Does anybody know the effect on running pace and bike power of a 6400-foot elevation? Is that high enough to really wipe me out, or would I just need to slow a little bit?
Also – has anybody checked out the new Tahoe Triathlon? 5-mile kayak, 112 bike, 26.2 run. Looks interesting…
(I’m still trying to choose a fall event…)
I was there last year for the three day tri. It was a blast. It was my first time in Tahoe. What a beautiful place. My reason for going was the bicycle race around the lake. It was awesome and suprisingly fast. The swim was in the most beautiful water I've ever seen, but cold; 50 degrees with 40 degree air. The run has to be one of the most difficult in the country, the hills are miles long. I think the downhills are what finished off my knees. (Surgery on both this year) You just have to be conservative.
If you look at the websight you'll see that there is a lot going on but it is all very disorganized. Everything other then the marathon is kind of self supported. The first two races of the Tahoe Triple are self supported marathons. The runners were really on their own. On the bike race I carried all my water, I didn't trust them to have water bottle exchanges. They did but it was just twist off bottles.
I'm glad I went, but they'd have to get a lot more organized for me to go back again. But the bicycle race around the lake, like I said earlier, it was a blast!
Here I am after the swim:
Hi. I’m new here. I’m a marathoner and cyclist who can’t/doesn’t/won’t swim, so thought there’d never be ironman in my future. Then I read an event listing for the Lake Tahoe Triathlon, which subs a 5-mile kayak for the swim. I jumped out of my chair.
But what I can’t figure out from the race’s website is whether you can do the full ironman-distance tri in one day. I see something called a “3-day tri,” but I’d want to do the kayak, bike and run in one (very long and painful) day. I’ve emailed the race director and asked this question, but no response as yet.
Does anyone know the answer? (And, do you know of any other iron-distance tris that sub another sport for the swim? Heresy, I know…)
Thanks for your time.
Lori,
I emailed them some questions a few weeks ago.
Yes, the Ironman is all in one day. You need support crew for both bike and run. Roads will not be closed nor marshalled. Given the altitude, the course, and the time of year, you’ll probably want a companion runner with lights, flashers and reflectors. After the kayak, you’re completely on your own.
As of a few weeks ago, they’d had 2 confirmed sign-ups and a bunch of inquiries.
I’ve decided to skip it this year and do a couple of fall half IMs instead.
Ashburn,
Thanks so much for your reply. Very helpful. Gives me a lot to chew on. If I did this thing, it would be next year.
Yikes! Only two confirmed ironman sign-ups. Sounds like it’ll be pretty lonely out there (except for the traffic – but at least it’s October, and most of the tourist snarl will be gone).
Thanks again. I can now say with conviction that I’m seriously considering seriously considering it! Now to Amazon to buy some ironman training books.
Lori
For anyone who might be interested in the Lake Tahoe iron-distance triathlon, I did receive an email response from Kristi Jereb, the race director (kristi33@comcast.net), and have some information about the 2006 race that I thought I’d share.
The tentative dates for the whole roundup of events surrounding the Lake Tahoe Marathon are September 21-24, 2006. (This year the party starts on Oct.6.)
Kristi said they’re planning to start the kayak earlier next year (this year it’s a late 8:15am start…) to give people who want to do the iron-distance tri a break. Good news. That late start worried me.
She also said she’s received feedback from athletes asking how the event could be called ironman-distance when there’s no swim, so the race will be renamed for next year – likely to Lake Tahoe Extreme Triathlon.
There are no cutoff times this year, but there might be next year. They want anyone who does the iron distance to finish by midnight.
You must be totally self-supported with your own support crew/vehicle. That will be the case next year, as well.
I got the sense the organizers are going to try to spiff up the one-day iron tri and make it a bit more appealing next year. But it’ll be seat-of-the pants stuff. A whole new dimension of challenge…
Cheers.