Wellington Swim-Run

The Wellington Swim-Run event is less than a week out and it is time to put on the final touches to my preparation.  Everything has been going well, but I did get spooked by the most recent event update.

You can expect the water to be around 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit. Please be a responsible swimmer. If you are not comfortable in cold water environments, we strongly recommend that you do some cold training beforehand (cold baths, etc.).  If you plan to wear a wetsuit, be sure you are comfortable swimming in it and can breathe easily.  The lake is at 8,000 feet in elevation.  You will not be able to swim as fast as you can in Denver or work as hard without losing your breath.  For your own safety, do not wear a wetsuit that is too tight around your chest.

I train at 5,700 feet in water that is between 70-75 degrees.  Lately, I have been swimming without a wetsuit.  Given the update, I put on my shorty wetsuit and to my relief it was not tight around the chest.  The altitude is trickier to determine.  Worst case scenario, in a panic I would just hold onto my buoy, calm down and make my way to the nearest shore which would never be over 50 yards away.  Running at 8,000 feet is no joke, but looking at the course, it is pretty flat with about 100 feet of elevation gain and then 100 feet loss to get back to the swim entry.

Race Kit

• Tri Shorts
• Running Shoes
• Goggles
• Orca Wetsuit
• Paddles
• Buoy
• Swim Cap
• Swim Gloves
• Ear Plugs

Just in case, I will carry swim socks, warm weather cap and a spare pair of shoes, tri shorts, goggles and swim cap.  I will also keep some medications and nutrition at the start finish line.

There is a 2 hour cutoff which should not be an issue.  With reasonable pacing, I should finish in 1 hour 50 minutes.  I will have a much better idea after lap 1

• Swim 1 - 18 min
• Run 1 - 16 min (0:34 cumulative)
• Swim 2 - 18 min
• Run 2 - 18 min (1:10 cumulative)
• Swim 3 - 20 min
• Run 3 - 20 min (1:50 cumulative)

2024 (Year 1) - 11 starters, 10 finishers, winner 44 minutes; last finisher 1:15

2025 (Year 2) - 16 starters, 13 finishers, winner 52 minutes; last finisher 1:24

Interestingly, none of the 2024 starters returned for 2025.  We will see what 2026 holds.

Safety first and depending on weather and water conditions.  If lap 1 is over 34 minutes, I will try to keep pace.  If lap 2 is over 1:20, I will be at risk for a DNF.  I will still start lap 3 and just note my location at the cutoff.

Race day start will be 5 AM to arrive by 6:15 AM and hopefully be at start line by 7 AM for the 8 AM start.

Time Cutoff is 10 AM, awards 10:15 AM, home by noonish?