An invitation to the 2007 Irongirl Columbia (MD)

[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!

[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!

[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.