Reading through a number of these threads a few people have mentioned Noosa Triathlon as a goal for later this year.

Apparently (according to USM) registration only opened a few weeks ago, but the individual event is already 57% full (with the teams not far behind). Don't wait too long if the event is a priority for you this year.

I registered today.

It feels strange registering for an event before gearing up the specific training!

Yeah, I registered already too.
I haven't done my first Tri yet. I would have liked to be able to wait until after that to register, but that's not gunna be an option.
And we've got accommodation booked too.
It's crazy how busy it is around the Tri.

I haven't decided whether I will do this one or not...

I'm sort of tempted just to do a team. Last year I did the ride in it. And then at Mooloolaba I did the run leg.
I've done a handful of sprint triathlons, just never committed myself to the full OD...

Sunset,

You should definately take the step and have a go..

On the plus side of doing Noosa as your first OD tri is that it is a huge race, plently of people racing for the first time at the distance.

The event is huge... which makes it hard as a non drafting event. The quote i saw that sums up noosa is that it is "60km of non drafting cyclists packed into 40km".

early bird entry closes tomorrow ($170 - becomes $190 after tomorrow).
I registered today. Still seems like a lot of money!!!

apparently 65% full

From the USM newsletter today:
There's only a matter of days before the Individual triathlon fills completely, with the team's tri not far behind it. Here is an update of the entry status:

Individual: 85% Full
Teams: 62% Full

If anyone is still thinking about it, you better pull the finger out.

And now Individual Entry is sold out.

I think it sold out last weekend... Glad I got in when I did! (Although I might live to regret it...)

I totally understand where you're coming from Sunset.
But in the great Aussie tradition, "She'll be right mate!"

You wont regret it! One of the best events! (Face it... it'll never qualify as the cheapest).

I'm feeling a bit unmotivated re: the training aspect at the moment though.

How long do you think I need to prepare? Is two months enough? So I can be slack* for another month?

(* I'm still being active, just not doing meaningful training).

If you'll be happy just to get through, I think you'll be OK.
As long as you can stop yourself on the day from trying to beat your mates who have trained fully

Ugh I missed registration because I was late in finding out about it and committing to racing it, and now I don't know what to do. I'm on the wait list for entries, but have no idea if that will get me an entry or not. I'm continuing the training anyway, just in case.

Anyone have any ideas about getting in to this tri or know of alternative similar events at a similar time?

Cheers,

Rob

Zipededoo, you could just join a team entry - that way at least you have the experience of great atmosphere.

Hi Zipededoo
it's pretty hard to get in after the event. hang in there as some people get injured and always some cancellations at the end.

the USM web site lists the other event sthey manage, which includes the QTS Gatorade sprint tri's.

also if you go to Triathlon Qld web site they have the other events listed there, such as Bribie which is close to Olympic distance.

there is a Sprintman (1/30/8 i think?) on at the same day as the Gold COast Half IM (see USM site or Ironmanoz web site and follow the half ironman links)

happy training

PH

Thanks guys.

I'd have gone with a team, but I don't know anyone having only recently moved up here. The QTS looks good so I might enter those. They aren't all elite racers are they? I'm not totally new to triathlons, but won't be up on the podium by any means

Cheers,

Rob

They're definitely not all elite races. There are normally a good number of people doing them on clunky old mountain bikes. My second tri was a QTS at Raby Bay which I did on my flat-bar hybrid.

There are some faaast boys and girls out there though. I spotted Michellie Jone's (past IM world champion) sister, Gabrielle racing at QTS Caloundra earlier this year.

--Toby

Zipededoo, the QTS races are not elite... there is definately some talent at the pointy end (I have heard, never actually been at that end of the race) but with 600+ competitors theres somethign there for most levels. These races at this sprint distance attract a good number of newcomers. Have a look at the results from the various QTS races on the USM site and you'll get a good feel for the spread of talent.

Geez USM are pretty inflexible.

No option of transferring my entry to someone else.
Only option is a mere 50% refund and that request must be made in writing.

Sunset - are you thinking of not racing? is that a motivational battle or have you double booked that weekend. I though you'd be full of confidence after nailing the noosa half.

I'm thinking of not racing.

My swim and cycle training over the last couple of months has been almost non-existent (maybe 1 x easy 1.5km at the pool once a week, and a couple of 10km commutes to/from work on the bike). I've left the training too late and I don't have motivation to train hard anyway. Plus, racing causes me stress and anxiety.

That said, I would love to enter a team event and do the run. So if you happen to know any buddies who might like to swim or cycle, let me know! (I know this is the wrong forum to be attempting to get those people!)

sunset

I think, if you don't mind my presumption, that you are looking at Noosa the wrong way. on the one hand you say that racing causes you stress and anxiety and yet on the other you want to go with a team. I take it that you think if you do it alone you have to race, wheras if you take part in a team, you are just "taking part" and not "racing."

