I would love to know what you are training for this season. It seems to me that most of the Long Island triathletes are training for Ironman Jones Beach. I heard there are more than 3,800 people who will be racing in the new 70.3. That’s a lot of people!
What am I training for?
I have a couple of fun goals this year. Here they are:
August 6, EventPowerLI Smithpoint Triathlon
This is a great race for a beginner and it’s one of my favorites on Long Island. It takes place in Mastic Beach. It’s fun, short, and it’s a great place to meet old and new friends!
Mileage: 500 Meter Swim; 9.7-mile bike; 5K run.
August 27, Chicago Triathlon
This race has been on my bucket list ever since I started training for triathlons. There is something magical about swimming in Lake Michigan, riding around the city of Chicago, and running along the water on the run. There are so many different races happening that day including:
Sunday: International, International Relay, Sprint, Sprint Relay, Triple Challenge
Saturday: Kids Tri, Kids Tri Relay, SuperSprint, SuperSprint Relay
Get 10 percent off any of these races by using the code HILARYTOPPER at checkout!
Mileage for my race: .93 mile swim; 24.8 mile bike; 10K run
September 17, Steelman Racing Swim
This swim has three different distances — 1 mile, 2 miles, and 3 miles. I will be doing the 3-mile swim, going around the lake six times. What intrigues me about this race is that it takes place in a lake in the Poconos. It should be gorgeous and if I don’t get totally dizzy by going around and around six times, it should be amazing!
Mileage: 3-mile swim
September 23, Ironman Jones Beach
Since I promised myself that I wouldn’t run more than a 10K this year because of my knee and prior injuries, I decided to get a runner for this event. I’ll be doing the swim and the bike. My running buddy, Sharon, will be the runner. I wasn’t going to do this one but it was a “no-brainer” being right here on Long Island. The course is literally 15 minutes from my house. It doesn’t get more convenient than that. I am concerned about this race because it takes place on Zach’s Bay, which is where many of the boats dock and where they empty their sewage. But, I’m told by some that the boats will be cleared out of there a few days before the race. In addition to that, I’m concerned a little about riding on the Wantagh. Although the course is closed, which definitely helps. There are 3800 athletes who will be on the course. This will be a potential hazard and I’m hoping that Ironman addresses this potential issue. Otherwise, I’m psyched about this race.
Mileage: 1.2 mile swim; 56 mile bike; 13.1 mile run
October 1, Mighty Montauk Sprint Triathlon
I tackled this event in 2015 and won my division. I haven’t raced there since but have wanted to for a long time. Montauk is a beautiful place to race. It’s hilly and tough but the surroundings are absolutely beautiful. This race has various races on the same day – a half Ironman, an Olympic, and a sprint. They also have relays for each. It’s a fun end-of-season race.
Mileage: 750-meter swim, 17K bike, and a 5K run
December 10, Integrity Multisport’s Key West Triathlon
This triathlon takes place in gorgeous Key West, Florida. I’ll be tackling a sprint triathlon. (I don’t remember if I signed up for the regular sprint or the super sprint. But, it really doesn’t matter.) This will be a total blast and I already rented an Airbnb for this. The race company has several different races happening that day including an international, long sprint, short sprint, relays, aqua bike, etc. It will be a total blast!
Mileage: Either — 600 meter swim; 12 mile bike; 4 mile run OR, 300 meter swim; 7 mile bike; 2 mile run
January 7, Alpha Win Sarasota Triathlon
This is another amazing triathlon that I am looking forward to. I was supposed to do this last year but I had pneumonia and was unable to do it. So this year, I am totally psyched to compete in this one. Sarasota is gorgeous. It’s on the west coast of Florida. Alpha Win also has a variety of races including a half-Ironman, Olympic, and sprint distances. I’ll be doing a sprint.
Mileage: 750 meter swim; 12.4 mile bike; 5K run
And that’s a wrap
And that’s my season. I can’t wait to get started and see where it takes me. Wish me luck!
Good luck to you! May the odds be ever in your favor!
Thanks!! I’m really excited and motivated for this season. Here’s to pushing myself further than before and achieving those goals! 🤞🏼😁✌️️
What are your goals this season? Share with me in the comment section of the blog! 🙂
