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2017 Season Planning thread

Yes, this might be a bit OCD, but hey, I am a triathlete

For me, after doing my first IM with EN in 2010, I was hooked on the team mojo having traveled to Arizona alone. I try to plan all of my IMs around EN presence and what friends are doing what races. 

Thought I'd set up a thread and see if people would start laying out their intended 2017 A races so others might decide to jump on the bandwagon...

Comments

  • Following this one since this is an off-IM year and I'd really like to take advantage of the team mojo at the races next year!
  • Scott, I totally agree with the great mojo.
    I am still trying to wrap my brain around 2016, but will follow this thread to get some good ideas.

    Good Luck.
  • I'll follow this, but for sure IMMT will again be my A-race for sure, its 1.5hrs drive only and we have a cottage in Tremblant Area, so its a no brainer.
  • 2017 - Aging up to M60-64

    EN January Volume Camp, Clermont, FL
    April 22, 2017 - IM Texas (#11)
    August 2017 - ITU World Long Course, Penticton, Canada (if qualified)
    October 2017 - Kona if I'm lucky at IM Texas
    November 2017 - IMFL (if I'm not lucky - #12)
    TBD - USAT National Long Course Championship (qualifies for ITU Worlds @ Odense, Denmark 2018)


  • My key race for 2017 is the ITU Long Distance World Championship race in Penticton, BC, Canada, which will be the last weekend of August (27th). And I'm trying to stick to ONE IM per year, which next year will be in the US in the Fall, Kona vs ???. Of course there is first the small hurdle of QUALIFYING for those races, at Chattanooga or Louisville this year, and at the 2016 US Championships, which are in Miami Nov 13th.



  • The word on our michigan streets is IMLP for 2017. I've done it once, but it is a great venue.
    Thinking possibly American TTT in May, Placid in July, and Savageman half in September? I need new friends lol.
  • 2017: most likely looking to target a handful of 70.3's that year, with Vineman being front and center. Will probably add 2 others for the season and then most likely a Fall IM...not sure which one yet.
  • Anyone know where the 2017 regional ironman championships will be for each part of the world ?

    If south africa may go there.

    If texas again may go there.
  • Robin, I believe the IMSA race has been the African championships for a few years in a row. I believe it will continue that way.
  • Absolutely nothing against Scott or any of the posters, but this is one thing I hate about this hobby. Having to plan 2017 before the 2016 season is underway.
  • Absolutely nothing against Scott or any of the posters, but this is one thing I hate about this hobby. Having to plan 2017 before the 2016 season is underway.

    In most cases it isn't necessary to plan a year in advance anymore. If you aren't trying to qualify for anything, there are plenty of races, including quite a few IMs, that are open almost up to race day. A lot of us plan ahead only because it is fun and we are anal about the sport. image
  • @Robert Sabo - I hear you loud and clear!!!
  • I just wanted to cry when i read "planning for 2017". Since i am not doing an IM this year, i love to plan for next year. Do I travel via plane? or via car? Placid is always nice but pricey to stay. Maryland is great because it is close and i can ride the course all the time (Flat and can be cold/hot during that time of year). Or i can do Choo again (revenge on that course would be sweet).

    Not sure right now... I will keep on this email chain to hear others ideas.
  • @Johnathan - Would you be interested in doing Eagleman again in 2017? I'm thinking about it. I think I'll do two halves in 2017. My body is still kinda protesting with me and probably needs a bit of a break from the full course length. I took a year off, but probably needed two because I kinda made things worse. My orthopedist thinks that my newly developed piriformis issue could be from an imbalance in my hips when I run, do to the favoring of one side from my runners knee. That I need to take time and do PT - which he had told me before to do... but I didn't listen in all honesty and figured that yoga was just good enough.
  • I've been following the IMTX bike course crisis closely. If this year race is canx or severely modified, I will think twice before registering for IMTX 2017. I'm leaning towards Ironman South Africa as an alternate. Anyone in the haus living in NA done that? It's a long way to travel...2.5 hrs to JFK ... 14.5 hrs to Johannesburg...1.5 hrs to Port Elizabeth. With stops...a full 24 hrs of travel one way. That sucks, but not as much as training for a race and worrying whether they will even be able to have a bike leg!! I hope this is fixed for those racing in 2016 but the politics behind it won't disappear in another year. If it falls through I think WTC should declare breach of contract and find a new venue in Texas. They proved they could do it fast when they moved from Penticton to Whistler.
  • Paul, I'll let you know how IMPORTANT South Africa goes in about 72 hrs.

