Toughman NY!

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Travis Rassat
Vector Cycle Works
Noblesville, IN
BikeFit Instructor | FMS | F.I.S.T. | IBFI
Toughman Triathlon Series Ambassador

Challenge Poconos or Toughman NY

Cool -

I like that you mentioned another race.
Why this one over the others though?

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http://www.athlinks.com/athletes/208730390

I'm a bit partial, being that I'm a Toughman ambassador (see my signature). ;)

Toughman NY is the championship race for the Toughman series (12 races and growing). If you qualify at one of the other events, you're in for a chance to win cash. It's also not far from NYC, so if you're looking to do some big city tourism, there aren't too many long-distance races closer to the Big Apple. For me, racing somewhere that is fun for the rest of the family is important. Not that I don't want to visit a lot of the other races on your list!

For what it's worth, Active seems to think highly of Toughman NY:
http://www.active.com/...-distance-triathlons

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Travis Rassat
Vector Cycle Works
Noblesville, IN
BikeFit Instructor | FMS | F.I.S.T. | IBFI
Toughman Triathlon Series Ambassador

Challenge Pocono is August 16 so I am not sure that qualifies as "late season". Regardless, I enjoyed the hell out of that race last year and will be back this year.

Like your style.

I just wont have time to "qualify" though.

So no money for just straight buy ins ?

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http://www.athlinks.com/athletes/208730390

That is the one weekend I am out.

Signed up for a hockey tournament with a coworker. Ive bailed 2x already so I can't burn him again.
My girl will be there though.

Look for a girl in a T3 kit.
She crushed it at Knoxville.

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http://www.athlinks.com/athletes/208730390

I was also at Knox! Hah... (DNFed after crashing on the bike though)

Another option is Challenge Maine August 30th

You can sign up without qualifying.

Travis forgot to mention the bike course is CLOSED to traffic.

They also have a great Kids race the day before so you can make it a "family race weekend"

I saw Maine and it is looking promising too...

A LOT of people crashed on that bike course.
I beat a few pros just because of so.

Swim was a pain in the rump too.

And honestly the run through a trail and some massive rolling hills.
That wasnt my favorite race ever...

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http://www.athlinks.com/athletes/208730390

No children for me.
Just a fur baby in the form of a 65lb shepherd hound mix.

Not that I expect to win - but not qualifying means I cant win cash right?

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http://www.athlinks.com/athletes/208730390

Not positive, but I think the fastest person wins whether you "qualified" or just signed up. Go about 4 flat and you should be good.

Saw who last years winner was.

Local boy here in philly.

That's definitely on the list now.
Just can't shake wanting to do superfrog.

I'll let you know what I decide.

There isn't a slow twitch discount code or anything right?

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http://www.athlinks.com/athletes/208730390

Look at 2013 results if you want to be depressed.

Not sure about a code.

4 flat ...
just have to shave off about 50 mins. No worries.

Sigh - one day.

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http://www.athlinks.com/athletes/208730390

As a CA resident, I wouldn't recommend traveling to do Tahoe. Too big a risk of it getting cancelled. Santa Cruz is great though. I have done the former Big Kahuna course a few times and highly recommend it, especially if you want to spend a little more time on the coast.

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/kj

http://kjmcawesome.tumblr.com/

Whats your take on SuperFrog?

Its pricey but SDiego isnt too far off either.
Easy to play wingman for my friend living out there now.

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http://www.athlinks.com/athletes/208730390

Silverman, Oct 4th just outside of Vegas. You like hills and it has them on the bike, 4500ft and run 1000ft. Very beautiful and challenging course. Weather was tough last year 90+ but normally a bit cooler than that in Oct.

With a recent influx of shark attacks off the NC coast I think I am crossing off beach to battleship off the list.

My HR gets high enough as it is in the water.
Color me yellow if you want.
I dont need to be shark bait.

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http://www.athlinks.com/athletes/208730390

This was high on the list until last week.

Have a brother that lives out in vegas. He is moving out of the country now for work and will be gone by then.
Kind of a bummer. I know worlds was there recently too!

90+ heat though is scary.
Canadian made kids melt out there in that heat.

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http://www.athlinks.com/athletes/208730390

I lived in San Diego for a year and it is a fantastic place to visit. Never raced SuperFrog, but it's on my list.

The reality is that you shouldn't make your race choice based on the $225 difference in entry fee. When you add up flights, lodging, etc - you may as well just race the one you want.

Escape from Alcatraz is super expensive, but since I lived 100 yards from Transition, it was about the cheapest race I have ever done. Same with Tahoe - I have a free place to crash and it's a drive for me, so even with the high entry fee, it's not a very "expensive" race for me.

Santa Cruz is a little bit difficult logistically, and if you have friends in SD, Superfrog may be a better option.

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/kj

http://kjmcawesome.tumblr.com/

Surf City Half in Santa Cruz in November.

That was the issue with the big K.

There isnt a good airport to fly into.

