Hello slowtwitchers!
I have no idea how this happened, other than perhaps the fastest racers in my age group didn't show up to Panama City this last weekend for the 70.3, but in placing 6th in my AG (M40-44) I've somehow received an invitation to the 2021 World Championships in St George, Utah. (!?)

Annually selling out to 3,500 triathletes since its inception in 2006, the race is not only the largest triathlon in New Jersey but one of the largest in the country. The New Jersey State Triathlon features one of the fastest, flattest courses in the Nation. Ruben Best: Triathlon. Ruben is a former handball player turned triathlete from Hamburg. He's a full-time innovation consultant and passionate athlete on the side. Ruben debuted on the Ironman distance with a 8:22:36 (no swim) finish and is now gunning for a proper sub 9h time in the future. Keep up with Ruben here: Instagram and Strava.

Ruben Slot Triathlon Championship

I'm honored, as this is only my second year of competing in triathlon, but also wondering whether it makes sense to go given I've also already signed up for my first full distance race in Chattanooga next year - and the races are successive weekends, with St George on Sept 17-18 and Chattanooga on Sept 26.
My top triathlon goals at this point don't revolve around a World Championship slot, so I wouldn't be heartbroken if I didn't attend this year and then never progress far enough to get a slot in the future. (My finish time this year in PC for the 70.3 would have equated to 15th place based on 2019 PC 70.3 results, so I feel like I've got a long way to improve before I could reach top 2-3 in a normal year and qualify for a slot).
At the same time, I'm kind of left asking - why not do it!? The views look amazing, and part of my life pattern in general is to overdo things, so.....
In terms of the races being back to back, this year I raced the GFT 2/3 distance as my B race 2 weeks ago, mainly as an exploratory race to dial in nutrition, hydration, and pacing for Chattanooga, and still managed to hit a half-marathon PR in Panama City - so I feel like good training paired together with good race strategy and execution could make these back-to-back weekends possible next year.
FWIW the wife didn't give me an unequivocal no when I broached it tonight, and I only have 2 days to either take the slot or let it go - so what say you?
Travis

Ruben Slot Triathlon Club

Ruben Slot Triathlon Tournaments