Lance swim 49 for 2.4 miles.. (Page 4)

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Carfree and Diebens both did their first IM distance race at Kona ('09 and '10 respectively).  So I would guess you can qualify using a 70.3.  But that's brings me to a question I've always wondered about.  There is usually a full field of pro men at kona (100 of them), but never 100 women.  Do they limit the pro women field smaller than the men, or do they accept any pro woman that wants to race Kona and it just never fills up?

/HIJACK OFF

Well, of course, that's what they're all saying over at beginnerdodgeballplayer.com.

I have no idea how he would do, how he would get in, etc...  I am a little skeptical that the level of attention he'd bring to the race would be as huge as some people seem to think.  Most of the people I work with haven't got a clue about cycling, and he's been 'bringing huge attention' to it for years.  They know that the TdF is a race, that he's won it 'many' times, and they have some vague idea that it takes place over the course of more than one day.  I think they'd be hard pressed to offer much more than that about the TdF, or any other aspect of professional cycling (for example, the name of any other race, or rider).

Still, I agree it would be fun to watch.

That's true in the U.S., and that's why LeMond and then Lance even put cycling on the map in the U.S. at all.

Totally different when you're hobnobbing amongst Europeans and strongly European-influenced places. And while the biggest tri boom is in the States, many places in the rest of the world are experiencing a significant surge as well.

If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball!

Qualifying for Kona has changed for the Pros: http://ironmanpromembership.com/kpr/

If Armstrong wants to race he will be there. I must admit that I am suprised with his swim time. From what I have read on the internet it seems like he is taking training seriously. I believe he also ran a half marathon in TX last month in 1:20. Doing these events leads me to believe he will soon jump in a race to test himself, maybe June 26th at Buffalo Springs 70.3.  I might have to eat some crow myself not thinking he would be able to break the top 10 at Kona. He runs a 3 hour marathon in Kona he is going to be very tough to catch before that finish line if at all.

Unless it's this year in which case Macca won't be there.

and neither will Lance according to his twitter.

"lancearmstrong Lance Armstrong
@ChicagoTriClub no Kona for me. Unless hangin out, riding bikes, and swimming w/ whales over the holidays count.
"

Hot off Twitter..

Lance Armstrong confirms Kona is out for 2011: http://ow.ly/4vlhTHey @JuanPelota, will we see you at another triathlon this year?

Yup, the ways the pros have to qualify would make it really really hard.  But that doesn't mean he can't do 2012!  He's training now...or appears to be.  So he could have some international IM planned for the winter to start his qualifying points...

Eh...I'm skeptical.  It's important to keep the hype going.  This could turn around....it's only April.

Sorry to jump in this so late, but here is my take:

As mentioned earlier, the qualifying for Kona has changed this year.  The top 50 male pros get in based on point standings.  Each pro must complete one iron distance race to qualify also.  Lance has a pro card.  Obstacle #1 cleared.  So, now, if he wants to race Kona this year, he has to be in the top 50 in points.  The way the points are allocated this year, the winner at IM Texas in May gets 4000 points.  If you look at all the other races, 1000 or 2000 points are basically what the winner gets.  IM 70.3 races are generally worth a lot less than the full distance races. The winner of IM Texas is virtually guaranteed to be in the top 50 in points without even doing another race.  I say, keep a close eye on the pro field at IM Texas.  With that many points on the line, it should be a very deep pro field.......and may include LA.

Also, as far as starting with the age groupers at Kona, they now start 30 minutes behind the pros, if I am correct.  That has changed within the last couple of years.

Would y'all rather see Lance race as a pro or AGer?  What are the pros/cons? 

I'd like to see him race as a pro only becuase I don't think it'd be fair to the AGers to have a professional cyclist in the AG field.  OTOH, I don't think he will be a contender in the pro field...not sure why I think that.  Maybe because I think the pros have been training all 3 disciplines for years.

~Mike

Same for me - unless of course he were to somehow qualify as a Pro but that seems highly unlikely...

Why is that unfair to the pros?  As long as the increase the field and don't take away a qualified slot.  Do you mean it's unfair to the pros who did not qualify for Kona?  I can see that....but he is a celebrity and with that comes PR for the sport.

Like a 2:46 stand alone marathon?

I think people are saying something more like under 2:40. 2:46 is good amazing but not even close to some Kona run splits in a race.