I know that really, each race is an individual effort, but I’m wondering about people’s experiences going to a race completely alone. I’ve done local sprints in my community alone, but I’m considering doing SOMA Half-IM alone. I did it two years ago with my sister and we both loved it, but she’s not interested this year. This means I would have to fly there alone, stay alone, do the expo alone, race morning alone, post-race alone, etc. My parents have a place in Phoenix, so the car and house is free, but they won’t be there that weekend to hang out with me.
I usually don’t mind being by myself and do a lot of my training solo, but I’m worried that I’ll get bored talking to myself ALL WEEKEND. I can eat a burrito at Qdoba without a buddy, but I’m not sure about a weekend. I’ve always done all my big races with my friends and/or sister but nobody is up for this. None of my non-tri friends are interested in spending their money/vacation on something like this right now, either.
I’m afraid if I don’t do it, then I won’t train because I won’t have a goal, and then I’ll get fat. Racing season is winding down where I live and the few races that are left present scheduling conflicts, so I’d like to hear some experiences, good or bad, people have had traveling to and racing an event alone.
I am travelling to IMC alone this weekend. I have a few friends that I will hook up with while there, but I’m travelling, driving, and staying alone. I’m hoping to let the trip lead me where it may, and maybe I’ll even make some new friends. Look up other ST’ers that will be doing the race. All the St’ers I’ve met have been awesome people!
I have raced on all seven continents (yes, including Antarctica) and I can tell you that, with the exception of the last year when I’ve been married, I did them all by myself.
I have been participating in Tri’s for about 7 years now, and my wife has been to one, and that is because it was close, and our kids were racing also.
I went to IMCDA, IMAZ, and now IMLOU all out of state for me, all by myself. That is a good thing because I am not fun to be around the day before a race.
She is wonderful and always says " I will support you by letting you train all you want, but don’t ask me to go to those boring things."
I enjoy the time alone to think about things and the race, but I am really ready to go home when it is over.
Though I’ve done Oly and shorter recently, I wouldn’t mind the time away. Not gonna happen for me though (finances… I’m going to have to put a “parts for sale” list together quick). Half-IM… As long as I was adequately trained for it, it wouldn’t be that big of a deal. Though the whole weekend talking to myself… I’d start to answer my own questions.
I go to races alone all the time. Granted that I usually drive up to a race the morning of, and am not staying for an entire weekend. Also, in xterra there’s pretty much the same people at every race. I’ve made friends with a bunch of people that pretty much come to the same races every year.
I did my first half by myself because I was nervous and didn’t want to put up with anyone else. I met people at the expo, swimming the day before - so had folks to talk to if I wanted. Worked out fine.
It can be a lot of fun, if you are not intimidated meeting new people. Do you feel comfortable chatting with someone at the expo? If they seem cool, would you be comfortable asking if you could join them at dinner, or for a beer at the local bar? If so, then it will be a great time. You’ll meet people from totally different walks of life, with different perspectives on things, which I always find interesting to hear.
If you are not comfortable meeting people, then it may just be a lonely weekend. That can also be good if you have a good book to read, or would just like some alone time for contemplation. But, if you are really wanting a fun weekend with people, but aren’t comfortable introducing yourself to others, then you may not have a great time. (Also remember, that you will likely run into some people who are NOT looking for others to hang out with. They may want to be alone, they may be with friends they rarely see, they may be with a spouse and need “together” time. Whatever… just don’t be offended when you meet the people who aren’t open to meeting others; just move on and find people open to meeting others.
I have got so I generally go to my races alone, and I have fun; so I know it can be done.
I did IMF and IM Lake Placid last year “alone” and had a good time. I drove to both races from PA and it wasn’t bad. I got to listen to my favorite music in the car. Especially nice at the race was I didn’t have to entertain anyone. I could focus on the race and I had the bed to myself. I did meet up with the Arnge peeps from the IMF chatline and had a good time with them. At LP I had a nice view of main street from the hotel and just relaxed and watch the world go by.
