Disclosure: This post is sponsored on behalf of the Columbia Threadneedle Investments Boston Triathlon. As always, all opinions are my own.
At the end of 2016, I was pretty crushed that I didn’t make it onto any of the charity teams I was hoping to run with in the Boston Marathon. I felt like 2017 was “the year” for me to do it, so when I found out it didn’t happen I commenced ugly crying in a rest stop parking lot.
As soon as I let go of my expectations about *needing* to do that event, though, the universe opened up some really amazing event opportunities for me for 2017.
Case in point: I’m super excited about my triathlon “A” race I’ve chosen for this season – the 2017 Columbia Threadneedle Investments Boston Triathlon on Sunday, July 30th!
The Boston Triathlon offers both Sprint and Olympic distance options. Here’s the breakdown:
- SPRINT – 750m swim, 17.5K bike, and a 5.5K run
- OLYMPIC – 1.5K swim, 35K bike, and 10K run
I’m challenging myself to the Olympic distance this year. When I was deciding which distance to choose, I realized it has been 5 years since my last Oly event! In the meantime, I’ve done my fair share of sprint tris and half marathons (and ya know, the whole having a baby thing two years ago) – but it’s been a while since I took on a bigger endurance challenge. I can’t wait for this!
The Boston Triathlon is taking a key spot on my race calendar for these 9 reasons:
- This race is actually in the city. The event start and finish is set for Carson Beach & Mother’s Rest Fields in South Boston. I’ve signed up for so many “Boston” events that have courses anywhere from Canton to Andover – so I love seeing a race that does actually take place in the city itself.
- The bike and run courses are flat. Not like when races say “mostly flat” and you end up riding up some massive hill you weren’t expecting thinking “Um, what the heck…”. This is actually flat; think nice smooth sailing.
- The bike course is entirely closed to car traffic, which is great for any new rider, or experienced riders that simply get nervous about vehicles during a race. {If you’ve followed the blog for a while, you might remember I trained on the bike for my very first triathlon in an empty Walmart parking lot because I was terrified of car traffic. This race would have been a perfect first option for me!}
- Michelob ULTRA sponsors the after party, which consists of unlimited free beer. UNLIMITED. FREE. BEER.
- There’s special pricing for U23 athletes. What, you didn’t know I’m still in my early 20s? Totally kidding; 30-something over here. BUT I love that the Boston Tri recognizes that cost can be a barrier to participation for younger athletes. {I know when I was that age, I didn’t have much extra cash to toss around.} So if you’re a U23 athlete, you can race for 50% off.
- You can upgrade to a VIP package, which has – among other cool things – VIP porta-potties. For some reason nervous energy makes me have to pee more {is this just me?!}, so pretty much every race I just rotate through the porta potty lines over and over until the start. Needless to say, this upgrade should be good for me. 😉
- If you’re looking to give back, you can race for Team BMC! The Boston Medical Center charity team is an official partner of the Boston Triathlon. Athletes on the team commit to fundraising for BMC to raise money for substance abuse addition programs. In exchange, athletes receive free entry into the race, fundraising support, and access to free training clinics.
- Two race distances = more choices for friends. AKA we can all corral more of our tri friends into racing with us together.
- Or you can do a relay team! Yep, if you’re not feeling up for the challenge of completing the race solo, you can sign up for a 2 or 3 person relay team. This is great if you feel comfortable with one aspect of the race but not another. Maybe you know you can kill it on the run, but open water swimming scares ya silly and you are just not ready to tackle that demon. It’s relay team time to the rescue!
If you’ve never done a triathlon but have any spark of interest based on what I’ve said so far – go ahead and sign up for this race! Once you have it on the calendar, you will feel so motivated to train and make it happen. {And perhaps slightly nervous too, but that’s OK!}.
Most people think that triathlons take lots of fancy equipment and tons of training time. But the truth is that as long as you have some kind of bike, a helmet, running shoes and a bathing suit, along with a few hours a week to train, you can do a triathlon. {Here’s a helpful post I recently did about some great training books for triathlon, and you can find lots of other training and nutrition tips right here on the blog too.}
Let’s get racing!
Share with me: Have you ever done a triathlon before? If you signed up for this race, would you do the sprint or Olympic distance? Local friends and readers, who wants to race with me?!
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I’ve never done a Triathlon before, but this race looks really good. I can see why you are excited to participate in it this year!
Thanks Kimberly! I find tris a lot of fun because of the variety!
