2014 Key Ironman Races for TeamEN....
** For Immediate Release **
Endurance Nation is pleased to announce it’s Key Races for the 2014 Ironman Triathlon season. Given the nature of these events, where many sell out months in advance, it’s important to provide early notification for the Team and fans of Endurance Nation to plan accordingly.
Here are the three key Ironman races for the 2014 season:
Ironman Texas -- May 2014
Ironman Mont Tremblant -- August 2014
Ironman Wisconsin -- September 2014
What is an Endurance Nation Key Race?
An Endurance Key race is an opportunity for the Team and Coaches to create a complete season. Building from our OutSeason training protocols in the winter months through to the Race Preparation phase, Endurance Nation will build specific targets for the Team across the year.
In addition to our Team Coaching approach, there will be an on-site training camp for each of these races. This is a critical opportunity to rehearse pacing, determine final equipment selection and eliminate all doubts before race day.
Key races are targeted by our members, creating a critical mass of TeamEN athletes -- 60-80 athletes at each key race -- training and racing together. This mass creates very unique learning, accountability, and “cool mojo” opportunities across the season. It’s simply very unique and powerful to train with dozens of your teammates for months and months, and then meet and race with these folks at your A-race.
Finally, the coaches will be on hand that race weekend to deliver a Four Keys race execution talk, hold a Team dinner and support the Team during the race. If you want to see a sample of this experience, join TeamEN at Ironman Lake Placid and Ironman Wisconsin this year!
What were the 2014 selection criteria?
The race must be popular on the Ironman circuit, selling out very quickly.
The race has to have the opportunity for a training camp several weeks before the actual event.
At least one of the races had to be “early” in the year to accommodate athletes with different training schedules.
The coaches need to have experience on the course (true for all but Tremblant).
We considered several other races in an attempt to be objective. At the end of the day considerations around accessibility, opportunity for a camp, large athlete concentrations, etc. all took precedence.
What about 70.3 or Half Iron Races?
Since the half distance events don’t sell out as quickly, we have more time to decide on what the races will be. We are also waiting to see what the 2013 Team experience is like at these events before making and future commitments.
Got Questions?
Fire away...we can't always pick the race _you_ want to do, but we are willing to hear your inpu on how we can continue to improve the Team experience!
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Comments
KS 70.3 would fit very nicely with IMWI.
I had been planning on IMMT as my first full IM so this is great news!
Pros:
1. Potential higher EN participation
2. Inclusiveness of our short course athletes, so they can experience the feeling of having a large group of EN team mates either on the course or at the finish line
3. Family weekend - one spouse can race short course one day and the other can race the next day, which also makes it easier for couples to race, because their is no babysitting issues
Cons:
Can't see any, can you?
This is all true and very good input and ideas that EN will support if members want to take the initiative and kickstart such a weekend. Wildflower fits this description perfectly, is a my favorite race, and if I can go 14mo without landing in an ER or on an operating table I'd like to lead an EN presence there.
However, understand that an "EN Key Race" = coach-led training camp + 1-2x coaches at the race. It also has to meet requirements associated with timing, training camp and race day accessibility to many members, etc, and so the list is pretty small.
Interested in hearing whats on the shortlist for HIM events. I definitely vote for Wildflower as a western states slot!
Question for R&P...
Does this mean you are only planning on being onsite at the 3 key races? Or, will your attendance at non-key IM be determined by EN critical mass?
Thanks!
Please understand that 3 x key IM races = 6 x 4 day travel weekends for RorP, as
...for each of these races.
To this add...
That's a very big travel and team support footprint. So our attendance at non-key races will largely be a function of our race schedules: I dig WF, like to race it, so I'll be there. Likewise P with some of the east coast halfs and maybe LP because it's in his backyard and he can bring the family.
Also, don't forget that we have a Race Director (new, to be announced shortly
) to organize a very high quality race weekend for you: Race Captain, team dinner, and more, at key races and at non-key races at which we have a critical mass of members.
When you put it all together that's a crazy full schedule. Thanks for clarifying, Rich!
Yea, I"m curious if there will still be a training camp for IMLP next year. I am doing it this year, but had a friend who wanted to do it next year.
Hmmm, yeah St George would work well for Western HIM too. Easy in and out from las vegas for those that cant drive. Easy logistics. Good course to showcase execution skilz. Nice early season race.
No Kona for one of you two?
Not just the heat but training for you such an early season race would be brutal for you in MN. Probably few to zero long rides outside? Not recommended
2014 may just be my return to IMMT. Man I love that race.
As far as halfs go, Wildflower or bust.