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Doing races other than triathlons
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I dont compete in other races besides triathlons.8 Votes - [2.47%]
I also compete at running races208 Votes - [64.2%]
I also compete at bike races68 Votes - [20.99%]
I also compete at swimming races40 Votes - [12.35%]
This is a multiple choice poll.

2011-04-16 7:38 AM
in reply to: #3448310

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Bronze member
Subject: RE: Doing races other than triathlons

There are tons of running races around me almost every weekend. I don't even know where I would go for a bike race. The closest time trails I know of are 1 hour away. We have no organized Master's swim team in my area although I don't think I would participate anyway. I have the impression that swim meets are all day long - maybe I'm wrong tough.

So, in my case it is what is easily accessible. Running events and triathlons.



2011-04-16 8:58 AM
in reply to: #3448310

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Master
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University Park, MD
Subject: RE: Doing races other than triathlons
The divide between broad participation running races and more elite-focused bike races is perhaps more US specific. In the US most larger bike events are centuries and charity rides that are untimed and explicitly non-competitive -- start whenever you like, take 20 minutes for a rest stop, etc. On the other hand, in Europe the scene is more dominated by sportive/gran fondo type events, which are timed, often have gold/silver/bronze award categories, mass starts, etc. I have done a few of the US and European events, and they have a very different 'feel'. I'd say that the European style events, which are starting to pop up in a few places in the US, deserve to be classified as races just as much as running the local 10k or half mary does.
2011-04-16 10:08 AM
in reply to: #3448310

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Extreme Veteran
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Puyallup, WA
Subject: RE: Doing races other than triathlons
Two 1/2 marathons and two offroad duathlons. It keeps me in shape and gives me something to work towards during the year
2011-04-16 1:27 PM
in reply to: #3448310

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Chicago
Subject: RE: Doing races other than triathlons
I'm a runner that also does triathlons.  I probably do 3 tri's a year and 15 running races.  I do 2-3 swim races also but those are hard to find.  I'd do a lot more swimming races if I could find them.
2011-04-17 2:08 AM
in reply to: #3448310

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Auckland, NZ
Subject: RE: Doing races other than triathlons

I do a reasonable number of running races, I guess because somehow running has become my favourite part of triathlons (and I really hated running coming into this sport). So far for my first season (which is just coming to the end in the Southern Hemisphere) it's been a number of different races from 5-33k, and I've signed up for a marathon in October.

I've also competed in a number of OWS races, because there is an excellent series held over the summer which offers a 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000m every Thursday evening. For me though, this was really a training tool to improve my OWS confidence, whereas running races are something I consider to be a proper race and more of a big deal.

It's interesting that going into this season the biking was my favourite part, but I don't have a particularly strong desire to do any bike races (although I suspect I will still do some perhaps next season)

2011-04-17 6:07 AM
in reply to: #3448310

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Roanoke, VA
Subject: RE: Doing races other than triathlons

Run: I love running races - from 5ks to marathons

Swim: I grew up swimming and still complete in masters swim meets and OWS

Bike: I would be laughed off the course



Edited by mdalsey 2011-04-17 6:07 AM


2011-04-17 11:41 AM
in reply to: #3448310

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Pro
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Wallingford, PA
Subject: RE: Doing races other than triathlons
I think the main reason that triathletes participate in more pure running races than cycling or swimming races is simply that they are more common and accessible. I could easily find a local running race to participate pretty much any weekend between now and October/November. Swimming and cycling races -- not so much.... As others have mentioned, pure cycling races are pretty competitive, and not a simple to get involved in. There are a number of organized/supported bike tours in our area, and those are a different story. I see these as more comparable to your basic local 5K/10K run in terms of who shows up to participate, but they are still less common than running races.

Me - I do maybe 3 - 5 tris per season, a similar number of running races, and maybe 1 or 2 supported bike tours. It all depends on what else is going on in my life.....





2011-04-17 5:41 PM
in reply to: #3448310

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Elite
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Evergreen, CO
Subject: RE: Doing races other than triathlons

I started bike racing last year and love it.  Racing every weekend in April and May, after that we'll see.  And I'll race cross again this year.  Bike racing is so much cheaper than tris so I can do lots more. My husband is racing too so it's fun for both of us.  And bike racing doesn't eat up my entire weekend like tris did.

I used to do 3 tris per year, now I do 3 summer duathlons and 3 winter duathlons.

Doing 1 run race this year: Mt Evans Ascent -- what am I thinking?!

2011-04-17 7:15 PM
in reply to: #3448310

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Expert
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Austin, TX
Subject: RE: Doing races other than triathlons

I did my first 100 mile canoe race last Fall adn now I'm hooked.

