Organizing an open water swim race

Tomorrow's first annual Jordan Lake Open Water Challenge has 114 pre-registered athletes, which is a great turnout. I just went through the entry sheet and saw that 55% of these swimmers are first-time open water competitors, which is also great. We're going to do our best to provide a well organized race. One Step Beyond is partnered with FS Series for these three races. The first race was run in conjunction with a triathlon they were hosting, so everything was already set up. For this one, I have been in charge of most things-

Our checklist of things to do this week included:

make sure the ambulance crew will be there
confirm with the Coast Guard Auxiliary
confirm with Jordan Lake Superintendent
Get the swim caps
Pick up the t-shirts
confirm lifeguards from TAC
Pick up bagels for food
Run packet pickup

Tomorrow I'll be running around organizing things and hosting a short pre-race swim clinic.

Today Bri and I had a good 10 mile run in Umstead Park and then a short bike ride, tomorrow I'll hope to get a ride in.

My old friend Collis, a buddy for 20 years, is coming into town today for the swim and to hang out for a couple days with us. I would rate Collis a top contender but he let me know he hasn't been in the water since April, so now he is my main safety concern. :)

Weekend update

We had a nice weekend here. On Friday my Dad and I went fishing for striper bass on Jordan Lake. We didn't catch a thing but it was a gorgeous day and we had a great time. On Saturday we bummed around a bit and then held a poker game here at the house. I lost. But that's how it goes. On Sunday Bri and I were going to head out for a long run in Umstead, but her calf was bothering her. So instead we went home, grabbed Tassie, and took her for a nice walk around Bond Park. The leaves are changing color and it was a nice time. Then we had dinner at our friend Dan's house. Very busy weekend.

The Philly marathon is coming up in just a couple weeks. I am overweight and undertrained, but plan to finish without any drama.

Afternoon update: Due to my general indifference and Bri's current calf/achilles issues, we may bag the seven hour drive to Philly. If that's the case I'll run in the Thunderbolt Marathon over in Charlotte on 12/13. This weekend I am doing the Old Reliable 10k. With a run to downtown that'll be 16 miles or so.

Looking at next year's racing schedule and plan to be more competitive than this season. Here's the 2009 plan right now:

Gasparilla 15k
Azalea sprint
St Anthonys
White Lake half
random summer sprints & 5ks
Duke Liver Center

That is all.