Came across this amazing new long distance triathlon this morning The Celtman - http://www.cxtri.com/
It appears to be modeled somewhat after the Norseman Extreme.
I can assure that the scenery in northern Scotland will be absolutely stunning! Based on the description on the web site - perhaps not for the faint-of-heart, but for the true* Bravehearts* out there in the triathlon world!
Think outside-the-box folks. It’s events like this that were the roots of the sport.
Lance will own that race. You heard it.
Lance will own that race. You heard it.
Perfect - let’s turn every thread into a Lance Thread! 
Lance will own that race. You heard it.
Own it like the TdF, or like Honey Stinger?
BTW, Steve, the race sounds very interesting. I wish that more races were developed upon the premise of being “Ironlike” in distance, but “HARD.” I don’t consider any of the mainstream IM courses as being remotely difficult from a single discipline standpoint. I’d be much more interested in multisport races if the courses, themselves, were considered respectably challenging by single-sport athletes. When I think of challenging courses, a race like AmZof comes to mind. Even good athletes need to dig deep just to complete the race.
Intriguing! I would have liked to try this race, but I will be leaving Europe just a week prior. But the requirement for a support crew is a tough one…I wonder if that requirement will reduce interest at all.
All this makes me wish I had done either Alpe d’Huez or Norseman this past July instead of IM 70.3 Antwerp!
I wish that more races were developed upon the premise of being “Ironlike” in distance, but “HARD.” I don’t consider any of the mainstream IM courses as being remotely difficult from a single discipline standpoint. I’d be much more interested in multisport races if the courses, themselves, were considered respectably challenging by single-sport athletes
This is how it all started. Many of the current generation of triathletes don’t seem to know or get this. But back in the earlier days, there was that doubt there - “Can we do this?” . . .or we had a Mt-Everest-because-it’s-there attitude. We didn’t look for an easy way around the mountain, we went over it!!
I am encouraged to see more events like this popping up, because it is a bit of a throw back to the earlier days in the sport, where with all due respect, it was a bit more of an adventure at a number of levels!
Couldn’t agree more Fleck. Races like this, Norseman, Silverman and now Leadman feel like getting back to basics - almost like the triathlon underground. Can’t wait to hear more about this one.
Only 150 places for the first year anyway. Simply getting there will be an good effort http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Torridon,+Scotland&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x488e618b4e88b1f1:0x61bb8e8840f4772e,Torridon,+Achnasheen,+Highland&gl=uk&ei=g8epTvGeJIam8gPj86WMCw&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CC4Q8gEwAA
But back in the earlier days, there was that doubt there - “Can we do this?” . . .or we had a Mt-Everest-because-it’s-there attitude. We didn’t look for an easy way around the mountain, we went over it!!
I am encouraged to see more events like this popping up, because it is a bit of a throw back to the earlier days in the sport, where with all due respect, it was a bit more of an adventure at a number of levels!
This is why I find ultrarunning to be so refreshing. When you toe the line for a 50 or 100-miler, you’re surrounded by people that are up for nearly any challenge - but at the same time they’re highly uncertain of what the day will bring. It still has that large unkown element of “Can I physically do this?” You can’t fully grasp the enormity of the mountain until you’ve gone over it.
I think that as more of these races pop up, it will begin to distinguish the true thrill seekers from the daily grind athletes. Over time, chasing PRs loses its luster, and some people want to experience that genuine satisfaction of accomplishing something that would cripple most people.
This is why I find ultrarunning to be so refreshing. When you toe the line for a 50 or 100-miler, you’re surrounded by people that are up for nearly any challenge - but at the same time they’re highly uncertain of what the day will bring. It still has that large unkown element of “Can I physically do this?” You can’t fully grasp the enormity of the mountain until you’ve gone over it.
I think that as more of these races pop up, it will begin to distinguish the true thrill seekers from the daily grind athletes. Over time, chasing PRs loses its luster, and some people want to experience that genuine satisfaction of accomplishing something that would cripple most people.
