How do you decide on distance?

I need to send in the entry for my first tri (du, really.. I don't have a wetsuit and the water temp will be a bit low) and I'm on the fence regarding which distance to do.

The Sprint is a 5k run, 20k bike, 5k run. I know I could do this, easily. Most of my runs are 4-6 miles (2-3 times a week), I ride 70-100 miles a week, and there is no question in my mind that I could complete the Sprint even in compression shorts without a chamois. I did a brick today of 13 mi bike, 5 mi run, and had plenty of juice left at the end, though I had a blister between two toes. :(

The Olympic is a 5k run, 40k bike, 10k run. Because I haven't run more than 8 miles in one day, that's where I feel this distance is a little more questionable. I have no doubt that the first run and bike would be rather easy, but I question my staying power for the 10k run at the end.

I suppose the question is whether I want to just FINISH my first duathlon or potentially PLACE in my first duathlon - since it is my first, I am a little more inclined to go for the Sprint distance (and I would undoubtedly be doing the sprint were I doing the swim.. I am NOT ready for a 1500m open water swim yet), but I also don't want to sell myself short. Why not compete for almost 3 hours instead of less than two? If all I REALLY need to do is finish and get a time to beat next time (yeah!), why not do the Olympic?

I need someone to push me to enter one of the two, and I'm asking you ladies for some help. :) My boyfriend is frustratingly neutral on the matter ("do the olympic if you want to") rather than objectively telling me whether he thinks I am capable of it. Since he's my training partner, he'd really be the best person to tell me either way.. but he staunchly refuses to say anything. :P

Note: My next chance to do an Olympic distance would be Aug 1, then possibly Aug 22, and my goal for the year is SavageMan on Sept 20 at the Olympic distance. I kind of want to find out if I can do the bike/run leg this early in the year, so I can then focus on swimming (ugh) until the next Oly in August.

As someone who likes to make things as difficult as possible - I say go for the longer distance.

Veronica

I agree, go long.

I'm with V and RNR- go long!!

10k is 6.2 miles. 5k is 3.1. The total is barely over your max. You sound decently fit. I have no doubt you could do that distance. The women who replied before me are most wise.

Thank you, ladies! I'm registering for the Olympic. :)

Now to figure out my "things I need to take with me" list.. and practice changing tubes just in case!

SO jealous! I did my first du (5k - 30k - 5k) 3 weeks ago and it was the most fun I have ever had during a race (even though it was cold and monsoon-like)...I would do 1 every month if I could.

I agree - go longer.

When I first started doing triathlon, I lived in Japan. There were no sprint triathlons there (at least none that I was aware of ). Olympics were the shortest, so that's where I set my expectations.

Now sprints are everywhere here, but that doesn't mean that needs to be everyone's first event. Sounds to me like you're plenty fit to do the longer event.

Good luck!

Susan