Rubriik: Triatlon

Today I finally weighed all the pros and cons of each triathlon that I had in mind and decided to take part in…

…A. le Coq Every Man’s Triathlon on the 12th of July 2014. 

I ended up choosing between TriSmile33.3 and Every Man’s Triathlon. The first one is more popular and has great reviews but also has a difficult bike track and is pretty expensive. The one I chose is 2 times cheaper, easier for cycling and is organised also by TriSmile club and was recommended to me by a commenter here on my blog. 

Soon it’s time to start working more on cycling and swimming again. I haven’t cycled in ages (since last autumn – OMG!). Things are a little better with swimming but still: I don’t get at least 1 swim in per week. I will try to swim more and in also in natural environment like lakes, sea, rivers etc after my half-marathon is done. Right now my half-marathon goals come first but I still have some bike and swim action included in my 21,1K training to get myself slowly prepared for my tri as well.

I have about 4 weeks to really shape up my tri skills after Narva Energy Run 21,1K is done. Is that enough? I have also purchased a triathlon book which has a ton of training plans. I think I will use something from there when the time comes.

I’m so excited! 🙂

For a good few months now I’ve had a very big goal in mind: to compete in a sprint triathlon. When this idea sneaked into my mind, I wanted to do the RMK Kõrvemaa Triathlon. Then I found out about the A. Le Coq Everyman’s Triathlon (Igamehetriatlon) in Tartu. Then I remembered that there is a very popular triathlon in Pühajärve: TriSmile33.3… I’m sure there are other triathlons out there as well.

So many options, one confused Margit.

So what does this girl do when she can’t make up her mind? Writes down pros and cons of each event. Then posts it on her blog and hope someone smarter can give her good advice or some tips. 🙂

 

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RMK Kõrvemaa Triathlon

Date: 19th of July 2014

Distances:

350 m of swimming

22 km of cycling (mountain bike)

4 km of running

Place: Soodla in Harjumaa

Pros:

+ A lot of participants (over 400 in 2013) –> not a huge chance I’ll finish last

+ A descent amount of time between the event and my first half-marathon in Narva (5 weeks)

+ Price: 16+10€

+ Normal sized starting groups (75 persons)

Cons:

– Women and men start at completely different times (10 AM and 1.30 PM) –> I find it odd/weird

– Too little information about courses, for example the trail profile etc. I can find info only about distances, nothing more.

– Early start (10 AM)

– No race briefing

– Transition area times aren’t separately measured, included in bike time

– Location: I need to drive/be driven there by a car

– No opportunity to train on the race courses

– No extra stuff: actual diploma, medal, T-shirt etc

– No social events

 

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A. Le Coq Tartu Igamehetriatlon (Every Man’s Triathlon)

Date: 12th of July 2014

Distances:

500 m of swimming

20 km of cycling

5 km of running

Place: Tartu

Pros:

+ Relatively simple bike and running course

+ Price: 20+10€

+ Location: 100 metres from my Tartu home 

+ Race briefing

+ I know the location very well

+ Opportunity to train on the actual courses prior to race

+ Starting groups in swimming if necessary

+ A medal and a diploma for everyone

+ Social events (Pasta Party, afterparty etc) prior and after race

Cons:

– Very close to my half-marathon (only 4 weeks after)

– Around 200 finishers and pretty fast finish times –> HUGE chance I’ll finish last and be disappointed

– Early start: race briefing already at 9.30 AM

 

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A. Le Coq TriSmile33.3

Date: 2nd of August 2014

Distances:

300 m of swimming

30 km of cycling

3 km of running

Place: Pühajärve and surrounding areas, Tartumaa

Pros:

+ A good amount of time between my half-marathon (7 weeks)

+ Over 250 participants –> according to last year’s finish protocol not a huge chance I’ll finish last

+ Late start (briefing at 1 PM, start at 3 PM)

+ Race briefing

+ Starting groups in swimming

+ Lots of extras: T-shirt, welcome present, swimming cap, medal, diploma etc

+ Social events after race

+ A good reputation

Cons:

– Price: 50+10€

– A difficult and challenging bike course: almost 300 metres of climbing altitude

– Location: I need to drive/be driven by car

– No opportunity to train on the courses

 

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I want my first triathlon to be pleasant and beautiful memory that I’ll remember forever. I don’t want a bad experience like my first running race was… I have no idea which event to choose and soon I’ll have to register. Any advice is VERY welcomed! 🙂

 

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