Boutilier's Blog: Ironman Lake Placid!

WE DID IT!! 2.4 mile swim, then 112 mile bike, then 26.2 mile run! (and yes, all in one day!)

We arrived in Lake Placid on Thursday night. We got the last parking spot at the hotel - whew. Triathletes arrive early! Here we are in cute little downtown Lake Placid.

View from our hotel room:

Friday - after a short swim; bike; run; we walked around the transition area. It was pretty quiet - 2 days out from the race.

Lucky us though, we timed it right: Right when a select # of pros were giving a press conference.

Far right = Ben Hoffman (2nd at 2010 Ironman St. George (and is eventual winner of Ironman Lake Placid 2010). Next to Ben Hoffman is Maik Twxxx - 2009 Ironman Lake Placid winner; boyfriend of one of my favorite pro women; 3rd place at Ironman Lanzorete; and eventual 3rd place winner of Ironman Lake Placid 2010.

2nd from right is our favorite - Cait Snow: our nutritionist; 2008 Ironman Lake Placid winner; 3rd place at 2010 Ironman St. George; 2nd place at 2009 Ironman Lake Placid; and eventual 2nd place at 2010 Ironman Lake Placid. Go Cait!!

Trophy for winners. They also get $10,000.

Other Bay State tri team members that were racing. We ran into these guys every where we went - including the morning of the race. Crazy! From right: Deane; Paul (in background); Mike & Chris. We saw them on the course during the race too - it was fun to see friendly faces.

Setting up the hotel room - all the fuel that we need. Looks like the powerbars & gels are missing though.

My new shoes - Kinvaras!! 1st run in them = Ironman Lake Placid 2010!

Checked in & ready to go! We have to wear these bracelets all weekend - allow us in & out of the transition area & to the awards ceremony. Friday afternoon, we checked in; received our bracelets; race numbers; timing chips; transition bags... You have to check in on Friday or else you can't race on Sunday. No check ins allowed on Saturday.

My bike with it's new racing wheels - ready to go!!

Mirror Lake - the calm before the storm...

Saturday morning, we slept in, then met up with QT2 for breakfast & a pre-race meeting. It was a good meeting - hearing how to pace yourself over the long day.

Saturday - dropping our bags off in transition

And our bikes

Transition area - in the middle of the Olympic Speed Skating Oval (1932 & 1980)

Sunday came very early: 3:30 am I actually had only slept a couple hours, so 3:30 didn't seem as bad as it could have. No worries, as Friday night's sleep was the important sleep.

Chris ate his breakfast - my stomach was too nervous to get much in (just a few scoops of applesauce)

Serious thunder clouds loomed outside. I was really hoping the thunderstoms & lightning would stay away. No matter how much you dread the swim, you still don't want it to be canceled!

At 5:30, we headed to the transition area: dropped off our morning clothes bag; pumped up our bike tires; and loaded our bikes with our sports bottles & powerbars. Then we headed down to the swim start.

We ran into our Bay State friends again & chatted with them before we got into our wet suits & the water.

Fortunately, the clouds just stayed threatening - they didn't boom, crackle or pop (whew). So the race started on time!

Pros cannon went off at 6:50! Chris & I were hanging out in the water in a nice cleared spot. I was just asking him how much time was left before we went off, when our cannon went off! 7:00 am! 1.2 mile swim then get out run across the timing matt & then back into the water for another 1.2 mile swim. Swim is a generous term because as soon as the cannon went off, it became hand to hand combat! It was the perfect scenario for a full blown panic attack - but so much was happening, you didn't have time to panic! Close t 3,000 athletes kicking & pummeling; kicking & pummeling. It was quite unbelievable - I still can't believe I lived through it. The mash pit did pull me along though; and I finished the swim in 1 hour 10 minutes. Chris took the smart route & went wide to avoid the mash pitt. He came out of the water a few minutes after me; but didn't have to deal with as many feet & arms!

What is so nice about an Ironman is the wet suit strippers! They help you out of your wet suit - so no squatting; pulling; and yanking. They do all the hard stuff for you - you just get the wet suit down to your waist; lay down; and they pull it off!

After the swim, we had to run 2 blocks back to the transition area. The street is lined with fans yelling & screaming - it makes you feel like a true hero - very cool!

Then after getting my bike bag; I went into the transition tent & put on my helmet; sunglasses; and bike shoes. I also put a pair of bike shorts over my tri shorts, so I would have more padding for the 112 mile bike. Then it was out of the transition tent & off to find my bike. There are so many volunteers, so I had a couple help me get my bike off the rack & make sure I was all set for my long ride. Love them!

