Turtleman vs. St. Paul

I've raced both in the past though I did the sprint at St. Paul which is essentially the one loop version of the Oly. Thoughts:

• The swim at both locations can be pretty nasty. Lotsa weeds. Last year at Turtleman was especially bad due to low water levels. I've done Turtle the last two years and both years wore a wetsuit (I think?). But since you're such a speedy swimmer, you'll have less time to think about it!
• Turtleman is extraordinarily well organized. St. Paul is almost guaranteed to not be. Its a Randy Fulton race and none of his are. Just know that going into it...
• And here I thought that the run was a full 10K at Turtleman! Now I feel like I really ran slow. Still, what's the difference? So the bike is 3 miles shorter and the run .2 miles shorter than an Oly. 1.5k/34k/9.65k is just as arbitrary as any.
• There's a park at both locations but, to your point, the 'fam could see you more often during the race at St. Paul.
• You were in college in 1989?!?! Man, you're OLD!!!

Nice racing last weekend! Congrats on your first Oly.

Cheers!

Tom

I think everyone else has largely covered the main points but I'll chime in here anyway. I also did the oly at St. Paul last year, so I can comment on that one. As mentioned a couple times here and in other threads, any race put on by Vacation Sports is going to be less organized and much more laid back than most other tris. That's just the type of race Randy Fulton puts on, as far as I can tell. (I've raced two and volunteered at one other.) I think it's fine if you know that going in, but is a bit of a shock for those who don't. None of the three I've experienced started on time, and I know the swim course was short last year in St. Paul due to a buoy floating away.

I actually am not a fan of the two loop format because for me it's mentally very hard to have to bike/run past the finish area and head out for another lap, but that's just me. If you want your family to be able to cheer you on, then the two loop format is definitely better.

I don't recall there being a park near the beach at Phalen but I wasn't really looking for one, so I may have missed it.

I am doing St. Paul again this year, so perhaps I'll see you there!

I finished my undergrad in 1983...I must be reeeeeeally OLD!!

Anyone as fast as Birkie has forfeits the right to note his incredibly advanced age.

Don't know about St. Paul, haven't done it.  It's the 25th Anniversary for Turtleman this year, sort of special.  Have done it many time and it's on my schedule this year.  Unfortunately it's the weekend after my Steelhead 70.3 race but I still signed up because I enjoy doing the race.  I like the course.

I can't remember if there are swings or things around there for the kids, i never really pay attention to that. 

 
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