As I go through my post IMLT blues and wondering what is next. I decided to look up the Ultra Triathlon distance events. The one in particular was the Virginia Double or Triple Iron distance triathlon. Fees for the double were 505 and 655 for the triple. I am just starting to feel human again after the IRON distance. I can’t really imagine doing the double or triple distance. Are there any hearty ST’er who have actually done one of these events or have you ever considered tackling these types of distances?
4.8 miles swim or 16 miles paddle
224 mile bike
52.4 mile run
or
7.2 mile swim or 24 mile paddle
336 mile bike
78.6 mile run
There are tons of threads on that Virginia event if you use the search. Several STers have tackled it, but the REAL challenge is the Triple Deca Ironman (30 Iron Distance Races back-to-back). Only takes a month to complete it!!! Good luck!
I did the Double IRON (now called Double Anvil) in Florida two years ago. It was a great event and I’m planning on doing another one in the near future. www.usaultratri.com is their web site.
As you can see there is very little love for Ultra-tris here on ST but I can assure you that if you do decide to go to Virginia for Steve Kirby’s Double or Triple (or Quintuple) you won’t be disappointed with the decision.Just remember this race takes place in a park which has very few facilities and so it is like a camping weekend.Arrive organized as it is a bit of a drive to get anything once you are there.
Steve also has his Florida race in Feb and the new one which is being run for the first time in Oregon in July next year.
Ken I don’t share a lot of info about ultras simply because they are so personal - only you get to figure out what distance speaks to you. I’ve only done the traditional races (straight sbr not one a days) and the last event ended w a broken fibula, hand and 23k of dental. I’m still scared to ride outside. The 48 mile swim really wasn’t that bad - but the sickness off the elements (crappy pool environment - heated chlorine) was taxing on the system. After all that I still would get back out there - but only for a week long race.
If you stay in the States Steve Kirby and the double/triple/quintuple are all highly recommended. If you go overseas I’d look at the IUTA certified races only. They have some set rules to get certified. The race in Italy is not IUTA certified and it is amazing that 8 guys are still in the triple one a day deca. They have changed the bike course so many times - only 2 days left and two Americans are still part of the final 8!! Wayne has deep ultra experience and Jaime is only 26!! The body will do amazing things if you ask it to.
The races really are not physical - they are mental. My third deca (got the first one right in 2004) I had plenty of time to finish and I was just really over it and bored. Body felt strong, mind was shot - mile 217ish of the run I just sat down and decided I wanted to go to bed.
The double and triple go by so quickly. You don’t even realize how fast time slips by. The triple it took me 5 tries to get right - it came down to sleep. I had to figure out how to go slow enough to not get burned up with energy, and when to rest. The double is pure enjoyment. You swim a little, bike a perfect distance and have a little cool down run. Anyone that does iron and enjoys training would love the double. It’s an amazing family the ultra people and extremely supportive.
The stage events have never appealed to me. When you ask about ultraman - that too is an amazing family. Nick can clue you in better on stay events.
The reason to for me to favor the traditional sbr versus one a day - you are on your own time line. Nothing is more beautiful to enjoy then that sunrise rising when you feel baked. There is an energy volt that Mother Nature provides for you, that clean air and the warmth. Something extremely magical.
Several of my favorite memories happened in the middle of the night: out at lake Anna (Virginia) - put my bike down for a deer in the road (first ultra), different event - smacked in the face by a bat! In France got chased by two very large mean spirited boars on the bike - same event a few nights later road past what I thought were 3 dogs int he road - then my hair stood up on the back of my neck as they were wolves!
Ultras are just amazing adventures - but you have to be ok with camping environment and not being catered to - they strip away any sense of normalcy and gets you to the root of you. If you don’t like you going in, you will really hate you during!