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Survival of the Shawangunks (S.O.S.)

It’s not how I planned it would be. I thought that I would come out of Lake Placid, take a few weeks “off” and then get back into it in time to ramp up for S.O.S. and then transition into training for the JFK50. Instead, I’m limping (figuratively, of course) into S.O.S. and nearly certain that I’m going to bag the JFK50.

If S.O.S. was just like any other triathlon, I’d probably be skipping this race too. But it’s not. And it’s a race that I’ve been looking forward to doing for about two years. I know that “there are always” other races, but I’m excited to do it, feel like I can do it and most of all, I think I’ll feel better if I go out there and try even if I’m forced to DNF part-way through than if I don’t even give it a shot. I’m going to go out there and do my best and plan on making it through it. But if I have to pull out, I’ll pull out. And then, then, I will decide on the rest of my fall. If Sunday goes well, I’ll consider keeping at it and trying to train for the JFK50. If it doesn’t, then, I’ll probably give myself a nice, extended break from running and keep my sights on getting ready for Boston next April.

A little bit about the race: It’s in New Paltz, New York, which is about 90 miles north of the City. Supposedly, it’s absolutely beautiful country up there (see the picture of Lake Awosting above). The race is a triathlon, but only in the general sense that it involves swimming, cycling and running. The race starts with a 30 mile bike leg that is relatively flat for the first 25 miles and then ends with 1,000 feet of climbing in the last five miles. That finish is pretty much straight up-hill. At the end of the bike leg, I’ll meet my crew (Elizabeth) at the transition area and trade her my bike for my running shoes and swim cap and goggles. That’s the only transition area of the race. From there it’s seven legs alternating running (mostly trails) and swimming across lakes. Four run legs (4.5, 5.5, 8 and 0.7 for a total of about 18 miles) and three swim legs (1.1, 0.5, 0.5 for a total of about 2.1 miles). The final run is supposedly a “sprint” to the finish up a huge hill. We’ll see about that…

A profile of the course is here.

There are two tricks to this race. The first is figuring out how to run with your swim gear (pretty easy, just carry it or tuck it into your waistband) and swim with your shoes (a little harder). Most people either swim with their shoes on or stuff them down the back of their shorts. I’m going to start with the “stuffing in the shorts” technique and hope that goes well. Yes, the shoes get soaking wet, but whatever. It’s not like I’ve never run in wet shoes. The second trick is more challenging from what I hear. Evidently, the water is usually pretty cold, somewhere in the high 60’s or maybe low 70’s. So first you have to get through cold water swims (without a wetsuit – who’s going to carry a suit on the run legs?) and then you have to get your legs moving for running after the cold water swim. I am very much expecting cramping and shivering galore.

Can you understand why I’m so excited? Triathletes consider this a “fun” race! It’s a triathlon, but a totally different challenge. It’s a “race” but they call it “Survival” because many participants aren’t exactly racing. I’m going in without specific time goals. Other than the cramping and cold water swimming, I’m only really concerned about the third, eight mile running leg. That’s further than I’ve run since the Ironman and, given that it’s so far into the race, I’m a bit concerned about my IT band acting up. But, I shouldn’t be worrying about that now, right??

Blog friend Angie, from What’s Possible, is running the North Face Endurance Challenge 50 miler in Washington, DC tomorrow. Here’s to a great race! (edit 3:15pm – the race was cancelled! Evidently, Tropical Storm Hannah is to blame – all emergency personnel are on standby to help with any damage from the storm and can’t be on the race course. What a bummer!)

SOS Brick – August 19
Run 1:
Distance: 1.8 miles
Time: 15:25
T1: 5:21
Swim:
Distance: 2,500
Time: 53:40
T2: 2:51
Run 2:
Distance: 1.7 miles
Time: 13:00
Total time: 1:30:17

Bike – September 3
Distance: 21.2 miles
Time: 1:12
Average heart rate: 125
Course: Central Park, Harlem Hill repeats
Conditions: Mostly cloudy, light wind, high 60’s

Strength – September 3

Swim – September 5
Distance: 1,350 yards
Time: 30 minutes