Ironman Lake Placid JENNIFER LONG

Ironman Lake Placid
Race Report by
Jennifer Long, Team Lipstick NJ athlete

The race was amazing! There is a lot to do the day before the race with bike and gear check-in. Nothing is allowed to be set out in transition like in a regular tri. I received 5 gear bags that I had to pack with everything that I needed for each transition and for any special needs. Then, on race morning, I just went to transition dressed with wetsuit and filled water bottles in hand. I was not the slightest bit nervous, as I swam the evening before in the lake and felt at ease. The swim began at 6:50 for the pros and 7 for the masses. It was a very, very rough start. People, especially the men, were very ferocious! There were a lot of fists and kicks etc! I had one really hard kick to the lower abdomen from a gentleman who decided to breaststroke for a while, not to mention another gentleman who decided to swim right over the top of me! All of that aside, I really enjoyed the swim! There is a line under the water that you can use to sight, so you never have to strain to sight. I was amazed when a pro passed me at the end of my first lap and he was done!

After the swim, I ran to transition in the pouring rain, changed clothes and headed out on the bike. It rained for about 30 miles or so. That was a little rough through some huge decents. The bike course here is beautiful and hilly-that doesn't adequately describe it! The first loop was a lot of fun - even with an 8 mile climb at the end back into Lake Placid. The second loop had no rain, so the decents were easier. There were lots of crashes and lots of men stopped to vomit on the 2nd loop! The hills seemed way bigger that loop, but I had Emma's voice in my head saying, " go hard for 20 pedal strokes, back off and then do it again!" It took me longer the 2nd time through, but got into transition still smiling and was happy that I saw my family 2x on the bike course. There were also a million Tri-Life team members in the race and on the course and each tine I passed one, they screamed wildly for "Team Lipstick!"

At this point, I cannot lie-the transition to the run was not great or fun. My legs were a little tired, as was my soft tissue ;). I hadn't gone to the bathroom in about 10 hours! So, I changed into my tri shorts and running shoes, took care of other business and headed out on the run.

The run was an out and back and was rolling hills with a few whoppers. It was tough. Men were stopped to vomit all over, people were off to the side with cramps and stretching, most people were walking. My knees were so tired and sore after running about 3 miles, I switched to a run/walk and just pushed on. After the first loop, I was more at a walk only pace, but ran the downhills. Finally, I came into the home stretch, saw my family at mile 25, and then ran the last little bit into the finish!

It was amazing! I loved the day, butI am so glad that it is over! Now, I just can't wait to get back home to train with you girls! Every time I was feeling low and I heard cheers - "go Lipstick," I thought, "I can do this, gotta represent my girls!"