Well, I was considering registering for the 2013 Lake Placid Ironman at noon today. After all, I just finished my first 70.3 distance, who cares if I slogged to a 6:48 time and probably wouldn't have made it to the finish line without Jan and Lou biking along for much of the half-marathon?
I went to the web site, the price for registering went up to $650, plus a processing fee. If you decide not to do the race they will refund $150. Yet their business model absolutely is a success judging by almost every one of the IM's selling out, usually in a few hours at most. When Jan did Lake Placid three years ago registration was under $500. Still a lot of money, but a 30% increase in fees seems ridiculous. But then, the first NYC IM sold out in minutes and is over $800.
Yes, in addition to all of the other sane reasons not to attempt an Ironman, I am too cheap.
Ten Reasons Not to Enter an Ironman;
1. I would need a new wetsuit, my current one was bought used and has gouges all over it.
Cost $180+
2. I would need a faster bike. My road bike is nice, an "entry" level Trek that was under $800. Yes, training helps get better, but buying speed would make a 112 mile ride easier. So, let's say I find a lightweight, aerodynamic, fitted bike on sale. $1500-$2000 would be a moderate amount for that.
3. Accomodations. Understandably the local motels/homes for rent/condos charge more during IM periods. Usually there is a minimum 3 night stay, in fact, you have to check in to IM by Friday for a Sunday race, so your hand is forced. Figure room costs to be doubled. Many times homes you can rent require 2 weeks, one for IM week, one around that time or another time in the year (this is assuming you can find a room or house at all-they get booked while people are standing in line the morning in-person registration opens). Let's go with 4 nights in an average motel, nothing fancy. $1000.
4. Swimming lessons. With a wetsuit I am a moderate swimmer, middle of the pack in my age group maybe. A few lessons when having to race 2.4 miles might be in order. $400.
5. It's a damn long way to race. 140.6 miles. Ridiculous.
6. I get dehydrated easily and the older I get the more susceptible I am to the vagaries of weather.
7. I don't own a pool, public pools aren't always open (Bport state closed all summer, Roberts Wesleyan closed...well... the water disappeared overnight...). Lakes get darn cold around here between October-May.
8. 112 miles on a bike? My butt is sore just thinking about it.
9. Planning ahead. I'm supposed to know what I am doing with my life a year from now? I have a hard time thinking about what to make for dinner tonight.
10. Time. Time to train, eat, sleep. It's a part-time job, 15-25 hours a week of training, for months. That's a big load on the athlete and his/her family.
Total monetary price is a minimum of $3900, plus transportation and food. If you have a nice bike and wetsuit already, still figure $1650 plus food and transportation. Really, this is a big commitment, one I won't be doing.
The Erie Canal, Running Paradise
Showing posts with label Ironman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ironman. Show all posts
Monday, July 23, 2012
Friday, March 18, 2011
Sister Madonna Buder
Sister Madonna Buder, known as the Iron Nun, has completed more than 40 Ironman races and 325 triathlons in the last 30 years. She is now 80 and still competing.
She’s making plans to race in the Boston Marathon next month.
In 2005, at age 75, she became the oldest woman to ever complete the Hawaii Ironman, finishing a full hour before the 17-hour cut-off.
In 2009 she broke her own record as the oldest woman to complete the Ironman distance by finishing the Ironman Canada with a time of 16 hours and 54 minutes.
Sister Buder has faced many difficulties, from broken bones to a bicycle accident that almost kept her from competing in the Boston Marathon in 2009. She has always managed to push through the hard times. While still recovering from her accident, she finished the Boston Marathon in 4 hours and 42 minutes, .
These days Sister Buder has a pair of running shoes to go with every outfit. (and I thought Mike W was the only person who did this).
“When I was younger my mother used to say, ‘why don’t you act your age,’ and now I’m glad I never did.” she said. “You may age, but you don’t have to grow up.”
Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/03/17/2120156/no-ordinary-nun.html#ixzz1GxhXSjdp
She’s making plans to race in the Boston Marathon next month.
In 2005, at age 75, she became the oldest woman to ever complete the Hawaii Ironman, finishing a full hour before the 17-hour cut-off.
In 2009 she broke her own record as the oldest woman to complete the Ironman distance by finishing the Ironman Canada with a time of 16 hours and 54 minutes.
