I’m curious how many of you find the cost and complexity of travelling to race a sprint tri worth it? Where’s your breakpoint? In other words, are you willing to drive two hours to do a race that’ll take an hour or two at most?
For me, I have a hard time getting excited about doing anything less than an olympic distance race. I think the reason behind this is that I’m certainly not fast so most of my enjoyment comes from covering distance as opposed to getting faster. I’d rather spend four hours on my bike training than do a sprint tri. I just don’t get much of a kick from shaving five minutes off my time. This is probably the reason I don’t race much. Although, come to think of it, maybe I’d enjoy it more if I did it more often.
I don’t travel to sprint races or olympic (unless the Oly is a “must do,” of which I know none)… I only do a couple a year, and they’re always in my back yard. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the Half Ironman is the ultimate triathlon race. It’s not so long that it’s an all day event, but you’re out there between 4 and 8 hours (depending on your ability), so you get the feeling of your “money’s worth.”
I absolutely agree. It is more than just the drive… Load car, drive, unload car, setup transition, packup transition, load car, drive, unload car, clean gear. I would much rather go on a 5 or 6 hour bike ride.
I won’t do anything shorter than Olympic, and then only if it is not more than a two hour drive. For drives longer than 2 hours I will only do Halfs.
What disappoints me is that I just moved back to the US from Germany to discover that >90% of races are sprints On top of that there doesn’t seem to be any Halfs here in the southeast from June to August.
I have considered looking for a Sprint within about 1 1/2 hours BIKE RIDE from my home. I could then take the minimum gear with me in a backpack, race, and ride back home. That would be similiar to a long bike ride with some swim, bike, and run intervals in the middle. Even then, entry fees would have to be fairly cheap.
I’ll travel 2-2 1/2 hours for an OD race…but that’s usually an overnight trip staying at a friends house. Sprints need to be pretty local for me to do them (I’m not a snob…I like sprints). I’d say it has to be less than 90 minutes away…preferably, less than an hour.
I’d travel for a half and obviously a full. maybe if I did something like age group or xterra nationals, I’d be willing to make that trip…but that hasn’t happened yet either.
Good question. I’ve been competing in triathlons for the past three years, both sprint and olympic distance events. I’ve often been tempted to do a half or even a full IM, but find I am not really interested in going further (particularly the run) and given my limited training time couldn’t expect to do much more than just finish. For some, the goal is going farther, for others, going faster. I guess I am more interested in going faster.
I have 6-10 hours per week to train. I find this just enough time to prepare myself to do well (relatively speaking) in a sprint distance. Fortunately, I live in Southern California and could do nearly a dozen sprint triathlons a year, all within about an hours drive. I can be up, at the race, and home by noon. Also, I don’t limit myself to triathlon and have found the training I do for the sprints gives me enough endurance to do relatively well mountain biking, trail running, or competing in a masters swim meet. Throw in some longer rides for a few weeks and I do O.K. in an Olympic distance or Xterra event.
I don’t like shorter distance races because I get my butt kicked. I like longer distances because that is what my body is better suited for. THere are some sprints near Austin, but I won’t travel much farther than that. I may do some Oly’s, but those are for special stuff like TNT races or A races like St. Anthony’s.
…different strokes for different folks. I’m a 30 minute to 3 hour guy so I love any races in that range if they are appealing. Venue, course, atmosphere, proximity to home, etc. I’m driving almost 5 hours this weekend to attend a sprint race in Kure Beach, NC. Formula 1 format - 375 ocean swim > 1.5 mi run > 20k bike > 1.5 mi run > 375 ocean swim. It’s an awesome format, Kure Beach is a low key small town beach, the bike course is closed, and Set-Up inc puts on awesome races.
This board is ‘iron-centric’ for the most part so I would expect most people to downplay shorter events.
In the spirit of your question (being inquisitive myself), I personally question why so many people focus on such long events that don’t seem to ‘suit’ them. (IMHO) If you’ve ever hung around the finish line of a half ironman, marathon or ironman, many of the finishers coming across the line at the back half of the field don’t appear to be doing their bodies any favors or prolonging their sporting years. It’s sad in my opinion what some people are willing to do their body to call themselves an ironman or marathoner. But I guess it’s worth it to them…
In my past racing life, I would routinely travel 3+ hours one way to do an Oly. I did several sprints that were 2+ hours away. And duathlons.
If it was a matter of “worth it”, I wouldn’t leave the house. That’s not really even on the radar screen for me. But I’m also fortunate that the schedule around here (Seattle area) allows for many races sprint-Oly within an hour’s drive. In fact, the sprint this past weekend was less than a 20 minute RIDE from my house (a course that is used for at least 4 races this year).
So it’s a matter of geography and the emphasis that the sport has in your life.
But also, I’m not a long-distance guy – I’ve never done (nor do I ever want to do) an IM, and I’ve done one HIM (Troika, which was a 5+ hour drive one way).
My problem isn’t the travel, its the pricetag. I used to drive 4+ hours to do OLY races and Sprints if the race was good and the price was right.
On the other hand, I won’t do a sprint race in my backyard if it costs $75. Now that I live in Boston, There isn’t really anything to travel to either. I have the patience to drive and the desire to race, just not the bling.
Now I’m not saying this is you but how would you feel about training a year for an Ironman and having to walk in the dark to finish in about 14 to 16 hours?
Plenty of people do that. To me that’s not worth the trip, having to stumble along in the dark knowing that about 80% of the field has already finished and are knocking back some beers.
I’m spoiled, since there are numerous Sprint tris in my area, so the longest ‘drive’ for one of them is like 30 mins. There are several Olys in the hour and under range, so those are the ones I do. I did a sprint just 2 weekends ago, since it was close (25 mins), and I need the o/w swim and tranistion practice. If it had been more than an hour away, I wouldn’t have bothered most likely… so I see your point of not being motivated to travel for one. I probably wouldn’t.
Half IM - I’ll stay there if it’s more than a coupla hours away.
I have very limited play time, so I stick w/ events that are closest to home.
You can keep the cost down (somewhat) by registering well in advance.
Doing an IM it is a major undertaking - cost, travel, accomodation etc. And always the possibility of training all year and getting an injury or the flu the just before. Local area sprints are definately more convenient for most.
Depends on what your goals are. If it’s to really increase your fitness and performance, then “sprint” races should be part of your program. It’s an outstanding workout if nothing else. Calling it a “sprint” race, is a bit of a misnomer. For many it will still be closer to 2 hours long and physiologically this is 99% aerobic in nature. Granted at the high/hard end of the aerobic range for most if really pushing it, but the part of the training spectrum where the most gains are made. Another 4 hour ride, if you have already done a number of 4 hour rides will not advance your fitness that much, if any.
I like the sprints because I feel like I am racing rather than “enduring” the whole race. Besides, when I come off the bike, 19-20 minutes of running pain seems a lot more appealing/tolerable than 41-43 minutes.
On top of that there doesn’t seem to be any Halfs here in the southeast from June to August.