I reckon you need to look at doing the whole thing yourself as a fun thing. therefore you are going to "take part" not "race". I believe you could cruise through it no problems.

I did the Noosa tri last year as my first tri ever (as one guy I was chatting to at the start said "**# doing this as your first tri is like meeting a guy then marrying him the next day...) but I had a great time. The only stress I felt was I wasn't sure, as I was riding a mountain bike, that I'd finish within the required time - my wave was about 2/3 of the way back.

I've only ever done half marathons before and decided half way through the GC Half that I needed to do something more interesting than just running. I didn't even have a bike and hadn't swum in 8 years when I registered for Noosa. Decided that road bikes were a bit "fragile" for my liking, so bought a mountain bike with narrow tyres about 8 weeks out from Noosa.

my training consisted of bike riding 2 x a week, running 2 x a week and swimming 2 x a week with a couple of weight sessions if I could be bothered. the hardest part of the above programme was toughening up the rear end for the bike riding

I could not believe how much better I felt compared to the training for a half marathon injury wise.

You've got the fitness from your half marathon training. You've the experience from the sprints for transitions (more than I had but I didn't mind too much about roaring through transition. I sat down and dried off my feet while I had a snack after the swim while people swirled around me). You only need to maybe toss in a 90 minute bike ride/brick session on the weekend and you'd be set for Noosa. There's nothing in the rules which says you have to go flat out. A steady swim (which you can do), a steady bike ride - the so called hill is nothing if you're used to trundling around Brisbane and then, depending on the fuel in the tank you can bring it home in the run. Voila - your first OD triathlon. There's nothing quite like it, except maybe your first half marathon

There is Nothing in the rules that you have to race yourself into the ground. Forget about times or if you can't then set realistic ones based on your training/fitness. You are competing against yourself and as this is the first OD for you, at least you'll be able to put a PB against your time!

give it a go, it really is fun.

cat lady

That would be a shame for you. There would be enuf time left to get there with your swim and cycle, as long as you could accept you'd go in with sound training, not redhot form. But motivation sounds like your biggest hurdle.

Are you not enjoying the cycle/swim part of it? or have a greater focus on running goals.

Wise words cat lady. Your pre race anxiety (mtb, swim cutoff) reminds me of a something I experienced a while back. years ago when i started doing (deliberatly didnt use the word 'racing') triathlons, I entered mostly the USM events around raby bay.
As a 25 to 29yo male back then my wave would usually go off near to last - often 2 minutes in front of the teams. As a newcomer, I'd finish toward the back of the field (hence the CR name). This one race I was due to head off on the swim wave 2mins before the teams. The usual negative talk was running thru my head "what if i am the last one on the course and they are packing up around me" the usual self doubting rubbish.
As i made my way down to the swim start, there was a guy in a wheelchair preparing to swim in the teams wave. I stopped and thought how stupid my thinking was, and that where would this guy be if stressed about such things. That has always stuck with me and i pull it out everytime i get negative prerace thoughts.

For the record, i didnt, and never have finished last. The difference is now i dont care if i do.

so Sunset, what does this mean for you? If you choose to race noosa, you will do so. you will set a goal based on what you expect given the preparation you have had. Is it the best you could have done with different preparation? You will assess it against your expetations and nothing else. and as catlady said... you are guaranteed a PB.

Sunset
you really should do Noosa...it is an experience.yes it's big and loud but great to a part of - at least once !!
you could finish it now but you still have 8 weeks to go.just ride and swim 2 times each week and keep running as usual .
I'm positive you would crack 2.40 on your 1st attempt.
s- 30
b- 1.20
r - 50
don't stress too much about times etc...you will end up with analysis paralysis

Agree. and this year i would take those times right now and go stright to teh pub....except i want the fun of doing it. if i was trying to win i wouldn't.
As Kandingo knows well i don't even bother training for the swim. i won't lead the field after it, but i won't drown either and suprisingly won't be anywhere near last. actually i haven't been on the road on my bike for months either. no matter cause i can run. well... i only just started doing that a month ago after a break so ti will be slow and a little painful. i will finish way outside the time i might one day do and bound to be slower than the first go, but i bet they won't get me up on stage and throw tomatoes at me. Nobody cares about the time except you/me. Go for it Sunset... once you've done something once, the next time and time after are easier. Re-read your "procrastination thread" on your first half. this is ditto and look how good that was for you.
have fun
PH

It irks me that people with entries for Noosa want to give them away when I would love to have been able to enter but missed out. Oops, wrong thread.

