I’ve done this “8-part wilderness adventure race” three other times in the past 12 years, and am happy to be able to fit it in again this year. A detailed course description is on their site: http://www.ulster.net/~sosnyta/course.html
Doing a recon run up there this weekend…any takers?
-Mike
It does rock. I have the 36 hour Berryman Adventure in late sept. Looking forward to that more then I am for IMOO.
I’m in. Did it last year. Great race, very down to earth, super fun and an awesome BBQ afterwards.
I’ll be there.
Biking fast, running medium, swimming slow. Be very psyched if I can break 5hrs.
And even if I don’t, it’ll be fun to do regardless.
I’ve heard the apres-race spread is EPIC. Bring it on!
I’m in. I have no idea what to expect for this race except that I expect to be really, really cold…
Wish I could go, this is my list of “Must Do before I get old” races.
Good Luck to everyone
Me too. I’d love to do this event. Have a great race S.O.S.'ers!
Yeah, me too.
For those that have done it, can you explain to me the run/swim/run segments? The website says it’s unsupported at that point…what are you doing with shoes?
you’re going to take them off your feet and stuff them down your shorts, one front (“jock”) and one back (“thong”). and then you’re going to swim. and then when you get out, you will take them out of your shorts and put them back on.
at least, thats what the fast people do who can get their shoes back on in a reasonable time even if their legs are cramping.
What to expect…a long hard day. Last five miles on the bike is brutal. If you have no plan for your run shoes expect numerous blisters…one hell of a last trail run which you will confront Godzilla! If you don’t have a plan for hydrating don’t drink the lake water or you may wind up sick for months.
The best way to envision this race is that there are three pristine, cool lakes tucked into the Shawangunks, and the object is to run from one to the other to the third, swimming across each one. And, just for good measure, you actually start out riding your bike for 30mi before starting the first run. There’s a crazy 0.7mi run/climb up to a monument at the very end as a fitting capper to a tough, tough day.
As for carrying your shoes (and everything else you need, for that matter), dawhead’s got it right for some folks, but I’ve done everything from stuffing my shoes in my shorts to leaving them on my feet. Sometimes I wear a fanny pack to carry the essentials - still haven’t settled on the strategy for this year.
It’s just a blast, and the venue is unique and special. Make it a point to do it some time…
Only Intel I have is that the lakes are fairly cool. If you don’t like racing without a wet suit you better be working out without one.
Hi Mike! I heard that your gonna ride your bike up to Ulster for “recon” this weekend (like your daughter told us you did for IMLP 2007, at the Great Adirondek Brew Pub in the back standing at the outdoor bar pooring down rain Thursday night prior to the race (IMLP 2007) at 11pm with some other IMLP athlete-friend of yours) blast out the course then ride home. You are an Ironman! BTW, how did your/her friend do, she said she had done something like a sub 5:30 IMLP bike split in the past (or so I thought I heard).
SOS is the best race I have done (three times) and I’ll see you this year.
Peace out!
I’m in. My 3rd shot at it. Still chasing that ever so elusive 5hr mark…
Yeah yeah, I did that the first two times. Then I just swam with my shoes on last year (light shoes that is) and all was fine. Either way it really is no big deal.
Just swam in Lake Minniwaska today (4pm) and it was fine, much warmer than Lake Michigan (I did the Accenture Chicago Triathlon Sunday). I would suspect the temp was above 74 degrees. I only wore a swimsuit and was totally fine.
I took my shoes off for the first two swims, then I realized it’s crazy. Just swim with them on.
i did timed tests before SoS last year. i was definitely faster with them in my shorts.
but …
i lost 6 minutes at the first swim/run transition while trying to get them back on without cramping. i was entered this year, and planned to swim with them on. alas, i i got a calf injury that i can’t shake with enough confidence to believe i can run 18.5 miles without inducing surgery-requiring injury. i told don i would not be showing up. and i wasn’t planning on doing tri’s next year … yet this is the most fun i’ve ever had in a race.
those people who say things like “brutal” … no part of SoS is brutal. i’m not sure i’d even say “tough”. hard, yes. long if you don’t like to run&swim, yes. but beautiful, inspiring, wonderful … absolutely.
Exactly, it’s the paralyzing cramps that take away any time gained on the faster swim.
No - i have a plan for each of those things you mentioned and am not worried about any of those. It would be rather foolish to go into this event without a plan - ya think???