The start of the bike ride is pretty serious - a sharp left turn & then down 2 super steep hills. These are all lined with hay bales, so you know athletes go out way too fast. I took it easy & was soon on my way out of town. The first of big hills start about 4 miles out of town - long & steep - oh joy. Fortunately, I was well rested from the taper & felt good on the hills. Many many many athletes passed by me; but that is what's supposed to happen. Let them go by; kill themselves early; and then pass them later in the race (or not, but who cares - for me it's all about enjoying the day & finishing!)

Rain started right when I reached the big 'effin downhill section. Perfect - my worst nightmare! Fortunately, it was a light rain; the roads weren't very wet; car traffic was non existent & bike traffic was light. As soon as the rain started, it stopped. The day stayed cloudy & cool. Perfect conditions! The bike ride went smoothly - I saw some Bay Staters & Chris out on the course, which made me feel great. I took a drink every 8 minutes & ate every 50-60 minutes.

The bike course was 2 loops - 56 miles each. Finishing the first lap - you have to climb up Papa Bear - a steep hill. The crowds closed in on you & cheered you up the hill. I felt like I was in the tour de France - loved it!!! Then the course turned and brought you back into town. Our coach said to stay calm & cool through town, as the crowds would make you feel like a champion - but it was so hard! The yelling & screaming was so amazing! But soon, I was out of town & only surrounded by hils & other athletes. Chris & I met up around mile 75 of the bike ride & stayed within a half mile of each other. It made me feel good to know that we were going to finish the bike ride together. The bike ride is the hardest part because it is so long & if you don't take care of yourself (going out too fast; not fueling properly), you can ruin your day.

Into transition #2! I used the restroom & took a couple minutes longer than Chris. He waited for me & we took off on the run together! He wasn't feeling too good at the first aid station, so he fell back & I kept going. My stomach was giving me some fits; but I knew it wasn't bad enough to stop me. The run was also 2 loops. It starts off with some down hills; then of course you have to climb the hills to get back into town - ugh! I walked at each water stop - about 30 seconds, which helped me to catch my breath and get fluid & food down. I saw some other Bay Staters out there; as well as the pros (made sure I yelled 'Good Job' to Tim & Cait Snow); and there were some other Qt2ers too. Lots to look at & cheer at.

Walking the monster hills back into town was very tempting but the crowd support was so good. They kept yelling your name & telling you how good you were doing. So I just kept trucking along. Then I was turning around & heading back out onto the second lap. Mile 17 came up & I was ready to be done. I tuned everything out, and just kept a good pace going. The hills were REALLY hard the 2nd time around. I really wanted to walk, but I didn't - just ran very very slowly. I did walk one little hill at the end; and it felt so nice. But I only had 2 miles to go & I didn't want to blow my good run, by walking the rest of the way home. Before I knew it, I was heading past the 'to finish' board & was running around the Olympic Oval! 12 hours and 45 minutes and done! Woohoo!!

I got my medal; finisher's portrait & headed over to get my transition bags. I saw a Bay Stater & I was like 'where do we get our finishers tshirts'. She told me at the finish line (I didn't have a very good finish line volunteer, obviously). I fought my way back through the crowds & picked up my tshirt & hat :). Then I headed back to the hotel to shower & change. I was sweaty & cold otherwise I would have waited for Chris. He was at mile 16, when I was at mile 21, so I knew it would be a little bit of a wait. He was walking - not feeling the best. I knew he would finish though - that's our main goal!

Self portrait after the race :)

Heading back to the finish line after my shower & look who I ran into!
Chris - after the race

Full moon on race night = perfect conditions

Ironman finish line:

Booth where Mike Reilly greets all the finishers

Finish line - where we hear those famous words: 'You are an Ironman'!

running one of the last finishers in...

race starts at 7:00 am and ends at 12:00 midnight!

My new shoes - did great work!! And they were dry as a bone when I finished - woop woop! My little toes were sore, but that's about it! And these shoes gave me a super marathon - my best time ever!

Monday morning - still feeling good! Although our stomachs weren't up for much food. Too many power bars; gus; cliff shots; and sports drinks.

At the transition area on Monday - almost cleaned up

Hitting the Ironman store on Monday - along with everyone else.

Awards banquet - the famous Mike Reilly

My favorites showing up - Hillary (didn't race) & Maik (3rd place)

The pro women - Cait is farthest from the right (2nd place). Her husband Tim got 5th place - woohoo!

Picture with one of my favorites - Hillary Biscay!! She is known for racing 8 or more Ironman's a year & placing in them all! She has recently started doing some back to back: One weekend racing Ironman Lanzorete & the next weekend racing Ironman Brazil (and qualifying for Hawaii). She is very cool!