USA Triathlon Olympic Distance Age Group Championships

This will be the 3rd year the US Champioinship is in Milwaukee.  It was a really good race the first year, a better race last year, and wilol porbably be about as well organized as a large race can be by next year.  By all means, it's worth it.   From an "event" standpoint it's top notch.

As for being a big deal......you'll be able to find out where you stand against some of the best AG racers in the country.....but it's AG racing, so it's not THAT big of a deal.

No, not at all.  The pathway to those types of competitions is completely different and separate.  If you find yourself finishing in the top 5 overall then it might be worth a look to see if you can compete at the next level, but that racing is not the same....it's a completely different animal.  Other than that, AG championships are not a pathway to Continental Cup racing, WTS racing, etc. 

Originally posted by Leegoocrap It's a great race. Well put on and organized. I'd say it's a pretty humbling experience for most local FOP athletes

Heck yeah it is!  2 weeks before Nats I had the 3rd fastest male swim split in a pretty competitive local race and came out of the water 37th in my age group at Nats.

The pond is much bigger in this race!

What races might you be swapping out or de-emphasizing? I'm just close enough to not need an overnight stay as well.

I have done it the last 2 years and will be returning again this year. First year was awesome. Last year was exceptional with the field really being unbelievably strong since the races were qualifiers for 2015 WC in Chicago. Suspect this year will be more like 2013....a few less people and perhaps not quite as many of the top AG athletes. Will still be very strong and there will be some awesome athletes there. Excellent venue and the course is a good one.

Originally posted by rizztalah

Originally posted by Left Brain

Originally posted by rizztalah I'm a newbie too and was wondering the same thing.. That being said, I know it's age grouper bla bla bla but is the race like a stepping stone to move up more? Like, someday competing with Gwen Jorgenson if we were good enough? I believed the hype >_< What happens after the AG Championsip?? World AG? and then what...

No, not at all.  The pathway to those types of competitions is completely different and separate.  If you find yourself finishing in the top 5 overall then it might be worth a look to see if you can compete at the next level, but that racing is not the same....it's a completely different animal.  Other than that, AG championships are not a pathway to Continental Cup racing, WTS racing, etc. 

Aw, that's kind of a bummer. I thought it was a platform to see where you stand against others for sure but was also a possible stepping stone to move up into something more serious. I know I will never be a pro, hahaha not with my swim time now! But how do people become pros? What races do people do? I'm already registered for this race in WI, but now I feel a little deflated Also, what is the whole spiel about getting on "Team USA" what does that even mean?? :/

Well, depending on where the world championship race is, that can mean anywhere from $5000.00 to $20,000 out of your own pocket for the honor or being on the team.  

Look, the AG national and world championship races are great events. The competition, as a group, is WAY above what you can get in any other AG race.  And if you finish in the top 5 of the Oly race you may even earn a pro card. All that really means is that you are no longer allowed to race in AG competitions and now you can travel around on your own dime trying to race for money in the "elite" divisons of various races. 

As for racing with Gwen, etc.......basically, unless you are a National caliber swimmer or runner, you can't.  And if you are a National caliber runner you better be a REALLY good swimmer compared to what you are used to seeing.  (if you can't swim a sub 1 minute 100 (as an easy measure) you aren't on the same page.

The problem is.......99% of the people who do triathlon in this country don't have any idea what those races actually look like in person. People here don't go watch the pros race in the WTS series even when they have a chance. They see quite a bit of local/regional racing and think they know what fast is.....they don't.  If you aren't playing at the top level of swimming, running, or triathlon nationally by the time you are 17 years old......forget it.....you aren't racing with Gwen.

There are some fast AG racers for sure......they're the National Champioins of the Wed. night softball league.....some pretty good ballplayers there.  But they aren't worrying anyone in the big leagues.

It'll likely have much stronger competition than many other races you'll see. It could be used to see about more serious, but likely better to look across multiple races for that and not just amateur only ones at that.

Elite Qualification. It could be done here. Gwen races a different format in draft legal. They have a few series going on. Not sure about any qualification or rankings needed to race up in the one she does as I don't follow as closely.

Being on Team USA largely lets you race in Worlds (as far as I know). They move the race around, so travel for it varies substantially. Could end up on any of the continents.

Will have to get a rolldown. Ended up with a killer sinus infection the week of the race and just didn't have it on raceday. Still it was a blast......feel like I owe Milwaukee a good race.  

I came out from California, last minute, qualified in July for the August race.  I am very glad I did, and had a blast.  I swam my usual Oly swim time, where I am FOP locally, and fell jsut outside the top 25% at Milwaukee.  That pack never broke up, wicked fast.  Also had bike and run PRs, almost broke an hour on the bike and was still outside the top 25%.

Rumors I've heard that Worlds will be in Monterrey MX (from a USAT official, for what it's worth) and draft legal, or South Africa (another board).  So i bet competition would be slightly less fierce next year. 

If it's just a short drive I can't see why you would not do it

Yes, some years the AG world championship is in Europe, or some other destination that is expensive to get to .  Last year it was in Edmonton.  Just buying passports for out family cost 900.00, the entry fee was over 300.00, airfare was 2500.00 for our family, hotel was 1000.00, meals, rental car, blah,blah,blah....it's not cheap....but even that was better than a European trip.  Sooooo...in light of the cost of travel, the qualifying race the year before, also in Milwaukee, wasn't quite as competitive as it was last year (qualifier for Chicago) because there are fast people who showed up last year just to go to Chicago because it's cheaper and the world race likely won't be back in the U.S. for some time. ....some of them won't be back this year either.....see below.

This year the World race is in Chicago (last year was the qualifier) so many more people raced.....and some faster ones, because at least it's cheaper to travel to Chicago. 

This year you will be trying to qualify for a World race that may be in Mexico, may be in S. Africa, etc......not as many people willing to shell out the cash for that race.......like I said, It's an AG race......even though it has a flashy title the payoff is near zero except for a very, VERY few fast folks.

Like I said before, the AG National race is a great one....I doubt you'd ever regret doing it.....but keep perspective.

Exactly......because it's AG racing....there is no return for your investment in almost every case.