If you are on your 3rd, 4th, or even 10th Ironman no doubt you have asked yourself why in the world are you towing the line to go 140.6 yet again. How many times do really need to be told “you are an Ironman”? How many of the same hand-raised-over-head finisher pictures do you need plastered on your office wall and what are you trying to prove?
I think goal minded people sometimes get into ruts. They define their lives and self worth based on objective times.
“I ran a 3:56 yesterday so while father time might be marching me forward, I am still young and defying age.”
I get it. Been there done that.
But then I learned I was an experience junkie, and the Ironman brand was for the most part, the same old thing (just in different locations). This is why I brought back Sea to Summit. I know there is a groundswell of experience junkies out there just like me waiting for other cool things to experience. Here are 3 reasons I would ask you to consider coming to New Hampshire on June 27th.
Your best friends can experience the race right along side you in the form of a Sherpa.
Point to point races rock. Starting at Sea Level and finishing 100 miles away on the top of Mt.Washington is a really attractive proposition to goal oriented people like yourself.
Non-profit races seem to treat the athletes way better. As a RD, none of this goes in my pocket, so the theory is, lavish the athletes as best you can so that they will come back next year. This has been the Pumpkinman motto for 7 years (my wife’s race) and it has worked well. Wait to you see the food and beer.
Sign up by December 31st before it goes up 75.00.
Have a great day.
Great points all around. This reminds me of a conversation a few months ago here about draft legal racing, alternative distances, or endurance events comprised of something other than swim/bike/run. I think we can all break out of the Ironman shell. Unfortunately, it sometimes appears like Devo said: “freedom of choice is what you’ve got. Freedom from choice is what you want.” Perhaps it is easier to explain to friends and family that you are an Ironman™. Are we doing this because we enjoy the experience and the journey there, or are we doing it just to impress others?
I’ve done a few IM 70.3s, several Rev3 races, a couple of Toughman events, and Leadman Bend 250. While these still all fit the swim/bike/run mold, they all have something to offer. I found all of these enjoyable and satisfying on different levels. If the entire triathlon world collapsed today, I would still find a way to push my broken body to some new limit. I don’t need anybody else to understand why I would do that.
I would love to do Sea to Summit 2.0 - it sounds like a fun challenge, and while I’ve never been to New Hampshire, I am excited to see that area sometime soon. Maybe 2016…
I wouldn’t say I’m brain washed…I think its more that I just love to race, and the IM brand allows that to happen in what feels like a really big event. Love the venues, love being around a few thousand of my fellow competitiors, fighter jets flying overhead (Tremblant) to mark the start, etc. Just cool events all around IMHO.
Your event sounds great too though! Variety is good!
I tend to follow the competition. The best still goes to Kona, and from all accounts it’s an epic event.
I personally dislike the logistics of a big event. I love the depth of the field.
I am trying to encourage a few other guys I know to do a smaller 1/2 distance race in August. It would cool if I can bring 4 or 5 fast guys and in a smaller 300 person event, have a top 20 field that rivals most IM 70.3 events. It has an open elite wave, so it’s a chance for pros & AG athletes to race head to head and even get a small prize purse. I know some races like Triple T seem to draw a high caliber field each year. As does Alcatraz.
It’s quite possible to enjoy the WTC experience and still do other cool stuff. I’m not sure why you are framing it as one vs. the other. I’ll do two WTC events next year but also TTT, a ride across the state, the countries largest gravel road race and the countries largest mountain bike race.
“It’s quite possible to enjoy the WTC experience and still do other cool stuff.”
I certainly agree with that statement, but I do find it strange how some people follow the M-Dot, sometimes to the detriment of trying other things. Kind of like the familiarity/predictability of fast food franchises makes some people miss out on other food options maybe?
I know around here members of local tri clubs almost universally turned up their nose at the Chessieman 140.6 race. Then WTC takes it over, makes it an Ironman race, and BOOM! The all are talking about how they want to do it, but could not this year because their race schedule was already full (with M-Dot events).
The race was there ALREADY, just not branded the right way I guess.
Jeff, if it’s still open as time gets closer as I get back from my spine injury, I’d love to give it a shot. Right up my alley.
Plus, I want to watch the fireworks of Turner vs Durgin up close.
