Colorado Tri's?

[cherinyc]

hey ladies - I was wondering if anyone could suggest a good "intro" triathlon to set my sights on in the Colorado (Denver) area for 2007.
I have to start training for it of course, but it would help motivate me if I had one in mind. I also have to find a pool to swim in, but that's another issue.

I will be in Denver beginning in December, and I am sure I can find stuff out then, but...any info to get me started would be greatly appreciated.
BTW, I should probaby point out - due to 3 knee operations (2 on left, 1 on right) running is not the easiest for me, but I think I can handle a bit of it.

Thanks

[Tri Girl]

Hey Cheri, I don't live in Colorado so can't give you any specific info, but www.trifind.com is a great site to search triathlons (also you can go to www.usatriathlon.com- click on calendar at the top to get a list of events).

Are you moving to Colorado, or just there on an extended stay for business?

You're going to love triathlons...they're highly addictive! And to think of the awesome scenery in Colorado...ahhhhh...I'm dreaming right now.

[cherinyc]

Tri girl - I am moving there, to Denver, and actually it was your inspiring story that has made me decide to go after a tri. So thanks!
Speaking of which....where did you start? training wise? did you get a book? get a coach? did you know someone already who helped you?
I think I will be on my own, atleast until I find some help (could be a while - I will be a complete Colorado newbie).

[Bikingmomof3]

Colorado is beautiful and you will not have difficulty finding outdoor enthusiasts to work with. The weather is wonderful to be out in year round, IMO. It is beautiful country. Since you will be in Denver, check out Wyoming. It is not too far of a drive, the altitude is higher, but not bad. The Snowy Mountains and Vedauwoo are worth the trip. Oh, make certain you check out WYDOT before heading to Wyoming. They roads close a lot-I lived in Wy-o-wy-Wyoming for 6 years.

[KSH]

Good luck with your training! You will do great after training through the winter months.

Might I suggest you check out www.beginnertriathlete.com? If you sign up, you can log all of your training there. It's so cool to look back and see what you have accomplished!

You can also search the Race Reports, for tri's in CO and see what people had to say about the race... and then possibly narrow down your first one from there.

But of course... don't leave us here at TE! We are a much smaller group of tri ladies... so it's more personable.

[Tri Girl]

Tri girl - I am moving there, to Denver, and actually it was your inspiring story that has made me decide to go after a tri. So thanks!
Speaking of which....where did you start? training wise? did you get a book? get a coach? did you know someone already who helped you?
I think I will be on my own, atleast until I find some help (could be a while - I will be a complete Colorado newbie).

Awwww, thanks! And it was RM who inspired me, so I guess we're just one big circle of inspiration for each other. Next year you'll be the inspiration for someone else and the circle will continue....

Seriously, Denver is an amazing place to be. My bro lives in Co. Springs and we visit there every summer for a week or so. I LOVE Colorado, and would move there in a heartbeat if I didn't hate snow and winter (which is usually a drawback when you want to live in the mtns, eh?).
Really, I started tri training on my own. For the first couple months I would swim, bike and run at least 2-3 times for each sport during the week. Then I found www.trifuel.com and used their training programs. They have programs for every distance and I really like the way they're designed/set up. I also like the site KSH listed, and also www.trinewbies.com. The internet is my savior- so much good stuff out there- and for free (my favorite kind of advice). I also joined our local triathlon club and not only made lots of new friends, but got a whole club of personal advice consultants/trainers.

Wow- have a great move out there and let us know when you arrive. I'm probably far more excited about your move than I should be. I'm living vicariously through you! Now, you'll just have to change your name to cheridenver.

[cherinyc]

Now, you'll just have to change your name to cheridenver.

thanks guys for all the website advice - I too could barely function without the free internet advice I use. Once I get to Denver, I plan on looking for a local tri club as well. Kill 2 birds....make friends, train for tri, keep in shape....ok that's 3 birds.

hmmmm never thought about the name change thing....maybe you're right? though cheridenver is a mouthful. Maybe cherico (sounds fancy )

[Tri Girl]

Maybe cherico (sounds fancy )

LOVE IT!

Really, don't change your name- we like you just the way you are!

[HappyAnika]

Hey there! Its funny you just posted this, and today is my first day snooping around on the triathlon board. One of my New Year's resolutions for this year was to run a 5K. (DH says it doesn't count as a resolution since its a goal, but whatever). So I had my sights on one in June, but my knees were not happy and I ended up not doing it. I had ACL surgery 7 years ago and a scope 6 years ago. It acts up every so often. . . I felt like a schmuck since I'd told everyone I was going to do the 5K, then didn't. By that time I was in love with cycling and I really questioned why I wanted to run the 5K. The reason is simple, peer pressure. All of our friends get more and more into races every year, it started with 5Ks, now most of them are doing half marathons, along with triathlons and duathlons. DH has done a handful of 5Ks and ran the Bolder Boulder (10K) for the first time this May.

