Comments on: Endurance events

By: Carrie

Carrie — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 16:36:27 +0000

The people I see who stay motivated for endurance events are those who become coaches. Although many are past achieving any new PRs (except in their age category), they need to maintain a high fitness level to set a good example and to show up regularly for training segments. The marathon / half-marathon training coaches I have known seem genuinely thrilled when they have been part of someone’s running success.

By: Wannabe ERE

Wannabe ERE — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 11:57:06 +0000

Try a thru hike. Most of my motivation for early retirement comes from my thru hiking addiction!

By: JohnGalt

JohnGalt — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 06:24:37 +0000

Unfortunately, not close. Michigan. If I was near the Bay area, I would definitely have contacted you by now to link up for a ride or run. I think we’re kindred spirits on many levels.

If you look around (at least here in MI), you can often find some low-key marathons without all the frills that don’t cost much. We have some around here that cost $20-$25 to enter. That seems reasonable enough for me to have a traffic-free route and some people to run with.

I’d love to see the Income Statement for an Ironman race. I have a hard time believing that permits and traffic regulation cost that much, but maybe they do. My gut says that “Ironman, Inc.” or whoever owns/operates those races is making some serious cash.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 08:10:21 +0000

@JohnGalt – Where are you at?

It’s strange that these events cost so much but apparently the money goes to permits and traffic regulation. I think the key is to do them self-supported and unofficially.

I keep thinking about doing a self-supported marathon with a camel back.

Anyone in the bay area interested in long-distance biking at 17mph+?

On the tri-note, I used to be a rather good swimmer decades ago, but I fear it’ll cost a minor fortune to build back up to the level where 4.5km in the water is a piece of cake again.

By: JohnGalt

JohnGalt — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 08:01:50 +0000

Jacob,
I could see you TRAINING for an Ironman, and I could see you completing the Ironman distance for the accomplishment, but I’m guessing you would have a hard time forking over nearly $600 for the entry fee for the priveledge of entering. That is my hangup. Let me know if you decide to organize your own free Ironman – I’d join you!

By: SF

SF — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 02:15:23 +0000

Long distance bike touring seems like a great “adventure vacation” to me. If I can get to FI, that’s something I want to try.

I’d want to use the Adventure Cycling maps though, presumably they’ve found the most cycle friendly routes.

By: kstacken

kstacken — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 01:36:50 +0000

Good thoughts! SAG stands for Support and Gear. A most fun week-long bike ride is held in Iowa each July, called Ragbrai. Great, great fun!

By: Jacob

Jacob — Tue, 06 May 2008 15:26:33 +0000

@DJ – One thing I would be uncomfortable about (given that I haven’t done so much of it) is riding on any road. I still detour to avoid large interstate overpasses or extended pieces of highways.

@Steve – I don’t know what SAG actually stands for. It’s the cars that provide technical support in case of flats, snapped spokes, etc. (In races it’s the big entourage of cars behind the peloton). Also, it is the cars that drive the fallen back to camp. I don’t know if the guys at the rest stops also fall under SAG.

By: Steve Austin

Steve Austin — Tue, 06 May 2008 12:53:43 +0000

ERE, nice ride. What is SAG?

(question unrelated to this post: do you have any research on HSAs? thought you had mentioned wanting to post on HSAs soon)

By: DJ

DJ — Tue, 06 May 2008 12:41:54 +0000

Have you consider loaded bike touring? I have never felt so free as I do when on a long distance bike ride. I’ve met people on the road who were spending several years on tour. I seemed like heaven to me…

http://www.AdventureCycling.org