General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Ideal Tri Race Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2010-09-13 8:08 PM

User image

Elite
2729
200050010010025
Puyallup, WA
Subject: Ideal Tri Race
Some of the race reports have got me to thinking...what would your ideal/perfect triathlon include?  (Besides flawless swim, bike and runs...)  But what has been interesting "extras" at some of the races you've done?!?!


2010-09-13 8:17 PM
in reply to: #3096737

User image

Champion
7595
50002000500252525
Columbia, South Carolina
Subject: RE: Ideal Tri Race
A flawless swim, bike, and run, is all I'm looking for....  If that ever happens, you'll know because when you look up, you'll see pigs flying overhead.
2010-09-13 8:21 PM
in reply to: #3096737

User image

Resident Curmudgeon
25290
50005000500050005000100100252525
The Road Back
Gold member
Subject: RE: Ideal Tri Race
Do you mean like buxom bikini-clad beauties handing out the water? If so, that's how I vote.
2010-09-13 8:23 PM
in reply to: #3096737

User image

Extreme Veteran
799
500100100252525
Subject: RE: Ideal Tri Race
I'm thinking assigned professional pace booty. Set at a pace just above my normal pace so I have a good run time.
2010-09-13 8:26 PM
in reply to: #3096762

User image

Master
3888
20001000500100100100252525
Overland Park, KS
Subject: RE: Ideal Tri Race
the bear - 2010-09-13 8:21 PM Do you mean like buxom bikini-clad beauties handing out the water? If so, that's how I vote.


I'm scheduled to be in New Orleans, LA the weekend of Oct. 2nd.  Having BBCB's there might be worth the drive.  What say you, Mr. RD?
2010-09-13 8:32 PM
in reply to: #3096776

User image

Resident Curmudgeon
25290
50005000500050005000100100252525
The Road Back
Gold member
Subject: RE: Ideal Tri Race
reecealan - 2010-09-13 8:26 PM
the bear - 2010-09-13 8:21 PM Do you mean like buxom bikini-clad beauties handing out the water? If so, that's how I vote.


I'm scheduled to be in New Orleans, LA the weekend of Oct. 2nd.  Having BBCB's there might be worth the drive.  What say you, Mr. RD?


We're 150 miles west of NO, but I'm working on the BBCBs.


2010-09-13 8:34 PM
in reply to: #3096737

User image

Master
3888
20001000500100100100252525
Overland Park, KS
Subject: RE: Ideal Tri Race
lkc01234 - 2010-09-13 8:08 PM Some of the race reports have got me to thinking...what would your ideal/perfect triathlon include?  (Besides flawless swim, bike and runs...)  But what has been interesting "extras" at some of the races you've done?!?!


In a 1/2 Mary I ran last year they had live bands playing.  Really cool.  Adds some $$$ to fees but a decent band is a nice touch.  In another race we had a Pro there (Chris Legh) the day before at packet pickup for an hour or two of Q&A.  The small tidbit of advice he gave me really helped my race the next day.
2010-09-13 8:36 PM
in reply to: #3096790

User image

Master
3888
20001000500100100100252525
Overland Park, KS
Subject: RE: Ideal Tri Race
the bear - 2010-09-13 8:32 PM
reecealan - 2010-09-13 8:26 PM
the bear - 2010-09-13 8:21 PM Do you mean like buxom bikini-clad beauties handing out the water? If so, that's how I vote.


I'm scheduled to be in New Orleans, LA the weekend of Oct. 2nd.  Having BBCB's there might be worth the drive.  What say you, Mr. RD?


We're 150 miles west of NO, but I'm working on the BBCBs.


Keem me informed.  I might need to borrow a bike.  Oh hell, I'll run the bike course, don't want to go too fast past the BBCB's.
2010-09-13 9:26 PM
in reply to: #3096737

User image

Champion
10668
500050005001002525
Tacoma, Washington
Subject: RE: Ideal Tri Race
Maybe I just "grew up" in this sport in an era when expectations were low, and a certain amount of self-sufficiency was assumed on the part of the racers (as in the racers themselves expected to be selfsifficient, not the RDs). Getting splits in a race was considered a luxury. Police traffic control? Rrrriiiigggghhhtttt.... In your dreams. If you were vying for the overall, you'd BETTER know the course (hashhouse harriers would love that). And a cup of water and maybe a banana was an after-event BANQUET! Courses were advertised as being a certain distance, and if it was within 15% (or more sometimes), that was bonus. There was no such thing as GPS, MapMy(Run, Bike, Tri)... HRMs were just coming out. IM as a "brand" was just some one's money-making pipe dream.

So I'll just post things that I think are need-to-haves, nice-to-haves, and things that I don't even really care about.

Need-to-haves:
A posted course that I can measure myself on MapMyTri, if it isn't already mapped and measured, an approximate advertised distance category (sprint, Olympic, half-IM, etc). If it's Oly or longer, some kind of course support in the way of water. A transition zone that will hold the bikes up and have enough space for all the racers. A course that's decently marked.

