Saturday, April, 9, 2016: 1/3rd mile swim, 17 mile bike, and 3.1 mile run
Challenging local CrossFit boxes to prove which box has the fastest endurance team!

In 2012, the CrossFit games started with a triathlon. Since then, strength athletes have improved their cardio conditioning for endurance-based events.

Post-Normal challenges local boxes along the Gulf Coast to a team relay at Tradition’s Triathlon on Saturday, April 9.

Athletes & their coaches will compete to see which box has the fastest team. The winners get bragging rights for the year and a unique team trophy. 

Post-Normal Relay Challenge Guidelines:

• 3 individuals per team(swimmer, biker, runner)
• At least one male and one female per team
• Unless injuries prevent it, at least one coach per team
• Top 3 fastest teams, based on total racing time, receive unique trophies to take back to their box

Special Prize: A unique trophy will go to the gym with the most individual entries in the Tradition’s Triathlon. Those individuals will be competing against the rest of the triathletes, but the Coach who gets the most athletes from their box to cross the finish line will receive a one-of-a-kind prize to take back to their gym.

For question, contact Jon McDougal at jon@BePostNormal.com or 228.284.4556. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: How do we register?
A: Click here,  which brings you to the Races Online page, and then select your method of payment (Credit/Debt or Cash/Check.) On the very next page, select "CrossFit Relay Team" and Continue from there. 

Q: Where is this event?

A: The Tradition community is located in North Biloxi, MS, off Highway 67. The entrance address is: 12500 Village Ave E, Biloxi, MS 39532. Stay on the main road, go down the hill, and you'll see the lake where the event starts.

Q: Will we be competing against other triathlon teams?

A: There is a relay for triathlon teams, but this challenge is only for CrossFit gyms and your team's time will be ranked against CrossFit gyms. 

Q: How long are the pieces of the relay?

A: The first person will swim 600 meters, roughly equal to 12 laps in a pool. The second person bikes 17 miles. And the third person will run a 5K, which is 3.1 miles. 

Q: Is a wetsuit required during the swim?

A: No. You do not have to wear a wetsuit. They are helpful for new swimmers and can keep you warm in cold water, but wetsuits have never been required at Tradition. 

Q: Can we train on the course?

A: Every Sunday between now and race day, at 2P, we train on the course. You are welcomed to bring your team and join us. 

Q: If there a Facebook page for the event?

A: The official event page is here. The race directors answer questions, updates are posted, and opportunities for training are posted very frequently. 

Q: What if I have more questions?

A: Email jon@BePostNormal.com and I'll get back to you. 

First, normal people do not want to become an Ironman. And I was normal, once.  (But that changed. (Eventually.)) A couple of years ago, when I started doing sprint triathlons and Olympic triathlons, I did not want to do an Ironman. I did not think it would be possible for me to ever do one.

But you warm to the idea. Slowly. After a couple of Olympic triathlons you think: I can do an Ironman 70.3. And after you ride that particular dragon, your blood really starts flowing. Next thing you know, you’re on your way to a 140.6 mile race.

That’s the typical progression. Some people may have grand aspirations and spontaneously decide to do an Ironman, but the vast majority of people work their way up the triathlon ladder. For me, it took almost four years. The first three, I did not want to do an Ironman.

Second, regardless of your fitness level, becoming an Ironman is a daunting, time-consuming, and very thankless process. In terms of training hours, from Week 1 through Week 24, my beginner-level program resulted in: 60.25hrs of swimming, 77.5hrs of running, and 109.25hrs of biking. For a total of: 247hrs of traditional training.

In addition to the swim / bike / run hours, there were some (but not enough!) strength and conditioning hours that I neglected to record. I spent several hours per week stretching, rolling, compressing, elevating, and doing sauna/cold dip therapy to recover. Call that 2.5hrs per week for an added 60hrs. And there is no precise way to know how much time I spent driving/preparing for training, but 5hrs per week is a safe bet. So that’s another 120hrs.

Total time between training, travel, preparing, and recovering? At least 427hrs. Or roughly an extra 20hrs a week. In addition to the usual demands of work and family.  Normal people do not want to become an Ironman!

Finally, becoming an Ironman is an expensive proposition. Just entering the race, with insurance and pictures, is going to approach $1000. And unless the event is in your backyard you have to drive and stay and eat in a town that is booked solid and commanding top dollar for hotel rooms. So that weekend alone is going to set you back maybe $2000, including racing.

Remember all those hours of training? Such activities require fuel for your body. A lot of fuel! It was not uncommon for me to spend $25/day on the weekend on fluids such as GatorAde Endurance during activities, and PowerAde Zero or protein before and after activities, as well as solids like Strawberry Huma and Stinger Waffles during the longer sessions. Conservatively, that’s $50/week. For upwards of 24 weeks. Or a guestimate of $1200 on fuel for training.

In addition to racing costs, travel costs, and fuel costs you’re likely going to spend money (lots of money!) on hardware like your bike, your helmet, your shoes, and your swim gear. You are almost certainly going to double your grocery bill because you’re burning tens of thousands of EXTRA calories per week. And you’ll be VERY lucky if you don’t have some sort of medical costs, if only bulk purchases of Ibuprofen.

All in all, it took me several years of thinking about it, then almost 500 hours of serious preparation, and I’ll be happy if it only cost about $5000.

But, I am an Ironman! And I’m far from normal.