Nice to hear both sides, but I do not like options, drives me nuts.
I have a friend who does travel packages, may give him a call once I find the USAT info.
Yes, this flying fear is now or never. Meaning, I have gotten good enough in sports that it gives me and my family
the chance to compete around the world. So, it is now or never. I would really like to go to boston next year.
I was thinking about the drugs. Yep, I need to work to minimize what I need. But, since the last time I was on
the Disneyland Pirates of the caribean, i just about jumped out of the boat, I think I am going to need some help
for a while. :o(
Staying with a team is a huge part of why I am wanting to go. Once of the biggest plus to this sport is the social
aspect, which is not my strong suite.
Thanks for talking up the USAT Nationals/ Worlds. I’ve seen some negativity on this forum about these events but really there’s no better race where you can test yourself against a wide range of talented age group peers. Regarding the travel, going with the group is easy but doing it yourself is less expensive. You will miss out on some of the buzz going on if don’t stay at the team headquarters. Like Monty, my best experience was in New Zealand where I stayed in a bed and breakfast just off the bike course. I was told by the B&b owners there that all of the members of the local hotel/B&B group charged 50% off the normal price in order to help make the event a success for the competitors. Of course, it’s still expensive but just to compete in one Worlds is a priceless experience. Good Luck.
Staying with a team is a huge part of why I am wanting to go. Once of the biggest plus to this sport is the social
aspect, which is not my strong suite.
dave, my man, it’s not either/or for this. you can very well be with the team and also not be on the package or even in the host hotel. you simply go from your hotel to the host hotel for information, socializing (which happens around the information), be at the general race site events (training, etc.), and so on. you meet the other athletes at these things and it all works out. how did i meet you? at the aquathlon race site. same thing, just in europe.
don’t stress over this. just get a bunk, plane ticket, and get on the plane. and be thinking of how you’ll do your swim-to-bike transition. meticulously. in slow motion. when you stumble over a step, go back to the start. this will so bore you that you’ll fall asleep and be in germany before you’ve done it perfectly in your mind. then come and have fun with the rest of us.
probably one of the more cohesive events is the team usa meeting . we’re all in one room together and it’s fun. ask emilio about the meeting in perth in 2000 when four of us, mid-meeting, attacked tim yount with squirt guns.
there’s a mindset that goes with worlds. it’s off one’s own self and onto making connections. so there’s no social time-lag for things to develop. you just jump right in and ask about the other person: country, training, travel, whatever. it goes fast. nobody comes after you wanting to know who you are—you just have to do it yourself. and then you end up having a rich, wonderful time which is exclusive of how your race went.
it’s a terrific experience. get on the plane and go.
cheers,
peggy
Dave, my son ahd some fears like yours, so I ordered a great DVD from John Stossel about fear. It really was a good documentary belying most fears, including flying. You seem to be a very analytical guy, so i think this DVD would be of help. If you’d like, I could send it to you. I’d hate to see your fears compromise an incredible experience. I would not do the drug thing, as it can stay with you a while, and being groggy is not the way to greet a new country and travel experience. You’ve done triathlon training, including and ironman, so this fear can also be diminished with the same reslove. Let me know if you want the DVD…
Yes, ST in general loves to Bash USAT. And, some some sure think anything less than kona IM stuff makes one a wuss.
Thats fine, but I do think USAT is doing a great job. And as I posted, give me a choice of Kona or representing the USA
as a Team USA member, well, you now which one for me means more!
I am amazed how many rip nationals/worlds. But of these folks, how many are even good enough to meet the standard?
So, left them talk, some of us go try and walk the walk!! Am already starting to plan mentally for the 2008 nationals
and how to get my entire family there. This stuff is not cheap, but it is the BEST money I have ever spent. And,
I could have had a new car. Oh well.