A quick search revealed only a few races throughout the year.
I’ve got a possible job offer that would have me moving from Houston to Anchorage relatively soon. Overall, the job is great and moving to a beautiful location like Alaska has a ton of appeal. Triathlon is not really a big factor in the decision, but I’m used to racing 10-12 times per year and I’m thinking that my triathlon activities would have to take a back seat for the couple of years that I’m up there.
Anyone lived up in Anchorage that can give any insight to the triathlon community up there? I wouldn’t mind spending a couple years trying out XC skiing, climbing and hiking, but at 29yrs old, I’m still making big improvements in triathlon and would like to see that continue.
My uncle lives up there and his neighbor does them. Didn’t get into the specifics but he said she travels all over the place to race. I’m guessing it’s possible to train during the summer since the sun is up for a while.
My uncle lives up there and his neighbor does them. Didn’t get into the specifics but he said she travels all over the place to race. I’m guessing it’s possible to train during the summer since the sun is up for a while.
Of course, followed by a winter of no sun?
Doesn’t seem like the best location for a triathlete, but there has to be redeeming qualities!
Well… flying to Seattle is cheap. We have a ton of races here. That’s what you will be doing. AK is beautiful, but no place for tris. They could have duathons in between the snow?
My uncle lives up there and his neighbor does them. Didn’t get into the specifics but he said she travels all over the place to race. I’m guessing it’s possible to train during the summer since the sun is up for a while.
Of course, followed by a winter of no sun?
Doesn’t seem like the best location for a triathlete, but there has to be redeeming qualities!
You only need a few hours of light to ski, and you won’t be swimming out doors during the winter. Problem solved
Probably no different than training in the chicago winter, pretty much all basements look alike… (-; No doubt you are in for some epic rides and runs though, probably have to pack heavy duck loads though…
I did a race just outside Anchorage June 2011…the Eagle River Tri. It was a sprint…500 yd pool swim, 12 mile bike, 5K. Fun race. Drew some beginners, but also some more seasoned triathletes. What I suppose was the Anchorage based tri club had a tent with info and club merchandise out there. Cool jersey (to me). I’m not from there, was just up for work and visiting a friend…but it’s not like there is no triathlon. There is/was? a half iron in Fairbanks. Haven’t done it. Lots of bike trails around to train on so you don’t always have to be on the roads.
(I work sometimes in Ketchikan, which is not as tri-friendly due to weather and lack of roads, but there is a multi-time KQer who lives and trains there.)
If you move there you will become a XC skier and get into biathlon. No such thing as open water swimming until at least July/August in most of the state. I hope you like the stationary trainer! And yes, moose are everywhere, and they are freakin mean.
you are moving to one of the premier places to ski or snowboard…
I would do A N Y T H I N G to move there. Except sell my bikes, but that aside…seriously. learn to downhill ski or snowboard. that is THE place for it!
If you move there you will become a XC skier and get into biathlon. No such thing as open water swimming until at least July/August in most of the state. I hope you like the stationary trainer! And yes, moose are everywhere, and they are freakin mean.
Actually, biathlon has a lot of appeal to me. I shot competitive rifle through college and love endurance sports, so it seems like a good fit!
No doubt you are in for some epic rides and runs though, probably have to pack heavy duck loads though…
I’ve bitched and moaned about living in Houston and the flat unappealing landscape for the past few years. Going someplace where I can hit some serious trails could be exactly what I’m looking for!
There are a lot of triathletes up there. Macca did a camp or clinic for the Anchorage Tri Club earlier this year or last year, I forget which. They have a lot of running events and I have a friend who does a lot of Time Trials up there. I know that at Lavaman both spring and fall and the Honu on the Big Island there is always a large Alaska contingent.
I took a cruise from Vancouver to Skagway, last summer. Awesome. I completely forgot about tri’s on that trip.
I did manage some snorkelling at Ketchikan, but it was June and 7mm full suit with booties etc. Actually I overheated.
Alaska is wicked cool. I’d love to live there for a while.
While they might not have as many tri’s as you’d like, it might must be that you race less for a while, and get into all the other stuff Alaska has to offer, then re-focus on tri when you return? That would be my suggestion.
Probably no different than training in the chicago winter, pretty much all basements look alike
Except for one thing, and I’m speaking from experience (have spent time in both places), in terms of day and night temps, Anchorage winters are usually, on average, milder than Chicago winters …
Probably no different than training in the chicago winter, pretty much all basements look alike
Except for one thing, and I’m speaking from experience (have spent time in both places), in terms of day and night temps, Anchorage winters are usually, on average, milder than Chicago winters …
Not according to The Weather Channel monthly averages. In winter, the averages are about 10 degrees colder and in summer it’s about 20 degrees!
I certainly can’t argue with the WX channel. But weather everywhere is changing fast. And I’m speaking about the winter only from personal experience of going back and forth between the two cities pretty frequently for a few years. The Chicago suburbs were usually a bit colder.
In any case, Anchorage is great. The mountains are awesome.
I certainly can’t argue with the WX channel. But weather everywhere is changing fast. And I’m speaking about the winter only from personal experience of going back and forth between the two cities pretty frequently for a few years. The Chicago suburbs were usually a bit colder.
In any case, Anchorage is great. The mountains are awesome.
The pictures are amazing.
Anyway, I spent a winter in Calgary, which is definitely colder than Anchorage and really enjoyed it. Lot’s of treadmill/trainer time, but there are worse things!
I was up there last summer and did a bike trip along the ALCAN starting in Achorage.Alaska is awesome and an outdoor junkies heaven and from all reports the winter time is just an excuse to so some crazy mad riding in the snow.I suspect that you might begin a love for adventure racing and all things outdoorsy.
I’m from Anchorage and we have a thriving triathlon community, or maybe more than one would expect. We have distances from sprint all they way to a half up in Fairbanks in Mid July. I think we are up to over 10 multisport races during the summer including two offroad tri’s. Like another poster mentioned we have trails all over the Anchorage bowl for x-country skiing, running, mountain biking, hiking, etc. Snow biking has really caught on and is a good alternative to riding inside or skiing.
In addition to the Alaska Triathlon Club, we have a pretty active cycling club hosting both road and mountain bike races throughout the summer. Roads are not the best but we make do. There are also several long distance races during the winter that you can either choose to bike, run or ski. These are held mostly on snowmachine trails and the bikes usually do pretty well except when it dumps two feet of snow during the event. Moutaineering, rock climbing, ice climbing are also really big here and can be done almost out your back door.
Let me know if you would like any specific contact info and I’ll pass it along.
