We posed a question to the Total Intensity Coaches: What are your Top Five “Must-Do Triathlons?”
Each coach came up with their own lists, so it’s important to note that when we all created our lists, we didn’t know what the other coaches were going to pick as their top-fives. The only caveat to our rankings was to NOT include Ironman Hawaii – that one is a given, so we weren’t going to include the obvious.
With that said, this is the first of five installments as we talk about some amazing events. There were three events which made it to all three coach’s lists. Before we get to them, we want to list out the events which either one or two of our coaches included on their list. Call these the first three of these “honorable mention” races. Then, over the next couple of weeks, we will rank the top four and our coaches will give more comments on each race and why it is a “must do”!
Please leave your own comments below and let us know what your must-do races are!
Escape from Alcatraz
Tom’s Take (Ranked #3)
The lore of Escape From Alcatraz dates to when the prison was still operational. Thought to be an unescapable place, Athletes now flock to it to test their mettle in the frigid waters on San Francisco Bay, the hilly environs of the City and the iconic views of the run which also include a leg busting segment along Baker Beach and the infamous sand ladder. Before you even enter the water, you must overcome the fear of heights as the plunge off the ferry at Alcatraz is close to 10 feet – there’s no time to hesitate as 3000+ triathletes are pushed off the boat in less than 15 minutes. The swim is 1.5 miles through frigid waters and strong currents that will sweep you out toward the Golden Gate if you don’t sight correctly.
Once ashore, it’s on to a steep technical course that can be slippery in places, is clogged with riders and has some challenging sudden climbs that make certain you are proficient at shifting gears (the streets will be littered with riders who get stuck in the wrong gear and fall).
Finally, the 8-mile run out towards the Golden Gate offers epic views as well as lung busting climbs, a brutal beach segment followed by the infamous sand ladder. It’s a great accomplishment with a great international flare as 50+ countries are represented.
Chicago Triathlon
Jenni’s Take (Ranked #5):
This is one of the oldest triathlons in the Midwest and one of the most popular Olympic distance races for age-groupers and pros alike. You swim in the Harbor at Grant Park, which is on Lake Michigan, a place that is not normally open for public swimming. Then you’ll tour the Windy City on two wheels riding on Lake Shore Drive, which is normally closed to bikes and jam packed with cars. You’ll see lots of great architecture and the uniqueness of this city out on the bike course. You’ll finish with pounding the pavement in downtown Chicago, along the lakefront. If you take the time to look around, you’ll see fascinating sculptures and murals scattered around the race course. This race is also known for its size, with around 9,000 people participating on race weekend.
John’s Take (Ranked #5):
Set in an amazing downtown venue along the shores of Lake Michigan using Lake Shore Drive for a large portion of the bike course, this race is FAST and a ton of fun. The race is one of the largest in the world, with close to 10,000, yes, ten thousand, athletes competing every year. Featuring a Super Sprint on Saturday and a Sprint and Olympic distance on Sunday, the sheer number of triathletes, massive transition area and 50+ wave start, are reasons to check this race out.
If you think a flat and fast Olympic isn’t enough of a challenge, well, they do have the Triple Challenge. This involves all three events. Officially launched in 2007, the Triple Challenge offers a limited number of triathletes the opportunity to register and compete in three events in a single weekend — for a total of 59 miles that includes 1.63 miles in the water, 46.3 miles on the bike and 10.85 miles on the run. Participants start with the SuperSprint on Saturday. On Sunday, Triple participants start in one of the first International distance waves (approx. 6:00 a.m.). Once finishing the International race, participants return to the start area and take on the Sprint race (approx. 10:15 a.m.)!
Whatever the distance, head to the Windy City and race Chicago at least once!
Ironman Lake Placid
Tom’s Take (Ranked #4)
Once IM left Penticton, that left Lake Placid as the longest standing North American Ironman. Set in the hills of Northern New York and in the shadow of the Lake Placid Olympic venues – its stood the test of time as a challenging and beautiful course. While not the hardest course on paper, if not managed correctly it can definitely lead to trouble.
The bike course is sneaky hard and if you don’t race within yourself the effects can be felt as early as loop 2 on the bike or in the quads while climbing on the run. It is broken up nicely and can be managed with a little prerace planning.
The finish is one of the most spectacular in the sport – a loop around the Olympic Oval where Eric Heiden won 5 gold medals in the 1980 Olympics!
