Malibu Tri 09

I think about you everytime I ride or drive that Zuma section.

I am out for this year, doing SOS instead.

 Is that SOS as in Survival of the Shawangunks?

 Because that race sounds awesome.

I am signed up for the Original Sprint  on a studio team .  

It's a great  way to   spend some time with some brave  coworkers  outside the office at the gym , the pool and  the beach  .  Race day  is so much fun . To be  out  there with all the  tri rookies from work .   Watch them worry ,  ask all sorts of questions , get excited  nervous ,  struggle through the swim  and overcome their doubts and fears  and  of  course finish  the event   with a huge sense of accomplishment and  a big smile on their faces. 

I like  witnessing  them beginning to love the sport at that first race. 

It is the satisfaction and sense of purpose   a teacher or coach gets when their charges move up to the next level and you have been there to guide.

Nice event , sweet location .    

This will sell out fast  .

Register this week or Else !!

Yes

I don't think we can give you an honest answer about the olympic.  Last year, they announced the Olympic distance in May, just four months out, and then offered chances to transfer registrations up to that distance. This year, athletes will choose a distance up front. It also came as one of the first post Beijing races with a big cash prize.  So there were bizarre competing factors.  Three things I note for this year:

 1.)  The change of date in the last three weeks to honor Rosh Hashanah moves the event to the weekend immediately following Labor Day.  Not sure what that says, but it may affect some people's choices.

 2.)   As you pointed out, there is less a celeb buzz on Saturday, but this race drew more big elite names to it because of its cash prize.

 3.)  The event was really well managed (you can read some race reports - the major complaints were the single lane biking at the furtherest point in the course and some bizarre little doglegs in the run to get it to an official 10K) and folks seemed to enjoy themselves.  So I don't think that they (MESP) did much to create negative buzz about the race itself. 

Not sure what that tells me or you exactly, but it is my 2 ¢

Another factor    making the  Malibu Olympic sell out  faster than last year  is  the rival   Los Angeles Triathlon (3000+  athletes)  held just 30 minutes south at Venice Beach  moved their date to October 4th  so there is now 3 weeks between the 2  Socal  events . 

There was  only a week inbetween the two races  the last few years .  I used to do LA sprint  as a tune up  but now will probably do  LA Olympic .
i just cant wait to run twice up that   #%$@*&    hill on Grand .   

SM to Zuma at 5 am on Sat morning should take what... 30 minutes?  I can drvie from Torrance to Temescal Cyn in under 45 minutes early Sats.  Coming up PCH probably close to the same time as coming thru the canyons.  Only traffic will be coming down the hill to Zuma where they squeeze the lanes to get into the parking

Does that mean its too early to mention that we also opened our lot up to BTers which is a block up from Zuma and closer than their default overflow lot??  :P

Maybe ... depends on how many people plan to get there before me!    (Thanks again for last year ... I think of you every time I run past the church now!)

In case you are the fence for this race I would not wait any longer .

 Per MESP website this morning :

Only 50 slots left for Classic Race! General registration slots for the 2009 Nautica Malibu Triathlon Classic Distance on September 13th are almost sold out! There are only 50 slots remaining, register now if you want to race in the Classic!

Once the final slots are sold, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles charity slots will be available for $275, these spots are only available for individual racers and include a Nautica Deck Shirt and a $100 donation to CHLA!

The Saturday, September 12th Olympic Distance race is over half-full! Registration slots are available but are selling quickly! Visit www.nauticamalibutri.com to register today, don’t miss out on racing in Malibu in 2009!

Olympic is  already Half Full !!     Thats   2500 registrations in 48 hours  between the two races !! 

There are other  local  Olympics  if you want to wait closer before deciding :   Los Angeles ,  Carpinteria  

Classic Registration   was $132 all included .

And sadly, R.I.P. the best So Cal Oly deal ever, Camp Pendleton ''''''''   $70 plus no active fee