Ironman Lake Placid - TriathlonFull Ironman

The new rolling start definitely cut down on the congestion at the beginning of the swim. I was able to get near the line and had some great draft opportunities on the first loop. I was swimming at a hard but comfortable pace, but still couldn't believe I came up to the beach and my watch read 32:XX.

Lap 2 did not go quite as smooth. It seemed more crowded on the line, and I got bumped out a few times. Contact overall was more of a factor, and I jammed my left hand and shoulder at one point. It wasn't terrible but I was a bit uncomfortable for the rest of the swim. Had a hard time finding a rhythm on the home stretch but I knew if I kept it going I would beat last year's swim time, something I wasn't sure I had a chance to pull off.

Given my poor swim training this season, I'm very happy and surprised I beat last year's swim time.

I've never had a more eventful or impactful T1. I came out of the water thrilled about beating my time from last year, and made my way to the wetsuit strippers. After they got my suit off I got up and made my way down the path. The crowd was going nuts, I was looking around for Leigh and then it happened. Another athlete was laying down to get his wetsuit off and the back of his head slammed into my left thigh. It must have looked back because I heard several spectators gasp as I almost fell down hopping on one leg. I immediately knew it was something I would feel all day. I limped my way to the tent and tried to stay focused on getting ready for the bike. Not having to change and having all my food on the bike made for a much better T1 than last year.

I thought about the collision for quite awhile, trying to figure out if it was my fault or his, but ultimately concluded it was just a freak accident. Otherwise my transition went pretty well.

(Finishing the RR from here on 06/24/14)

I remember being able to feel the pain in my leg, but it didn't seem to hinder my pedaling - great news! Got into my goal pace and started with my nutrition plan. I knew the first big descent was going to be wet, so I was hyper-focused as I blasted down. Kept a good pace and stayed within my means on the climbs. A lot of the same stuff on the second loop, and I was very happy when I got back into town to finish up the bike.

Not much

As I got closer to transition I began to wonder about my leg, it had felt okay on the bike, but what would happen when my feet hit the ground? I got my answer immediately, the moment I hopped off the bike my leg screamed in pain. I limped into the tent, trying to figure out how I was going to manage this problem for 26.2 miles. I was so concerned that I neglected to grab my food from the bag.

Don't forget the food!

This hurt. A lot. The downhills out of town were especially brutal on my leg. I tried to keep up a decent pace but it didn't last very long. This was going to be an extra special painful marathon. My nutrition eventually failed me partly because I could not get focused. I shuffled my way through the course, watching JM get closer at each turn around, and tried to will myself to the finish line. Its amazing what the oval can do, because for those few seconds as I ran my way around, high fiving any hand I could reach, I felt no pain. The relief when I crossed the line was incredible, and despite my troubles, I made it. I wasn't able to hold off JM, who beat me by just over a minute, but I did crush my time from last year.

I know it was hard to see my race fall apart, but I have to do better sticking to the nutrition plan.

Sat in a chair for a long time, some nice people brought me over some food. Hobbled around town to shower and meet up with friends before returning to watch the emotional last hour or so of finishers.


Leg injury coming out of the water.


Despite a crushing blow (literally) as I came out of the water, I'm very proud of my race here. To take an hour off my time in just one year is incredible.