Triathlon - Question regarding race distances and ethics..

after a 12 year hiatus from multi-sport, i decided to get back into it in april, my plans were not to race this year and just train to get back into shape... So I went and got a bike fit done and ended up with an Argon18 E-112... (more than i wanted to spend, but whatever)

here is my dilemma, I now have the itch to race once before the season is out, there is a race that has a tri a tri distance, or a sprint... which do I do? the swimming is my holdback here, i dont want to take 15 mins to swim 750m, but do i want to do a tri a tri distance with a 4000 dollar bike? or does it matter?

let me know what you would think...

Evan

I wouldn't worry about it.

15 minutes for 750 meters is probably right at the middle of the pack honestly. I also wouldn't worry about it. Pick the distance that makes you (and your sweet new bike) the happiest!

Do the longer one. I suspect you will have fewer regrets with a slow swim time than "Darn, I wish I would have done the longer race."

I'd say do the longer race. You'll feel silly doing the shorter one - and no one else will know how fast "you used to be". Unless you tell them of course....

Its not how fast...but finishing that truly matters

Dn't mind the swim time...just enjoy your bike

Thats completely unethical. Don't do it.

If riding a sprint tri with a nice bike is unethical, I'm in serious trouble. I thought only roadies worried about crap like this.

Just make sure you wear an aero helmet, use Zipps, and don't go faster than 18 mph. You should fit right in. :)

We have a "First Tri" distance at the CapTexTri that is a mini-Sprint. We also have a tri called the Rookie Tri. There are lots of accomplished triathletes that compete in these (including Hawaii Ironman podium girl Desiree Flicker doing the Rookie) for different reasons. Some are training, others excel at the super short distance.

I think of them as marketing to help people who are new to triathlon find easy way to try the sport.

Just make sure you wear an aero helmet, use Zipps, and don't go faster than 18 mph. You should fit right in. :)

Aero helmet: Check.

Zipps: Not yet, but hopefully in the spring.

sub-18mph: Never. :D

I seriously doubt if anyone cares what kind of bike you ride.

However, one guy in my tri club makes it his goal to run down and pass everyone on an expensive bike. He can really push that $400 Motobecane.

I seriously doubt if anyone cares what kind of bike you ride.



Wow, really? um, I usually see and do a lot of drooling over the nicest rides. Maybe you're just not getting to races with enough nice bikes :-)

I think of them as marketing to help people who are new to triathlon find easy way to try the sport.

I can tell ya that's totally true. I'm doing a beginner tri in october (200 yard swim/6 mile bike/1.5 mile run) and I'm really psyched for it. It's the most motivation I've had to get out and swimbikerun in.... well, ever really.

i signed up for the shorter distance as i tweeked my shoulder swimming last week ( i have a genetic rotator cuff issue, thanks mom) and my swimming has noticeably deteriorated , endurance is good, but the stroke on my left arm is suffering... o well we will see what happens, the race is more just to scratch an itch anyway......

U_E

Dude, I finished the Hawaii 70.3 in 8:08 on a $3000 plus Look bike. That's 22 minutes before the time cutoff, so I wouldn't worry about having a nice bike and finishing wherever you finish. I am on a re-built leg, so I was happy to finish and start a long climb to getting faster. I would still be doing these if I never get faster though.

Get more race for your effort - do the sprint.


Just make sure you wear an aero helmet, use Zipps, and don't go faster than 18 mph. You should fit right in. :)

And mount the aerobars sticking up vertically. :)

Wow, really? um, I usually see and do a lot of drooling over the nicest rides. Maybe you're just not getting to races with enough nice bikes :-)

Actually, my P3C usually trumps most. But it is not the bike, it's the motor.

Wish I had the motor.:lol:

Actually, my P3C usually trumps most. But it is not the bike, it's the motor.

Wish I had the motor.:lol:

Woopie, another PC3. How do you find your bike in transition?