Ironman USA Lake Placid - TriathlonFull Ironman

My pre-race plan was to let the group go and then start after the mob had left. Once I got in the water, I decided that I wanted to experience the whole IM thing, so I moved up to just behind the group massed at the start line. The cannon went off and I started swimming. It took about 30 seconds to get to the start line and all heck broke loose. The first 1000 yards was a total fist fight of a swim. There was no rythm or stroke, it was just fight your way forward. I tried to stay to the outside but ended up on the bouy line, so ended up doing a lot of pushing and hitting. I think an IM swim is more about being confident than being a great swimmer. The second 1000 went a lot smoother and it was cool to hear the crowd on the beach run. The third leg was another battle fest and I swam most of the way with my elbows out to block blows. The fourth and final leg felt fast. I think in total I took 2 shots to the goggles and one to the nose. I was pretty excited to come out of the water and see 1:15. I wanted to beat 1:20 and was excited with 1:15. I know I can swim faster but didn't want to come out of the water tired.

Some other swimming thougts: You can't help but draft on this swim. There are so many people in the water you are always behind somebody. I also noticed that triathletes have ugly feet and could probably use a trip to a podiatrist. Another thing, the nice stroke you practice in the pool goes out the window when you're constantly hitting something or being hit. Luckily this was a lake swim as I couldn't image doing this in the ocean.

Not much, it was a good swim. I got to experience the washing machine and I didn't kill myself on the swim. It probably would have been better to wait everyone out but I had fun.

It's a long run from the lake to the huge transition area. I kind of waddled down and picked up my bags. I got into the tent and found a chair. I had decided before the race to wear the same clothes (tri shorts/top) for the whole race. I got everything set, had them put on some sun screen and got out of the tent. They had my bike ready and I headed to the start line.

Nothing. I didn't rush but didn't waste time

As usual the bike was my weak event. I put in a lot of time on the bike in the spring and came close to breaking my goal of 7 hours for the bike. The first loop went really well. I felt strong and was right on for my nutrition. I even did well on the downhills and managed to hit over 40 mph on the road to Keene. It really helped to see my family at the beginning and end of the out and back in Wilmington. The climb back into LP and the trip through town was as close as I'll ever get to the Tour de France. People lined the hill into town, ringing bells and then the trip through town was really loud. I could feel the adrenaline pumping as I went through the town. Of course, the low point hit on the hill out of town. I could feel that the wind had picked up and I was starting to feel tired but I knew that there would be times that this race was going to be hard. The next 15 miles weren't what I expected because what should have been the easy part of the loop was hard. There was a steady headwind on the part of the course where I should have been averaging 20mph. I just kept peddaling and it got better on the out and back. On the way back into town, I saw Matt (MForger18) and talked to him for awhile. Most of the people had left the last hill into town so it wasn't as loud but I saw my family on trip into transition. I came into transition and was really happy to get off my bike. I would have given my bike away at that point.

Some thoughts on the bike: During the bike was about the first time I got to see the other athletes in action. It was amazing to see the different body types and bikes. Expensive bikes, shaveed legs and lean body types didn't seem to guarantee fast bike times. I guess it really is the engine, not the toys. It was kind of heart breaking to see people with broken bikes, knowing their race was over and you couldn't do anything to help. It would be a sucky way for a race to end.

Not much, I was on the pace I set for myself and I nailed my nutrition. If the wind wouldn't have picked up, I would have killed my goal time for the bike.

I came into transition and they took my bike. I grabbed my bag and ran into the tent. I changed out my socks and put on my running shoes. Loaded my pockets for the run. I forgot to put body glide on my feet but it ended up not making a difference. I came out of transition and saw 8 hours and 34 minutes on the clock and knew I could walk the marathon and still finish. That made me feel pretty good.

Nothing. I was 113 out 244 for my age group. I wanted to be comfortable for the marathon.