Something different, and challenging does not have to be super long - although it does seem to be a human nature things to seek out ever longer and longer events. The challenge is the length, no doubt about it.
But other things can be challenging as well. The key thing for me is to look beyond what has become the normal, and look for something different to do.
There are a group of guys that I ride with - all decent long distance triathletes. They have done IM races all over the place. This year they all took a pass on doing another IM race, and they organized there own Grand Tour, riding across the Pyrenees over 7 days, over all the famous climbs, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean. It had sag and support and Pro feel to it. They told me it was the most fun and challenging thing they had ever done! Some even admitted that after that they had no interest in going back to triathlon!!
While IM distance is the obvious choice for mankind’s tendency toward endurance (to which you alluded), I think that the HIM distance is the most fertile ground for some ultra challenging events. A good example would be Savageman. Relatively speaking, the course is a grinder. It scares a sizeable fraction of the multisport population from competing there. It’s not enough to be reasonably fit across the disciplines. You also have to be strong in order to preserve any semblance of momentum.
Furthermore, the HIM distance makes it logistically achievable. Most of the truly gruelling events require you to have a support crew, both for safety and technical support. The HIM is much more self-contained, and the durations don’t require extended support.
I’m not sure how those tough mudder type events displaced the notoriety of endurance racing, but their claims have gone unanswered. Perhaps it’s time for a multisport race series that is unrivaled in both both duration and difficulty.
Knowing where this race will take competitors (on foot) - you’re going to need a head for heights, I think.
Thats awesome!
This is definitely going on my list. Looks incredible. A previous poster’s suggestion of a race series comprised of truely difficult and epic events would be amazing as well. With the amount of interest Norseman is getting maybe races of its difficulty level are starting to become a bit more viable.
Agreed - shorter is OK.
I think what has gone on over the last 5 - 10 years is that doing something like an Ironman has become “normal” as if doing something for over 12 hours straight, pissing and puking all over yourself is to be considered “normal”.
Agreed - shorter is OK.
I think what has gone on over the last 5 - 10 years is that doing something like an Ironman has become “normal” as if doing something for over 12 hours straight, pissing and puking all over yourself is to be considered “normal”.
… and all this time I thought that people were laughing with me.
There are quite a few new and existing events in the UK now trying to make things tough or taking a different spin on distances, profile or start times:
Brutal (Wales) Iron distance - http://www.thebrutal.co.uk/
Midnight man (London) Iron distance starting at 6pm and through the night - http://www.bridgetriathlon.co.uk/events_page/Mid_Night_Man.html
ADITL (classic HIM in Lake District) - http://www.trihard.co.uk/ADIL/ADILhome.htm
Coniston Old Man (along HIM lines - v tough course!) - http://www.kbtc.co.uk/index.php?page_id=12
Adventure type race - Coast 2 Coast (Scotland) also one in South West - http://www.scotlandcoasttocoast.com/
Off road tri (Scotland) - http://www.nofussevents.co.uk/event/big-ben-tri/1811/
In addition the IM in Wales and the 70.3 in Wimbleball are both very honest courses. There are a number of other popular non branded races becoming established including Outlaw, Forestman, Marshman etc. Apart from the names all is looking good!
If you’re looking for something crazy a friend of mine just finished the Arch to Arc run by Enduroman - http://www.enduroman.com/archtoarc.html
I think the Brits seek out the tough courses too as they make up a good proportion of the Norseman and Alpe d’Huez fields.
After taking 2011 off from racing, finally here’s a race to re-inspire my training.
I hope it follows the AmZof 3 B’s plan - beer, bagpipes and brutality.
Embrunman, Alpe d’Huez tri are two races that come to mind, and that you should then put on your calendar. You won’t regret it. Or the inferno triathlon in Switzerland.
Do this in a kilt… That would be HARD…