  • Good luck.  Be sure to file a RR!
  • I am thinking about one of the following:

    Plan A

    IMLP

    HIM Timberman 

    IMCHOO

    or

    Plan B

    IMMT

    IMCHoo

    probalby do Plan A

  • IMMT sounds like it would be a good A race for me in 2017 and do a thorough job of kicking my a$$ so, that's my current focus.....Hoping many others are thinking the same.....

  • for me as of now (i know its far)

    s/b 70.3 MT and IMMT and something else that I had not figured yet
  • Is anyone thinking of a European Race ? Would like to do one - not sure which and would like to do it with some team members. Also, anyone thinking R2R2R in fall 2017 after JW's epic adventure??
  • @ Scott - Plan A makes more sense!
    @ Shaughn - IMMT seems like a fantastic venue but the timing is all wrong for me. Still hope to see the team round up a lot of folks for it.
  • And now the real problem is that I wanted to do the SOS Triathlon (google it) and it is likely the same weekend as Choo...
    hmmm May have to switch this up! and do KY or MD along with MT...
    anyone know how quickly MT sells out these days?
  • For 2017 planning factor in the following:

    - Either IMMD or IMNC will go on the chopping block after this year. Probably IMMD.
    - This is probably the last year for IM Canada @ Whistler. Most likely relocated to IM Victoria.
    - IMTX subject to change. WTC gave The Woodlands until Mid-June to find a bike course or they are pulling it. Can you say IM Galveston?
    - If WTC announces IM70.3 LP, there will be a slew of indy HIMs in the NE that will die over the next year. Could kill IM70.3 AC too.
  • Posted By Sue Chapman on 18 May 2016 08:30 PM  Is anyone thinking of a European Race ?

    @ Sue -  Everyone should do at least one race in Europe if they can swing it.  I've already done IM Regensburg (Germany) and IM Kalmar (Sweden).  IM Zurich (Switzerland) - up next - will be my 3rd IM but 6th multisport race in Europe.  However, I'm now leaning strongly for IM South Africa 2017 regardless of what happens with IM Texas.  I'm also going back to England in 2017 for vacation but will run daily.   

    The races in Europe have a very different vibe from the US.  And there are a few rule variances that are 180 from the U.S.  Some people freak at the logistics...it's not hard at all.  Plus you can simplify things if you want by traveling with either Endurance Sports Travel or Nirvana Europe.  I like to pick races at a destination I want to be regardless of what happens.  So if you fall off your bike and it is run over by a truck ... so what?  You are in Europe!  If you have a bad race, then grab a tall glass of German beer - you are in Europe!  If you don't KQ head to the nearest street cafe and watch life go by!   IM Lanzarote, IM70.3 Haugesund (Norway) and Challenge Roth are on my short list for the future. 

    It will be very difficult to get any significant EN presence at a European race, even including members base in Europe.  The numbers just aren't there and the travel expense eclipses the cost of the IM which is why you should make your decision based more upon what you want to see.  Don't just go do a race and go home...but do go!

  • paul.   what you talking ?     whistler going away ?!

    still considering south Africa next year.

  • @Paul - belated thanks for this - somehow I missed seeing it earlier. Great advice to pick one based on where I'd like to visit anyway and make it a vacation as well. I'll keep all of this in mind for planning.
  • AC 70.3 soldout 2500 spots in 1 month. Eagleman was having trouble filling this year. if they want they could move AC to end of May.
  • And what rule variances are you talking about?
  • @ Robin - yes, the rumors are out there and I heard it again yesterday. Course changes at this year's Victoria 70.3 are ostensibly a test run for a double loop course in 2017. Just rumors, of course. My wife can't make every race I do so I did Powerman Zofingen with my daughter and Austria 70.3 with my oldest son. I have two other sons waiting for their turn. Son#2 wants IM South Africa and the wife can't make that. I'll wait until after Switzerland before signing up for another, but most likely that's where I'm going. The one on one time with my kids makes for a memorable trip.

    @ Robert - 1) no bike covers allowed in U.S., but required in Europe (they issue them to everyone). 2) No wetsuit strippers and a possible penalty depending on the race if you remove your wetsuit outside of a designated area. 3) No special needs bags, but coaching zones are established where hand-offs can be made. 4) Cut-offs are either 16 hours (most races) and 15 in some races (e.g., IM Germany and Challenge Roth). At IM Sweden they didn't body mark anyone. Challenge Roth introduced an extra 1K penalty 'run of shame' for drafting last year. And they do love their colored scrunchies to indicate what loop of the run you are on! Point being, don't think that everything is the same over there. I don't bother with race briefings in the U.S., but I won't miss them in Europe.
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