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Well, this grew and it is world wide. There's a race in Maine that he found. Problem is that my swimmer friends who can swim the long distance, usually can't run the distance. My long distance runners usually can't swim the long distance. Well, I found a ÖTILLÖ type race that actually let you do it as an individual as opposed to a team. The race is in New Jersey. The good/bad here is that the distance(s) are too short. It's good since it will be a good introduction to the sport. It's bad because the distances are way too short for me. Lucky (maybe?) is that they have 2 distances. They have the Sport distance and the Elite distance. I would NEVER EVER EVER call myself an Elite but once you realize the distances you'll understand.
The Sport distance is made up of a Run-Swim-Run-Swim-Run-Swim-Run-Swim which allegdly totals 1 mile in swimming and 4.5 miles of running. The Elite distance is twice that. In reality the swim was 0.82 miles and the run was 4.63 miles. Do you see why I really had no choice but to do the Elite distance? OK... Maybe you're shaking your head right now about it all, but it makes sense to me and that's all that counts here and now.
I told people about it. Got different reactions. Surprisingly enough both Donald and Hammad were interested. Hammad has worked on his swimming and was really coming along. Donald really should be able to do this as well. Hammad signed up for 1 loop while Donald signed on for the 2 loop option.
I should mention some of the intricacies about this race. In a real Otillo race, one would take their shoes off. The individual swim distances are long enough. Here they are not long enough to warrant it so you swim with your shoes on or lose time putting them on and taking them off. Also, the water is usally colder so a shortie wet suit would work as well. The water here on the other hand was too warm for this so you either go shirtless and have the Ol' Man boobs on display hitting you in the face or you swim with a singlet on providing drag. To combat all this drag (shoes and shirt), you are allowed to use pull buoys, hand paddles and even fins. The only thing is that you don't have a transition area so whatever you use goes with you all over the place. If you want a full wetsuit, be prepared to run with it etc. People have dealt with this. People who use hand paddles, take their hands out for the run, slipping them back in to swim. They have attached pull buoys with bungee cords to their thighs. You swim with it. Once the swim portion is over, you simply rotate it to the outside of your leg. Point is, do whatever you want as long as whatever you use, you carry with you along for the ride. Good so far?
I researched shoes and even inquired at different forums. Paul Kentor suggested a certain pair to me. I bought them and tried them in the pool. They are minimalist shoes which means that they have very little support. I have flat feet so that may be an issue. They also therefore absorb barely any water. They provided some drag but a lot less than normal shoes. They also drain really well so that would help. In the pool, I felt a difference but I was confident I would be able to deal with them. I never tried to run with them but felt confident that I would be ok even tho I would possibly mess my non-existent arches. More on that later.
Hammad tried his shoes and was happy with them. Donald waffled and ended up without any special shoes. Both he and Hammad would go shirtless. I would rather die first.
I had talks with both and strategies were constantly revised. Still, race day finally came.
I picked up Donald and we went to get Hammad. He went to sleep late the night before which never ends well. Still, we got there in plenty of time without issue. I have 2 complaints about this race and they therefore must be noted. There were NOT enough port-a-potties and there was no place to leave stuff securly. Both are important. I was shocked when they said they didn't have a place to put stuff. I went to talk to the RD. Where should I leave my car keys. I was advised to leave my keys on my tire or not even lock the car doors. Neither option worked for me and I told the RD that. I'm a NYer and that is just not happening. They told me again that they don't have a mechanism for this. I told them that they would my keys for me. Someone else heard this and gave them their keys too. They seemed receptive about it. Hopefully this little oversight will be fixed next year.
We lined up. Nerves are crazy. I went to stand with the single loopers by accident. Wonderful. They changed the course slightly last year due to some construction. Later they realized that this was very helpful in seeding everyone. They kept this.
We started by running around a baseball field and eventually into the trail toward the second segment, our first swim.
On the website I read that the runs were trail but fairly easy. Race reports I read did not corroborate this. An email sent from the organizers right before the start suggested that the runs may not be that fairly easy and that shoes are pretty much mandatory. Hm.... Sounds interesting.
The first run was a real non event. Some construction area AKA I pity those barefoot people who didn't listen but whatever.
We get to the water and it was ok. Had to get used to the drag but I was ok.
