could mimic the terrain pretty well, I think, as well as acclimate. At 58, I know you can do it.
So, if this is still a wild hair for you in two years time, give me another shout out. I won't hold you to it, but I'll be waiting ... In the meantime, consider >this<</p>
The Swissman Extreme sounds very much more managable. Water acceptable. Still face a very high probability of cold/wet weather at those altitudes. Would love to follow you guys when you do it . But I think this freeze baby will sit this one out.
Lisbeth Kenyon , Todd from ttbikefit.com's wife did the Norseman this year. She is an official badass who won her AG in KONA 3 years in a row with times just above 10HRs. Her Norseman time was 12:47 and placed 3rd in the womens division.
@ Al - Be careful what you wish for. Racing out of country is my highest calling! I've adjusted my calendar accordingly, but the key milestone will be the 2015 entry deadline.
@ Tim - I read Liz's blog on Norseman. I can tell you that although I don't like cold weather, I handle it very well. In fact, I generate so much heat racing, that I thrive in cold. In case, I didn't mention it, I was born in Maine and grew up in garden spots like Iceland and North Dakota. I went to college in Colorado Springs and grad school in Wisconsin.
I'm not going to give you a tee short slogan about powering on but that is something I would like to do as well, so good on you and I guess we will see what the future brings.
You know. . . Time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams.
But, here it is... The winter of my life and it catches me by surprise... How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go? I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like.
But, here it is... My friends are retired and getting grey... They move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some worse shape than me... But, I see the great change... Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant... But, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be. Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore... it's mandatory! Cause if I don't on my own free will... I just fall asleep where I sit!
And so... Now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!! But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last... This I know, that when it's over on this earth... It’s over. A new adventure will begin!
Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done... Things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done. It's all in a lifetime.
So, if you're not in your winter yet... Let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly! Don't put things off too long!! Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not! You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life... So, live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember... And hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!!
"Life" is a gift to you. The way you live it is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one.
I love that last line: "Life is a gift to you. The way you live it is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one."
It's hard to give up old successes for new challenges, but I've been doing that all my life. It seems to be time for another roll of the wheel. I'm hearing a clarion call to me to get off the WTC/Kona treadmill. So I'm looking for others to jump off the cliff together, Butch & Sundance style. 2015 it is. Warm-up in Lanzarote May 2014.
Wow that is a badass race for sure. I hope to someday be able to do this.