New Sprint Triathlon Series in Savannah

After holding three successful sprint tris at L. Scott Stell Community Park in Savannah, Radek Parnika has decided to make it a four-race series for 2009. This is the same model as the Charleston Sprint Series at James Island, and actually, the race is very similar in distance. For more information about this race and course, read the race profile I wrote earlier this year.

The distances are:
500 Yards Swim (lake/pond)
16 Mile Bike (flat and fast; open to traffic, but very little; wind could be a factor)
3 Mile Run (2 loops around the lake/pond within the park; 200 yds or so of XC)

2009 Race Dates:
#1 MARCH 29
#2 APRIL 19
#3 MAY 10
#4 MAY 24

All events take place at 7:30 on Sundays, L. Scott Stell Community Park, Savannah, Ga.

Click here to for more information.

Upstate Y Sprint Triathlon Series
I heard about this series of sprint tris last year. I’ve never raced any of them, so I’m not sure about cost, number of participants, etc. I considered going to Rock Hill last year because the Rock Hill race also offered a duathlon event at the same time. But it’s a hike. In fact, except for Irmo, I don’t think any of these are ‘drivable’ from Charleston on race morning.

Here are the tentative dates for 2009:
April 5: Anderson
April 19: Greenwood
May 9: Rock Hill
May 30: Middle Tyger
June 13: Irmo (new to the Series)
July 19: Union
August 19: Laurens
September 12 or 19: Pickens

Click here for more information.

Cancelled Events for 2009

The 2009 Tybee Marathon, Half-Marathon and 5K events have been cancelled. Not much more information on their website, but it does say “Look for our return in 2010.” I hope that’s the case. I hate to see races die, and I don’t want to add this race to my RIP list.

Here's a blurb from Savannah's daily paper: "Volunteer shortage, sponsorship issues force one-year hiatus. The Tybee Marathon is taking a breather. Organizers recently cancelled the 2009 edition of the area's longest running road race. A representative of the Savannah Striders Track Club, which has put on the race since it moved from Savannah to Tybee in 1996, blamed a shortage of volunteers as well as Memorial Health's decision to withdraw its sponsorship. The Striders plan is to renew the race in 2010."

I don’t know too much about this event, but it’s one of the three marathons in the area – Myrtle Beach (Feb), Tybee (Feb), and Kiawah (Dec). It’s less expensive than the others, and the field is really small (just over 300 for the marathon). It’s a flat course, so times can be fast, but you never know how cold it will be.

My brother did this race a few years ago and said he was pretty miserable. It was really cold and windy, and with so few other runners, he ran long stretches of highway seemingly alone. Of course, this was his first marathon, and part of that misery was because first-time marathons aren’t typically pleasant, particularly miles 20-25.

But I can see his point. For a first time marathon, you probably want to run in a larger field, and even better, with a friend or family member. It helps keep you motivated. Other runners can pull you along; remind you that you are indeed in a race and not running alone; block wind; keep you company, etc.
















My first marathon was in Las Vegas with about 10,000 other runners. By mile 15, I had run down the entire Las Vegas strip and through Fremont St., seen a live band at each mile marker, saw several couples get married at mile 5 (only in Vegas), saw at least 50 runners dressed as Elvis, and one naked runner (he had on only a nude-color bikini). And that’s with people all around me and crowds lining the streets for much of the race. The miles flew by and it was a great experience for a first marathon.

Now, with a marathon under my belt (3:57 by the way), if I wanted to go for a lower time and stay closer to home, Tybee would work perfectly. So, come on Tybee. We do indeed “look for your return in 2010.”

Tour de Georgia Cancelled
This announcement was made a few weeks ago. Bummer. Apparently they couldn’t secure a title sponsor but do hope to regroup for 2010. This race has turned out to be a pretty popular event, attracting many big time professional teams, including the old Disco team and Lance himself.













A buddy of mine went down the past few years and said it was a blast. And unless
you go to California or France, this is probably the only professional stage racing you’re likely to see. Let’s hope this event bounces back in 2010.

If you want more information, check out this article from Pro Cycling News.

