Ironman Lake Placid - TriathlonFull Ironman

Started waaaaaay off to the side of the lake quite far from the buoys and about 10 rows back. Plan was to stick to the way outside till the Boathouse then see what happens closer to the bouys. Got inside a little earlier than planned and heard a huge commotion. Unconcious swimmer w/ everyone around trying to keep him afloat and wave for kayaks. Screamed for help for a while then just kept swimming. I heard conflicting results of what happened to him. Rest of the swim was pretty uneventful. My actual course looked more like a long rainbow than a rectangle but I figured if I swim longer in cleaner water it will help me mentally, so I did. Second loop actually found the cable for about 100 yds. but then got swam over and such so went back outside. Very happy with my results considering the lack of swimming I've done this year. 5 mins. off IMFL.

Long and Im OK with it. Crowded in tent and wanted to make sure I didn't forget anything. Stopped at a port a pot before I left.

Got passed by everyone and their mothers on the first loop and I just reminded myself to take it easy and I'll get 'em later. Hit the 20 mile mark in exactly 1 hr. and was very pleased. In laws were supposed to be in Ausable Forks so I was looking forward to seeing them - saw the couple with the 2 enormous pet goats but not the inlaws. Oh well. During the first loop my stomach wasn't feeling great - I'd never tried the Ironman perform before - I had heard it was like Gatorade and I have a good stomach. It was not like gatorade. It was disgusting. Stopped drinking it early and had more than enough food to make up for calorie deficit w/out it. Saw Mike at River Rd. before town, made it up the bears and cherries without incident, felt like a total rockstar coming thru town and left to do it all over again. Second loop was 3 mins. slower but I was happy with that. I did see my inlaws the second time. My MIL tried to start a conversation with me (typical) and my FIL was snoring in a chair. (typical) :) I do love them and was excited they chose IMLP weekend to visit their friend up there. Really helped knowing they were gonna be out there half way thru a long loop on bike. Felt really, really good climbing back into town. The climbs are not steep like here, they are long and I like those. I had an 11/28 and did not barely use the 28. Passed oodles and oodles of folks going up past Whiteface and more on bears and cherries. I was in no means going fast, but it did feel good. :)

I think maybe push a little harder? Had I known what the run had in store, I would have for sure...

Volunteers are awesome. Came in quite dazed and slow. Feet hurt a lot and I was tired now. Really tired. Really, really tired. Walked into tent, sat down and a few volunteers ran and got me some water. I was chatting w/ them a bit and trying to figure out what to do with my stuff. Got changed, lubed up and sneaks/visor on and off I shuffled. Still kinda in a daze..

Saw Mike right outside T2. Ran to him and started to bawl uncontrollably. Didn't want to run a marathon feeling this tired. Just sooo tired. I knew how long it was going to be and I really didn't want to do it. wah, wah, wah. He told me to do a loop and if I still felt like crap, I could stop then. Shuffled away sobbing. Shortly afterwards I needed a port a pot. Desperately. But then nothing. Started running again, felt the need, stopped, nothing. Repeat this process like 14 times. If I ran, I felt the urge to go but walking I was better. Walked a majority of the marathon. When I did run, on the flats only, the legs worked fine and while walking, I was able to keep up a decent pace. Got to chat w/ Team4Cooper a bit, saw Cornick out there but couldn't figure out why ~ I didn't realize he won the BTBadass award till after I saw him finish. :) The River Rd. section was brutal on a lot of folks. Medics and support crew were just scooping people up all over the road. Crazy! Our friends house is the Start Tri house on River Rd. so it was really great to see them and hear them out in force! Also saw my fellow coach who was shooting for 10:30 or so out on the run course. I figured it was his second loop but he flatted w/ a tubular which cost him 45 mins..his race was shot so he ran/walked w/ our other friend who blew up on the bike and was having a tough day of it. Saw Mike at mile 11ish and felt much better - quitting was never an option. Second loop was more of the same. Walking, running, stopping in porta pots. Loved the redneck aid station, too. Finally hit downtown the second time and all the drunks outside the Brew Pub were trying to get everyone to start running again so I picked it up to a slow slog up hill to crowds of rowdy drunks cheering and the guy in the gorilla suit high 5'ing me. Ran past SN, to the turnaround then tried for the next 1/2 mile or so not to cry. Didn't cry - hit the oval and I could not have smiled any more - screaming, high 5'ing everyone, just soaking it all in. Saw Mike and gave him a sweaty hug and kiss and then had the line to myself.

No have the tummy troubles!

Felt so much better than at IMFL. Got chocolate milk and pizza then waited around to find Mike. Borrowed a cell phone only to find out he was at other end of oval. Finally met up, went to our friends place at the Golden Arrow to shower and relax then went back to finish @ 10:45 or so to watch everyone else become Ironmen.


A very challenging course for sure but I liked it better than IMFL. It was beautiful and the crowd support rocks! This race was a good test of mental fortitude - I so did not want to run but I knew I wouldn't quit. A few days before the race while chatting w/ my Dad, I told him how nervous I was. He looked at me and hugged me and said "You should be nervous. It's a lofty goal and it's gonna be tough. I'd be worried if you weren't nervous." It's interesting to find out where "your line" is. Some folks pulled themselves out due to fatigue, some pull out if they don't make their planned splits, others battle it out to the bitter end. I know where I am and Im proud of that. Never will I qualify but never will I quit.