The Survival of the Shawangunks (or SOS, as it is more commonly referred to) is a crazy race that takes place in New Paltz, NY (about 90 miles outside of NYC). New Paltz is at the foot of the Shawangunk mountains, a haven for mountain bikers, mountain climbers and outside enthusiasts of all shapes and sizes.

The SOS is part triathlon, part adventure race. It is an 8-stage race in the form of Bike - Run - Swim - Run - Swim - Run - Swim - Run. There is one "transition" zone when you finish the bike. After that, everything you take with you stays with you. That means you swim with your running gear and you run with your swimming gear.

The distances of the race are nothing to shirk at. Overall, you bike 30 miles, run a little over 18 miles and swim 2.1 miles. Though the bike takes place on roads, all of the runs are on beautiful trails (mostly fire roads) and the three swims are in three different pristine lakes tucked within the mountains.

The race ends at the beautiful (and fancy shmancy) Mohonk Mountain House. Fun for the whole family.

The race starts with a 30 mile bike ride that involves a fair bit of climbing. The first part of the ride alternates between flat and rolling hills. It's the last section that's the quad buster. The last 5 miles has you climbing 1000 feet into the heart of teh Shawangunk Mountains and to the Lake Awosting parking lot of Minnewaska State Park.

After hopping off your bike and giving it to your crew, you run the 4 miles to Lake Awosting. The trail is somewhat flat for the first part and then turns into a gradual incline. At about mile 3 1/2 you hit "the wall". Though only about 1/4 mile long, it's a very steep climb. You may have to walk.

The Lake Awosting swim is 1.1 miles. The lake can be a bit cold, but it is beautiful surroundings so hopefully that'll help you forget the temperature.

After the first swim you run 5.5 miles along a fairly rough trail until you get to Lake Minnewaska, at which point you jump in and go for a 1/2 mile swim.

The third run is 8 miles of trails that leads you to Lake Mohonk and your final swim - another short 1/2 mile jaunt. But be prepared, though the last leg is only a .7 mile run, it's more of a climb as you've got to scale 260 feet of altitude in that short distance.

The finish takes place at the historic Smiley Memorial Sky Top Tower (1542') where you'll be greeted with excellent views of five states.