Entering the water, rocks got into my shoes. I should have dealt with it. At the C&O Canal 100, I ran with rocks in my shoes for over 30 miles. I figured no big deal. The run started with an up-hill. It was pretty obvious that this was going to be a fairly technical trail run. Nothing horrible but definitly not a real easy run. Those shoes also didn't give me an protection which sucked. The rocks in my shoes hurt. Unlike my normal shoes which have padding, these had nothing. I knew I would regret it. I didn't stop. The run was 1.8 miles long and had lots of climbing, single track, descents and some real rocky area.
I passed some people. I was passed by a few. It's all ok.
Thoughts at this point: Hammad I would not see during the race but I knew he would be ok. He was prepared. He only had 1 loop. If he can just finish the swims, he would be fine. His biggest fear was the 0.38 mile swim. Donald on the other hand started behind me. I knew he would catch me. I have no problem him beating me but I wanted him to work for it. Perhaps we would even team up.
The 2nd run (3rd leg) was finally over and again we got into the water. Uneventful. Even tho these were lakes, I still felt pushed by the water due to wind and corrections were needed.
The 2nd swim was done (4th leg) and now it was time for the longest of the runs. Again, very technical run. Where is Donald?!? Did he pass me in the water?
The 3rd swim was fine. Had to go around a tree. I was escorted by a kayak. Cool. Got to the beach and had trouble climbing out. Things were slippery and I had to go on all 4 to get out. Sand on my hands. Oi. I asked a biker if he had water in his bottle and he was very adamant on saying NO! I don't want to drink your water dude... Just to rinse my hands. Oh well. Finally last swim and another short run with a steep hill to get to the finish line so I can start my second loop.
Oh oh... There goes the day... I saw Donald (how the hell did he pass me and when?!?) with an ice pack on his arm. He was in medical. DNF...
I continuued on but took the rocks out of my shoes. I also noticed that since I wasn't wearing socks, the back of the shoes dug into me and that I was bleeding. Bleeding badly. I saw medics and I yelled them that I needed 2 band-aids togo. They got it ready but it would not really stick to me. I did my best and continued on. I was wondering what the hell happened to Donald but I couldn't really think about it. I needed to concentrate on things. I knew Hammad was ok and that at least made me feel good. I looked at my watch and was shocked. Because of Donald, I thought I would finish much earlier. Obviously that wasn't going to happen.
I did my thing. I didn't get lost. I almost did fall once which should tell you how technical the trail was. I don't fall. I noticed that the first swim always got rocks into my shoes and I made sure to clear them immediatly. That helped.
On the 2nd run segment of the 2nd loop, I was being chased by 2 women. I have no problem being chicked or even Ménage ā chicked but again, they would have to work on it. These 2 were actually training for an Otillo race and were tethered together like you're suposed to. They took turns. One was a run specialist leading the run. The other was a swim specialist leading the swim. What a partnership. The runner actually lost her glasses so she ran with her prescription goggles on. Wow. I followed them once I got passed but eventually took some chances and passed them starting the swim first. I didn't let them catch me on the 3rd run. I was being chased. The last swim was only me but half way, I heard a splash and when I turned I saw them in the water. No - I don't think so.
I got out of the water and ran up the damn hill to finish. Didn't get a finisher's medal or even a shirt. I got a small finisher's hand towel. Kind of lame but whatever.
I walked to Donald to see what was going on. Nothing good from here on...
Hammad, who I was sure had it, DNFed. He got to the 2nd swim (0.18 miles long) and it seemed very very far to him. Right there, he decided he was done. I have had numerous conversations with him since that day. It wasn't the distance. He could do it! It was his head. He needs confidence with open water swimming (OWS). No blue or black line to follow. The other side isn't 25 yards away. Oh well. He was done.
Donald's story is more complex or maybe even easier. I don't know. He was behind me and wanted to catch up to work together. I'm not sure on which run segment it was but he fell. Well, he didn't actually. He was going to do a face plant but instead grabbed a tree brance to prevent that. When he did that, he tore his right bicep. Wonderful. I still couldn't figure out how he finished the loop before me but eventually figured some things out. He was with people and they got lost. They actually cut the course and got yelled for it. He fell and unfortunatly had to swim to the finish. The good news in this, is that it was only a partial tear which is much better than a full tear. It still sucks. He had surgery the following Friday and the MD took the opportunity to clean out his shoulder. Donald knew that eventually he would need shoulder surgery and since the MD was already there... Point is, he took a 3-6 week recovery and made it a I-don't-know-how-long-recovery.
It sucked. The drive home sucked. I was estatic. I had a good day. I did what I set my self to do. Still, 1 friend DNFed and the other DNFed but more importantly got injured. I felt guilty. Perhaps survivors guilt is a better term. Sucks.