Resolution 5k Cancelled
Not to end on a bad note, but I don't see any listing for the Resolution 5k. This is an early morning New Year's Day 5k. I think this would be the 7th year they've done this race. I ran it several years ago and it's a fun way to start the year. Maybe it's there and I just can't find it. We shall see....

Bald spot grows exponentially in 2008

Mt. Pleasant, SC – While viewing a photograph from a recent race, area resident Justin Ward expressed surprise at the diameter of his ever-increasing bald spot. “I really don’t ever see the top of my head,” said Ward in a recent interview. “I mean, I knew it was there, but from the looks of things, I’d say it’s really on the move now.”

Ward, long-known for his Eddie Munster-like receding hairline, welcomed the ensuing battle royale on his head for balding dominance. “It’s really turning out to be good a race. My receding hairline has been the dominant feature of my male pattern baldness for over 10 years. Now, with my bald spot making this powerful move, I’d say it’s going to be a real battle.”

Experts agree that it could go either way at this point. “I got the receding hairline as a slight favorite at the moment,” says one Vegas odds maker who wishes to remain anonymous. “But really, with this kind of thing, you really can’t tell. We’ll know more next year for sure.”

Bluffton Races

There's a tiny race production company in Bluffton called Play Hard Sports, Inc. The past few years they've put on a duathlon series and several 5ks. These are small events, but since there really aren't many trail runs in the area, or duathlons for that matter, I'm going on record saying it's worth the two hour drive. And these events could really get going with a few more participants from the Charleston area.

The next race is a 5k trail run (and 1 mile fun run) at Oldfield Plantation on November 15.

Dates for the 2009 duathlon series are:
Race #1 January 31st
Race #2 February 28th
Race #3 March 28th

The duathlon consists of a 5K run, 6 mile trail bike, 5K run. There are three races and two different courses. The February 28th duathlon is at Rose Dhu Creek. I've never raced here, but you can get course info from the website.

The January 31st and March 28th races are at the Pinckney Colony Course. I raced here in 2007 and had a good time. I meant to go back last year, but I had conflicts and couldn't make it happen. The 5k is on pavement, a simple out and back, with absolutely no traffic. The 6 mile MTB course is off road on non-technical paths, mostly double track. It's nothing fancy, but it's a fun way to spend a Saturday morning.

The entry fee is $25, or $20 each for a team. If you pre-register for all three events, you get a pretty good discount. Awards are given for the top three male and female overall finishers, and the first male and female in each age division. Awards are also given to the top three teams.

Both Pinckney Colony and Rose Dhu Creek are located in Bluffton, SC. Directions can be found on the website.

Blog Dump Part 2

I've been off the blog kick for a while now. I'm not sure why really. Perhaps it's because the tri season is all but over and I'm out of triathlete mode. Looking back over my posts from the year, I can't believe how heavy the triathlon content is. I intended this to be a multisport blog, covering all kinds of endurance and multisport events, but that didn't happen.

Without realizing it, 90% of my racing has been triathlons the past three years. And that's a problem. I'm not feeling burned out, but I don't have the drive anymore. The races all feel the same. For the past three years, I've done the same 12 or so races, and they all blur together. I need some variety.

My plan for next year was to scrap sprint tris altogether and do a half iron in May, and a full iron in November. And I still may stick to that plan. But last Saturday, fate intervened. A craigslist post for a brand new Raleigh Supercourse road bike. Check it:














I've always wanted to get into the road racing scene, and now is my chance. I'm not sure how hard I'll hit it next year, but at least I know I'll have more variety in my racing experience.

3rd Annual Savannah Sprint Triathlon
I'm headed down to Savannah this weekend to do the Savannah triathlon. You can click the link to check out the race profile I wrote last May. It will be fun. I'm taking my oldest son Jake with me and staying with my brother. I'm hoping to get top 10 overall and/or beat my time from last year. We shall see. My training last year didn't include as many late nights playing Rock Band. I think my form is slipping some, but that's the price to pay when you're the lead singer of a band.

2008 Hawaii Ironman
Here is a pretty good video from this year's Ironman Hawaii World Championship. Not crazy about the choice in music, but cool nontheless.

In terms of good songs to set your tri videos to, I'm going to with Welcome to the Jungle or Lunatic Fringe. But really, anything that kicks in right when the horn sounds for the swim, it's going to be strong.