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Ok, moving on! Remember last week when I asked for your help deciding on my half marathon? Y’all did a great job and picked the Colorado Marathon. I listened to you (or just liked your decision!) and registered for the race the next day. Sooooooooooo…..help a sister out again!
I’ve mentioned over and over again how I’d really like the summer of 2012 to be my first half ironman. The thought of such a long distance really makes me nervous, so I’d like just REGISTER fairly soon so I’ve committed myself. Done deal. Spent the money so there is no backing out. You know?
Problem is that I can’t decide. There are 2 different HIMs in Colorado that I’m looking at, and they each have their pros and cons. So I’m throwing it out to you guys!
Option #1: The Boulder 70.3 This one is in nearby Boulder, so it would only be a 10 minute jaunt down the road. Bonus! Another bonus is that I could sign up for the Boulder Peak tri, the Olympic distance, that takes place the month before. They have a deal where you can sign up for all 3 (sprint, Oly, HIM) and get a discounted rate. The course doesn’t look too brutal, and I know all the roads, etc. I’ve done sprint distances in the Boulder Res before, so I know the swim area. The downside? Boulder athletes are intimidating!! Sure, laugh all you want, but it’s true! There are so many hardcore, elite athletes in that city that it is literally terrifying. Every time I do an event there I feel like I’m surrounded by spandex-clad Adonis (Adonii? No idea how to make Adonis plural so I’m not even going to try!) Even worse is that these lean and mean racers mean business! My first ever tri was in Boulder and I got clobbered in the face by a guy during the swim. I got a bruised head and he kept going without even looking back. Sad face for me!
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My other concern with the Boulder 70.3 is exactly what I mentioned in the benefits: I know the course very well. Sure, that may mean I have an advantage in terms of overall time, etc., but let’s face it: I am no speed machine! I want to do the HIM for the challenge and to see if I can finish; the time is not going to be a huge factor for me. A part of me wonders whether I’d prefer have a new course, a new road or swim, that is unique for me. It might give me something to focus on during the interminable run at the end…
Option #2: The new HITS triathlon series in Fort Collins. Just coming to Colorado this year, it looks like the HITS series is going to have multi-day tri event featuring an open, sprint, oly, half, and full ironman distance. Sounds kinda like a triathlon carnival, if you ask me! Obviously, the distances are the same (duh!) but the course looks significantly harder than the Boulder 70.3. I mean, take a look at this bike course:
Uh huh. Do you see that number 3,386? As in that many feet of gain on the ride? BRUTAL!! So yeah, the bike course is definitely tougher and the run is a smidge harder too. But the upside is that the entire course would be new and fresh for me. Save for the first 10 miles of the bike (which were included on the Lake to Lake Oly tri), I won’t have experienced any of the rest. And it’s not a loop course that I have to repeat which is definitely a bonus.
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That could be me after riding uphill for all those thouuuuuuuuuuusands of feet.
I am, however, unsure of what to expect because the race is in its inaugural year. Sometimes that means really awesome things, but sometimes it equals the exact opposite. Unfortunately, I don’t know what schwag either race includes so I can’t even use that as a decision maker! (Sorry BDD!)
So….which race should I do???
What’s your favorite smell??
I LOVE lavender the most! Rain comes in a close second 🙂
16 Comments
Well, I have done the Boulder 1/2 IM as part of a relay. I did the swim and it is usually very physical. LI signed up for the whole Series last year but didn’t make it to any of the races because of injuries. SO I can’t give you a good opinion on that race.
Personally, I am leaning towards the HITS 1/2 race for next year. I want to try something different. Plus, I have ridden in Ft. Collins several years during the MS 150. I just like the idea of supporting a race that is not part of the WTC. I haven’t completed made up my mind yet but that is the way I am leaning.
Good luck with your decision!
Personally, I would do the Boulder one because 3,386 ft of elevation gain on the bike sounds absolutely nasty. And if your goal is just to finish, I’d chose an “easy” course. I mean, doing a HIM is hard enough!
I just registered for the Colorado marathon too! I have heard great things about it! As far as HIM I would do the boulder one.
I haven’t ever done Boulder probably because I prefer smaller races. I am going to do HITS this year so I vote for that because I am selfish and want to have a blogger party! Have you thought about Harvest Moon? It isn’t until September but it’s really friendly for first timers!
I haven’t biked the course, so I may not be any help there, but I have driven both many times. I know you want to do the half, but the Oly one in Ft. Collins, takes you to through Masonville and down to Loveland and past Devil’s Backbone and back again. The roads are hilly but not awful. The scenery is a bit more open and goes past the quarry we use for our landscaping stone. The half scenery is more mountainous looking with lots of trees and is def. more steep. The people up here are pretty serious about what they do, but they are really nice for the most part. That edge that Boulder seems to have isn’t here. I can’t believe that guy hit you in the head and didn’t look back. BTW Swimming in Horsetooth is not that bad, we do it all summer long.
🙂 So which ever you choose you should be good there.
I agree that Boulder athletes are scary, especially the cyclists. But 3,000+ feet in elevation gain and then run 13.1 miles. I don’t know. I would lean towards the Boulder one. Who knows, by then you might be one of the scary Boulder athletes!
Ohh!!! I didn’t know that they had the course up! I’ll have to go check it out. I love riding up there and I have learned not to be intimidated by the elevation charts as often they are not as bad as they seem (except Boulder Peak which sucks more then you can imagine! ) 🙂
My 2 cents…. 🙂
Boulder is not that bad. Don’t be intimidated by all the elite athletes. There are plenty of us MOP/BOP people too, which is exactly what I like about it. And believe it or not the fact that it is a big race. Because there are so many people and so many waves even when you are really slow like me you are not alone on the course at the end. Which is very nice, I’ve been one of few out on the course at the end of tri and it’s very lonely. And providing they don’t up the price the series price is awesome! It’s also near the end of the season so plenty of training time. As far as the swim, I’ve done quite a few up there and I’ve never had any issues, Of course I usually say that’s because my sighting is so bad I’m off course. 🙂 The run is hot, but it’s going to be hot for the HITS also.
Harvest Moon is a pretty tough ride from all I’ve read and my experience riding out there. I contemplated doing it but when I looked at the size and the finishing times I know I would be out there all lonely. Although it is possible I might give it a try some time.
OK the new one, I would love to give it a shot, but I don’t think it will be this year. I can’t remember what the price was but I remember thinking it was pretty high (I think I was looking at the full though) I think I want to volunteer for this one this year.
Wow sorry this is so long…hope it helps!
Ok I just went to check out that bike course…does look a little rough… 🙂
the one that is a little jaunt down the road….those others look crazy!!!!!!!!
Even though Boulder sounds so competitive…it also sounds very organized and like its going to push you! i would go with that one!
Wow Ironman! That’s awesome! Good for you!
I’m no triathlete but I know what you mean about Boulder athletes. There are usually tons of “normal” people in these races, too, though, and guys that whop you during the swim are the exception. Maybe I just want you to come to Boulder!
I would do the HITS one, there is something cool about doing an inaugural race
I used to love lavender until I got some lavender scented lotion from bath and body works and it gave me migraines. Now I love cinnamon cloves type smells.
I say go for Boulder!
Sounds like Boulder is the way to go. If you think you can do harder next time, step up the game. Absolutely NO ONE is going to go, “Look at that girl, she sucks!!!” when you have the guts to finish at race like that. Crazy girl. You should feel AWESOME for even being able to do something with athletes that fit.
Campfire, twisted peppermint or anthing manly.
I actually just signed up for Boulder and am totally excited and terrified! I’ve read a few reviews, and it sounds like a great course.