Wellington Swim-Run RACE REPORT

I had an amazing adventure at Wellington Lake.  I completed the Wellington Swim-Run event which consisted of 3 laps of a 0.3 mile swim and 1.7 km run.  My training had been going well, but I did not take into account the colder water (60-65 degrees) and 8,000 feet elevation.  Despite these environmental factors, I executed my race plan well and finished in 1 hour 49 minutes.

• 0415 - Alarm goes off, dress, brush teeth, take meds, load car, use restroom twice, load up car
• 0500 - Get on the road to Lake Wellington.  Directions to main office was fine, then I started to get turned around
• 0645 - Park at campsite area
• 0700 - Arrive at starting line, get checked in and body marked
• 0745 - Race briefing
• 0800 - Start
• 0949 - Finish
• 1005 - Walk back to car and drive home
• 1145 - Arrive home, clean up gear and shower

After checking in, I milled about talking to Felecia, Dana and Steve among other eager race participants.  The disparity in kit and  preparation was startling.  One girl was going to do the runs barefoot and only had a racerback swimsuit.  Another girl was fully kitted with swim-run wetsuit (including the arm sleeves), belt with carabiners for holding paddles, Ark Keel pull buoy, paddles.  Prep was all over the board also.  Some entrants were primarily swimmers and another did only one open water swim a week earlier before this event.  Over half the field did not have any exposure protection (wetsuit). 

I thought I had my Garmin Fenix 7 figured out, but I did not program it right.  The first swim run had a transition included.  I struggled to push the buttons in gloves.  I just started run segments after I started shuffling up the hillside.

• Swim 1 - 19:00 minutes (651 yards)
• Run 1 - 18:22 minutes (1.12 miles)
• Swim 2 - Started roughly 8:38 AM - estimated at 20 minutes
• Run 2 - 16:56 (1.04 miles), Started 8:58 AM
• Swim 3 - Started at 9:16 AM, finished at 9:33 AM - estimated at 17 minutes
• Run 3 - 14:08 (0.99 miles) - Race Finish Time 9:49 (1 hour 49 minutes)

I fully kitted up in Saucony Guide (White) running shoes.  I originally was planning on using my Tough Mudder shoes, but the heel cup was exposed.  I wore triathlon shorts, Orca Swim-Run wetsuit, Thermal gloves, race swim cap and had my pull buoy and paddles.  

I did not practice gloves and paddles and that made the first swim a little tenuous.  All of the other equipment worked great, just like in practice.  The water was warmer than I expected (mid to high 60s), I did not need the gloves and may have been able to get by without the wetsuit.  The start was really muddy and it felt like my shoes were sinking 6-8 inches into mud.  I was thankful I snugged up my shoes and double knotted the laces.  When I finally got out of the mud and figured out how to hold the paddles swimming to the first buoy was fine.  It got tough after the turn swimming right into the sun, but I was able to follow other swimmers.  Sighting was good.

Getting out of the water and getting rolling on the run was fine, but my heart rate was stubbornly high around 148.  I ran walked the first run and was able to stay in the 135-145 heart rate.

Lap 1 - 8:37 (37 min)

Swim 2 was brutal, the wind picked up and I started into a heavy chop.  I have swam in rough water before and was prepared, but it is always unnerving to get a mouthful of lake.  I was worried that breathing on my left side would be the end of me, but the wind must have died down a bit.

Run 2, I went slower with the plan of walking most of it, but I was pleasantly surprised that my pace did not slow too much.

Lap 2 - 9:13 (36 min)

Swim 3 was much better and I was flush with confidence that I could finish under the time cap.  The run was equally pleasant.  Since I knew I would not need to run again, I went a little faster.

Lap 3 - 9:49 (36 min)

The splits were remarkably even.  One thing that surprised me was needing to urinate every lap.  I think it has something to do with exertion at altitude.  The same thing happens when I go skiing.  I used the port-o-let after Lap 1.  I urinated mid run on Lap 2 and Lap 3.  Fortunately it was a small field and not a crowded course.  Otherwise I would have just urinated in my wetsuit.

Felecia is part of a Denver Swim-Run training group and said she would add me to their WhatsApp.  Her and several others are planning on doing Otillo SwimRun Colorado at Horsetooth Reservoir (Experience is 1.5 mile swim, 4.5 mile run; Sprint 3 mile swim, 8 mile run; World Series is 5 mile swim, 18.5 mile run).  Late registration is still open and would be $100.  Unfortunately it is October 4th and I am committed to IAWA Worlds.  Otillo Austin is November 8th and that date would work for me.  Experience is 1765 meter swim and 8130 meter run.  Water temp would be great at 68 degrees plus it is always a joy to race at sea level.

I am glad it was a great experience and I hope to continue competing.  Who knows, maybe Sweden is in my future.