Thanks for the amazing words of encouragement and inspiration. I really appreciate the support

But, I'm still not sold on the idea. You are very right Cat Lady, that I have put too much pressure on times and racing rather than just taking part. I have managed to overcome that fear with my running (recording PW's as the year has progressed but not stressing about it), but I feel like I have lost the plot when it comes to triathlons.

I think Mooloolaba 2009 might be a better goal. I don't like the idea of swimming around in those yucky Noosa canals anyway

Balri - I'm sorry you missed out. I would love to give you my entry if they let me. You can race under my name if you like!

I'm still not completely convinced that I will withdraw - I have until 23 October to notify USM of that, but if I want to do a team entry, I need to get that organised sooner.

Hi
i am seriously desperate to be part of the Noosa Truathlon, thoght I had been entered only to discover this is not so!!! Would lov eto buy someone's registration eeven at an inflated price f they thinking of not doing it!
Cheers Janet

I'd be happy to do the run in a team if you can ride or swim and find someone else to do the other.

Sunset, I am new to running, and in the near future will be very new to tri's.

Maybe a change of focus will help you with Noosa. Does it have to be a competition for you? Couldn't you tri (ha ha) it just for the sake of it, and to finish it. Nothing more than that!

I ran my first race, B2B and couldn't break 60mins. I wanna do my first half in about 4 weeks, and I don't expect to break 2hr30mins, but I'm not letting that talk me out of doing it. Regardless of your time it is still a mile stone event. I wanna do Noosa next year.

Yes the swim seems scary, but don't kill yourself during it. Fit in some breast stroke as a bit of a break if you need to. I don't think the ride will push you based on your fitness (seeing the times you're running). I wear a hrm during all my runs/rides and my hr is quite a bit lower during my rides compared to my runs. So I think you'll be surprisingly fresh when you hit the run.

From what several people have told me, practice the transition from bike to run. Not long. Just do some rides then maybe 5mins run afterwards. Just to get the legs used to it.

Just go for it, treat it as a gentle stroll through a park and enjoy yourself. I don't think there's any need to treat it as a full on competition - rather a notch on the belt to say 'Yeah - I did Noosa!'.

Great more than happy to do both the swim and the ride and you do the run. Happy to pay you for the registration and discuss the team.

teams are full.

USM are being entirely unhelpful.

I'm not racing as an individual. But thank you to everyone for all their encouragement all the same.

I'm hoping to find an already registered team that needs a runner but it's not looking too promising at the moment.

Janet, you might be able to buy mine BUT you would have to race under my name as USM are, once again, entirely unhelpful.

Bugger! Janet, I guess you should organise this with Sunset then and I'll just have to get in earlier next year.

Hey Sunset, more than happy to rac under your name. If you are happy to sell I am more than happy to buy your registration and race and share my showbag with you.
Please let me know I am happy to transfer the money immediately.
Cheers Janet

Hey Sunset I am more than happy to rce under your name and pay upfront immediately for registration. would love ot hear from you regarding exchanging details and me being able to pay you.
cheers Janet

Your silence is deafening, you obviously were not seriously considering not doing Noosa, just a lot of talk!

Hi Janet

Sorry for the slow response - I don't have the internet at home at the moment so I'm limited to some periods at work.

If you don't mind giving me a couple of days to decide what I want to do.

Cheers.

I went up to watch the Noosa tri in 2001 and was so pumped when I saw it...I knew that I ABSOLUTELY HAD to compete the following year.

Did minimal swim and bike training but just wanted to enjoy the experience. Did my first tri at Noosa in 2002. I LOVED IT! Went back subsequent years and competed sometimes as an individual and other times in teams. Nothing compares to competing as an individual though.

USM are not my favourite Event Management company but they do put on a good show...despite distances not being accurate; putting ruthless marshalls out on the course, and charging huge fees.

Hey sunset,
absolutely no worries, If you want to just do part of the event we can arrange it . For example I could do the swim and the ride and you could do the run. I would run out of the compound and tag you and you would have the running number on and off you go! Not exactly by their rules but still honest, I tag you and off you go and run through the finishers shoot after completing the 10kms. The reason I said the run, is that I saw you would like to be a runner in a team. however you could do any leg or legs that you so desire, or the whole lot. take your time and when you are ready let me know. Cheers Janet

Personally, Noosa is too big and too busy for me. I prefer Mooloolaba! Much more space - in the water and on the bike - so you can get out and race.
No one has mentioned the Bribie Tris yet. Entries are up and forms are out. First race is Oct 17 (yes, the same day as the first QTS race). However, they keep their costs down as the Bribie crew aren't in it for a profit, just to make a great race.
Oh, and the course at Bribie - is VERY friendly - especially for those who aren't the best in the water - love the tide assist!
See you there!