has anyone done the 24 Hours of Triathlon in Colorado? It’s at the Cherry Creek State Park this year in Aurora on Labor Day Weekend. I am thinking of entering but would rather have a team than go solo as my swim skills are not the greatest. But, hey, they are giving free Newton running shoes to everyone that enters so there is a bonus! any feedback about the event (or the shoes)???
Take care of your feet and empahsize nutrition strategies.
Best of luck! Awesome!
Thanks for your reply - I appreciate it!!! I was curious about the Newton shoes just for that fact. All I know is from their website but would love some real feedback to see if they will give me some new super human support. Have a feeling I will need that after about 12 hours!
i have not personally participated in the race, but I did go to cheer on my friend who ended up taking 1st overall (with 10 full triathlons). It was held up in Boulder, but this year will be in Cherry Creek, an okay destination for a triathlon (little trees to shade your run though). Last year was the first year it was out, so I don’t think you can say oh, this was great or that was great or that sucked or this sucked. It was in its learning year. I think next year may be similar, but it only gets better each year. You should sign up for sure, whether as a soloist or a team, you will end up having a blast.
The shoes I can go on and on about. They are AMAZING. I truly think they have helped my run technique! I just did the NYC Tri and had my best overall 10K time (ever, not just in triathlon). I do credit the shoe on this one because I didn’t really train (or have time to) over the previous 4 weeks… Super comfortable, light and sturdy. Can’t say enough good things about the Newton shoe!
I’m thinking of doing the 8hour solo. I’m from the area, and not too excited about cherry creek on that weekend. Generally speaking the local parks/res are not as crowded because everyone gets out of town on long weekends. But the res is not that great. By the end of the summer the water is kinda ‘thick’. It will work though.
There is a road that the ACA time trial series uses around the south side of the res. Their course is about 10.5 miles, with a hill in it.
Running will probably be on the bike path that also goes around the south end of the res.
It’s too bad they could not get the Aurora Res - the water there is really clean.
I did the 24 hour race last year - it was a blast!
Ian really pulled out all stops in organizing the event. There was so much free schwag, so much support from sponsors (MassageSpecialists.com, Colorado Multisport, to name a couple) - live music, good food.
Last year it was at the Boulder Res - I think it will be even better this year at the new venue.
I don’t think you need to be any better swimmer to do this than to do any other long triathlon.
It was one of the most fun races I’ve ever done.
so glad to see what you guys have to say. i have decided to go for it and have even gotten some great tips from an ironman who took pity on me and has given me some great advice. I plan on coming out at least one week in advance to try and get used to the O2 level. For the most part, I have heard great things about the Newton shoes. When I signed up - they sent me an email saying that for the 24 Hours they are mailing out the shoes a month in advance so we can train in them. I was stoked - how cool is that??? I checked out the course on their website - the swim is two laps. maybe if the water is not too clean it will give me more ambition to get out faster!
Let us know when you get out, we’ll go for some riding.
db
edit: I’m not sure that they will allow any open water swimming at Cherry Creek the week prior to the race, but the ‘Gravel Pond’ next to Chatfield Res does on Sat Morning, Mon evening, and Wed evening. Check out COMSA - Colorado Masters Swimming Assoc. Depending on where you are staying, there will probably be some pools in the area.
right on. thanks for the swim info. definitely not familiar with the area. right now i can say i would love to go do some biking after the event - ask me again after 24 hours though!!! i am pretty excited about the race - although i’m not sure i want to be shown on national television with snot flying out of my nose! I guess NBC Sports is going to be there and it will be aired in October - plenty of time for me to move and change my name if i fall flat on my face.
The best advice I’ve got from a nutrition standpoint is EAT SOME SOLID FOOD.
I tried to use my Maltodextrin-based Ironman nutrition plan at the 24 Hours of Adrenaline in June…Not surprisingly (in hingsight), a 10-hour race has different nutritional impact on your body than a 24-hour race.
Yuri Hauswald, Brian Sevall, and many other top 24-hour guys always have some solid food to augment their liquid nutrition. Although it won’t hit your system as quickly, it will ultimately prove useful and the solid food seems to be a bit easier on the stomach lining.
As for pacing…I’d suggest that do NOT spend much time near your transition area. The transition area is a dead spot where athletes are tempted to slow down or stop…Keep moving forward and avoid the evil of the transition.
If I were racing, I’d probably take the following approach:
- Swim 4 miles (8 laps) first
- Run a marathon (9 laps)
- Bike 14 laps (this should allow you to eat up much of the night)
Then, repeat what you can on the swim/run…
Get a good headlight for riding and practice riding at night for the next month.
Don’t forget to eat during the swim.
Good luck…I’ll be racing a 24-hour MTB at the same time…
Cheers,
Puskas
Thank you so much for your input - all great stuff that I am utilizing. Everyone has been so cool with tips.
