Thoughts on races and goals
Ok...little background.
Started Tri's about 9-10 years ago or so...but only for fun. Had no idea what I was doing. Did races for 2-3 years....final race was Pigman in 2001 or 2002...something like that. I got destroyed. I had no clue...it was 100 degrees out there and I had no nutrition plan of any kind, very little fluids. Epic blow-up...surprised I didn't end up in the hospital. Probably should have. Took some time off due to work obligations...that time off became almost 4 years.
Started up again a few years ago had some fairly knowlegable friends. Got to MOP on basic training plans off the web...all long slow stuff. Started getting serious and am now closer to FOP in local stuff. This year I qualified for long course nationals (not too tough to do). Went to Myrtle Beach to race and placed 18th in M30-34. But bumped into 35-39 and only got a roll down which did not roll down to me...basically because they cancelled the swim and I was a college swimmer. SUCKS FOR ME!!
I'm now in week 5 of the OS and I recently found out that I can still qualify for ITU Worlds on the Silverman course by doing well at Pigman. OR I can do the same thing through Ironman by qualifying at IM Racine 70.3. Different WC races, same course for both.
ITU will be longer as in 3x oly distance. 2.5 swim, ~80 bike, ~18mi run. Part of me thinks I should try to qual for both...but part of me isn't so sure. My preference is to try to qualify for ITU worlds...I have two reasons. First I feel like I have unfinished bidness on that course. 2nd ITU worlds isn't in the US that often. I have to score top 5 in 35-39 to qualify...will be tough. Plus my bro-in-law will be there and I want to crush is dreams.
Racine is July 17th. Pigman is Aug 21. So there about 5 weeks between the two...I should be in good enough shape to handle both and do well. BUT if I qual in Racine I have to sign up on the spot. And that race is Sept 11. So while I'd like to have Racine and IM WC as my backup it isn't a backup if I have to drop the cashola right away. I'd prefer to qualfiy at Pigman. ITU Worlds is November 6.
My other thought is that in 2012 I want to try for a Kona slot. I did one IM a couple years ago - 13:43 but was injured going in and knew I'd be walking. So I'm thinking really going for ITU worlds might be the better option long term as it isn't quite an IM, but is pretty close. Plus the course is a biatch. So if I qualify - great! I then get to train for an IM this season as ITU worlds is longer and will be really good experience for me. It gives me time to take a week or two off and then roll into the IM training plan for about 10 weeks. Since I'll already be in awesome 1/2 iron shape starting at week 10 of an IM plan should be good...right?
Anyway...I know the decision is mine. But talk to me logically. Is my thinking right? Should I possibly skip racine or do it as a practice race for Pigman. If i skip racine I could possibly do other fun, shorter races.
Comments
If you really want to qualify at Pigman, you'll need to plan for race rehearsals approx 3 and 6 weeks prior to race day. Seems to me the distances are close enough that you'd be doing a HIM distance-ish workout in that 5 week out timeframe anyway- so I don't see any huge issue with doing both races. However, the key is going to be if you can RECOVER after Racine fast enough to get back into training for Pigman without loosing much training. If you go really hard (race) at Racine and then trash yourself for a good week afterwards, you are going to loose out on training opportunities for Pigman.
There has been some recent threads on what it takes to Kona qualify; watts/kg and vDot. Especially in your AG, the numbers are shockingly high, and only getting higher.
Reality check: do you have what it takes?