It is looking more and more likely, that the races I have planned for this year, will actually go ahead.  My schedule this year, is identical to what I had planned to race last year.  When they got cancelled due to the pandemic, I deferred every race. Now I get to plan for races again.

Way back in December 2019, I signed up for something different, and was accepted to race SwimRun NC.  Like other races last year, it was cancelled and so I am now scheduled to do it on November 7th this year.  This particular race is going to require some extra planning.  It will be my first swimrun race.

I will also need to buy some specific swimrun equipment.  This starts with a swimrun wetsuit.  These are not the same as traditional triathlon wetsuits.  They have short sleeves and legs and the neoprene is set up differently. The suit is designed to provide buoyancy in the water but comfort on the run.  This is because you don’t take off your wetsuit during the race; you swim and run in it.

To allow for heat control, the swimrun wetsuits have their zip at the front.  This allows you to undo it during run sections, to cool down.  If needed you can also take your arms out of the sleeves and run ‘cab-down’, for more cooling. 

The other difference with these wetsuits, is that they have pockets.  This is where you carry nutrition, stow your goggles while running and carry the required emergency equipment, like a whistle and first aid kit.  There are pockets on both the inside and outside of the suit.

There are lots of other unique challenges associated with swimrun races, like swimming in your shoes.  I will cover these challenges in future blogs.  In the meantime, as I plan for races, I know that this particular race will require more planning than most.