I actually had to be in Salt Lake City on business so I couldn’t resist being that close - I hopped over to Denver for a day scout. Mostly wanted to see how badly I would handle the elevation. So I got my nerve up and went over to Boulder and tracked down Newton. They told me to drop on by their office/warehouse. What a great experience. One of the main guys took time to show me the shoes and explained how they work. After trying to sweet talk him into letting me have my free pair early (which did not work by the way - I had to try) - I went ahead and purchased a pair of the trainers at which he gave me a $20 race discount and a free pair of socks and a hat - score!!! So we actually went outside and he watched me run and showed me some tips on my stride. I have a natural tendency to toe out and heel strike (yes, it’s a pretty picture). These shoes actually do not let me toe out - i almost feel pigeon toed when I am really straight forward. The heel striking is my own demon that I work on. Anyways - he educated me on getting my stride back under my body as mine was too long. To make a long story short - I asked him about the shoes wearing out quickly as that seems to be the only complaint I have heard on some of the forums and he showed me a couple pairs of shoes that had 300 and 600 miles on them. Basically - if the shoes are wearing wrong - you are probably braking too hard or accelerating too hard or stabbing your foot.
So - I went for a run in my shoes on some trails where I was told even I could not get lost and I love these shoes. Holy smokes!!! Went I went back to my rental car I actually glared at my old shoes. I love the Newtons. And even if I had thought they were just average - I am a huge cheerleader of Newton because they took the time to hang with me and educate me on their shoes and running in general - not too many places have that passion or time for the average joe anymore.
And as expected - the elevation kicked my booty. Definitely going to try and get in at least a week early to train.
So did you sign up for the solo division? 24 hour?
Studly!
i went ahead and bit the bullet. let’s refrain from the word ‘studly’ until i have finished. what about you?
Me? Let’s put it this way: My thoughts will be with you! But if someone needs a strong swimmer for a team, I’d be interested.
Seth
thanks for thinking of me - which means you would have to stay up for 24 hours to do that so why not join the fun? (ever notice how people want you to do something hard or have you taste their bad food to get you to join in?).
But you rang a bell with me - there was some guy looking for a team but I can’t remember what his strong suit is. I think he was a college guy that rode a bike but can’t say for sure. I went back on their site and they have a ‘find a teammate’ button. I would imagine there is a big need for swimmers over everything else. Go for it - I want company in my misery!
keep me posted on how it goes.
I signed up for the 8 hr race. I haven’t done it, but I did find a podcast somewhere last week where they interviewd the race director. I think I found it linked in their website. He talked a bit about strategy. He said a lot of people got in their swims early since the water was calmer. I plan on:
Swim-bike-run
swim (x4): Run x4 Bike(x 4 or 5). I figure I can easily do 5 laps and the 6th is probable. My wife is going to man the transition zone and keep me with nutrition. Since I am doing the shorter race I will pretty much stick with powergels, and other liquid energy.
Tomorrow I will be doing the Mt Evans Hill climb with a friend.
how did you do at the climb?
been training my riding and running at night - that was challenging and highly entertaining if you had been watching me from an observers standpoint. it takes some getting used to but then everything adjusts and it actually is pretty fun.
I plan on getting in as much swim as possible during the day and then focusing on the bike and run as much as possible during the night. I have recruited a couple of my friends to come as support - I guess recruiting is pushing it - they volunteered as they think it sounds like fun to sit around for 24 hours and be my cheerleaders while lounging at the camp. They want to check it out and hopefully will join in for the next year.
Absolutely love my Newtons - so glad i sprung for a pair. Great for climbing and descending.
I felt strong on the climb: I don’t know if it is the perfect training for the 8 hour race, (8700 feet of elevation gain). But it was hard strong work. I got out for 8 miles running on Sunday so that felt good. Tomorrow I will be back in the pool after about 3 weeks off. Sounds bad, but I cut my foot with an axe and had stitches and now I can finally swim. I am a strong swimmer so I am not too worried. I need to get some more long runs in in the next few weeks before the race. The cycling is good and I am confident in my swimming. It is always that pesky running…
Seth
You are too humble! Why don’t you just pull the trigger on the 8 hour !
I did. I’m gonna use it as a long training day for a late season IM.
I know you want to play too! If an old guy like me is gonna do it, you can!
Looks like you had a good 5430 LC race.
Dave
I did this race last year with my wife and youngest brother. My wife and I have both competed in all distance triathlons but it was my brother’s first triathlon. This format is excellent for veterans and rookies alike - just so they are part of a team. We competed in the 3 vs 3 division that pitted triathletes (compete in all three events) vs single-sport racers (limited to only swimming, biking, or running).
It was a great atmosphere, ableit small for the first time event, but the service Ian and the race support provided EVERYONE was unbelievable.
This year they are offering the free shoes and are broadcasting the event on national tv. Ian is the epitomy of professionalism so you will be in good hands at this race.