The start for the 2000 Isuzu Ironman USA Lake Placid was 7am sharp. Despite the heavy fog, the race did start on time. This is my second full year doing triathlons and I have never experienced a mass start event. Just under 1,800 people starting a swim at the same time, now that is impressive. I looked good standing around the start in my Ironman wetsuit, new Ironman rash shirt and those Seal Goggles. I wished everyone well and before I knew what was happening I heard a gun go off. Shortly after that, people starting pushing, hitting and swimming right over me. I tried to swim but it is tough starting at the back. People were stopping in the water as the people in front of them were going too slowly. This is a little different from swimming at the Aquatic Center. I could not see the buoys due to the fog, but I did see plenty of people swimming in all different directions, interesting. By now my heart was racing and I could not catch my breath. I had to float on my back just to get things under control. I actually practiced this in the pool just for this occasion, so this was no big deal. Once everyone passed me and that guy in the boat told me which to go, I was back on track. I followed the cable under the water hoping not to get lost. I almost completed the first lap before the leaders passed me, some attempting to swim over me. Nice to see the leaders, I wished them luck and off they went. I stumbled out of the water in 58 minutes, a few seconds behind Melinda.
I had a nice chat with the volunteers on land and they made me start lap 2 of the swim. The second lap seemed longer than the first; maybe it was that long walk. I never did see other people on the last swim part, except some people in kayaks and boats. I was able to clearly follow the cable and slowly made my way up and down the swim course. Eventually I made it back to shore, fell once, and then made my way up the ramp. The people yelling so loud was very impressive, of course I could not hear what the volunteers were saying to me. They wanted me to lie down and take the wetsuit off. Oh, they were so helpful. I think that saved me a few seconds, so that was great. I carried the wet wetsuit with me as I made my way the 3 city blocks to the transition area. When I arrived at the swim to bike transition area there was already someone there holding my bag. I changed and got ready for the bike portion of the Ironman. I had a nice visit with Team Ed2k who were volunteering as bike givers. Thanks Ed, Mike and Cameron. We got a nice picture in the transition area and off I went on the bike.
Thank God the swim part is over, I don't really like swimming but it is required to do the Ironman. So I start out second from last on the bike, the leaders are already over 40 miles into the bike part when I start. There is not much chance I will be catching them, but I figure they will be able to catch me on their second lap. The start of the bike course was really cool and there were plenty of people cheering me on. My plan was to ride the bike easy as to save my self for the marathon portion of the Ironman. By mile 4, I caught and passed 3 people. Heading down the first hill though, I had my rear tire blow out. I was only going 32mph, so I didn't have much trouble stopping and pulling off the road. Once I got off the bike, I started the repair process. I swapped out the tire and found a defective CO2 cartridge, but my spare worked OK and off I went, now in last place. The big downhill on route 73 was very exciting. I was joined by a New York State Trooper on a motorcycle, he wanted to inform me that I was in last place. Gee, thanks for the encouragement. I managed to pass a couple of people going downhill on the way to Keene. No longer in last place, I made my way up 9N to Upper Jay. This road is really fast and not much of a challenge. Turning on route 86 towards Wilmington there are several hills, some up, some down. I didn't really like the out and back part of the course in Wilmington just to add miles. On the last part of that stretch I could see the leaders heading out. The leader passed me near Whiteface, he was going at a very impressive pace. When a couple of the leaders passed me I picked up the pace and passed them back. This went back and forth a few times but I didn't want to interfere too much with the race outcome, so I let them duke it out. There were some great crowds in town as I made my way in and out for the second bike lap.
I could see the runners on the course as I went out of town. The second bike lap was uneventful, thank you. I didn't have a spare left, so it would have been a bad thing if something happened. The GU was all gone for the second lap, not that I am complaining, one can only eat some much GU. I rode hard the first 45 miles of the second lap and then eased up the last 10 miles to allow my legs to recover and prepare for the marathon. There was some question if I could even do the marathon portion given that I had a bad leg. I consulted with Team Ed2k in the transition area and made the decision to proceed on. I enjoyed some granola bars and water at the start of the marathon. I limped down highway 73 and headed out of town. I realized the deadline was midnight, I had to finish the marathon by then or I would score another DNF. I did manage to limp the first 13.1 miles at a good pace, 15 minute miles. I did experience some "discomfort" from the start of the marathon and it only got worse as I went along. The hills did not help my difficulties but not much could be done at this point. By the time I made it back to river road, darkness was setting in. I was given a couple of glow sticks and proceeded on my way. Hey, this were pretty cool out in the dark.
My pace was slowing but my limp was getting much better or is that worse. There was some cool music playing and some fires burning, it was a beautiful site out on river road. The volunteers were all great and the chicken broth fantastic. I was still ahead of a bunch of people but I could feel them all closing in on me, as most of them were running and I was not. I would eventually slow to 17 minute miles. It seemed very lonely making my way back up Highway 73 and into town. The water stops in town were still going strong and they seemed to be having a party or something. I enjoyed a coke while limping the final big hill. From there it was two miles to go, just the out and back remained. During the last mile, the final runner past me. I was a little worried about the time as maybe my watch was off a few minutes, after checking with an official I was comfortable with the 5 minute cushion I had to finish. I didn't think anyone would still be at the finish, but the music was still playing and people were still cheering. I stumbled to the line after 17 hours 54 minutes of pure enjoyment. After I finished and weighed in, I was presented with the Saucony Inspiration award, now that was a nice touch to end a great day. My friends were still there to greet me and help me make my way back to the hotel. Now, I am looking to defend my last place title in Hawaii someday.