This was my first time racing at Lake Placid but I soon realized why this is such a special race.  Joining me for the week leading up to the race was my husband Todd, eight year-old twins Joshua and Jordan and my five year-old fireball Zachary.  Pre Race week was fun and filled with interviews, press conferences, mini golf, arcade time, CEO dinner, movies and more.  The week was fun but I was ready to get the show on the road!

Race day I woke up early, (2:30 a.m. - not on purpose!!) with crazy nerves as usual.  I was looking forward to the all-women’s start and racing against some of the sports best ironman distance racers.  We started at 6:25 a full 35 minutes ahead of the rest of the field.   For the first time in an Ironman race I didn’t get hit or kicked once! I went out hard with the lead group on this 2-loop course.  The lead group!!! Yep the lead group, even Paula Newby-Frazer and Greg Welch were surprised that I was one of the first pro’s out of the water. The lead group included swim star Andrea Fisher, Tereza Macel, Dede Griesbauer and Hillary Biscay.   I was working very hard to keep up with them and dropped off on the second loop.  I swam the entire loop alone, no draft and no one to push me but I felt long and smooth. At 5 feet 2 inches I don’t often feel long, especially in the water.  I exited the water 1:30 behind and in fifth place, ecstatic about my 52:30, Ironman PR swim and was ready for a great ride – goal #1 accomplished!

I passed Hillary Biscay at mile 4 and had Andrea in view.  I passed Andrea on a climb around mile 10 but she passed me back on the downhill – back and fourth we went. Andrea was flying on the downhill section. I usually ride my brakes on steep descents, but today I knew that I had to hang it all out there. Inside, I was proud of the fact that I didn’t touch my brakes once – goal #2 accomplished!

I eventually passed Dede and moved into second but was passed by Desiree shortly thereafter.  Coming through town was exciting - there was music and tons of cheering fans.  The second loop the hills seemed to have grown substantially! Everyone warned me of this and I was now a believer. I hung tough eventually passing Desiree and into second.  We all changed places a lot but I eventually came into transition with Kim Loeffler.  With Kim along side me and Heather Fuhr only minutes behind I was hopeful to hang on to third with some of the best runners in the sport alongside me.  I knew that Heather Fuhr usually runs somewhere in the 3 hour range so I was expecting her to pass me about mile 3 or 4. She did. She makes it look easy as she glides along with her long legs and efficient cadence. Kim Loeffler has long legs as well and impressively went with Heather for awhile. Karen Smyers and some of the other fast runners were close behind.  The run was rather uneventful aside from the major cramping in my legs. I kept praying they would not seize up.  I was so thankful that my prayers were answered – the cramping continued but I kept pushing to hold my place.  Heather Fuhr took her 5th Lake Placid title, Kim Loeffler was second and I happily rounded out the podium.

My kids were there to greet me at the finish line, or should I say “attack me”.  That’s when the legs really seized up! Thanks to the medical tent staff for helping me out.