Doing my homework early
Chicago Marathon is in 5 days, but my brain isn’t letting me think about that race. It’s jumping way ahead to the Spirit of Racine Triathlon, which isn’t until next July. Registration opened yesterday (or was supposed to open…the website hasn’t updated yet) and I’m planning on signing up soon.
I like to register for events ASAP for three reasons: (1) Early registration guarantees that I’ll get a spot in the race - ask anyone who got blocked out of the Chicago Marathon - even with a field of 45,000, registration closed super fast. (2) Lots of events have cheaper registration fees for early sign-up. I like saving dollars! (3) The sooner I commit to an event, the sooner I get focused on training for that event. I’m always training for something, but it’s good to have a focus (running/cycling/multisport).
Here’s what the official website has to say about the course:
Swim 1.2 mi.
The 1.2 mile swim course is a point to point along North Beach in Lake Michigan. The course will be marked Friday before the race. In the event of rough water conditions, an alternative course will be used in a protected harbor area to ensure the safety and continuation of the swim. North Beach Park is open for practice during the normal swimming season - weather permitting. Water temperature is almost always under 78 degrees. Wetsuits are allowed and encouraged. North Beach is named a Blue Wave Beach by the Clean Beach Council.
Guess it’s time to start looking for a wetsuit. Might make a trip to Running Away this week to try some on.
Bonus about the location: even though it’s along a different beach, it’s still the same lake that I’ll be training in.
Bike 56 mi.
The Modine Manufacturing Bike Course is an exciting (new in 2006) 56 mile course through the scenic countryside of Racine County. Gone is the downtown Racine section and the Ryan Road section in Milwaukee. This is a mostly rolling course with some challenging hills mixed in to keep you honest. Aid stations with InfinIT Nutrition in bottles, water in bottles, Hammer Gel, ice and fruit are every 10 miles (15, 25, 35, and 45). All USA Triathlon rules for drafting and blocking apply and officials will be on the course enforcing the rules. Visit www.usatriathlon.org for more details on the rules and penalties.
56 miles of fun. I’ll definitely be logging some hours on the trainer this winter. Indoor cycling + Madden = awesome.
Also, lucky for me, I’m not really a cyclist, so the whole drafting thing won’t be a problem.
Run 13.1 mi.
Lions, Tigers, and Bears, Oh My! This unique run course, named the Jockey International Run Course, is a 13.1 mile double out-and-back that features a tour of the Racine Zoo, offering participants views of lions, black rhinos, monkeys, giraffes, kangaroos, and many more exotic animals. The remaining course runs along the beautiful Lake Michigan coastline as you make your way toward the Racine Lighthouse to the run turn around at Shoop Park. The course is very flat and fast! Aid stations are every mile with InfinIT Nutrition, water, ice, Hammer Gel, and fruit. Neither head phones nor outside pacers are allowed.
I think I might have freaked out a few weeks ago at the “no headphones, no outside pacers” rule. I’m warming up to the idea now. Did a 5K last night with no music and no idea of my pace, and it wasn’t that awful.
Plus…zoo? I like that! Flat courses? Like those, too.
I’ve been looking around for some good training plans. My plan is to do at least one tri of a shorter distance (sprint or Olympic) before jumping right into a 1/2 Ironman. A friend told me about a tri in Galena in May. I’m tempted to sign up, but I’m holding off because the Cincinnati Flying Pig marathon is only 2 weeks earlier. For now, I’ll keep looking…the Chicago Tri Club (which I’ve been thinking about joining…anyone have an opinion on that group?) has a big listing of races, and there are plenty of tri’s in the spring.
