How *stupid* would this be?

[KSH]

Ok, I am signed up for a sprint 9-17-06. And now I'm contemplating switching it to the Olympic distance.

Why?

1) A sprint swim is not a challenge for me.
2) A sprint bike is not a challenge for me.
3) I can walk a 5K easy.
4) A sprint goes by just too darn quick!


But... I probably shouldn't do the Olympic distance because:

1) I can't run. I might get a whole mile of running throughout the entire 10K.
2) I haven't done bricks. But I figure is a bike to walk brick THAT hard?
3) I haven't been walking/running for than 3 miles at a time, and I pay for it many days later.


So, I am completely stupid for wanting to switch the to Olympic distance eve though I know I will be walking 90% of the run? And I haven't been training for it... per say... although I know I can make the swim and bike distances easily.

[Running Mommy]

Hmm... Well, I'd say ity depends on how fast you can walk. The run distance betwwen the two events is double. So you'd be going from 3.1 miles to 6.2 and that can make for a miserable time if you are forced to walk the entire thing. At least I would think?? But then again if you could race walk it then I say no problem.

[KSH]

Hmm... Well, I'd say ity depends on how fast you can walk. The run distance betwwen the two events is double. So you'd be going from 3.1 miles to 6.2 and that can make for a miserable time if you are forced to walk the entire thing. At least I would think?? But then again if you could race walk it then I say no problem.

Well, I can walk a 15-minute mile, for the most part. I'm a pretty fast walker. My boyfriend has to do a jog/shuffle beside me to keep up with my walking.

So, that would put me out there for 1 hour and 30 minutes. If I get some running in there, that time can drop.

I am sure others will be walking most of the run too... expect they probably won't be out of the water or off the bike as quickly as I will.

HHhhhuuummm.... I should probably stick with the sprint... but dang... it's so quick.

[Running Mommy]

Well if you think you can do it in 1.5 hours or less I would say go for it. Now it it was going to be a 2 hour affair... That would be another story.
But I certainly understand how a sprint feels too short. You barely get in a groove on the bike and it's time to run! ;)

[Lise]

Aw, heck, I say go for it. If it's your only tri this season, enjoy the swim and bike to the max. Walk as fast as you can, and don't worry about that split time.

[Tri Girl]

I agree with Lise. To heck with any pains/aches you may have in a few days. I'd go for the oly. I, too, feel that sprints are just too short. I like to get my event's worth in gatorade and time on the course. :D
Do the oly.

[divingbiker]

OK, I've been pondering this for a few hours now. And I agree, go for it! Unless the 6 mile run/walk is going to do so much damage that it will take a long time to recover and will keep you from doing other things you want to do.

And speaking of *stupid*: damn you, KSH, you've got me contemplating signing up for an Olympic tri on September 16! It's the first "Nation's Triathlon" held in DC. Swim in the Potomac River, bike around the monuments on the mall and up into Rock Creek Park, and run along the mall/monuments. It would be gorgeous, and FLAT! There's no way I can run 6 miles, but what the heck, I can walk fast.

There's a time limit--the course closes at 12:30, and my wave would start at 7:45 am. So that would give me 4:45 to do the whole thing, which certainly seems doable. Hmmm...must ponder some more.

See what you've started now?

[colby]

And speaking of *stupid*: damn you, KSH, you've got me contemplating signing up for an Olympic tri on September 16! It's the first "Nation's Triathlon" held in DC. Swim in the Potomac River, bike around the monuments on the mall and up into Rock Creek Park, and run along the mall/monuments. It would be gorgeous, and FLAT! There's no way I can run 6 miles, but what the heck, I can walk fast.

Wow, that sounds awesome!

(Not to encourage you or anything ;))

PS: KSH, I think you should go for it, as long as you're sure you can tolerate the distance. The bike and swim should be no problem for you!

[Lise]

It's the first "Nation's Triathlon" held in DC. Swim in the Potomac River, bike around the monuments on the mall and up into Rock Creek Park, and run along the mall/monuments. It would be gorgeous, and FLAT! There's no way I can run 6 miles, but what the heck, I can walk fast.

that sounds so cool! I love DC. If this tri keeps going, maybe I'll do it one year! My brother lives there, and I'll be in town for his wedding the weekend of 10/14. Sorry I couldn't be there to cheer for you a month earlier.

You could definitely do it in under 4:45. Even my slowest tri, with actually turning back on the bike to go find a friend who was much slower than I, and walking the entire "run" was faster than 4:45.

Go for it!

[KSH]

Aw, heck, I say go for it. If it's your only tri this season, enjoy the swim and bike to the max. Walk as fast as you can, and don't worry about that split time.

That is truly something to think about.

I walked 3 miles last night in 43 minutes... averaged a 13 minute mile. Not too bad.


I agree with Lise. To heck with any pains/aches you may have in a few days. I'd go for the oly. I, too, feel that sprints are just too short. I like to get my event's worth in gatorade and time on the course.
Do the oly.