The Longmont Triathlon takes place the first weekend in June. This year I was the official photographer for DH and the 3 friends who participated in the event. As I watched it go down, I kept thinking, I bet I could actually do this. (At this point I was still debating on that 5K). So that 5K came and went, but I still wanted to do the triathlon next year. Ok, so maybe I could get through 5K, but what about swimming? I've never mastered that whole get-in-the-water-without-water-going-up-your-nose thing. So DH and I went to the pool and he helped me practice, and within 20 minutes I was swimming laps, real laps! So I bet you can see where this is going, I'm shooting for the 2007 Longmont Tri. Its a 500 (ish?) yard swim (10 laps), 16 mile bike, and 5K run. Its popular with tri newbies, as well as a good kick off to the season for experienced athletes. I think its totally do-able for me. So now I'm signed up for my first 5K, its in two weeks, the Eerie Erie (So called because its always close to Halloween in the town of Erie, and its a play on the Bolder Boulder). All I want to do is finish without walking. Because of my knees, I really have to limit my running, and I try to run on dirt. However all the cycling this summer has put me in much better shape aerobically, so its easier to keep up running fitness by only running 2 or 3 times a month. So wish me luck on my 5K next weekend, and if nothing else, I hope to see you at the Longmont Tri in June!

[Tri Girl]

Good luck, HappyAnika! Maybe you and Cheri can get some training time in during the spring. The Longmont Tri sounds like fun!!! If you do this tri- you'll have accomplished two things in one- doing your first tri and completing your 5K! Best of luck to ya!

[HappyAnika]

Thanks Tri Girl!

I realize now I got off topic talking about my own aspirations for doing a triathlon, I wanted to add some info to Cheri's original question. There is a series of 3 triathlons that take place in Boulder, one each in June, July, and August. Check out http://www.5430sports.com/index2.htm for the details. They get progressively longer and harder. These have a swim in the Boulder reservoir (aka the Rez) instead of a pool, if that makes a difference, and the bike courses has some serious elevation. That web site also has a link to a triathlon in Steamboat Springs in August. There's another triathlon in Louisville, between Boulder and Denver toward the end of August, the Louisville Legacy Triathlon/Duathlon which has a 4.5 mile run. I have friends at work that have done all of these events. I just found this web site which lists all the events that took place this year (I didn't know there were so many! Geez!) http://www.coloradotriathlete.com/Calendar.htm . Right now it only lists 2006 events, but most of these are annual so you can get an idea of what to expect in 2007. And I guess the Longmont Tri is actually called the Twin Peaks Tri (everyone around here just calls is the Longmont Tri). Anyway, I hope this helps. I understand what you mean about wanting a specific event in mind to motivate your training. Good luck!

[cherinyc]

I heard that with the shorter length Tri's they end up being more sprinty. That worries me. Not that I plan on winning anything, but to come in dead last would suck.
Is this true?

Also - my BF has me worried about the swimming portions being in any reservoirs - he says they're nasty. Can't be too bad, can it?

[Tri Girl]

As for shorter distances, yes they're sprinty- but I'm on the slow end, and I've yet to come in dead last. Plus, most of the races I've done the last place person gets more cheers than the first place people. Chances are pretty slim that you'll be the last one. Odds are more in your favor that there will be plenty of other people there that are slower than you.

And as far as resevoir swimming, I prefer open water to pool swims. I don't like the "one at a time" format (because usually I'm near the end, and by the time I start my swim, the first people in the pool are almost done with the whole race-depressing) and also because part of the fun for me is everybody starting at the same time and the dynamics of everyone doing it together. And sure, lakes/resevoirs are dirty and grimy- but who cares. I only accidentally drink "some" of the water, and it's probably better that I can't see to the bottom (too many creatures/things floating about). It's a semi-rare instance that anyone catches a nasty bacteria (girardia), so just try not to swallow the water and you'll be fine.

[HappyAnika]

I wouldn't think of the Longmot Tri as being sprinty, at least not the portion that I saw. Your wave is determined by your estimated swim time. I'm not sure I understand this logic, but they start the slower people first. The elite people were just finishing their swims as DH and friends were finishing the entire race. So whoever came in last in terms of time was not the last to cross the finish line. This race attracted all sorts. The top finishers were averaging 26 - 28 mph on their Tri bikes. At the same time I saw people riding mountain bikes, and beat up rusted out old cruisers. I saw several competitors that were obese, people I wouldn't expect to see in a triathlon. I think you'd really have to be trying to come in last. I think the elite triathletes might have treated it as a sprint, but not the average recreational people like DH and friends.

Friends I've talked to that have a fear of open water fear it more from a potential drowning hazard rather than an icky water thing. The worst I've heard is a fish touching someone's foot. The Boulder res is open for swimming in the summer, its quite popular. I've never heard of it being a health hazard.