Similar is Cozumel - Where I have an almost free timeshare to use (coworker of mine)
but you have to fly into cancun and take a ferry to the island.

Kind of scary when your multi thousand dollar bike isnt assembled yet.

SF is on the list but I think what hurts me the most on this isnt the price tag.
Its the multiple turns / loops. You dont get much bang for your buck for the sense of scenery right?

100% agree with what you said about EfromAlc -
hammered out TriRock Philly last weekend (sans swim unfortunately)
It is a 2 mile bike from my house. Cannot beat that.

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http://www.athlinks.com/athletes/208730390

San Jose Airport is 20 miles (45 minutes tops - gate to rental car to SC) from Santa Cruz! Hotel prices are much lower after October 1 and the beach isn't crowded after September. Two hotels literally across the street from transition, so no driving on race day. Restaurants all along the wharf and by the beach.

B2B's swim is in an inlet. Sharks aren't going to head in there. I say this because I just registered for the B2B full and don't feel like thinking about sharks :P

Your balls > mine

I've got a dog to take care of :-)

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http://www.athlinks.com/athletes/208730390

Alright here is my pro and con list thus far (and what I am removing and adding to the list)

Tahoe -
Far, not easy to get to and often cancelled.
I have been doing much better on hills and this might be fun.
Removing form the list because even if it is only a 10% chance. If I fly out there after busting my butt the rest of the year just to be told "here is a race voucher" at the start line. Ill be out the cash to get out there as well as the hotel and food etc. Risk v reward.
Tahoe is out.

Cozumel
Far as well - though the flight isnt too bad to Cancun and taking the ferry to the island. Safety in a country where I dont speak a lick of spanish.
Room and board will be cheap. Co worker is setting me up with a timeshare. Course looks mild hills and supposed to be the most gorgeous swim there is out there.

Austin
Distance again isnt optimal. Super flat course and this is a hot hot course from what I recall.
Never been to austin. Hear its awesome.

Beach 2 Battleship (non IM)
Sharks and logistics
Great course.
B2B is out - sharks love canadian bacon...

SuperFrog
Super flat course, multi turn course and not sure it will be very scenic. Price tag isnt the biggest issue. but that could be 200 toward another races room and board.
Friend out there who knows the ropes and we'd either split a hotel or crash at his pad.
Really leaning towards this because the buddy out there. Also last years winning time is NOT far off what I did at New Orleans this year in a ridiculously hot run.

Santa Cruz
Not logistically friendly.
This isnt off the list but the distance isnt ideal.

Barrelman (niagara falls ny - non IM)
No real info on how this race is and how it is run. I know the area as I went to college in buffalo ny. Itll be flat and muggy.
I can stay with friends and family free of cost. I can even drive there so it takes out the complication with flights.

Challenge Poconos
Pocs are off the list - I am in a hockey tournament that weekend. Poor planning.

Toughman NYC
I know nothing really about the course but from map my ride it looks like a very doable course.
Another Drivable location. Friends in the city to stay with as well.


Additionally I may be doing nationals.
Just need to ensure that my time last weekend at TriRock was enough to get me in.
it is top 10 in age right?


So if I make that - it complicates what weekends I can go to what.

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http://www.athlinks.com/athletes/208730390

Add Challenge Maine to the list
Looks like a great course but still a bit of a drive.
Never been to maine!

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http://www.athlinks.com/athletes/208730390

The shark thing at B2B shouldn't be the limiter. It really is a non-issue. The actual B2B limiter is the fact that that the half sold out yesterday.

Point is now moot.

Fear of sharks is a serious limiter though... or id try the wait list...

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http://www.athlinks.com/athletes/208730390

List Update:

Cozumel
Still very possible.
Trying to wrap my head around the cost and getting the bike there and from.

Austin
Anyone have any reviews on this race?


SuperFrog
Buddy has a bachelor party (a week long) the weekend before.
We might need a new race.

Barrelman (niagara falls ny - non IM)
Possible front runner at the moment.

Toughman NYC
I have a wedding the day before the race. #fail

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http://www.athlinks.com/athletes/208730390

I did Austin as a relay (run) in 2012. I think it's a nice race, although it's outside the city a little bit. The city itself is fantastic, I lived there for a number of years.

The swim seemed pretty straight forward. A big rectangle in Decker Lake
I do read about the issues people have with the road conditions on the bike. My guy didn't really say much, but he lives there and rides those roads all the time.
The run was hot for me that year and it's a little more hilly than you think. Although moving it into November might change the temps a little bit.
It's a three loop course, so for spectating it's great, but mentally, running past the finishing area 2 times kinda sucks.

2 transitions was kind of a pain as well.

Love the city, liked the race. It is on my list to do just because it some ways I consider it a hometown race.

not only does Cozumel have an airport that millions of people fly into from all over the world, you will run past it 6 times during your marathon.

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http://harvestmoon6.blogspot.com
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/katasmit

None of these seem like "late season" races to me. I'd add Challenge Florida into your list if it were me. That is a truly late season race. Fun place to go as well. Great volunteers, usually good weather.