Hi guys! Virginia here. After my first HIM in May of this year, I really experienced the ITCH to register for something new. What’s next? I stalled a bit until I finally put down the money for Augusta. Since that point, training has gone well.

WELL….AUGUSTA is this weekend, and I have the ITCH already! I have a half marathon scheduled for 2 weeks after Augusta, but then I am totally blank after that. The PLAN is to go volunteer in Florida in November and to register for IM Florida 2014. That’s the plan…….. but I am not sure we can afford it, so I am starting to consider other options.

One thought I have is that I could do the full at Beach to Battleship next October as my first full. It has GREAT reviews and looks fun. It is NOT, however, and IM race. I know that is STUPID to take into consideration, but it’s still there in my mind. There was a great article in Triathlete Magazine by MACCA about this stupid brand recognition thing (ie – It has to be an IRONMAN event). I admit, I know it is dumb, but it is there. Part of me wants the IM tattoo (I have no tattoos), and I can’t get one if I don’t do an IM. Ha! Ha!

But….sadly, whatever I decide, choosing my first full ironman distance race, will likely NOT satisfy the itch. I need to choose my next half. I am totally insane. I admit it. I’m nuts. But, heck, aren’t all triathletes at least a little crazy?

I realize, though, that I am actually super excited and much less nervous about this weekend’s race than I was the last time. Maybe that is why I have the early itch? I wonder if after getting out of the dirty river if I will have other itches?

THREE DAYS!! It’s going to be itchy around here.

Is this tapering madness?

15 Responses

  1. Doesn’t sound insane to me. I’m planning on volunteering at IMChatta to secure my spot for 2015. Talk about planning in advance for a race, haha. And I already registered for my first 2014 race three weeks ago and I’m not satisfied either.

    I totally get the notion behind having your first iron distance race be an Ironman. That’s important to me too, regardless of how silly it is. And let’s face it, who doesn’t want to flaunt an M-dot tattoo!?

    Good luck at Augusta!!!!

  2. I did B2B half as my first 70.3 and I can’t recommend it highly enough. I’ve also heard they changed up the finish to be in the downtown area, so more spectators to cheer you on. I bought into the WTC name a little when I first started tri’s, but have moved away from that. I’d suggest googling 140.6 tattoos, and checking out the awesome ones that will flaunt your achievement without having to tattoo a brand logo onto your body.

  3. I did B2B as my first 70.3, post pregnancy. I wish we still lived on the East coast to do it as my first 140.6 because Set Up is awesome, most ALL of my triathlons was through this organization. I just bite the bullet and registered for Ironman Boulder, but that is for convenience sake, it is too close to skip. I didn’t see the chaos of the Boulder 70.3 before I already spent my money. I’m nervous because this was the worst disorganized mess I’ve viewed(as a spectator) and this race has been going on for over 10 years. They let traffic flow both ways on the run course, which was scary. At the end, I heard they are allowing even more of us to compete at the full Ironman and I really mourn not sticking to my guns and returning to race the full B2B, maybe next time! Set up rocks at what they do. Just saying…

  4. I totally get you!!! my first full Ironman MUST be IM branded.. I must also attend one that Mike Reilly will tell me I am an Ironman…nothing less. and yes…M-dot..IM brand…gotta have both the first time. Then..I can try HITS or other brands…but there is only ONE first Ironman…that is IM

  5. I agree with the others. Set Up does a fantastic job at the B2B race. The spectator support is incredible, especially downtown. It turns into a huge party. I’ve never participated in an official IM race since Set Up is based in my hometown, but if I were to do the full I’m pretty sure I’d do it here due to cost and convenience. This is my second year doing the B2B half and I look forward to it each year. Come to Wilmington Virginia- we’ll make you feel welcome! 🙂

  6. I get the “brand” thing, but it is just really recognizable and part of me likes that. I don’t know. I hear great things about B2B, but I just don’t know if I would be satisfied with it as my first. I would have done the 1/2 there this year if not for a mandatory teacher workday on the Friday before. Bummer.

  7. I did not hear about the chaos in Boulder, but that is interesting. Set Up does the events down here too, and most are good, but they can have issues too. I did a “Sprinternational” with Set Up in which the roads were not closed and it felt quite dangerous. I also just spent 2 months emailing them over and over for a refund on an event and couldn’t get them to respond. I think they are generally good, but the y are growing a bit too quickly, I think. Good to know you had great experiences in B2B. It is certainly on my list.

  8. I totally feel you on the IM brand thing. I think I’m going to be one-and-done at 140.6, which is the only reason I am primarily considering IMs for that race when the time comes. I don’t even want the M-Dot tattoo, but I do want to hear “You are an Ironman (TM).” And assuming life circumstances allow, I’m also thinking of volunteering at IMCHOO in 2014 – I know so many people who are doing it! – so I can race it in 2015.

    As for a 2014 70.3, I’m thinking of really stretching my limits and doing this one: http://www.setupevents.com/?fuseaction=event_detail&eventID=2239 It’s way outside of my comfort zone, and I figure it’s time to step it up.

  9. If you want your first full to be an IM brand race, you should consider Louisville. I know Florida is your “dream” race. In the long run, though, IMLOU might be cheaper than Florida because you won’t have to make an extra trip to volunteer a year in advance to get a spot. If you’re not sure about IM brand vs. non-IM brand for your first race, be sure to ask yourself this:

    What do I want to hear when I cross the finish line after a tough 140.6 miles?

    If you want to hear those famous words of “YOU are an IRONMAN” then I’d certainly go with an IM brand for your first full distance tri.

Leave a Reply to sugarmagnolia70

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *