Karla's questions about which races to do
Hi! I listened to the podcast about whether to do a half ironman on the way to a full ironman and it made me rethink doing Muncie 70.3 on July 12, 2014 on my way to my A race IMLOU on Aug 24.
I was thinking of doing Muncie 70.3 as training for IMLOU but you made great points as to why that is not time and cost efficient, nor a true measure of my IM preparedness.
My biggest fear for IMLOU is the swim without a wetsuit. The wetsuit is my safety blanket in the swim as it makes me feel more buoyant. I was thinking that Muncie 70.3 would be a good practice open water long swim.
However, I am now thinking it would be better to do an international distance tri like Trinona on June 8, 2014 that is closer to where I live and work to find places where I can do lots of open water practice swim instead of doing Muncie 70.3.
What would you recommend?
Thanks,
Karla
Comments
Hey Karla,
Good to know people are listening to the podcast
. My point is that if you going to race a half, then you should race it as a half, don't do it as an IM race rehearsal. And putting a half on the calendar is an excellent way to give yourself a headstart, of sorts, on your IM training, as it encourages you to build up the long bike and long run, and stay consistent and accountable.
At the end of the day, both events would be good and your decision should be made by which sounds more fun, works better with your life (reg $$, travel, family, etc)
You might want to think about Chisago Lakes or Superior Man as local halves close to home to ramp up for Louisville. In addition, the best open water swimming in the area is, by far, Square Lake near Stillwater. The water is clear. It's calm most days because it's in a sheltered valley, and boats can't have a wake before noon. If you swim the buoys around the perimeter of the lakes it's almost exactly two miles. LOTS of triathletes train there. Hit me up if you want to meet up for a swim on a Saturday... If it ever gets warmer.
IM Louisville is Aug 24 (the same day as Superior Man). Chisago Lakes is July 27, so that it only 4 weeks before IMLou.
Joe, have you ever done the Liberty Triathlon in Rockford MN (June 7 this year)?
But you're right, Rachel, the heat is a big factor for IMLou and Muncie would be hotter than anything in MN.
What races are you guys doing this year?
Karla
Ah.... IMLOU is earlier in the season than I thought. So yes, Chisago would be too close. I haven't raced Liberty because I'm just too much of a wuss to do that much training in crappy spring weather. Everyone I know who has done it says they've had a great experience. I was just talking with a buddy who is doing it last week and he thinks it's easily the best half in the state. I've done lots of Final Stretch events and they are always well run.
Races for me in 2014:
If you want to get some good open water swimming experience, I recommend the Point to LaPointe race in Lake Superior. 2 miles from Bayfield to Madeline Island. It's on August 2nd. I did it two years ago and I'm doing it again this year. It's a blast! Lots of great places to do bike training after the swim too.