Nice-to-haves:
Splits for each leg (chip timing), including tranisitions, food on the course or bottle exchanges for long events (half-IM or more), assigned transition spots (or assigned racks). Course volunteers/police for traffic control on the bike. Kayaks or paddle boards on the swim course. Lots of post-race food. Security at transitions for bike checks.

Don't-careabouts:
T-shirts. Race announcers, circus atmosphere. Flat courses. Exact-to-standards distances (hey, every one is doing the same course regardless).

I think about covers it for now...
2010-09-14 7:29 AM
in reply to: #3096853

User image

Champion
10668
500050005001002525
Tacoma, Washington
Subject: RE: Ideal Tri Race
Oh, thought of another one for the "don't-care-about" list: USAT sanctioning.
2010-09-14 1:35 PM
in reply to: #3096737

User image

Veteran
295
100100252525
Ft Campbell, Kentucky
Subject: RE: Ideal Tri Race
no lines from registration to check out

I was in line for packet pickup at Steelhead this year for over 2 hours!!!


2010-09-14 1:53 PM
in reply to: #3096737

User image

Extreme Veteran
605
500100
Subject: RE: Ideal Tri Race

I'm going to take a slightly different slant, my perfect race would be:

I would want the weather to not be snowing or hailing on me

The course would feature
1K swim in a weed infested mud hole of a lake.
30K bike on an interesting course with about 250 ft of elevation change, open course is fine.
2K run all downhill on mowed grass

Swag
I would want the swag bag to be a reusable grocery bag type bag, it can have the requisite sponsor supplied lit.
A tech T-shirt

Post race there would be food that would include the following items:
Water in a reusable water bottle and refilling stations (no disposable water or drink bottles)
Cookies
Potato Chips
Something that might constitute real food

I would be willing to pay, ~$85 for this race.

2010-09-14 2:12 PM
in reply to: #3098246

User image

Champion
10018
50005000
, Minnesota
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Ideal Tri Race

I always hope for two things:

  1. A shady run (or overcast day)
  2. Some kind of soda pop at the end.  I want fizz and please no more water!  Diet Coke is ideal, but I am okay with other options.

Only time I've had both was at my first HIM - what luck!

2010-09-14 2:29 PM
in reply to: #3096737

User image

Veteran
279
100100252525
San Francisco
Subject: RE: Ideal Tri Race
Mail me my race packet so I don't have to trek down the day before for a boring expo or spring for a hotel.  I'd even pay extra for that option. 

Beyond that, give me a safe, organized event that starts on time with adequate course support.  All the 'extras' I can do without (medals, shirts, bands, post race activities). 

Here's a tri I was just considering. Does stuff like this matter to anyone???

  • Athletes begin setting up their gear in preparation for the day in the transition area serenaded by a Parisian accordionist. This transition area will be cordoned off not by your typical barricades, but with living plants and rope.
  • After the instructions on the rules, swim directions and a few introductions by our seasoned announcers, our national anthem will be sung by a very special person, whom shall remain a surprise till race morning.
  • A sole bagpiper will then appear and lead the athletes to the swim start and the beginning of the race.

The race is a green event which I like, but $250 for an oly is too much green for me.

I haven't done any tris but my favorite 'extra' by far are my two Tiffany necklaces from the SF Nike Women's Half Marathon.  The fact that they are handed out at the finish line by tuxedo clad firemen holding huge silver trays piled high with little blue Tiffany Boxes was a nice touch as well.  Some nice eye candy at the finish for a race that is 80% women which means little decent pace booty on the course.  For the guys that brave the course they are treated to lots of great views Tongue out

Edited by Chatagirl 2010-09-14 2:35 PM
2010-09-14 2:43 PM
in reply to: #3098322

User image

Champion
10668
500050005001002525
Tacoma, Washington
Subject: RE: Ideal Tri Race
Chatagirl - 2010-09-14 12:29 PM
Here's a tri I was just considering. Does stuff like this matter to anyone???

  • Athletes begin setting up their gear in preparation for the day in the transition area serenaded by a Parisian accordionist. This transition area will be cordoned off not by your typical barricades, but with living plants and rope.
  • After the instructions on the rules, swim directions and a few introductions by our seasoned announcers, our national anthem will be sung by a very special person, whom shall remain a surprise till race morning.
  • A sole bagpiper will then appear and lead the athletes to the swim start and the beginning of the race.

The race is a green event which I like, but $250 for an oly is too much green for me.



Um... Holy CARP!!! $250? Seriously? And how is that race filling up? The most expensive race I ever registered for was Nat's, and that was over $100... And I didn't even get to do the race! Last time I paid for a race, it was about $50 for an Oly... As for the "frills" listed above... I'd see it as a distraction and avoid it at all costs.
2010-09-14 2:51 PM
in reply to: #3096737

User image

Pro
4360
200020001001001002525
Baton Rouge area
Subject: RE: Ideal Tri Race
Swim:
no 3 ft waves to contend with. No guy swimming my exact pace to bang into for 1/2 mile.  Either out and back or straight course.  Swimming a pentagon is not my idea of fun.

Bike - No 2 foot pot holes, no bridges at the bottom of a hill that jar the day lights out of you.  Scenic view or lots of pace booty or both actually.

