Qualifying for Kona

Thee is no "easier" one to qualify in ...... unless you went overseas to an unattended one (which other potential KQ people also do, so it's a crap shoot then).

Read the thread on KQ if you haven't ........

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=86847&posts=169&start=1

Can't compare times across courses.  Hard enough to compare the same course across years.  A 10:30 at Placid may get you close (probably not in), but as you noted won't cut it in FL.  But a 10:30 is much easier to get in FL than at LP. 

Some overseas races attract fewer top copmpetitors, but there are others willing to play that game too.  So as Rick noted, that's a crapshoot as well.

Odds are, if you're not close to qualifying in course X, you probably won't be much closer on course Y.  But some races may play to particular strengths/weaknesses.  For example, LP is probably the best cover for a weak swimmer/strong biker.

Daremo - 2007-08-22 1:16 PM Oh man!  Found one that the last 35-39 guy got a slot and went in the 15:XX range ..... holy crap!  I could walk the entire marathon while drinking a beer at every mile marker and do that!

OZ?

I saw that too.  But I think it's a mistake.

the easiest KQ race is the one that you are trained for and ready to execute 100%. You'll also need some luck of who is racing on your AG on that day... the truth is that there is no easy KQ in particular if you don't put the training, have the genes and want it more than the rest of your competition, plain and simple.

Why people get all sensitive and offended when they get a response to their question that they didn’t want to hear. IWO, there is no arrogance at all, just shooting it straight. Guys like Bryan or some of the other guys on their way to the big island will tell you it isn’t easy, but if you think there is an easier way to accomplish a KQ, you are more than welcome to run any statistical analysis you want. (some have tried as you can see on the links posted)

Just remember that to get a KQ is not really about your finishing time as much as whom you finish ahead of, because you all face the same challenges through the day and the athlete better prepared and willing to give it all will get it (yup corny but true).  Each year some race courses change, weather varies, competition changes, etc, but I am sure you shuould be able to come up with an IM in which it is easier to win a slot

BTW, about your comment: “At least complete a Ironman first before you tell me "the only easy Ironman is the one you trained for”, you should tell that to some of the best coaches in the tri-world who have NEVER done an IM yet their athletes are those winning/placing at the big races.

Jorge,

You beat me to it, but one does not have to KQ to know how to KQ.  That's like telling Craig Alexander 2 yrs ago that he doesn't know anything about KQing because he hasn't done an IM yet.  Or, telling him that now...because he hasn't done an IM yet (until Kona this year).

Fitrunner2,

Right now I, like you, am shopping for a good IM to KQ at.  It doesn't mean I'm not doing the work, but if I have a better chance to qualify by travelling, then since I have the means...I may do that.  I assume that is what you are referring to. 

99% of the people on here are not arrogant A-holes, but they are straight shooters.  I, personally, appreciate that.  Bryan got lucky because everyone else in his age group sucked this year   In short, I think it's smart to choose your race smartly.  It's part of the game of getting to Kona.  But please give everyone the respect they deserve and call them out if they are not doing the same.

Another consideration has to be your comfort in the race venue.  While I may need to go 10-20 minutes faster at Madison vs. Malaysia, I'm not sure the cost to get to the other side of the world would be worth it.  Travel, diet, creature comforts can all have an impact on performance.  This is especially true on a 9-10 hour race.  I think that beyond the topography and climate, these less tangable items must play a role.

bryancd had this advantage in Arizona; not dealing with airplanes, car rentals, other travelers, sleeping in his own bed on his normal time zone, eating exactly what he wanted, when he wanted during race week, having a physical and social support structure in place.   Also, he knew every crack and pothole on the bike course (of course he still got a flat ) and hill on the run.  IMO these all lead to better performance than if he had to put up with all the other crap 90% of the other Kona hopefuls have to deal with.

I felt I had an advantage at my 70.3 event where I lived, worked and trained minutes away from the race venue for the same reasons above.

Actually IMO that is completely different than asking what IM is easier. I think you are doing the smart thing in the sense that you could look into signing up for an IM who might suit your strengths a lot better. i.e. a strong-light cyclist/runner with a good power to weight ratio will have a better chance to use those strengths in a hilly course like LP, CDA and Lanzarote. A bigger stronger guy with a high FTP might benefit from a flatish race like. Some people race/adapt better in the heat while others have the best chances to succeed with crappy cold weather.

Choosing a race like that IMO makes a lot more sense than trying to shop for an 'easy' IM cuz you never know who will race next to you, in particular those IM races which sell within hours. How can you possible account for who is going to toe the line against you in your AG? But if you do the training and are confident enough that you can battle for the top places then your chance will be greater. In fact, knowing that you can throw down with the fast AGers will give you lot more control, cuz you’ll know that you are capable of going for it…

Before this thread unravels into a meltdown, Bryan, please note that he used the sarcasm font for the statement about you getting lucky. 

I think the original post was answered with numerous good, thoughtful responses/information, and calling people arrogant and saying they think their poop doesn't stink was way off base. 

Bryan put in the tme and effort and qualified in a tough fieeld at IMAZ, so he knows what he is talking about.  Jorge is a coach and knows his stuff, and is well-respected around here.

Not get out there and get your game on so you too can KQ.  (I'm not blessed with the genes or the willingness to torture myself into contention, for a Kona slot so I'm just happy with my IMCDA finish, even if it was just under the wire).

(But of course Dan didn't mean that as Craig did IM Australia earlier in the year as a prep. race and got 3rd overall .......

Rounding out the top three was Craig Alexander in his Ironman debut. Never having run a marathon before, Alexander stayed steady even though he ran most of the run alone and says he learned a lot. )