Category: Race Reports

Ironman Mont Tremblant Race Report: The Experience

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(NOTE: the Ironman Mont Tremblant race report will be in two parts. The first part will cover my experience at Mont Tremblant, while the second part will cover practical and specific details about the course and venue that those of you doing the race next year may find helpful. Click here for the course overview–swim, bike and run.) *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ If you wait for the perfect conditions to race hard, it might never happen. You have to take what the day gives you, make smart decisions, and push through the various challenges that make an Ironman the difficult – yet rewarding …

Discipline thyself: Tips for Racing Ironman Lake Placid

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If this is your first time preparing for Ironman Lake Placid, you are no doubt wondering (fearing?) what to expect. If you’ve done the course before, you may be wondering how to master the challenge that is IMLP, the oldest Ironman course in the continental U.S. The course may not be the most difficult Ironman on paper, but it is challenging, and has humbled its fair share of athletes. It features one of the best lake venues for swimming (although it can be a tight squeeze), ~6000 feet of climbing in the bike course (much of which comes in the …

Do or do not – there is no try: Rhode Island 70.3 Race Report

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At the starting line of races, I used to think: “I’m going to try the best I can.” Doing the best that we can is important. Trying, however, is useless. “Trying” implies an attempt, but not necessarily the execution of an act.  If I want to do my best, I have to focus on execution – not on trying to execute. Yoda is right: It is do or do not. There is no try. To focus on trying is to give myself an excuse for doing less than I can before I even start. Each race presents a unique set of challenges, whether it be …

The Rematch: Rev3 Quassy Half Iron Triathlon

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This was my second year racing Revolution 3’s Quassy half iron distance triathlon. Last year, I finished, but ran into some issues with GI distress, and the chronic return of ITBS which plagued me all throughout last season. So, it was time for a rematch with one of the most challenging courses I’ve done to date. With thousands of feet of climbing between the bike and the run, this course is not for the weak of heart – or leg muscle. I had two primary goals this year: Be brave and finish early enough to meet Mirinda Carfrae–my favorite pro triathlete. …

Season Opener: Bassman Race Report

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“Fifteen seconds to start,” the race director called through the bullhorn. What the heck? Only 15 seconds before he made this announcement, he had just let us enter the water. Now, about 100 of us had to make our way to the in-water start line, which was about 100 yards from the shoreline. Note to RD: It takes more than 30 seconds to line up 100 athletes at an in-water start. I tucked my head into the clear water and gave a few fast strokes to get to the buoy line. John was right in front of me. We wound up …

Girl Power Posse Tackles the Atlantic City St. Patty’s 10 miler & 5k

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I volunteered to pick everyone up before the 34th Annual Atlantic City St. Patrick’s Day 10 miler & 5k, held last Saturday, March 17. Once we were all assembled in the car, I said, “Okay, I have something to get us mentally focused. Ready?” The car chimed in with a chorus of “Ready!” I hit play on the car’s CD player. “‘Cause I’m a fighter,” Rocky intoned from the speakers. “That’s the way I’m made, Adrian. We can’t change what we are.” And then the sounds of the Rocky theme blasted throughout the car. For me, there is nothing like …

The Tutu Train’s A-Comin’

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I have always wanted to do a race wearing a tutu. I finally got my wish for the 2012 Cape to Gate 44-mile relay, which was held last Saturday, Febrary 25. Running in a tutu was every bit as awesome as I thought it would be–even more so because I had the opportunity to run with an entire tutu train of women. Last year, I ran this race as part of my Boston Marathon training, along with my sister-in-law Tracy and at the time, newly found friend, Carole (report from 2011 can be found here.) Because we were running 20-mile …

Ironman Cozumel: “Go get your dream.”

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Dear Readers – this piece is a guest post from my husband, John Jenkins, who recently earned a slot to the 2012 Ironman World Championships following his excellent showing at Ironman Cozumel, held on November 27, 2011. “Go get your dream,” my mother said just minutes before Maria and I stepped into the waters of Mirror Lake in Lake Placid to begin our first Ironman back in 2010. It was probably the most nervous, scared shitless, and unsure moment I have ever had and I think it was the same for Maria. Please people: embrace the starting moments of your …

Is this really happening?

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Monday, November 28th. It was the day after Ironman Cozumel. John crossed the finish line in 9 hours and 35 minutes, a whopping 33 minutes faster than his Ironman Lake Placid time (which was only 5 months ago), and good enough for a 10th place in his age group (of over 300 athletes) and 49th place overall. This impressive showing was not enough for automatic entry into the 2012 Ironman World Championships, held each year in Kona, Hawaii. There were only 7 slots available in his age group, so we had to hope for a roll down slot.  Yet, this …

Shoreman Half Iron Triathlon – Race Review

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My 2011 racing season officially came to an end yesterday, with the  Shoreman half iron distance triathlon. Thanks to Hurricane Irene, this half distance race was actually a 72.05, as the bike course had to be re-routed, resulting in a bonus 1.75 miles. Shoreman featured a triathlon and an aquabike, with 216 entering the water for the triathlon and 39 for the aquabike. The race started in Port Republic, NJ, which is only 10 minutes from my house. In fact, this race is smack dab in the middle of my regular training grounds. I’ve swum in the brackish water countless …