I am REALLY excited for my 2013 Race Season. So excited that I had to write a blog post about it (which I haven't done in quite some time). I am incredibly nervous as I have never done a race at this distance and this year I am doing 2 at this distance...but I think it is going to make for a ground-breaking year for me, my family, and my new break into an exciting new sport.
So I am just going to jump right into it.
The first thing I am really excited about is the Leadman Race Series. Everybody hears about the Ironman race in Kona. It is covered by NBC Sports and is the "Superbowl" for triathletes. What most people don't know is that in order to participate, you must qualify in another Ironman race or win a "Lottery". It is "The bucket list race" which is run by WTC.
Lifetime Sports is taking on the task of becoming a competitor to WTC. They are trying to make what looks like standard race distances and build a number of races in beautiful locations.
I was going to make a half iron distance race my "a" race this year...until I found the Leadman Bend race.
So this is what 2013 looks like for me.
July 14th: Ocean Shores Half Iron Distance Race
September 21st: Leadman 125 in Bend, OR.
There are 5 Half-Iron Distance races in Washington:
-Lake Stevens 70.3
-Chelanman
-Ocean Shores Half Iron
-Black Diamond Half Iron
-Troika
-Grand Columbian Half Iron
Sadly, 3 of the 5 of those races are ON THE SAME DAY. Great Planning, Washington...
FACEPALM.
I chose the Ocean Shores race for the following reasons:
-Family. Ocean shores is one of our favorite weekend getaways. We have family out there and there is more than enough to keep the family busy. We have a 5 and 6 year old. Playgrounds don't really do it for them any more. There is a house in which the kids can go to for lunch or naps or just getting out of the weather if they have to, and there are plenty of outdoor activities if they want to stay outside. The race course is a short 2 miles from where we stay so the kids can stay asleep while I set up transition.
...The other option is the Lake Stevens 70.3, but that would be VERY hard on the family. There is nothing for children in Lake Stevens (and don't say playground, because those only work for about 45 minutes) and the family has to wake up at 4:30 so we can drive up there. Since it is my first, I figured that low-key and happy family is the way to go.
-Price. I am a cheapskate. I am very happy paying for this race. It is cheap and it has the same USAT sanctioning and same distances as any WTC race.
-First 70.3. I am not a guy to buy into pomp and circumstance anymore. I know that for some people that seeing sponsors and banners and pro athletes is very important. The idea of "An Ironman race" is very important. I don't judge those people at all with my decisions. I just don't get emotionally grabbed by that stuff the way other people do anymore.
I used to be in the rave scene and I have had more than my share of fog machines, Worldclass DJ's and lasers. A lot of races add the equivalent of fog and lasers into their races to keep their participants and viewers happy. Again, I don't look down on them for doing that AT ALL, as it makes a majority of people happy...but I don't really care that much about that stuff any more. Am I ANTI-WTC? Not at all. They have created the sport as it now stands. They have done nothing but good for the sport and the athletes. I will do a WTC event someday...but I don't feel like I need WTC to have a place in this sport.
So I will be doing my very first 70.3 distance at Ocean Shores, which will be away from the crowds...and I will be doing my first 125k Leadman Distance in Bend Oregon, which I love to visit.
So I am just going to jump right into it.
The first thing I am really excited about is the Leadman Race Series. Everybody hears about the Ironman race in Kona. It is covered by NBC Sports and is the "Superbowl" for triathletes. What most people don't know is that in order to participate, you must qualify in another Ironman race or win a "Lottery". It is "The bucket list race" which is run by WTC.
Lifetime Sports is taking on the task of becoming a competitor to WTC. They are trying to make what looks like standard race distances and build a number of races in beautiful locations.
I was going to make a half iron distance race my "a" race this year...until I found the Leadman Bend race.
So this is what 2013 looks like for me.
July 14th: Ocean Shores Half Iron Distance Race
September 21st: Leadman 125 in Bend, OR.
There are 5 Half-Iron Distance races in Washington:
-Lake Stevens 70.3
-Chelanman
-Ocean Shores Half Iron
-Black Diamond Half Iron
-Troika
-Grand Columbian Half Iron
Sadly, 3 of the 5 of those races are ON THE SAME DAY. Great Planning, Washington...
FACEPALM.
I chose the Ocean Shores race for the following reasons:
-Family. Ocean shores is one of our favorite weekend getaways. We have family out there and there is more than enough to keep the family busy. We have a 5 and 6 year old. Playgrounds don't really do it for them any more. There is a house in which the kids can go to for lunch or naps or just getting out of the weather if they have to, and there are plenty of outdoor activities if they want to stay outside. The race course is a short 2 miles from where we stay so the kids can stay asleep while I set up transition.
...The other option is the Lake Stevens 70.3, but that would be VERY hard on the family. There is nothing for children in Lake Stevens (and don't say playground, because those only work for about 45 minutes) and the family has to wake up at 4:30 so we can drive up there. Since it is my first, I figured that low-key and happy family is the way to go.
-Price. I am a cheapskate. I am very happy paying for this race. It is cheap and it has the same USAT sanctioning and same distances as any WTC race.
-First 70.3. I am not a guy to buy into pomp and circumstance anymore. I know that for some people that seeing sponsors and banners and pro athletes is very important. The idea of "An Ironman race" is very important. I don't judge those people at all with my decisions. I just don't get emotionally grabbed by that stuff the way other people do anymore.
I used to be in the rave scene and I have had more than my share of fog machines, Worldclass DJ's and lasers. A lot of races add the equivalent of fog and lasers into their races to keep their participants and viewers happy. Again, I don't look down on them for doing that AT ALL, as it makes a majority of people happy...but I don't really care that much about that stuff any more. Am I ANTI-WTC? Not at all. They have created the sport as it now stands. They have done nothing but good for the sport and the athletes. I will do a WTC event someday...but I don't feel like I need WTC to have a place in this sport.
So I will be doing my very first 70.3 distance at Ocean Shores, which will be away from the crowds...and I will be doing my first 125k Leadman Distance in Bend Oregon, which I love to visit.
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