So Tim and I were down at Mirror Lake in Lake Placid NY the other day when this fine washboard specimen of a man comes sauntering past. Tim says "close your mouth buddy". Oh yes, many many fine bodies are to be seen this weekend in Lake Placid as the race day comes closer.
The Ironman is a grueling race that starts at 7am and ends at Midnight. It involves a total of 140.6 Miles of work - starting with 2.6 mile swim, followed by a 112 Mile Bike, followed by a FULL marathon at 26.2 Miles. For you Canadians out there just to put it into perspective - All told almost a 5km swim, 180km bike, and 42 km run. OH MY GOD! I've been trying all week to wrap my head around what my friend Jason is going to do tomorrow. I've seen some of the course in our travels around the area - a lot of hills since this is a mountainous region. At this point all his training is done and it's a total mental game. You have to understand, this is a guy who last year was suppose to do his first Ironman but was in a wheelchair at Lake Placid watching and couldn't even walk. He then went through major back surgery in late fall, then started physio and then training just this January. And after all that he is ready. Last month he did the Epicman training - which was almost a full Ironman but only Half the run.
So 2 days ago Tim and I went for a hike. It was really tough and very very steep climbing part of the last mile - and the whole time I kept having to tell myself, "jason is doing an Ironman, jason is doing an Ironman, this is nothing, you are getting a really good workout". Only a 4 hour 9km hike, and yet I can't fathom what Jason will have to endure over 12 to 14 hours tomorrow. I am very humbled and proud of his work and hope that he kicks some MAJOR ASS tomorrow.
At any rate, we must all leave the house at 5:45am to get a good spot at the starting line at Mirror Lake tomorrow - I've seen pictures of the start and seriously I would totally panic! (see attached). Luckily Jason is super confident in water, but man I couldn't do it. See above shot.....yesh!
1 comment:
I am in such awe of triathletes -- IMs in particular. I did a 1/2 marathon a few years back, which thus far has been the pinnacle of my atheletic achievements. My mind can't process the physical demands an Ironman places on one's body. It's almost midnight...hope your friend's in the home stretch!
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