Reccs for 2010 tri season schedule?

I agree with the other that Buffalo and Chisago would work well.  I did Chisago as a training race leading up to IMWI in '07 and it was perfect timing.  However, I did it as a training weekend and not a race.  I swam 1.2 on Friday evening, did 13.1 including a race on Saturday morning (race was 11 miles) and then rode 56 right after the race.  The 1/2 at Chisago on Sunday went very smooth and that was when I knew I was on track for a good IM in Madison.  I would highly recommend something similar.

One race you will probably not see me ever skip unless I absolutely had to would be Heart of the Lakes.  Just a great race all around.  If IMMOO is your main focus I would say Chisago Half is about in the best spot on the calendar for you.  A lot of people like Pigman half in Iowa but that date is getting pretty close to MOO and it is about a 5 hour drive.  If getting into IM for 2010 is a priority you should really think about coming down to volunteer at this years event.  You will love the atmosphere and get a good idea of the venue.  Plus you are then gauranteed to get in.  It sells out very quickly online and many don't get in.

Midwest Events is just an event listing web site, which was purchased this year by the guy who manages races for Vacation Sports.  So the real key is to look at the races on the Vacation Sports web sites. 

Now, the only one of them I might recommend is the Oakdale Duathlon.  It's one of few multisport options early in the season and a lot of the big dogs will be there.  For me, it's a nice kick in the pants to get moving early in the season.  If they have their usual December sale, it's dirt cheap.

However, the St. Paul triathlon, Square Lake, etc are troublesome in ways.  Look here for their list: http://www.vacationsports.com/events.html    If you do do the St Paul tri this year, just don't think that is how a race should/will go.  It's an anomoly of a less than great course, very loose management, etc.    I wouldnt want you to be discouraged by it.

One other event I would recommend is the Ironman bike ride in April.  The weather has been bad for two years now, so it ought to be good next year   I found it a great way to get myself motivated to bike early in the season.  With the distances you're planning for next summer, you'll need that.  http://www.ironmanbikeride.org/ 

Good luck!  Keep in touch with any questions.

Hey Chris - one super annoying thing about St. Paul tri (and I assume this is a Vac Sports problem in general) is the transition area.  There didn't appear to be any security and people were allowed to go in and hang around without any supervision once they were done.  I was finishing up a very slow Oly race and had to contend with racers packing up, with their entourage, as I ducked around them to head out for my run.  The other unforgiveable oversight - they ran out of water!  Do you think a race in August probably demands a good water supply?  Yes, I think so. 

I've gotta plug our local tri in Rochester.  It's part of the week long RochesterFest celebration and has been the last weekend in June the last 2 years.  Both a sprint/oly are available.  Very well run, nice venue, USAT sanctioned.    

First off, WELCOME   Be sure to check out the Minnesota Tri News blog for in depth coverage of local races and race schedules

Already some good suggestions above.  By checking out this year's lineup of the Midwest Multisport Series and the Tri Minnesota Series that will cover a big portion of the more competitive races around here.  My 2009 schedule isn't a good one to look at since my IM CDA/ IM WI double really screwed up my local race schedule this season.  Here's my typical race schedule in past years - I like to include some running races to keep the running sharp

Trail Mix 25k trail run in April

Get in Gear Half Marathon in April (or 10k - the half was new this year)

Gear West Duathlon in May (Midwest Series)

Apple Duathlon in May (Midwest Series)

Buffalo Oly in early June (Tri Minn Series)

Liberty Half Ironman in June (Tri Minn - nice venue - held on Saturday so lets you get a long bike in on Sunday)

Timberman Oly in July (Midwest Series)  One of my favorite races - awesome venue up north

Spirit of Racine Half Ironman in July (Racine, WI)

Pigman Half Ironman in August (Midwest Series) often 3 weeks out from IM WI, but 4 weeks this year  usually HOT!!

Ironman Wisconsin in September

Also, in some years I have run the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon in June (sister race of Grandmas Marathon) but you can only get in via lottery.  As Bryan mentioned, Heart of Lakes (Midwest Series) is a very nice race, Manitou sprint (Midwest Series) is very popular also