santino314 wrote:
Whistler 2016 used to say 50 slots for Kona 2016 but it's since been revised to 40. I imagine the others will follow suit. Pretty bummed as the 50 slots were a selling point to get me sign up for Whistler.
I just got confirmation that Muskoka will be 40 slots.
To some degree, I prefer that all races are 40 slots other than Championship events. At least then it is consistent, even though I would personally be penalized as 50-54 will generally lose a slot in this scheme, but that's fine if it is consistent. A little hope goes a long way, and if you reduce my hope, then I can really race for the right reasons (to test myself, enjoy the sport, celebrate the lifestyle, hang out with peers....not just to race for a Kona slot). I'll be honest, I went to Tahoe hoping for the best chance of a Kona slot with one of the last 50 slot races for 2016. It was my 4th IM of the year. I raced my heart out and for the longest time on the run I was sitting in the last KQ place in my age group, and then lack of training, doing my 4th IM of the year, maybe a few nutritional mistakes, no acclimatization to altitude....it all caught up in the last 6 miles and I slid back to 9th....but that was an awesome day which ended 13 min or so outside the last KQ. Being in the environment in Tahoe reminded me why I do this and while KQ is a carrot, everything else is the primary reason.
With 40 slot races, I just end up doing and picking my races for all the other good reasons to race, because a KQ becomes even less achievable, and that's fine. I'll likely end up in Muskoka next year. Depends on family schedule and plans and earlier in the year IM South Africa or Nice. I still have a hotel booked in Whistler just in case though!!!