Last race of the season. I didn’t make it to Kona this year. I most likely never will. I’ve done some WTC races, and the one thing they all had in common was: large expen$e. I realize it’s not novel to make this observation, and I’m not bashing the WTC. I like doing their races. At minimum, you can be reasonably sure you’ll get a safe, well run course, and lots of good athletes. I simply can’t budget many WTC races in anymore.
Which brings me to my larger point: I’ve started doing smaller (cheaper) races, at more local venues. And it’s really fun. My last event of this year,
The Rend Lake Last Try by 3-Discipline Sports, proved to be an exceptional demonstration of customer service, as well as a blast to race:
I forgot my swim bag on the beach after the race. We drove ~125 mi. back home and then figured it out. The punchline is the key to my wife’s car was in the bag. (It costs $125.00 to replace the key and fob on this vehicle). My freaked out wife jumped online and e-mailed the RD. He and his crew went down to the beach, w/flashlights, to look for my bag. He sent an e-mail late that night: “Sorry dude, couldn’t find it…”
Then I got an e-mail the next day:
“Hey, toook one last pass this morning, and we recovered your bag…”
I’ve never lost anything at a larger venue*, so I can’t speak to what would have happened were this at another race, however, I am truly impressed by the fact these guys came through, even though they were dead tired after putting on a + distance half IM. I will continue to do their races. BTW, 3-Discipline are interested in growing thier season, and asked for suggested venues they could review. This group really loves the sport, and put a ton of sweat into their races. They give hoodies away at their races too, instead of tech-tees.
I was next to a guy in transition at Chicago who had his **2nd **$500.00 wet suit ripped off, at that venue.
Which brings me to my larger point: I’ve started doing smaller (cheaper) races, at more local venues. And it’s really fun. My last event of this year,
The Rend Lake Last Try by 3-Discipline Sports, proved to be an exceptional demonstration of customer service, as well as a blast to race: .
I smell a sandbagger…you better not be beating people that are slower than you…
I see this trend now of many people training, training, training all year long for that one big long “A” race - typically a WTC Ironman or 70.3. It’s like putting all your eggs in one basket. If it does not go well, then what? The whole year seems to revolve around that one race.
We had a friend - essentially trained all year( almost no other races!!!), for IMH. Race did not go well at all, and that’s what they are left with.
My suggestion. Race more. Now I know there will be those who say, it’s expensive - and yes it is if your idea of “Race” is a WTC Ironman or 70.3. But there are all kinds of other racing opportunities either in triathlon or in single sports that you can do locally that are reasonably inexpensive and fit into any schedule. The bonus is that you can look back at a season or whole year of races and events and pull as much out of that as you like.