My wife goes with me to 99% of my races. But, the three she could not go with me this year, were my best.
I keep telling her I need to not take her to worlds with me.
that was a reassuring post. i have traveled a lot alone, including 2 months solo, but for some reason i was getting worried about a weekend trip alone to IM Florida.
You are worried about being “by yourself” all weekend in a major metropolitan area while doing an event with several hundred other people? That is not being “alone”. You must come from a really large, close knit family.
Do you realize what a significant proportion of our population lives in a one person household? I’m guessing from a couple of things in your post that you are relatively young. A lot of people graduate from college and move somewhere by themselves, to a city where they don’t know anyone, for a job. You may do that some day. I would definitely say that it’s a great idea for you to go out there for the weekend solo. Good life skills prep for you.
Back to your question about racing “alone”, I’ve done it plenty and it’s fun. You always find someone to talk to in the porta potty line. Of course, I’ve also flown to Montana and gone on 4 day solo backpacking trips by myself too. I like me.
Up until this year I’d done every race alone, including over 6 HIM’s and two IM’s. It does get old and lonely, but it’s not that bad as I would usually meet someone either at the expo or the hotel who was in a similar situation and we’d plan meals together and hang out during those down times.
“I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude”** --** Henry David Thoreau.** **I did IMLP alone this year, staying by myself in a dorm room for five days. No TV, no computer, no radio. I spent a lot of time walking around town and also read a book on the Adirondacks. I wouldn’t want to do that at every race, but I think it will end up being one of my favorite racing memories.
Plus, there’s always the phone if your family and friends will take your calls. Have fun!
I’ve done races with family in attendance and without. Both are enjoyable in different ways.
With: I love to see my wife and kids on the course while racing. At Camp Pendleton, my wife had them help make up ‘go daddy’ signs’ which was a wonderful surprise. I paused to give my two baby girls a quick kiss and hug on the run to T1… Those moments are great. (I don’t do the carrying my kids across the finish line thing though…). Immediately after the race is great as well…Post-race is not so great, they are usually tired and want to go home while I want to hang out and BS for a while.
Without: Great opportunity to meet new people and do things on exactly my schedule, rather than my kids.
Just do It! I did IMLP twice , IMUK, IMSwitzerland alone .I wont drag my wife to those events,she would hate it, I think it would be boring if you were not involved.Plus thelast three days up to the race I want to be on MY TIME.
i do all races alone. or??? because i’ve done a lot of them, and have gotten to know a lot of people, i’m usually not alone once i arrive.
all in all, i bet this is sort of a taste thing…which is made up of personality type and situation. and, having been the happy recipient of much friendship and fellowship at triathlons, i’m an encourager of the come-alone plan. if it suits you. but do come…
peggy
I’ve done most of my races this season alone… mixed feelings. So here’s the good and bad -
I drove from Maine to NH for Mooseman alone, and stayed with a ST’er and some of his friends. It was a really fun weekend, until I felt sooo tired/lightheaded/absolutely-could-not-focus trying to drive home, and I called my parents from somewhere near Concord to see if they could come get me. You know how they tell you when you’re in high school that if you ever need a ride, just call and they’ll come get you, no questions asked? When you’re three hours away, that “daddy will you come pick me up? please?” even in my cutest possible voice doesn’t go over so well. But he and Ian did come and get me, and having Ian drive me home was sooooo nice. That said, family tends to drive me crazy before a race, because I’m so keyed up and anxious and they don’t understand that. I’d rather be alone before a race. But I like company after it.
shorter stuff - I went to a sprint and an oly alone this spring/summer. Happily, I ran into people I knew, which was nice. I like familiar faces and I appreciated the quiet drive on the way home to just chill. both were about an hour away.
ten days ago, I did an open water swim race and that I went to alone. I invited all my run friends to come watch me do something I’m actually good at, but they were all away run-racing. I definitely felt lonely that day - all I wanted was my brother to watch, like he had the year before.
Have fun!