2025 marked my return to Ironman Lake Placid—exactly ten years after I first raced here in 2015. Back then, I was Race Age 40, my fourth season of racing. Now, at Race Age 50, I came back not just to finish—but to race. To see if I could beat my former self. To see if I could qualify for Kona.
And this time? I believed I could.
The Road Back to Lake Placid
Race Week: The Journey North
I started my drive on the Tuesday before race week. For camp I made this trip in two days and ended up with swollen ankles, so this time I built in an extra day which made a big difference. I made it to Carlisle, Pennsylvania on Tuesday night, did a shakeout run on the world’s loudest treadmill, then drove up to my friend Melissa's house in Glens Falls, New York on Wednesday. I did another shake-out run, and even though it was hot - the lower humidity gave me wings. I felt great after the run. Melissa treated me to a home-cooked meal and a comfy night’s sleep.
Thursday morning, I rolled into Lake Placid and headed straight to registration. I got my low bib number, scooped up the Ironman swag, and officially kicked off race week.
Reunited With My Crew
 |
| Denise, Kathy, and I at Emma's. Best Ice Cream in Lake Placid |
It was nice that they had each other to hang with while I went full triathlete mode with workouts, pro panels, and athlete briefings.
Race Week Highlights
On Thursday, after registration and check-in, I went out for a short bike ride with Cheryl and Jim—part of the Salty Turtle Cycling Club crew that I somehow convinced to do this race with me. Cheryl, Jeremiah, and Chad all came with their spouses, and it was so cool to share the Ironman experience with people I ride with most Sundays.
 |
| Jackie Herring! |
Friday started with a shakeout run hosted by TriDot and a Team Zoot photo. I even snagged a selfie with one of my favorite pro athletes, Jackie Herring!
Later that day, I attended the pro panel—and they asked my question! I won a $50 Ironman gift card, which I naturally used to buy the "name shirt". Then it was the athlete briefing, some much-needed feet-up time, and finally a group dinner with the TriDot team and friends from North Carolina Climbing Camp.
The Pancake Tradition Lives On
By Saturday, it was all systems go. I did a short swim and bike ride, racked my bike, and had lunch featuring my traditional pre-race meal: pancakes. I also snuck in a pancake second breakfast on Friday because… Ironman.
My nutrition plan this year included a focused carb-load: carb-focused Thursday, then full-on loading Friday and Saturday. After a final gear check and some quiet reflection, I went to bed ridiculously early. Because, Ironman.
Race Morning
The alarm went off at 3:00 a.m.—but I was already awake, rereading my 2015 race report. Full circle.
Denise and Kathy were already up and ready in their matching Iron Supporter shirts… and then came the surprise: a giant Fathead of my face wearing my TriDot visor. It was amazing. And yes—I wore the same visor on the second half of the run.
We headed to transition, and as I walked in to set up my gear… I tripped. I caught one of the raised fencing supports, spilled my coffee, and bruised my knee, shoulder, and ego. Not ideal—but not race-ending. I brushed it off, dropped my personal needs bags, and we headed to the VIP section to wait.
That’s when I cried for the first time that day—trying to thank Denise and Kathy for being there. I couldn’t find the words.
Swim – 2.4 miles – 1:13:05
 |
| Messing with my goggles at the halfway point. |
The swim felt strong but crowded. I spent most of it near the cable rope, which made sighting easy but also meant I was constantly surrounded by people. At the final turn of lap one, I was literally swum over by two pro men—so that was interesting!
Lap two I started wide to try to avoid the craziness, but a kayaker steered me back into the chaos. Still, when I came out after lap one, I saw 35 minutes on my watch—on pace for a 1:10. RaceX predicted 1:14, so I knew I was ahead of my plan and didn’t stress when I had to veer off-course to pass people.
It wasn’t smooth sailing, but it was confident, fast, and exactly the start I wanted.
T1 – 6:09
In and out quickly, all systems go.
Bike – 112 miles – 6:27:00
This was the leg I was most excited for—and where I knew I could gain the most on my 2015 self.
I rode smart out of town, kept my power and heart rate in check, and flew down the Keene descent (43 mph!). The first 30 miles? Averaged 20 mph. I was in the zone.
Then the rain started—hard—right as I entered the newer loop of the course. That section is tough even in perfect conditions, but I adjusted. I removed my foggy visor mid-race (thank you to the athlete who showed me it magnetized to the top of the helmet!) and reattached it only on descents where rain felt like needles.
I had a dropped chain around mile 90 and stopped once around mile 98 to adjust my tri suit, but otherwise stayed steady and strong. I hit T2 at 7:55 total time, giving me just over 5 hours to hit my Rockstar Goal.
T2 – 4:09
 |
| My transitions were faster than many. My trick is to carry my visor and belt and put them on while running. |
As she helped me swap gear and prepare for the marathon, she said:
“Last I checked you were in 5th place.”
I couldn’t hold it in—I started crying right there in the tent.
Tears of pride. Disbelief. Maybe a little fear.
She smiled and said,
“You’re going to have to hurt to hold onto it.”
It was the first time I realized just how high the stakes really were. And just how deep I was going to have to dig.
Run – 26.2 miles – 5:31:55
I left transition full of belief. But within the first mile, I knew this wasn’t going to be the run I had trained for, and that seriously bummed me out!
My socks and shoes were soaked from the giant swimming pool that was the transition area, and my legs felt heavy. My breathing was off. My rhythm never came. And by mile 2, the mental spiral had begun.
I was walking more than expected. And every time I walked, the self-talk got worse:
"You’re blowing it."
"You don’t belong in 5th."
"You’re letting everyone down."
 |
| So many tears... |
By mile 9, I was deep in the emotional darkness.
And then—there they were at the top of Lisa G's hill.
Denise and Kathy... and my giant head!
Standing at the hot corner—the perfect spectator spot where all the run loops converge—waving that giant Fathead of my face and screaming like I was in first place.
I broke.
I told them I was sorry. That I was walking too much. That I felt like I was failing.
They refused to accept that story.
“You’re doing amazing.”
“We’re so proud of you.”
“Keep going. You’re still in this.”
They didn’t just cheer. They held me together.
I saw them again at mile 10.5 and every lap on repeat.
Every time, they lifted me.
I changed socks and shoes at Personal Needs and restarted my Garmin with a 60/30 run-walk interval. No more mental math. Just obedience to the beep.
Then, like a gift from the course, Chad from Surf City caught me.
He asked what I was doing. I told him.
“Cool,” he said. “I’ll do it with you.”
He stayed with me for 8 miles. He talked. He listened. He matched my rhythm. And he helped bring me back from the darkest part of the day.
With two miles to go, he stopped to hug his wife and change socks. I kept going.
And almost instantly, I felt it—my toenail separating from my toe. The pain was sharp and constant.
But I was so close. And finally… I turned.
Toward the finish.
In daylight.
Still standing.
The Finish Line
Denise and Kathy were in the VIP section, FaceTiming Mark so he could see me finish. I came in crying, smiling, wincing—and so, so proud.
Final Time: 13:22:17
(2015 Time: 15:16:49 — nearly two hours faster 🎉)
✅ Happy Goal: Finish with a smile
✅ Super Happy Goal: Finish in 13:30
❌ Rockstar Goal: Finish in 13:00
I finished 15th in my age group.
Kona spots only rolled to 7th in my age group. Other age groups rolled to 20th… even 60th. But not mine. We showed up hungry. 50-54 year old women don't mess around!
So no, I didn’t qualify for Kona this time.
But I’m not done.
I still believe.
I’m still dreaming.
And Race Age 50 Erin? She’s just getting started.
Comments
Post a Comment