Take the Lake X-TREME!
NOTE: In 2012, we plan to offer Take the Lake X-TREME! as
Where: Around and over Lake Waccamaw, N.C.
What: 48 miles of cycling, running, paddling and swimming
- 4-mile Swim
- 15-mile Bike & Hike (12-mile Bike & 3-mile Hike)
- 14-mile Paddle
- 15-mile Walk / Run
When: The Saturday before Labor Day Weekend (August 27, 2011)
Who: You
How: Through much training, then about 16 hours of "putting that road behind you."
Step 1: Register here
Step 2: Get in shape
Step 3: Do it
Why: Because it's there
NOTE: In 2012, we had 12 people complete this event. Most of us were in our late 40s or early 50s, and we all finished the events with times between 11-15 hours. (See our 2011 Competitors) With only 13 hours of daylight, the real race is against the sun.
Date: TBA
Starting point: Last year, we based this operation across from Dale's Restaurant, and expect to do the same this year.
Starts: The 6 a.m. start is the only "gang" start. Participants will finish one challenge and immediately begin the next.
Course: About as simple as it can get; just swim across the lake and then keep circling it.
Timing: This is not a sanctioned event, and the courses are not precisely measured. We will keep your times as you check in and out of each leg. You will have a bib number, but we're not using radio tags, so remember your number and make sure we get your time.
Schedule: First of all, we may have to impose a time limit, to keep us out of the woods after dark. So, for example, you might have to be ready for the Walk / Run by, say, 6:30 p.m.
Times are approximate.
========== (6 a.m.) - Swim
VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: In the Take the Lake swim, we require every participant to have a private escort craft (a kayak works very well). Since we are fielding a different type of athlete in TTL-Extreme, we may allow swimmers to share boats. But do not think you can swim even part of this course without a boat, no matter how experienced you are. This is a large lake, with many power boaters out enjoying the weekend, so you must have a boat to protect you. Swimmers who share a boat must swim at the same pace and remain together.
This leg presents the biggest logistical challenge for us. First, the weather (winds) control which direction we swim. So, if we start swimming at the dam, we'll have to get you there from Dale's. If we start the swim at Dale's, we'll have to transport you back up there from the dam. Dam.
To make up for this, we'll likely give everybody a block of time (20 minutes?) and "erase" that from your total time.
We choose to do this first for a few reasons. First, swimming is heavy on the arms, so if you swim, bike, paddle & walk, you will alternate; arms, legs, arms, legs. Second, the swim is "hardest" and we like getting it out of the way first. Third, Cycling first would put us in the park before it opens, which is not good.
But swimming first means we need to have boats at the start point for the 6 a.m. start. Not sure how this will work, so we'll work with you on this.
========== (8 a.m.) - Bike & Hike
About the hike - Three miles of this challenge is a walk (or run) along the state park trails. Now, we've been having a small problem in Take the Lake with a few people riding on part of the trail. In TTL-Extreme, we expect this to be a big problem, because it is a race, and even for the noncompetitive types, you're racing against the sun. So far, we are relying on participants' honesty, but as the event grows, we may have to do something else.
========== (Noon) - Kayak
We will have lunch for you. Not sure yet what we'll serve, so your suggestions are welcome.
We'll start at Dale's.
Just like in Take the Lake, you must stay in the no-wake zone (between the poles and the shore.)
========== (6 p.m.) - Walk / Run (LEGS)
We'll start at Dale's. This is another critical part. You must be out of the woods before sunset. We will have the trail (very) clearly marked, but we also have a zero-tolerance policy on anyone getting lost. (That's good for you.)
REFUNDS:
If you have to cancel, and you let us know by July 30, we'll write you a check for all that you paid. We really need you to show your support, so sign up today!
Here's our online TTL-Xtreme! registration form
