An invitation to the 2007 Irongirl Columbia (MD)

[divingbiker]

I just signed up for next year's Irongirl sprint triathlon in Columbia, MD, and would like to offer my home to anyone who'd like to do this event, which is on August 19. This year's triathlon was a great experience, very well run and an inspiring atmosphere.

http://www.tricolumbia.org/irongirl/info.html

I live about 35 minutes from the race site, and about 25 minutes from downtown DC, so if you've ever wanted to visit our nation's capital, feel free to camp at my house while you combine a vacation with the triathlon. I can handle all logistics (airport pickups, transport to race site, etc) and I have 4 extra beds (two twins, a double futon, and a double aerobed). Oh, and I have two dogs who might want to sleep with you so factor that in.

I hope I can look forward to meeting some of you!

Janice

[crazycanuck]

Hey,

That sounds rather exciting i say! (Yoda i speak like..:) )

I sure hope some of the ladies up North join you. I'd love to go back to DC just to visit the national archives & listen to the Nixon tapes...(didn't have time when i visted..)

Good luck in the event dear.

c

[roshelleuop]

I wish you weren't so far away! I did an Iron Girl event this year in Minnesota and absolutely loved it!!!

Have a blast!!! And anyone close enough, JUMP ON THE INVITATION!!!!

Roshelle from Milwaukee :D :D

[Velobambina]

My plan is to do it.

What was the swim like? I'm not into open water swimming---give me a chlorinated pool over lakes any day.

[divingbiker]

My plan is to do it.

What was the swim like? I'm not into open water swimming---give me a chlorinated pool over lakes any day.

It's nasty. See this post: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=9102

It was actually better on race day than it was in the practice session.

[Xrayted]

Hmmmm. Could I? I wonder... August, 2007 huh? I was thinking maybe I would tri in a few years but... Honestly, it's the run that holds me back. I've only gotten to the point where I can jog a little again, and that isn't too coordinated. Of course, I've never really pushed myself harder b/c of the bone pounding aspect. Maybe I'll consult a physical therapist first. It would be so cool tho. From: you'll never walk again - To: triathalete. (Even if I have to crawl across the line, which is probably what would happen. :eek: )

See what you ladies have started!!!

[HillSlugger]

Ever since I read Janice's posts about this I've been intrigued by the thought of doing it. After meeting her and taking about it, I knew I had to try. I've now received "permission" from DP, bought running shoes, and am looking into either a swim coach or swimming classes. I haven't registered yet, but I'm gonna do it! I'm so excited! :D

(I told my mom about this and she asked why I wanted to punish myself. My dad said "You are out of your mind!" At least I have Michele's support!)

[colby]

That's so awesome of you, Divingbiker. You rock! :D

(Too bad it's a little far from the 'other' Washington, or I'd be inclined to take you up! ;))

[Velobambina]

That's so awesome of you, Divingbiker. You rock! :D

(Too bad it's a little far from the 'other' Washington, or I'd be inclined to take you up! ;))

The Irongirl event aside, count your blessings that you do NOT live in the DC metro area! I've been here since 1987 and it's gotten more congested/crowded and less civil. Can't wait to retire and move West!!

[KSH]

WOW! That is so kind and wonderful of you to offer up your home like that!

I wish I didn't live so dang far away... and that I wasn't so broke!

Thanks for the very generous offer though!

[Xrayted]

divingbiker, just out of curiosity, do these slots usually fill pretty quick? Until I can go over my situation with my doc and a physical therapist, I just don't know if I should get my hopes up. I need another surgery this winter to fix some lingering misaligned stuff. :( I've already put it off way too long and after my last set of x-rays, he's not letting me off the hook. I don't know if that's gonna be enough time to recover to the point where I can jog again. I don't care about the lost entrance fee, it's just the fact that I may take a slot from someone who wants it and then not use it.

Any thoughts are appreciated. And, BTW, you are incredibly generous to offer lodging to a bunch of (almost) strangers. Thanks and you never know, I may just be able to take you up on it! :) Oh, and yeah, I happen to love dogs.

[divingbiker]

divingbiker, just out of curiosity, do these slots usually fill pretty quick? Until I can go over my situation with my doc and a physical therapist, I just don't know if I should get my hopes up. I need another surgery this winter to fix some lingering misaligned stuff. :( I've already put it off way too long and after my last set of x-rays, he's not letting me off the hook. I don't know if that's gonna be enough time to recover to the point where I can jog again. I don't care about the lost entrance fee, it's just the fact that I may take a slot from someone who wants it and then not use it.