Gotta figure out how to convince the wife to let me buy a $1,000+ racing canoe (and that is used)when I have a garage full of bikes I can't part with...

2011-04-17 8:02 PM
in reply to: #3451458

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Subject: RE: Doing races other than triathlons
Hugh in TX - 2011-04-17 8:15 PM

I did my first 100 mile canoe race last Fall adn now I'm hooked.

Gotta figure out how to convince the wife to let me buy a $1,000+ racing canoe (and that is used)when I have a garage full of bikes I can't part with...

Ooh! Tell me more. You don't log your training - did you journal about your training for the canoe race on another site? I'd love to read about how you prepared for this race. What race was it?

I want to do the 50mile Ocean to Ocean Cayuco Race in Panama but I'm not finding much information or training plans.

2011-04-18 12:45 PM
in reply to: #3449943

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Pittsburgh, PA
Subject: RE: Doing races other than triathlons

colinphillips - 2011-04-16 8:58 AM  On the other hand, in Europe the scene is more dominated by sportive/gran fondo type events, which are timed, often have gold/silver/bronze award categories, mass starts, etc. I have done a few of the US and European events, and they have a very different 'feel'. I'd say that the European style events, which are starting to pop up in a few places in the US, deserve to be classified as races just as much as running the local 10k or half mary does.

If we had more of these in the US, I would definitely do them.

For most bike races, you need to be on a team, which is more of a commitment than a lot of us want.  Not to mention they're super-competitive.  On the other hand, charity rides and centuries are almost too un-competitive.  They're also usually expensive or require a lot of fund-raising.

Running races are cheap and I know I'll be MOP-BOP but I know I'll never be last.  And I'll never crash.  And they're cheap.  So that's what I do.



2011-04-18 1:08 PM
in reply to: #3448310

Member
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Cinnaminson, NJ
Subject: RE: Doing races other than triathlons

Probably at least 5 bikes for every Tri I do -- and bike racing (I think) is way more competitive and much harder.   Teamwork and tactics make them alot of fun though...... its very hard to compare the two though and trying to be good (or even decent I should say) at both bike racing and Tri's is a huge challenge to me

 

2011-04-21 1:25 PM
in reply to: #3448310

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Orange County, CA
Subject: RE: Doing races other than triathlons

I started off doing mostly running races, with frequent 5K's. I've done numerous 5K's (mostly road, some trail), mud runs, some 4 and 5 mile runs, a half marathon and the Ragnar Relay SoCal this past weekend with my running club (200 mile relay race).

I've done the odd bike tour but no bike races. I've only done 4 sprint tri's but look forward to many more.

More recently I've gotten involved in another type of multi-sport called Ride & Tie which alternates running with riding a horse, with another person and using the horse as a sort of baton (1 horse + 2 people = a team). We did a 20 mile event a month ago and have a 30 mile event coming up in a couple weeks. Very different and very fun.

2011-04-21 2:37 PM
in reply to: #3448310

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Master
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Washington, DC Metro
Subject: RE: Doing races other than triathlons

Mostly running races, that is my background.  I'll do 5Ks to full Marys... but I lean towards the distance races 10 milers and up.

I'll do non-competitive cycling events, charity rides, unity tours, etc. but no races.  In the younger days I did mostly cycling races and non-races with a local shop team.

2011-04-21 3:23 PM
in reply to: #3448310

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Master
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The Redlands, FL
Subject: RE: Doing races other than triathlons
I only race Triathlons....but...I used to race in MTB...and... Adventure Races before I staerted Triathlons 8 years ago....I would love to re-start again but sold my MTB in 2005...I think I need one..LOL
2011-04-21 3:39 PM
in reply to: #3451525

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Extreme Veteran
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Lake Placid, NY
Subject: RE: Doing races other than triathlons
Renee - 2011-04-17 9:02 PM
Hugh in TX - 2011-04-17 8:15 PM

I did my first 100 mile canoe race last Fall adn now I'm hooked.

Gotta figure out how to convince the wife to let me buy a $1,000+ racing canoe (and that is used)when I have a garage full of bikes I can't part with...

Ooh! Tell me more. You don't log your training - did you journal about your training for the canoe race on another site? I'd love to read about how you prepared for this race. What race was it?

I want to do the 50mile Ocean to Ocean Cayuco Race in Panama but I'm not finding much information or training plans.

I did a 3-day 90 mile canoe race with my boyfriend a couple years ago.  It was amazing.  (And yes, we own a racing canoe (Wenonah Jensen) that cost$2400...used.)

We did 2 short (8-10 mile) paddles and 1 long (25-30 mile) day every week.  Was good enough for third place in our division.



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