Ok, I hosed the run but so did most people. I think it got hotter than most people expected. There were no clouds and it was kind of humid. It felt comfortable after the heat in Virginia but it still took it's toll. I felt really good coming out of transition. None of the heavy legs or typical triathlon run feelings. This was probably because it was down hill and I was trying to keep the pace down. I also knew I had a lot of time to finish the race. I felt really strong for the first 6 miles but I was walking every water stop and drinking a lot. At this point I was averaging about 9:30 miles. About mile 7, I started getting stomach cramps and bloating. Everytime I tried to run, it would start to hurt. I walked almost all the uphills and some of the flats for the next 8 miles. I saw my wife and family when I came into town at mile 13. I told my wife that the second loop was going to take a long time. I fully expected to walk the second loop. About then I started farting like Old Faithful, which helped a whole lot. By mile 17, I started feeling a lot better and was able to run the flats and downhills. It was fun talking to the people on the course and read the inspirational messages people left on the course. I saw the sign my kids made for me, which helped a lot. I walked the two big hills into town and then ran most of the last 1.5 miles. I knew that I was going to finish the race unless I got hit by a bus.

Some run thoughts: It was funny to watch people on the second loop of the run. Most people would run for a few minutes, walk for a few minutes and then repeat. It looked like the retreat of a very disorganized army. There were some interesting running methods/styles by this point. Also, a lot of people stretching. I have a lot of respect for people who can do a fast marathon time in an IM.

It was an incredible feeling coming into town and picking up my kids for the sprint into the finish shoot. A woman passed me right when the kids joined me and they wanted to catch her. I told them to let her go because I didn't want to sprint anywhere. I also wanted to hear them call my name and get a good picture with my kids. As I put in my log, coming across that finish line with my kids made up for all the training. Those people on Slowtwitch that bash people for running with their family don't know what they're talking about. It made up for the bike rides in the rain, the runs in the dark and cold and for the endless laps in the pool. I don't have the words to describe the feelings of finishing an IM with the crowd screaming, the music playing and your family watching. I'm surprised that I didn't cry but I was just too happy. I did hear Mike Reilly call my name and I got to throw my hands up for the picture. It's not often in regular life we get to feel like an Olympic champion. Even if I do another IM, I know it will never feel like completing the first one.

Not drink like an alcoholic on a bender especially the gatorade. I know that gatorade doesn't sit well with me but I couldn't stop drinking it. I need to work on the nutrition some more. Everyone talks about the chicken broth and coke on the run but neither was doing anything for me. In the future I need to plan to carry what I need except for water.

Unless staggering around is considered a cool down, there wasn't a whole lot. I got my picture taken, had something to eat and then got the free massage. I got to see Michelle and Tony at the finish, which was cool. Also, I didn't need to go to the medical tent which was a big plus. My wife had picked up my bags and bike while I was on the run, so all I had to do was make it to the shuttle. We did watch the people trying to make it in before 15 hours. I would like to have stayed to the end but didn't think it was fair to the family, who had spent a long time out on the course to see me for a total of about 1 minute. So we headed back to the cabin


I hit my goals (finish & hopefully break 14 hours), so I'm wasn't to worried about going faster. What didn't limit my performance was my family and friends. I can't say enough about how great it is to have your family watch the race. I loved seeing other BTers on the course. What a great experience.


I gave this a 5 rating because it was the best supported race I've been to but I was disappointed in some parts of the race. With the cost of this race, you expect Rolls Royce service but some things didn't measure up. The food at the athletes dinner was bad, the after race food was non-existent and the transition area was too crowded. This was the organizers fault not the volunteers. The town and volunteers were awesome. Everyone worked hard and were very friendly. As I've said before LP is triathlete Mecca.

Overall this was a great race. I had fun, I beat my goals and I have lifetime bragging rights. What more could you ask for? I'm not sure if I'll do another IM because of the time committments but I'm glad I did this one.