Ironman Lake Placid - Triathlon


View Member's Race Log View other race reports
Lake Placid, New York
United States
World Triathlon Corporation
72F / 22C
Overcast
Total Time = 13h 53m 57s
Overall Rank = 1528/2400
Age Group = 35-39
Age Group Rank = 223/304
Pre-race routine:

We traveled through the night on Tuesday and arrived early Wednesday at about 8am. The kids and I did some minimal hiking, and then explored the village a bit on Wednesday. Thursday Morning I swam a loop in the lake and rode the bike from Wilmington, where our Hotel was, to Lake Placid, and then Later in the day from Lake Placid down into Keene. The hills up to LP were easy that day, and the trip down to Keene was a valuable experience. Thursday, we took a trip up to Whiteface mountain. It was cold and windy. I just had to take the final quarter mile hike to the tip top of the mountain which was a tough up hill climb. I regretted that on Friday though, as that made my back hurt some. It was a good effort though, and helpful for getting some of the anxieties out. Friday we spent the day at "the north Pole". Fun little amusement park that was perfect for the kids and relaxing for me. Did the big IM banquet that night. Great banquet, but far overshadowed by "losing our kid". Max Wandered off. I thought he was with my wife, she thought he was with me and walah he was missing for about 10 minutes. yeesh, Scary. Yulia found him in a lady's arms on their way to the PA system. Well that was a relief. Don't think I heard much of the "Show" after that. Oh Well, all was well in the end. Saturday was relaxing. Trip into town, grocery store, visit to town of Saranac, and a great lunch on the Lake. Ate a pretty big pasta dinner, and managed to get to sleep by 9pm. Before sleeping I managed to pack my special needs bags. Morning clothes bag - wetsuit, goggles, powerbar, drink. run bag- watch, hat, sweatshirt, socks, salt tab, pb&j pita and a mountain dew. Bike bag, PB&j pita, mountain dew, salt tab. Also got a massage, and a good stretch thanks to my wonderful wife.
Event warmup:

Up by 4am. In to town with John, the hotel neighbor, who was gracious enough to offer the ride, and his internet hotspot for Yulia to keep a track of me throughout the day. left by 4:45am arrived in town by 5am. John's wife was kind enough to drop off the special needs bags at their spots. I got to my bike, got to my bags, got to the can, and got to the body marking. Took a very brief swim, and found I had to get seeded pretty quickly. Seeding took a few minutes as I had to make my way back to the 1:45-2hour spot. I ate my powerbar in the mean time.
Swim
  • 1h 39m 13s
  • 4224 yards
  • 02m 21s / 100 yards
Comments:

Great swim. Was wide for the first lap. Got a few feet ahead of me, which probably sped me up some. I got jostled around some but not bad at all. I was pleased with the time. It was the longest swim I have ever completed. nicely enough, I didn't have any kind of toe cramp, and didn't tear my wetsuit trying to put it on.
What would you do differently?:

work on form better while training.
Transition 1
  • 09m 56s
Comments:

Wow, what a tremendous amount of support. I had chosen not to wear the vest and arm warmers, and the volunteer said. "Are you sure you won't need them on those downhills?" so I took 'em anyway. I was in great shape for the bike, and pleased with the transition.
What would you do differently?:

get some body glide on. Arm pits especially for some reason.
Bike
  • 6h 52m 31s
  • 112 miles
  • 16.28 mile/hr
Comments:

The ride was tough. Couldn't get satellites for the watch for the first 24 miles. Decent into Keene was a bit scary as the roads were damp on the first lap. Had to pee and armpits started to chafe for some reason at about mile 25 or so, so had to stop and take care of those needs. Stopped for my special needs bag. Was nice to drink some Mountain Dew, bit off of an apple, and grabbed more stinger waffles to carry with me. Ate those throughout. The last 15 miles were mentally draining. I knew I had the tough hills yet to climb, and knew I had a marathon yet to run. My legs began to cramp a little too and the going was slow. I made it to transition though by 3:20pm which told me I was in in under 7 hours. I was happy about that. The weather was so perfect throughout the day, I couldn't help but praise God for the blessing of it throughout the day.
What would you do differently?:

try to keep a bit higher cadence in the early part of the ride and maintain a more constant and steady pace throughout.
Transition 2
  • 06m 59s
Comments:

T2 was awesome again. Just incredible volunteers everywhere. Forgot my watch on the bike. Doh. No watch of any kind for the marathon.
What would you do differently?:

remember to get my watch.
Run
  • 5h 05m 18s
  • 26.2 miles
  • 11m 38s  min/mile
Comments:

This one started out sketchy. I was tired... I didn't have my watch. Etc. The first 5 miles of so felt almost entirely downhill. but the next 5 back up... then flats, then down hill again, then uphill, then flats then a finish. I walked the uphills, and the aid stations. Seriously, those uphills were really steep. I had to ask other walkers when walking to tell me what time it was. Once I began to get the sense that I might finish in under 4 hours, I started to hustle. I enjoyed my special needs bag when the time came. Mountain dew, and an apple bite kept me going. it started to rain on the second lap, which was actually really nice. I passed both John and Brad our hotel neighbors a couple of times each which was great. Brad was able to alert me to that Yulia was waiting just up the next hill. It was invigorating to see her on that second lap. She then knew when I would be finishing and was able to stroll the kids to the finish line before I finished.
What would you do differently?:

nothing, was a great run.
Post race
Warm down:

all was quick. got through with bags and bike... followed Yulia back to the car, and packed it all up. then returned with the stroller to the finish to watch others finish. It was wonderful to see Brad, our hotel neighbor finish. returned to the hotel for beers and conversation with the other finishers till late in the night. I just cannot finish writing this one up without making mention of the wonderful neighbors we had in our hotel with us. John and his wife three doors down who offered great advice and support early in the week, and ultimately drove me into town on the morning of the race, and of course Brad and his wife, who shared so much knowledge and sheer joy for the adventure throughout the week. Thanks to you all. It was such a pleasure meeting you.

Event comments:

Overall, one of my greatest experiences. Can't wait to do another one!




Last updated: 2013-07-30 12:00 AM
Swimming
01:39:13 | 4224 yards | 02m 21s / 100yards
Age Group: 283/304
Overall: 2206/2400
Performance: Good
Suit: sleeveless
Course: two lap rectangle
Start type: Run Plus: Time Trial
Water temp: 72F / 22C Current: Low
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Good
Breathing: Good Drafting: Average
Waves: Navigation: Good
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 09:56
Performance: Good
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
No
Wetsuit stuck? No Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed: Good
Biking
06:52:31 | 112 miles | 16.28 mile/hr
Age Group: 242/304
Overall: 1676/2400
Performance: Good
Wind: Little
Course: 2 laps. down hill on the way out, rollers in the middle, and uphill on the way back.
Road: Rough Wet Cadence: 80
Turns: Good Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Good Hills: Average
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 06:59
Overall:
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike
Racking bike
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
05:05:18 | 26.2 miles | 11m 38s  min/mile
Age Group: 223/304
Overall: 1528/2400
Performance: Good
Course: an out and back one way, and an out and back the other way.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %0
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
Physical exertion [1-5] 5
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 5