Just to add my $0.02 I largely agree with you. Also, having a pump at the end of every rack is a great idea. Very low cost to the RD and and a huge improvement to the race experience for a good chunk of the field.

That is true, but that happened last year, too. I'm pretty sure that's people signing up last minute. I think they should start the race on time. Since it's chip timed, those late starters are just that, late starters. They still get a valid time. (They should also close the tables sooner.)

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Proud member of FISHTWITCH: doing a bit more than fish exercise now.

I generally feel you, but there's only been one or two RD's of races I've done who I think aren't really busting their ass. As a result, I try to take it all in stride and give them the benefit of the doubt they have thought of every possible way to improve the race and are just working within their constraints. That's also apparent when they ask for feedback and then improve things based on that feedback the next year.

That said, the one thing that "grinds my gears" are false threats, especially things like "transition closes at X:XXAM Sharp!"

Yeah, that one is total BS and it usually means I could have gotten up 30 minutes later or dropped the kids off at the pool at home instead of waiting and having to use the porta. There are a few races I do where I don't even pay attention to the maniac volunteer running through transition yelling, "Transition closes in 5 minutes" because I know in 5 minutes they are going to say they extended transition.

Funny, the worst run race I've ever done (Bassman) is the only one I've ever gotten locked out of transition. I left without my goggles but realized it almost right away. The volunteer wasn't going to let me go back in so I had to have another athlete who was still in there get them for me.

I generally feel as you do but I have to say, as the years have gone by and I've done more and more long-course races,, that pre-race tri stress has faded quite a bit. I've got the logistics and the routine down so much that it's a lot less to worry about.

Hueby, the sport will be so much easier for you if you learn to separate logistics from stress.

Sure, compared to running, cycling and some other sports, tri can be a PITA with equipment and logistics, (and yes, I can no longer be arsed dragging my gear overseas to compete in tris), but the sport need not be stressful.

Scott Tinley once wrote a great piece on stress and nerves before racing. It was so good I cut it out and took it to me to races. Whenever a friend was nervous before a race I gave it to them to read. Invariably it was returned with thanks.

The gist of the article was that Tinley had chatted with an old dude about pre-race nerves. The gent responded that their was nothing in IM to be afraid about. He was a war veteran. He recognised triathlon as a game.....and one we are privileged to play. At the end of day we go home to a warm bed. Irrespective of our performance, those who matter to us will still love us and care for us as much as ever.

Sure, train hard, race hard, but have fun. Just relax. No need to make it more overcomplicated than it need be.

After decades in multisport, I've come to assume that most folks are attracted to triathlons because of the logistics, not in spite of them. They get bored with the simplicity of doing a single sport and are looking for the added challenges that multisport brings. I agree that most of the time you want to be able to pick up your race packet and rack your bike the morning of the race, but the added logistics of a WTC or big city event are exciting for most, at least for a while. ;)

Ok maybe I should have not used the term stress in that way as I am not really talking about nerves. I am really interested not just for me but all of Tri of how to make the whole race experience "easier" to do.

Maybe it can't be done and maybe tri is something that I just do 2-4 times a year I am ok with that and so is my family.

But when I thought about this and really the reason for the post is that if I think it is a major hassle to do races and I am 39 what does the younger generation think.

At 46 I refuse to think about the younger generation because that's an admission that I'm getting old.

I couldn't agree more - that's why I'm getting away from full ironman or also halfs. Just not worth the stress! something you train for a whole year, and whoops, you forgot your timing chip in the hotel because you were trying to remember 1500 other items you need for your race??? Couple that stress with the stress of just worrying about completing the event! With running races, all you really need are your clothes and shoes!! So much less to worry about!

I love how low key bike racing is. Show up and register day of for anything semi local, reg closes 15 minutes before your race. Race your bike, then hang out and drink some beers with your fellow racers.

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Edmonton ITU AG has nearly always been a day before drop off. Only 1 time was it not...

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2020 National Masters Champion - M40-44 - 400m IM
Canadian Record Holder 35-39M & 40-44M - 200 m Butterfly (LCM)

After decades in multisport, I've come to assume that most folks are attracted to triathlons because of the logistics, not in spite of them.


Mark,

This is true, but there is a yin and a yang here.

I agree that because of the three sports and the added complexity of that - with the training, all the gear and the other details, triathlon attracts a certain kind of person that revels in all that. However, more recently it all seems to have become WAY more complicated - particularly with the bigger and/or longer races and all the minute details of training etc . .

Years ago as you well know, it all seemed a lot simpler - we swam with the swimmers, cycled with the cyclists, and ran with the runners - then put the whole swim/bike/run together on race day!

The down-side to the added details and complexity is that is going to turn off and turn-away certain kinds of people. With the flatness of the current market, perhaps we need to rethink that. But as you had said, maybe they might not be for triathlon in the first place!

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

Race happenings the day or two before the race do not bother me. It is an opportunity to check out the transition layout, exits, run a little on the course, do a practice swim, and of course attend referee briefing. If anything, we are getting packet pickup, bike and gear checkin, out of the way so there's less to do race morning. Isn't that a good thing?

To me, source of stress while racing is getting up really early race day, driving there and then finding parking. And also split transition races that require a shuttle ride. This is why I prefer single transition races within a walking distance of the hotel. Can get up a little later, no car, no shuttle, no parking, real bathroom instead of port-a-potties, no stress.

Mountain bike races are the best, they let you sleep in, and there will be beer at the finish line waiting for you. Gotta love it.

I'm doing the Chicago Tri Super Sprint this summer where you ride a city share bike that is provided to you as part of the $50 entry fee. I absolutely loved the idea of traveling to downtown Chicago without a bike but being able to do a tri (then cruise around downtown on the bike the rest of the day). I signed up the day I found out about the race.