Any thoughts are appreciated. And, BTW, you are incredibly generous to offer lodging to a bunch of (almost) strangers. Thanks and you never know, I may just be able to take you up on it! :) Oh, and yeah, I happen to love dogs.

They cut off registration when it reaches the race limit, which this year is 1600 participants. I imagine that it would be quite a while before they reach that limit. Last year I think the limit was 1500, but they actually let 1800 or so people register, and about 1200 or 1300 showed up on race day. So I wouldn't worry about taking someone else's slot...if they really want to do it they'll register early, right?

Hope you'll be able to do it!

[Offthegrid]

Ooh, I'll definitely think about it. I have three sprints picked out that I might do next year, but nothing in August yet (although I'm trying to convince my friend in Oregon to do one).

[ladyfish]

Diving biker--talk me into this tri. I really want to do a tri. Never done one. Only real race I've ever done was a 5k run. I'm really considering it. So talk me into it. Maybe we can even do some training together??/

[Kimmyt]

Ladyfish, it looks like you've already talked yourself into it!

:D

[divingbiker]

Diving biker--talk me into this tri. I really want to do a tri. Never done one. Only real race I've ever done was a 5k run. I'm really considering it. So talk me into it. Maybe we can even do some training together??/

Well, let's see...it's a LOT of fun. And if you can already run a 5K, which is the hardest part for me, you're a third of the way there. You must be a biker, since you're on TE, so that's covered. There were people who did the ride on mountain bikes, so pretty much anything goes there. Triathlons are not won or lost on the swimming leg, so whatever you can do in the water will be good enough. The atmosphere is infectious and supportive, and not at all intimidating. Training was the hardest part. The actual race was really fun, with announcers just like you see on TV.

As Kimmyt says, once you start thinking you want to do a tri, you've already made the decision. I'll be starting my training in January, so make it a new year's resolution and we can do it together. Where in VA are you?

[HillSlugger]

Diving biker--talk me into this tri. I really want to do a tri. Never done one. Only real race I've ever done was a 5k run. I'm really considering it. So talk me into it. Maybe we can even do some training together??/

I've only really been biking for one season but I read all about divingbiker doing this and I talked myself into it. If I can do it, so can you. The more the better!

[ladyfish]

I'm in Springfield, VA. So Northern VA. I guess I should start working on the swim. I can swim OK, just never practice, so I am very rusty, slow, and exhausted before I swim very far.

Goals are good! :eek:

[Velobambina]

Divingbiker -- I went ahead and registered. I've already been running and of course, I ride my bike every day. Now to start swimming, just like LadyFish. There's no easy access to a decent, uncrowded pool, unfortunately. I dread going to the local HS pool because I'm slow and my technique needs a lot of work. Maybe I'll bite the bullet, pay big bucks ($8 a session) and spend my lunch hour swimming at the the rec center that's close to my office.

[HillSlugger]

Divingbiker -- I went ahead and registered. I've already been running and of course, I ride my bike every day. Now to start swimming, just like LadyFish. There's no easy access to a decent, uncrowded pool, unfortunately. I dread going to the local HS pool because I'm slow and my technique needs a lot of work. Maybe I'll bite the bullet, pay big bucks ($8 a session) and spend my lunch hour swimming at the the rec center that's close to my office.
Have you looked into swimming with a Masters group? At my county rec pool I can swim with the Masters once a week for $80 for a 16 week session. You get swim time and coaching, a real bargain (unfortunately, I'm not yet good enough to swim with the Masters...)

Currently I'm paying $25 a session for private coaching.

[Velobambina]

Thanks for the tip. I'll check it out. I swam a bit last summer but that was at an outdoor pool. Truth be told, I'm tempted to find someone to do the swimming leg and I'll do the rest of it (relay). haha. I re-read Divingbiker's thread about the murky lake.... ick.

[ladyfish]

The murky lake doesn't bother me, but I'm with you about slow, poor techinque, etc. I will have to shell out the bucks for the Rec Center which is close by, or less money at a further pool on Ft. Belvoir.

Motivation, I need swimming motivation!!!