Muskoka 70.3

I did my first HIM at Barrelman last year and highly recommend it.  If training goes well and I can avoid injury this summer, I plan to race it again this year.

One year I'd like to try Muskoka 70.3, but really prefer flatter courses and so Barrelman was a good fit.

I am signed up, the start and finish are very close to downtown Huntsville, more spectator friendly. Bike course has had one very hard section removed due to road construction in the area, but the new course will still have enough hills. I like the new start and finish venue.

I'm in.  I've done the race a number of times and am looking forward to a slightly different bike course and very different run course. Bike is always a beast at this course and while different, it looks challenging as always (and just as long).

I am seriously tempted by Barrelman this year. I know the run has some grades to deal with but the idea of the majority of the ride being 1) Flat and 2) Likely wind assisted is tempting. Also the fact that I can drive to the race site in about 20 minutes.

I think the only limiting factors are 1) Getting in shape 2) My wife. We watched the documentary The Summit recently and she equates trying to go 70.3 with me announcing I am going up K2.

LOL! How to convince her? Has she been to your races before? Maybe go up to the Muskoka 70.3 to spectate/volunteer and she can see that all ages, body types - even many who do not appear to be super fit (but they can still kill it out there)  It's very inspiring.  That's what my DH always says about Ironman - when you go and see who's out there you know you can do it too. With the right training and determination.  Definitely not like going up a serious mountain like that! 

She did watch me at Wasaga Beach (olympic) last year. Not so many of the 'it takes all sorts' racing up there, I think put off by the lake swim and it being during school holidays. I don't think I helped things by ending that race looking in terrible pain :-) 

It is a tough conversations though. I started off with a try-a-tri in 2013 and she has seen me go to sprint, long-sprints and Olympic distance. All poodling along slowly. I think she knows that if I do a 70.3 then there is only 140.6 left after that. And I will find it hard to deny it is tempting. She is tolerant of my hobby while it stays in the category of "regular exercise that helps me stay heart healthy" and does not drift into the zone of "heart attack inducing 6 hour death marches in high humidity".

Tricky.

It is tricky. Best of luck!

It's easier because I met my DH at a Running Room marathon clinic so we each 'get it' but definitely on the tricky side for you ... and it is definitely a slippery slope. Been there! 

The Sister Madonna Buder Nike commercial comes to mind. If an 80-year old nun can do it ...