To wit: I’ve volunteered at Pumpkinman before, and I’ve been a Rev3 loyalist (heck, I worked there). The athlete and spectator experience, to me, far exceeds that of the Ironman brand. Don’t get me wrong; there’s a lot that Ironman events do right (well-stocked aid stations, course marking, etc.) But beyond those relatively cookie cutter elements, in my opinion, they don’t do enough to give each event a local flair. For some, that might even be part of the appeal (no matter where you go, you know exactly what you’re going to get). But that loses some of what makes each individual race special. I think the only IM events in NA that seem to have bucked that trend are Placid, Tremblant, and Tahoe.
This Anti-WTC post was brought to you by, Sea to Summit. We’re trying to make you feel bad about someone else’s event and encourage you to do ours instead. Sign up now for the low, low price of 7.5 payments of $10. Hushed voice guy- “all paid in full at the same time. Plus taxes, fees, and USAT membership may apply. Some restrictions may apply. Offer only valid in New Hampshire.” Get in quickly at this special introductory offer as the cost is sure to increase by 2015- Thanks Obama.
But, wait- there’s more. We’ve got food. We’ve got beer. Yes, you heard that right- BEER! Don’t be a tool with your finisher’s medal and finisher’s pic. Be a real adventurist. Sign up now.
Yes, Ironman is a bit of a cult… that said I did one this past year so mea culpa. Your event sounds like the complete opposite experience, I must say! I mean, what’s the point in doing an event if there are no fireworks, overcrowded race courses, and overpriced branded gear to purchase!
S2S sounds like a great event, doesn’t fit into my plans for this coming year but maybe the year after. Will be doing Pumpkinman though for the first time, was up there this year to cheer on my wife and it had a great vibe.
This Anti-WTC post was brought to you by, Sea to Summit. We’re trying to make you feel bad about someone else’s event and encourage you to do ours instead.
Exactly
I deal with this sort of thing in my own work, companies that base their entire marketing on trying to convince you not why they are better but why their competition is worse. Sure it is just a glass half full vs empty kind of thing but it really irks me so I notice it all over and is the quickest way for me to never want to have anything to do with your product/event/whatever. This event may be fantastic, but I have no desire at all to ever support you since you came here spreading negative BS in order to attempt to profit.
If you are on your 3rd, 4th, or even 10th Ironman no doubt you have asked yourself why in the world are you towing the line to go 140.6 yet again. How many times do really need to be told “you are an Ironman”? How many of the same hand-raised-over-head finisher pictures do you need plastered on your office wall and what are you trying to prove?
I think goal minded people sometimes get into ruts. They define their lives and self worth based on objective times.
“I ran a 3:56 yesterday so while father time might be marching me forward, I am still young and defying age.”
I get it. Been there done that.
But then I learned I was an experience junkie, and the Ironman brand was for the most part, the same old thing (just in different locations). This is why I brought back Sea to Summit. I know there is a groundswell of experience junkies out there just like me waiting for other cool things to experience. Here are 3 reasons I would ask you to consider coming to New Hampshire on June 27th.
Your best friends can experience the race right along side you in the form of a Sherpa.
Point to point races rock. Starting at Sea Level and finishing 100 miles away on the top of Mt.Washington is a really attractive proposition to goal oriented people like yourself.
Non-profit races seem to treat the athletes way better. As a RD, none of this goes in my pocket, so the theory is, lavish the athletes as best you can so that they will come back next year. This has been the Pumpkinman motto for 7 years (my wife’s race) and it has worked well. Wait to you see the food and beer.
Sign up by December 31st before it goes up 75.00.
Have a great day.
Jeff Donatello
Sea to Summit 2.0 Directorhttp://www.s2striathlon.com
But your race is poorly run and the beer was warm. No matter how much I want to not follow the crowd and do something different, I cannot allow myself to be brainwashed by you any more.
Edited to add: I have not actually even heard of your race until your post, but anyone who promotes their product by slamming another (especially using your tactics where it is a backhanded slam at the customers themselves) is not going to get my business.
That race sounds really cool, and I’d like to do it some day. That being said, I think it’s unbecoming and unprofessional to slam another race in order to promote your own. If you can’t promote your race based on its own merits, then it doesn’t deserve my business.
Because, y’know, only marketing with a positive message has been so successful for WTC competitors.
LOL. You know, the more I think about it, he isn’t slamming the WTC brand. He is slamming the competitors who do the WTC races. Kind of like the snobby guy at a record store (anyone over 40 will get this one) who mocks your corporate rock band and says that anyone who likes that band is a sell out - a loser - a lemming, etc. Then proceeds to tell you about this great band that is still playing in the small clubs. If you were cool you would know them and like them too.