Gosh, you are really convincing me! Are you in sales? It sounds better... and better!


OK, I've been pondering this for a few hours now. And I agree, go for it! Unless the 6 mile run/walk is going to do so much damage that it will take a long time to recover and will keep you from doing other things you want to do.

And speaking of *stupid*: damn you, KSH, you've got me contemplating signing up for an Olympic tri on September 16! It's the first "Nation's Triathlon" held in DC. Swim in the Potomac River, bike around the monuments on the mall and up into Rock Creek Park, and run along the mall/monuments. It would be gorgeous, and FLAT! There's no way I can run 6 miles, but what the heck, I can walk fast.

There's a time limit--the course closes at 12:30, and my wave would start at 7:45 am. So that would give me 4:45 to do the whole thing, which certainly seems doable. Hmmm...must ponder some more.

See what you've started now?

Thanks for thinking about it as much as you did. I really appreciate it!

I am not sure if the 6 miles of walking will do any damage. And at this point, I think any damnage I do is not permanent. It's just painful to run... everytime my foot hits the ground, I feel it in these tiny muscles on the insides of my legs, by the ankles. Very odd stuff.

I did hear all about that Olympic tri you are talking about... and the course sounds REALLY AWESOME! Although the cost of it, sounded painful!

Why not go for it? Just get out there and enjoy the race... the scenery... and try your best to finish by the cut off.


PS: KSH, I think you should go for it, as long as you're sure you can tolerate the distance. The bike and swim should be no problem for you!

I have to say, even though I walked 3 miles in under 45 minutes... it was BORING! I am not sure if I want to be out there WALKING for 1.5 hours, as I might fall asleep on myself... HA!

So, even though I like the idea of the longer swim and bike ride... I am dreading the idea of walking for that long... and I would want to be able to train for walking 6 miles... and I don't know if I have time to do that.

Hhhhuuummm... even though you ladies are so wonderful and encouraging... I think I convinced myself to stick with the sprint. I will think on it some more though.

Thanks for all the responses.

[colby]

I walked a 12k with my dad a couple of years ago (this year I jogged/ran), and it was great... but we were amidst 20,000 other people, half of whom were also walking (and anyone jogging was in front of us anyway). I guess we jogged a little, but not much.

Without someone there you can talk to and pair with and any sense of atmosphere... I'd go nuts walking that far, too.

I guess it comes down to: would the need to walk for that long (with maybe a little jogging if you can muster it) be an acceptable price to pay for the benefit of getting to swim and ride longer?

Tough choice.

[Lise]

Here's another thought: Many tris have the "relay" option. Do you have a friend who would do the run if you did the swim and bike?
.......................
DANG, that "Nation's Triathlon" is expensive! $175 for an Oly distance. I hope that's one heckuva swag bag. Perhaps the price will drop in future years...? right... I'd love to do that venue, but not for $175.

[divingbiker]

DANG, that "Nation's Triathlon" is expensive! $175 for an Oly distance.

Yeah, it is pricey, and that's part of the reason why I think I've decided not to do it. That, and the Potomac's water quality is iffy, so they might substitute a 3K run for the swim, which would just ruin it for me. Two runs in one day--aaack! And if they do the swim, I'm not sure any of my 3 wetsuits is loose enough in the shoulders to swim in (don't move the arms and shoulders much while scuba diving). And I'd kind of like to get my life back and not feel compelled to either run or swim every day after commuting on my bike to work and back. So I'm wimping out and calling it quits for triathlons for 2006, with a grand total of one under my belt.

[KSH]

Yeah, it is pricey, and that's part of the reason why I think I've decided not to do it. That, and the Potomac's water quality is iffy, so they might substitute a 3K run for the swim, which would just ruin it for me. Two runs in one day--aaack! And if they do the swim, I'm not sure any of my 3 wetsuits is loose enough in the shoulders to swim in (don't move the arms and shoulders much while scuba diving). And I'd kind of like to get my life back and not feel compelled to either run or swim every day after commuting on my bike to work and back. So I'm wimping out and calling it quits for triathlons for 2006, with a grand total of one under my belt.


The price is hefty! We pay that much for a Half Ironman around here (Tx). I was going to do a aquathon (swim/bike portions only of a HIM)... but I couldn't stomach the $175 (full price!)... which seemed a bit unfair since I wouldn't be running.

And, that would REALLY SUCK if you paid $175 and they turned it into a duathlon at the last moment.

Hey, this season is over... and that's good. Now you can focus on other things... until next season! That's what I love about this sport... the OFF SEASON!!!

[Lise]

So I'm wimping out and calling it quits for triathlons for 2006, with a grand total of one under my belt.
How many tris were you planning to do at the beginning of the season? If the answer is "none", or "one", then you've accomplished your goals! I hardly call it wimping out. You've learned something new about yourself, triathlon, and the season. Now you get to learn more, train more, and see what you want to do with it next season. :)