Run - rain would be nice, temps under 90 would be great, 60s would be wonderful.

Post race - temps under 90, mist tent to cool off in.  Large hot tub to relax in.  A sherpa to get my stuff back to my truck.


2010-09-14 2:53 PM
in reply to: #3096737

User image

Master
2372
20001001001002525
Subject: RE: Ideal Tri Race
After this summer frankly I'll settle for just having a race under 110 degree heat index.

Now that I think about it:

Swim:  80 degree water.  Ocean swim.  Nice big surf.  The longer the better.

Bike:  75 degrees.  No wind.  Smooth asphalt.  Some hills to climb and some flats to hammer.

Run:  75 degrees and shade.  Really, I'm easy here.

Edited by sand101 2010-09-14 3:17 PM
2010-09-14 3:10 PM
in reply to: #3096737

User image

Member
94
252525
LBC
Subject: RE: Ideal Tri Race
Downhill swim.
2010-09-15 6:51 PM
in reply to: #3098322

User image

Elite
2729
200050010010025
Puyallup, WA
Subject: RE: Ideal Tri Race
Chatagirl - 2010-09-14 2:29 PM Mail me my race packet so I don't have to trek down the day before for a boring expo or spring for a hotel.  I'd even pay extra for that option. 

Beyond that, give me a safe, organized event that starts on time with adequate course support.  All the 'extras' I can do without (medals, shirts, bands, post race activities). 

Here's a tri I was just considering. Does stuff like this matter to anyone???

  • Athletes begin setting up their gear in preparation for the day in the transition area serenaded by a Parisian accordionist. This transition area will be cordoned off not by your typical barricades, but with living plants and rope.
  • After the instructions on the rules, swim directions and a few introductions by our seasoned announcers, our national anthem will be sung by a very special person, whom shall remain a surprise till race morning.
  • A sole bagpiper will then appear and lead the athletes to the swim start and the beginning of the race.


That's an interesting concept to mail you your race packet.  I've recently been helping pack the packets and that would be very difficult because they aren't done too much in advance...maybe the paper stuffs could be - but not the timing chip. 

Also - that race is RIDICULOUS!!
2010-09-15 7:06 PM
in reply to: #3098322

User image

Extreme Veteran
626
50010025
South Florida
Subject: RE: Ideal Tri Race
Chatagirl - 2010-09-14 2:29 PM Mail me my race packet so I don't have to trek down the day before for a boring expo or spring for a hotel.  I'd even pay extra for that option. 

Beyond that, give me a safe, organized event that starts on time with adequate course support.  All the 'extras' I can do without (medals, shirts, bands, post race activities). 

Here's a tri I was just considering. Does stuff like this matter to anyone???

  • Athletes begin setting up their gear in preparation for the day in the transition area serenaded by a Parisian accordionist. This transition area will be cordoned off not by your typical barricades, but with living plants and rope.
  • After the instructions on the rules, swim directions and a few introductions by our seasoned announcers, our national anthem will be sung by a very special person, whom shall remain a surprise till race morning.
  • A sole bagpiper will then appear and lead the athletes to the swim start and the beginning of the race.

The race is a green event which I like, but $250 for an oly is too much green for me.

 Tongue out


This thing sounds like it will take forever just to get started and $250 on top of that.
2010-09-15 7:34 PM
in reply to: #3098397

User image

Expert
977
500100100100100252525
Huntington Beach
Subject: RE: Ideal Tri Race
y-o-y - 2010-09-14 1:10 PM Downhill swim.


haha! 

I would like a swim where I didn't get punched, kicked, or ran over.  Also, I would like the run to be on an escalator where I don't have to...well...runLaughing


2010-09-15 7:40 PM
in reply to: #3096737

User image

Expert
2189
2000100252525
Dodge County, MN (out in the corn)
Subject: RE: Ideal Tri Race
2 mile OWS- lake or ocean, doesn't matter to me.
60 mile bike- some rollers out in the country, no steep climbs.
2 mile run- flat, shady with water stops at each half mile.

Chipotle at the finisher's feed. 

Who's in?  Cool
2010-09-16 7:55 AM
in reply to: #3101100

User image

Regular
93
252525
Malvern, PA
Subject: RE: Ideal Tri Race
rowdypaint - 2010-09-15 7:40 PM 2 mile OWS- lake or ocean, doesn't matter to me.
60 mile bike- some rollers out in the country, no steep climbs.
2 mile run- flat, shady with water stops at each half mile.

Chipotle at the finisher's feed. 

Who's in?  Cool


You have just described my ideal triathlon in all aspects
2010-09-16 8:16 AM
in reply to: #3096737


248
10010025
Subject: RE: Ideal Tri Race
My ideal tri would include a kayak (riding WITH the current obviously), a motorized scooter with a big cushy seat, and an entirely downhill "run" where I'm allowed to wear roller skates.

I like the Chipotle idea...but I think a big platter from Buffalo Wild Wings might win out slightly in that battle.  Then again, would either of those really be a good idea given that there are never enough port-a-potties at any race site?
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Ideal Tri Race Rss Feed