Sister Buder has faced many difficulties, from broken bones to a bicycle accident that almost kept her from competing in the Boston Marathon in 2009. She has always managed to push through the hard times. While still recovering from her accident, she finished the Boston Marathon in 4 hours and 42 minutes, .
These days Sister Buder has a pair of running shoes to go with every outfit. (and I thought Mike W was the only person who did this).
“When I was younger my mother used to say, ‘why don’t you act your age,’ and now I’m glad I never did.” she said. “You may age, but you don’t have to grow up.”
Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/03/17/2120156/no-ordinary-nun.html#ixzz1GxhXSjdp
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Mike's News and Tips
10. The Boston Celtics have been my NBA team since the 60's. Yes, the 1960's. But...with Carmelo Anthony now a NY Knick I have a new second fav team. As an 18 year old frosh he won the NCAA title for Syracuse, now he could win a championship for NY. this is exciting!
9. The Ironman Kona lottery is closing soon. Pay your money ($40 for a chance at an entry-makes Lotto look like a bargain) and maybe your name will get drawn. Then all you have to do is finish at least a 1/2 IM before Kona (paying $225 or more for the entry), pay for the trip to Hawaii, and the entry fee ($650). A bargain.
8. The first NY State Snowshoe Championship is March 5 at Camp Gorham in the Adirondacks. Course designed and timed by Fleet Feet Sports and YellowJacket Racing of Rochester NY.
7. Do not take your sailing vessel or yacht in the seas off the coast of Somalia! This is a bad idea. Stay in the FingerLakes, as of now it is safe. Wait for summer though.
6. IMHO any ship in the waters infested by Somalian pirates should be fully armed and use deadly force immediately.
5. The CEO of Kodak just got named to a task force on jobs by President Obama! This should be part of a stand-up comedy routine, but unfortunately it's true. I don't know where to begin on the lunacy of this.
4. Losing weight is difficult. My muffin top is being stubborn.
3. I finally got on the bike this week. 12 miles. Whippee!
2. If you become a politician do not take off your shirt and post on Craig's List, do not have tickle fights with co-workers, do not hire prostitutes, do not steal our money.
1. This is the "Year of Running Well".
9. The Ironman Kona lottery is closing soon. Pay your money ($40 for a chance at an entry-makes Lotto look like a bargain) and maybe your name will get drawn. Then all you have to do is finish at least a 1/2 IM before Kona (paying $225 or more for the entry), pay for the trip to Hawaii, and the entry fee ($650). A bargain.
8. The first NY State Snowshoe Championship is March 5 at Camp Gorham in the Adirondacks. Course designed and timed by Fleet Feet Sports and YellowJacket Racing of Rochester NY.
7. Do not take your sailing vessel or yacht in the seas off the coast of Somalia! This is a bad idea. Stay in the FingerLakes, as of now it is safe. Wait for summer though.
6. IMHO any ship in the waters infested by Somalian pirates should be fully armed and use deadly force immediately.
5. The CEO of Kodak just got named to a task force on jobs by President Obama! This should be part of a stand-up comedy routine, but unfortunately it's true. I don't know where to begin on the lunacy of this.
4. Losing weight is difficult. My muffin top is being stubborn.
3. I finally got on the bike this week. 12 miles. Whippee!
2. If you become a politician do not take off your shirt and post on Craig's List, do not have tickle fights with co-workers, do not hire prostitutes, do not steal our money.
1. This is the "Year of Running Well".
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Half an Ironman Anyone?
Quickly catching on to a money-making scheme, Ironman USA has added a bunch of new 1/2 Ironman races to their franchise. IM recently added races in Boulder, Colorado, New Hampshire (formerly Mooseman), Miami, Syracuse (are you kidding-that is a destination people want to travel to?), Texas, and for you world travelers, Singapore. As of today there are 35 1/2 IM races.
The cost is only $200-$250 to register, so get ready to throw your money down. All of which is not to say that I didn't attempt one, and may again someday, but, well, I'm jealous, okay? Once again I didn't come up with the idea and spread it across the world. Damn. I guess this makes Musselman and Tupper Lake bargains, since they "only" charge $140 or so?
The cost is only $200-$250 to register, so get ready to throw your money down. All of which is not to say that I didn't attempt one, and may again someday, but, well, I'm jealous, okay? Once again I didn't come up with the idea and spread it across the world. Damn. I guess this makes Musselman and Tupper Lake bargains, since they "only" charge $140 or so?
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