Border to Border triathlon

[nofishfisherman]

Have any of you heard much about this or know any one who has competed in it over the years? A buddy and I are thinking about competeing in it next year.

If you haven't heard about it its a pretty intense 4 day event that incorporates Biking, running, canoeing, and orienteering skills.

The race starts in southwest Minnesota, the first day is a 210 mile bike ride north toward St. Cloud. Day 2 is a another 210 mile bike ride farther north. Day 3 is a 50 mile run, and day 4 is a 50 mile canoe paddle with the last two miles taking you into Lake Vermillion.

You can compete with a relay team of up to 4 people so one person doesn't have to do every mile of the race but since the race covers over 500 miles each person is asked to contribute alot.

My buddy and i want to do this but I would like some info from someone who has actually done it before. This is a pretty big undertaking and I am a little nervous about how my body will handle 4 days of extreme competition.

So does anyone know someone who has done this race or have any of you done it?

[Crosslake]

My wife completed the race as a 3 person team in 2005. I was along to drive the van and to help out. We have been involved in a lot of races of all types over the past 20 years. This was one of the best run races even with the logistics involved in getting from Luverne to Crane Lake. Their first day on the bike was hard because of a big headwind, the second day they had a tailwind so they flew. The run was different than I would have thought. We come from a distance running background, so I thought to have each of the three run 10 miles, than they could switch off and get through the last 20 miles, but when we talked to the other teams, they were going to run 1/4 mile intervals! My wife's team ended up running 2/10 to 4/10 / mile intervals. With that speed they got through the 50 miles pretty fast. The canoe was the biggest challenge. They started early in the spring training with a group on the Mississippi by the UofM. That helped with their form and getting the right canoe. Navigating the first strech of the race is key. It was foggy and other teams were getting lost. One of my wife's teammates did a great job of keeping them going where they needed to be.

I will always remember it as a great event and definitely worth your time and effort.

Good luck!

[nofishfisherman]

Thanks for the info.

I would have never thought about doing the run in short intervals. I am probably the weakest at running so shorter intervals might suit me better. If I do this I would be doing it with several friends who are strong distance runners and I thought that potentially it might be better for them to carry the team during the run and I would try to pick up the extra slack during the bike or canoe legs but doing short intervals might be the better way to do it.

Right now I am starting froma ground zero in terms of conditioning although I am only 25 so I am hoping it will come back fairly fast.

I know that in the past i could easily bike 50 miles a day and run 10 miles and canoe/portage 20 miles it just a matter of doing it as fast as I can and in 4 consecutive days.

Chances are I will take on a shorter triathlon this summer and maybe do the border to border in the next few years after I get some more experience.

[Flatlander]

nofish-

You might want to check out the triathlon in Bemidji this year. It will be a good step towards the border to border. My partner for border to border has done it twice, and she absolutely loves it. I believe it's called the Chippewa tri or something like that. I'll be there this year doing it solo. Next year Lisa and I will be hitting the B-B. Good Luck.

[nofishfisherman]

I'll check it out, thanks.

[Dock Boy]

If you decide to do the race. It ends in Crane Lake at Voyagaire Lodge. If you want to spend the night I would make reservations early they fill up fast. Enjoy

[ccorces1]

wow that sounds like a lot of fun!

[nofishfisherman]

We decided to go for a shorter race for our first attempt but after a few weeks of training I have developed knee issues. Really its always been there but it has started to hinder me so I am not sure how it will go now.