I’ve never done a triathlon but this looks like a good one! I can just feel your excitement coming out of this post! Enjoy!
I am VERY excited! That crazy look on my face in the jump photo says it all, lol.
Aww I’m sorry you were disappointed about the marathon. .That’s a bummer for sure. But this tri looks amazing. The only times I’ve really spent quality time in Boston were the years I was there to run the marathon and it has a special place in my heart. I’ll bet this tri has that same wonderful vibe.
Thanks Marcia! It was a disappointment when I wasn’t selected for the marathon teams, but quite a few awesome opportunities have popped up for me (this included) that I’m ridin’ high right now! 🙂
I’ve never done a tri but this looks like so much fun!
If you ever consider doing one, def put this on your list of tris to try!
I’ve never races before, but this makes me want too!!!
They are SO fun (for me at least). There’s something so incredibly gratifying about crossing the finish line!
I have never done a triathlon before- something about throwing myself into the water with a bunch of people doesn’t do it for me! LOL! Nice that they have a relay version, that is cool! Good luck with your training I can feel the excitement from here!
Hahaha! If you ever decide to try one, place yourself in the back corner on the opposite side of the first bouy for the swim start. It’ll be the least congested place and gives you some time to get into a groove with the swim without worrying about being so close to all the other people.
This sounds like a great triathlon! I’ve never raced one before. I’m okay on a bike just not a great swimmer, Best of luck with your training!
The great thing about races with a sprint distance is the swim is relatively short (though definitely something to train for). Thanks for the kind wishes! 🙂
Tri races are my goal races this year as well. This one sounds really great and I might consider it for next year. Look forward to reading about your training too as we get closer to our races. Love the VIP porta potties
Hahaha, those VIP porta potties are awesome right?! I can’t wait to follow along with your training too Deborah!
Sounds like such a great event. Have a blast!
Thanks Jessica! 🙂
Sounds like a fun event and a great choice! Ive never done a triathlon…and Im not sure it will happen in the foreseeable future. But I will keep this one in mind if I ever decide to do one!
They’re a blast (especially this one) – highly recommend tri-ing one out (pun intended, lol) at some point if you feel comfortable with the three disciplines!
I did a tri relay team a few years ago (I was the runner LOL), and I have done a Du. Someday, maybe, I’ll attempt a tri…
Go for it Kim! Du’s are fun too. I prefer the swim so I like the tri better, but my hubby doesn’t really like the swim and I think he prefers the du.
This sounds great! I am doing my first sprint tri in April and I am hoping it goes well. I’m really nervous.
You’ll be awesome!!! I can’t wait to hear how it goes! (PS – I was SO nervous for my first. I thought I was going to be out there for 4 hours and thought no one would be waiting at the finish line when I finally crossed it, haha. Once the race started, everything clicked though and it was awesome.)
This is my fear! The race will be packing up and I’ll still be out on the course! I’m super panicked because I am beyond horrible in the pool. And I can stand up and hold on to the side! I won’t be able to do that in open water! The masters swim class I’m taking has really opened my eyes to how much work I have to do! Thanks for this! Boston will be my first sprint tri. I’m so scared.
You got this Anna!!!! The race is very beginner friendly and you’ll do great. As far as the swim, two recommendations: 1) Be sure to get a few open water practices before the race. I’m not sure where you’re located, but if you can make it out to Walden, there are usually tons of open water swimmers there and it’s a great place to bring a friend to go along with you. And 2) When it comes to race day, position yourself in the back of your wave start, at the side furthest from the bouy. It will take a few seconds off your swim time BUT it prevents you from being in the chaos of the middle of a swim start and gives you a little space to ease into your stride. Keep me posted on how it goes!
Well, if it weren’t for that whole swimming thing, and that’s on the complete other side of the country, this sounds AMAZING! Hope you have a blast.
Hahaha, thanks Clarinda! You can always learn to swim AND fly out to Boston this summer 😉
Sounds like a killer event! I’m sure you’ll have a ton of fun. Good luck!
Thanks Chrissy! It’s going to be a lot of fun.
I’ve never done a tri before, but this sounds like a great event!
Thanks Kathryn! 🙂
Sounds like a really exciting race!!
It’s going to be a blast – I’m pumped!
This is very motivational, I’m hooked! Love your energy by the way. Wish you all the best things in life and strike toward your goals!
Aw, thanks so much Dorothy!