Logistics Problems??
bstamps12
Posts: 1,184
I have a dilemma with logistics and an upcoming tri. I'm signed up for a tri June 9th that starts at 7:00 am. It is about 4 hrs away from home, but I can stay with my parents who are 3 hrs away from home the day before. I can't afford a hotel for the night (not to mention they are 45ish minutes away) and campgrounds are at least 1 1/2 hrs away from the site so camping is out the question as well. I'm checking with friends in the area to see if I can stay with any of them but they all live at least 45 mins away from the tri still.
Without getting to the tri the night before, I still have to do packet pickup and everything before the race as well as get my transition area ready, etc. so I want to be there by at least 6:00 am.
I can transfer my entry (with a small fee) to another event I am doing later in the summer and haven't registered yet, but the June 9th event is part of a tri series I'm doing and after seeing the people registered, I think I can place really well. Placing well would mean good points in the series come the end of the year.
If I bow out of this tri, I can do a (pool) swim meet that weekend instead in my own city. BUT I have events 2 weeks from that date: a 35 mi ride Sat. June 23rd followed by a Sprint Tri Sun. June 24th. I would love to have a solid tri under my belt before those events.
So my choices are:
1. Drive from my parents house, leaving at 3:00 am, place well and get points, gain confidence for June 23-24 events.
2. Drop this tri, transfer entry to tri later in summer, miss out on points, and compete in swim meet.
3. If a friend has a place, stay with them and drive 45 mins to start that morning. *Preferred but may not be possible.
What would you do?
Without getting to the tri the night before, I still have to do packet pickup and everything before the race as well as get my transition area ready, etc. so I want to be there by at least 6:00 am.
I can transfer my entry (with a small fee) to another event I am doing later in the summer and haven't registered yet, but the June 9th event is part of a tri series I'm doing and after seeing the people registered, I think I can place really well. Placing well would mean good points in the series come the end of the year.
If I bow out of this tri, I can do a (pool) swim meet that weekend instead in my own city. BUT I have events 2 weeks from that date: a 35 mi ride Sat. June 23rd followed by a Sprint Tri Sun. June 24th. I would love to have a solid tri under my belt before those events.
So my choices are:
1. Drive from my parents house, leaving at 3:00 am, place well and get points, gain confidence for June 23-24 events.
2. Drop this tri, transfer entry to tri later in summer, miss out on points, and compete in swim meet.
3. If a friend has a place, stay with them and drive 45 mins to start that morning. *Preferred but may not be possible.
What would you do?
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Replies
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1/2 the fun is the Adventure. Grab a tent - get there the night before and camp out or just sleep in your car.
There may be a board (facebook) that has other athletes doing the tri - or talking about it. I'd be willing to bet that someone would let you crash on their couch.
Or better yet - http://www.couchsurfing.org/
If you can't do that - hope for option 3.
A few things....
1. If the tri starts at 7 - check what time the transition area closes....6am may be pushing it.
2. Practice laying your transition area out at home - then put things into your bag in the opposite order - so the things you need first are pulled out first. That way the stress level is way down.
3. Have fun0 -
I'd probably sleep in my car too. Or I'd hit up anyone I knew doing the race and see if they had room, even a couch.0
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where is this tri? it sounds like it's in the middle of nowhere.
i like what rob said about tenting it. if you don't feel comfortable about doing that alone call up a friend and make a weekend out of it.0 -
Thanks for the suggestions everyone! Yes, this tri is in the middle of nowhere, I live in AR so half the state is in the middle of nowhere, haha. I think maybe #3 is going to work out and I'll just drive 45 minutes or so to the event. I'm a little more timid sleeping in a car being a young female than if I was a male, but I guess it is a last resort if nothing else works out!0
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My first half- Ironman was in Galveston and I stayed on the north side of Houston the night before at my brother's place. We left a little before 4 a.m. to make sure to get there when transition opened. It definitely added to the experience!0
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My vote is go. Experiences aren't made if you don't make them.
Staying with friends is probably a great idea, but the tent thing sounds pretty doggone fun, too. I've never camped before a race, but I've seen it done way too often to count. (And secretly dreamed of it, myself...)
Enjoy!
TriJoe.0 -
I am an avid camper so that has my vote; but with a group of friends....safety in numbers.
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