Just as the title says, what would be a good venue?
There are some lakes and inlets from Lake Michigan in northern Michigan that could work off the top of my head. Maybe somewhere up by Olympia/Tacoma Washington?
Apostle Islands in Lake Superior??
BWCA in northern MN. The trails are already there from the designated portages, tons of options. Way the heck out in the middle of nowhere though… Hell, could race into Canada and back if you wanted to.
There are probably a handful of decent locations in MN. Brainerd lakes area has all kinds of good lakes, Alexandria area, Willmar/Spicer area, maybe even the Twin Cities area if you wanted to work an urban version into it…
They say, “build it and they will come”, but I am not sure if this applies to the modern triathlete in North America.
Here’s a good read, with the best line, going to Dan Empfield aka Slowman - http://www.outsideonline.com/fitness/bodywork/the-fit-list/Why-American-Endurance-Athletes-Suck.html
It’s ironic, that the sport of triathlon was founded on a spirit of adventurism and pioneerism that a race/event like the Octillo embodies. Remember, Ironman, orginally was a far out and outrageous bar-room challenge. However, the modern triathlete seems to have a VERY specific definition of what training for and racing swim/bike/run is all about and few break out of that box . . . and that’s unfortunate.
They say, “build it and they will come”, but I am not sure if this applies to the modern triathlete in North America.
Here’s a good read, with the best line, going to Dan Empfield aka Slowman - http://www.outsideonline.com/...e-Athletes-Suck.html
It’s ironic, that the sport of triathlon was founded on a spirit of adventurism and pioneerism that a race/event like the Octillo embodies. Remember, Ironman, orginally was a far out and outrageous bar-room challenge. However, the modern triathlete seems to have a VERY specific definition of what training for and racing swim/bike/run is all about and few break out of that box . . . and that’s unfortunate.
The fact that there were less than 400 people at Savageman this year speaks to that. People are obsessed with PRs and race branding.
Remember that Ö till Ö was placed where it is for a drunken bet. There is a huge mix of surfaces to run on. Look how they did Engadin Swimrun, more or less mimicing the ö till ö terrain, but without archipelago (Stockholm Archipelago is really one of a kind).
Apostle Islands in Lake Superior??
That looks perfect! Too bad it’s a tad remote 
Could do it back and forth across the Outer Banks
Florida Keys might work
Some of the Texas barrier islands, but that would be like NC and you would be going back and forth
In and around Peconic Bay/Long Island and the North/South forks
Potentially off the coast of Maine
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I thought this was the best line in the article:
“Those stupid 13.1 stickers, 26.2 stickers, 70.3. That fing M-dot tattoo. They’re missing the point. People shouldn’t be doing flat loops around warehouses in Anytown, Bumblefk just to rack up 140.6 miles in a day."
+1 for the BWCA. That was the first place I thought of, too. Of course, the permit issues and race logistics would be interesting.
I imagine if we started looking at various national parks and forests, we could find some interesting options.
No idea what a good venue would be, but I’d be in…
Hopefully a venue that would not be wetsuit legal.
They say, “build it and they will come”, but I am not sure if this applies to the modern triathlete in North America.
Here’s a good read, with the best line, going to Dan Empfield aka Slowman - http://www.outsideonline.com/...e-Athletes-Suck.html
It’s ironic, that the sport of triathlon was founded on a spirit of adventurism and pioneerism that a race/event like the Octillo embodies. Remember, Ironman, orginally was a far out and outrageous bar-room challenge. However, the modern triathlete seems to have a VERY specific definition of what training for and racing swim/bike/run is all about and few break out of that box . . . and that’s unfortunate.
This is why I love races like the Pikes Peak Marathon and Ascent. Forget about PR’s! These races are life experiences. They are adventures. This is partly why I think they (someone IM, Challenge, whoever) should bring back St. George 140.6. What an epic course that is. The beauty of endurance sport is the experiences and adventures that it affords for a lifetime. If all you care about is the PR or the AG placing then you are missing a huge part of the beauty of being healthy enough to participate in endurance sports. IMHO.
They say, “build it and they will come”, but I am not sure if this applies to the modern triathlete in North America.
Here’s a good read, with the best line, going to Dan Empfield aka Slowman - http://www.outsideonline.com/...e-Athletes-Suck.html
It’s ironic, that the sport of triathlon was founded on a spirit of adventurism and pioneerism that a race/event like the Octillo embodies. Remember, Ironman, orginally was a far out and outrageous bar-room challenge. However, the modern triathlete seems to have a VERY specific definition of what training for and racing swim/bike/run is all about and few break out of that box . . . and that’s unfortunate.
Build it flat and fast and they will come 
Back in the day we did all of our races in 3 feet of snow, barefoot, and it was uphill the whole way. Triathletes these days are soft.
Hey!!! You kids get off of my lawn or I’m calling the cops!!!
For the Canucks (or if you want a bit of a road trip) I’d suggest Philip Edward Island.
https://www.google.ca/...biw=1680&bih=938
About 10 years ago my wife and I did something similar there just for fun. Lots of tiny islands dot the whole area. The water is cold, even in summer so wear a wetsuit and you’re set. It was a fun day, and when I saw the pics for this race, it immediately reminded me of this area.
Edit: forgot to mention how clear the water is, too! http://www.killarneyoutfitters.com/photos/bustard.jpg
I think that there’s sufficient disillusionment in the ranks of hundreds of thousands of American multisport athletes that there’d be no problem in fielding a complement of only 120 teams for an OTILLO USA.
They say, “build it and they will come”, but I am not sure if this applies to the modern triathlete in North America.
Here’s a good read, with the best line, going to Dan Empfield aka Slowman - http://www.outsideonline.com/...e-Athletes-Suck.html
It’s ironic, that the sport of triathlon was founded on a spirit of adventurism and pioneerism that a race/event like the Octillo embodies. Remember, Ironman, orginally was a far out and outrageous bar-room challenge. However, the modern triathlete seems to have a VERY specific definition of what training for and racing swim/bike/run is all about and few break out of that box . . . and that’s unfortunate.
Why do you have a lot if fun, hard, off track and not cookie cutter events in Scandinavia. Because you can organize them quite easily.
I do not think Americans are less into adventures or softer. But it is harder to organize anything sports related in the USA compare to Scandinavia.
Also, most sports are organized out of non profit clubs. No one try to make a living out of being a RD, or to create a brand. You organize to make a fun event and to as a found raiser for your club. The money will go back into the sport.
Americans are not softer, they just live in the USA, a country with different rules and regulations.
Here you have some other cool swimrun events:
http://www.rockmanswimrun.com/
http://xterraswimrun.com/
1000 islands area in new york or florida keys
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Isn’t SOS essentially a swim / run event with a bike to start?
i was voted something last week at interbike. the most something. impactful or inspirational. or something. whatever it was i was, i’d like to leverage that toward this precise topic. otillo flotillo. it’s not otillo. the point is to find interesting geography and leverage your multisport talents toward the mastering of - or at experiencing alongside and inside - that geography.
the scandinavians seem to find a way to figure out how to do that. norseman. otillo. they aren’t the only ones with cool geography.