kaburns1214 Mentor Group 2011 Part 2 - CLOSED (Page 79)

The top 1% of AGers  in 2011 is MUCH faster than the top 1% in 2006, no doubt.  what I actually like about BQ standards (and honestly I think BQ standrds for women -- even the new ones-- are very reasonable) is that they're set.  You hit X time, you qualify.  What's tough about a KQ is that its doesn't matter what your time is, it only matters what everyone leses time is.

Well there's always the lottery. 

Seriously though one of the reasons I LOVE triathlon is that you can test yourself against the best.  You can't do that in a lot of other sports.  I race in the same race on the same course as the pros.  It's an apples to apple comparison.  Sure I can go play on St. Andrews Old Course, but still it's not the same conditions as the British Open.  Look I want to go to Kona, hell look at my blog name, and I'm pretty sure in a moment of clarity I'd admit it's a long shot but that's not going to keep me from busting my arse to try.  I don't know if you're just in a bad mental place right now or what but how long have you been at this?  You're young, too young to let what is/once was a dream go.  Especially since I'm pretty sure you haven't maxed out your potential.

That said I get it.  I too am glad to see the growth of the sport, but I see where it could be discouraging.  So take a step back, maybe train a little less in the future, and see if that passion to fight for every second is still there.  Sometimes a little time away rekindles a passion once thought dead.  Just my $.02

I guess you can't compare the two then.   Would having set qualifying times work for triathlon?  I'm only asking because I'm clueless!!!

This can be said about almost every sport though.  Athletes, even amateur ones, are bigger, stronger and faster on the whole than 5 years ago.  With the proliferation of knowledge on nutrition, training methods, and yes doping, it will continue to trend this way.

Its not that its discouraging, its that its not practical as a short term (1 to 2 year) goal.  For me, a goal is something you can build a plan to and be able to execute.  I can't be top 1% within the next 18 months, top 5%, yes, top 1 %, no. 

It doesn't mean its a never, it just means that its not the focus in the near term.

Probably not.  Kona is pretty much capped at 1800 people because of space constraints.  If you had times for qaulifications you could very well go over that cap (think about what Boston had to do recently because of the number of qualifiers).

While I would love to go it would only ever by by lottery . . . and I still couldn't see myself training that much on the bike!!!

Having read your blog though I wouldn't count it out.  I don't blame you for being a bit discouraged, but if this is all happening right now and Kona is not expanding the number of slots (boooooooooo), then maybe you should focus all your efforts and give 110% on IMFL.  You said yourself it isn't possible for you to do it in Lake Placid and you are an outstanding biker and a very good at the swim and run.  Put all your efforts into the race you feel you have the absolute BEST chance at qualifying.  Use Lake Placid as a training day and if the run is not happening, don't even both trying it so you stay injury free.  

Just my 2 cents . . . and since I am giving it, maybe they should get rid of lottery slots and make it what it says it is, A CHAMPIONSHIP THAT PEOPLE QUALIFY FOR.  No lottery, no charities, just athletes competing.

I am actually amazed you are a lawyer, you should be in finance . . . great analysis!!!

Yeah.  WTC events are a little on the expensive side if it's not in the cards short term.  My goal is by age 40.  I think I can manage that.  BTW I think you'll kill the IMTX course.  Just sayin. 

On a side note I wish there would be more indie half and full races.  We have a local HIM around here that is $150 for entry.  That's much more palatable than the $250 for WTC HIMs.  I'd love to do locally produced events until I know I'm ready to put up a truly competitive effort.

I am wondering would I look like a total idiot if I went to OWS and aqua jogged around the lake???  It would be nice to be outside than at a pool and also be around everyone, but I am sure no one has ever done that and I am sure the lifeguards would be constandly freaked by the person with their head in the air 100% of the time.  Water is 80 degrees, too warm for a wetsuit (which I need for my hip flexor)

Plus, I would be super stinky after, that lake is awful!

As someone who will never qualify for Kona, I never took the time to understand how all the slots are allocated.  Thank you Kelly for sharing, I found your post very interesting.  I knew it had something to do with how many people were racing and the % in each age group, but had no idea that as new IM's are added each year it took away from the slots at each race.  It makes perfect sense, Kona has only so many total slots.

For someone who is planning to qualify (and is pretty darn close) I can see how it would be discouraging to look at the stats.

With that said, I don't think anyone who has a goal and a dream to get to Kona, should ever give up on that.  Give it everything you've got, you never know what will happen to others on race day.  Look at Chrissie Wellington last year.

Do people ever give up a spot for Kona?

You may have won the gene pool lottery, but you still work hard.  There are no "easy" ways to Kona (unless you compete on the Biggest Loser).

I admire all IM'ers, especially the ones who can or are willing to try to KQ. I personally will never attempt an IM, i have absolutely zero interest in doing one.  At one point i had thought about trying to get Kona lottery slot, that was short lived, but i still watch all the races they show on TV, quite motivating and inspirational.

It takes a certain dedication and level of sacrifice to race that distance or hell, even complete it, i do not have that in me.

Oh, and GOOD MORNIING EVERYONE!!!!  I slept in till 6am this morning, had a race last night, did ok, nothing exceptional to report. Happy Thursday!!!

Awesome! 

Did some intervals on the trainer early this morning and then I'm hitting the pool later....

Looking forward to the long weekend!

Cindy says it takes "A whole hell of a lot of crazy." to even attempt it.  Which she is always quick to point out I have an ample supply of. 

Little over an hour on the bike and 30 in the pool down this morning.  Will get in a quick jog later and my long run is tomorrow. 

Taking my youngests' pacifiers away this weekend and sending them to "The Binky Fairy".  She doesn't use them except to sleep as of now, so this weekend will be interesting to say the least.