Aquathlon, anyone?

Thanks for the constructive advice. It's a 1000m open water swim, followed by a 5K run. I guess they call it, 'aquathlon,' because the terms 'duathlon' and 'biathlon' were taken. :) You do raise an interesting point, however. When I contacted the event organiser, to ask about the races, I told him that I was coming from a USMS background. He replied that he was glad that the event was finally attracting 'some good swimmers,' and that the wished more would sign up.

Did one last year that was 2 mile swim 10k run and another that was 1/2 mile swim and 5k run. I enjoyed them both, easier to get into that triathlon. There are a couple of series around. The miami areas has one, the Boulder Co swim and strides and previously mentioned Tempe series. For multisport events, go to www.trifind.com and look under your state to see if there is an aquathlon nearby.

If you are looking for more races, there are a Spring and Fall Aquathlon series being run in Tempe, Arizona. For event information and results go to http://www.redrockco.com/ These races have been popular with both triathletes and swimmers. The events I went to had around 200 athletes. Each race was different with some favoring the runners more and others favoring the swimmers more. Some races were swim/run. Others were run/swim/run.

My husband and I did an Aquathlon on Sunday. It was a 2 mile run, 1000 meter swim, 2 mile run. It was fun. A tropical storm had just passed so we had a nice chop in the bay, more challenging than the usual flat water. The race organizers did a nice job of securing sponsors, the first 3 finishers in each age group, besides the medal, received a six pack of Glaceau Smart water. Bottled water is a good thing to have in hurricane country. A few things to consider before the race. Wear a belt with your race number or pin it to your bathing suit and tuck it into your suit for the swim, one less worry in the transition. Forget about socks, have a small towel availabe to clean the sand from your feet before the run. Put some elastic laces, like bungees, in your running shoes, all these extra seconds that you save will add up. Scope out the swim course and note where the buoys are. It you run first there will be runners in the water ahead of you - don't depend on them for navigation. We had about 50 yards of shallows before we could swim, while running out I put on my cap and goggles. If you like the event the ITU is having a World Championship in Hawaii in October-5K run 1500 meter swim-5Krun.

I'm doing one tomorrow involving a 1/4 mile swim/5k run. First "multi-sport" event that I've tried. Have done lots of running events by themselves, just recently started masters' swimming and have done a few swim events--haven't put it together yet, so this will be interesting...a low-key but fun challenge. I doubt I'd get into the bike part...lots of $$ and I get road rash from bikes.... ;) But does my interest in swimming and running make me an "aquathlete"? ;)

They are actually great workout events for both open water swimmers and for tri-folk. For swimmers, the events are usually mid-week in the evening so you can do just the swim and get a mid-week short race under your belt. Its a nice double to a pool morning workout. I hate to run so usually don't do it, but if I was a better person, I would do it because its certainly not going to hurt my swimming to do a little running. For tri-folk, its a double sport workout that gives you a combination workout and a chance to work on transitioning. There are series in San Diego, Playa del Rey(in Los Angeles) and Nite Moves in Santa Barbara, which may be the first series although I'm not sure. I've done those, and the ones in Boulder and South Denver on trips. Usually a fun, social event. Regarding the transition, most people run in their swim suit and have a multi-sport suit for that purpose and throw a shirt over it. Most tri-folk are wearing wet suits so thats a complication too, of course. Good luck

Hi All- Am contemplating training for a swim-run aquathlon - have always LOATHED running but somehow recently have gotten into it (which I attribute to my much-improved cardiovascular fitness from all the swimming!!!) :) Anyone have any tips for the transition, especially related to clothing? I'm assuming plenty of people run in just their suits - I'm shuddering thinking about chafing from throwing shorts over a wet suit. Thanks!

I'd like to do one where its a 5k swim and 1k run ...

I'm looking at doing the Run Swim Run at Virginia Beach next season. It's a 1K beach run, 1K ocean swim, and 5K run. Didn't do it this year because I'm new to running and could barely make it through a 5K, but I'm building up the running distance (I can do five miles, albeit verrry sloowly), so if I stay in shape over the off season, it should be doable. Of course, the goal will be to finish, not to place in my age group! I think that running has helped with my swimming, and vice versa. They seem to work well for cross-training; when my shoulder hurts, running builds up more endurance. I wouldn't attempt a triathlon because I haven't been on a bike since I was about ten years old and would probably fall right off it...

Thanks for the help, Bill! I'm eyeing the Rehoboth Main Street Aquathlon for next summer - it's a 1/2 mile ocean swim and a 3 mile run on the Boardwalk (nice and flat!!!) There's also the Stars and Stripes Aquathlon in NY, which is a longer ocean swim (a mile I think) and a 5K flat run through the park. Honestly, I'll probably need the year for the running training - it is totally alien to me at this point, although pretty fun so far!