2008 Elite License Qualifications

Has anyone seen the new 2008 elite license qualification standards?!?! All I can say is wow. At first when I read them I was a little let down because I started working last year to get my elite as most everyone knows. Just recently I decided thats not what I want, or need to be focusing on right now. None the less I was dissapointed to see that those races that went towards my elite now mean nothing....

Something I had been debating w/ was whether or not I deserved/earned my elite. The new standards make me excited because I know good and well that if I qualify for my elite I will have earned it... These standards are tough, and I guarantee cut the number of "elites" by 3/4s in the next few years as current elites licenses expire. Obviously USAT agreed that the old standards were making it too easy for people to qualify. For me.. finishing top 3 amatuer OVERALL at Buffalo Springs is close to impossible...

I think my best chance is finishing top 3 amatuer in an IM...I looked at IMAZ overall from 2007 and the 3rd place amatuer (21st including pros) finished in 9:37:00. Definitly out of the question for next year... Next year ill be racing IMAZ to get to Kona... not qualify for my elite. All I need for Kona is sub 10:30... if its anything like last year. I think by now everyone knows my goal time is anything sub 10.

All in all I think the new standards for getting an elite license are a good change... and will definitly make the license that much more coveted.

To check out USATs reasoning behind this and the new qualification standards just click here.

Im happy they've obviously realized that just because a race has 500+ people doesnt mean that the competition merits an elite license.

_Jacob_

An elite??

So. Ive had something on my mind the past few days, and sooner or later im going to have to think about... or even more... make a decision about it. Something I started working towards last season was getting my elite license. So far ive 2 out of 3 races that it requires to get it. My third race is going to CapTex 2008. Now I dont want to jump to any conclusions, but lets assume I get my top 8 there and now I have my 3 I need to get my elite.

Lately ive been debating whether I really want/deserve an elite license. Personally I feel far from being "elite". I feel like ive taken the easiest possible route... (by getting my top 8s at easier.. local races, not bigger national races. i.e. 70.3s, things like that) For example I drove all the way to Houston this past October to race Try Andys. A SUPER sprint that I knew would 500+ people. I took 4th overall.... and im going be honest... It wasnt that hard to take a top 5. So heres the question Im asking? Do i really deserve an elite license? Lets face the facts... Say I do get it, then what happens? I know.... I get my ass whomped by other elites. The upside of this? Racing against faster people can only make you faster right? Well... at least I think so anyways.

This season my final ranking for the SMW triathlon region was 97th overall, and 6th age group. Does that sound deserving of an elite license? Definitly doesnt sound like it....

So... lately ive been thinking instead of focusing on getting that Elite... maybe I should focus on winning my age group for the SMW region, and trying to get my regional elite ranking. (top 40 overall regionally) Of course before all of this everyone knows I want to Kona qualify.

I think the only reason ive been wanting to get my elite is so that I can say... I actually have an elite license, and of course so that I can push myself harder. But we all know that you dont need an elite license to make yourself a better athlete. I think maybe waiting on the license and focusing on the SMW age group title and Kona makes way more sense for where I am right now.
Who knows... maybe someday I can take my age group at Kona.....
I can only train.. and hope so.

_Jacob_

New addiction...

Its called BT. lmao.
www.beginnertriathlete.com

Ive started loggin all my workouts over there. Gives me all kinds of data/graphs that are really beneficial. Great website, especially for the serious athlete looking to improve :) .. and even better for the athelete that needs some motivation.. (not me) lol

White Rock is this weekend and I'm way excited. Really sucks that it sold out, but im still looking forward to getting a hard run in. Im ready to see where I am mentally and physically. This weekend should be a great test. Ill post my race report on here sunday or monday.

_Jacob_