Sea to Summit , SOS , and Leadman

tim cronk · December 20, 2015 8:42AM

http://www.s2striathlon.com/home.html

This has been on my list for a while now and decided to sign up for 2016. Challenging, small , unique, and inexpensive may describe the race! Just thought I would throw this out there... The registration is $290 and goes to $365 at the beginning of the year...

SOS Survival of the Shawangunk's 8 stage triathlon is on my list as well.... and when I'm feeling extremely stupid I keep thinking about the Leadman Series of Ultra Running and Mountain Biking in Leadville Colorado...

http://sostriathlon.com/

http://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/leadmanleadwoman/

Anyone wanna join in on the fun for the Sea to Summit?

Anyone done any of these races? Info? Comments?

Gabe Peterson · December 20, 2015 11:20AM

Tim, interesting post as always!

The first two races, while they look like some stupid crazy fun, are too far away for me. But I'm interested in Leadville. My dance card is full for 2016. In 2017, I'm thinking of a 100-miler, and Leadville would be on my short list, assuming I get in via the lottery. I hadn't considered Leadman, but you've got me thinking. It looks like signing up for Leadman guarantees you a spot in Leadville 100. More stupid = more better!

Travis Macy devotes a chapter to his experience winning Leadman in his book Ultra Mindset. This will give you a good idea of what to expect, if you haven't read it already -- and it's just a good book on the mental game of endurance sports.

tim cronk · December 20, 2015 1:49PM

@Gabe- yes it looks like if you do the Leadman Series you are guaranteed entry into the Leadville 100... But , there is always a but, you must complete each race leading up to it in the allotted times....Although I did read something about being allowed to continue with the series but not being in the official numbers? Its also quite the bargain for under the cost of 1 Ironman you get a whole series of races... The big cost would be multiple trips to Colorado for me! Maybe I would just stay in Tucson that year.... It would certainly be the entire focus that whole year!

Thanks for the book recommendation I will look into it. I have a friend who completed a 500 mile ULTRA in 9 days tell me that there is absolutely nothing you can do to prepare for such an event. He considers it all %100 mental....

Turby Wright · December 20, 2015 4:28PM

Hey Tim, A good friend of mine did the SOS this year. He loved it and tried to talk me into it next year. Not happening!! The swims (I think there are 4?) I was told are usually in water that's in the 50's, sometimes even low 50's. They'ed be pulling me out in a body bag and I don't think you are much better than me in cold water.

Dave Tallo · December 21, 2015 11:12AM

You've got me thinking about Sea to Summit. That was the race that originally got me interested in tri: sometime around 1995, my gf and i were struggling hiking up Mt Washington, and all of a sudden, this pack of chiseled athletes pass us like we're sitting still, and one of them tells us they had already swam in the Atlantic and biked.

Mind you ... it took me another 5-6 years to actually DO a tri, but it captured my imagination!

Coach Patrick · December 21, 2015 3:06PM

Putting these on my bucket list!!!

scott dinhofer · December 21, 2015 6:48PM

SOS is on my list, didn't fit the schedule this year. GREAT place to train an hour from my house. Same ridge that the AmZof that so many of us have done is held at.
I too am looking at these and am on the grid for the Leadville MTB100 this year. Have to do one of the qualifiers to improve my corral position.
@tim - I think we discussed Sea to summit on your dock last year?!
@ P - it would be great to put an EN group together to do some of these..

sign up for SOS is hard, you have to be at your computer at midnight after trick or treating, it goes online then, and goes quickly... who's in for SOS in 2017?

scott dinhofer · December 21, 2015 6:56PM

@turby, the swims are really in the 60s, but it feels like 50s!

tim cronk · December 21, 2015 7:44PM

@Turby- none of the swims are that long , and there is 18 miles of running inbetween them to keep you warm!

@Dave - Come on you know you wanna do it...

@Scott- yeah SOS would be a nice finish to the Leadman series, race in June Leadman Marathon, July 50MTB/50Ultra, August 100MTB next day 10k , 1 week later 100Ultra , Sept SOS .... Just added up the Leadman Series 53k elevation gain over 335 miles if you do them all... easy to dream big sitting this far away isnt it?

david ware · December 21, 2015 9:15PM

If I ever get the knees fixed I have had all of these in the radar!

Paul Hough · December 22, 2015 5:01PM

I'm interested in Sea to Summit as a prelude to Swissman but I'll be in Bend, Oregon for USAT Duathlon Nationals that weekend. It may be a few years before I can find the time.