Ironman Lake Placid 2011

Day 1 July 21

Here is a cliche for you "time flies"...

You have to register one full year in advance for an ironman and at the time you think it is a long way ahead.

Today the big race is only in 2 days! I am getting nervous.

It will be my third ironman but for some reasons  I feel intimidated this time. Is-it because it is Lake Placid?

I love Lake Placid, it is a beautiful, charming, amazing little resort around Mirror Lake where the 2.4 miles swim will take place on sunday, two loops around the lake. The lake is surrounded by hotels, restaurants and some lucky beautiful houses with a deck for a little paddle boat, oh I actually wish I could spend my summers here. Maybe my future kids triathlon camps should be here and I could then spend the whole summer here.

I have decided to make a journal out of this trip as it might be my last ironman (but I always say that! ).

Pascal and I left yesterday from Southport around 10:30am and drove via the Taconic Parkway. As Pascal explained it is much better to avoid the big main roads as often as possible. No traffic, beautiful scenery and a stop somewhere in a delicious little restaurant in NY State.

Sorry Pascal you were a little close to my phone for the picture! ;-)

We had delicious organic and local salads and cheeses. It was awesome. We did not drink wine with our cheeses, although I thought it would have been a good idea...

We reached Lake placid at a very decent hour and found our accomodation easily near the lake in the Northwood school. Nice, simple, student room.

After unpacking and a little trip to the supermarket, Pascal went for a swim and myself for a run. Legs feel awesome, I hope they keep on feeling that way. I want to run so well on sunday, but always wonder if I can...
I have watched the 2010 Hawaii Ironman many times before so maybe I will remember how the fast pros run and do the same, at my level of course.

I will keep you updated later on today on the events of the day.

Lake Placid we are ready.

So that is all for today.

Day 2 July 22


Another very hot day at Lake Placid...I do hope the weather will be better on Sunday. There were talks today of no wet suits swim for sunday, ah I WOULD love that for sure!

Registration takes place near the oval where the famous Olympic skating ring is in the winter. I think that is why there is such an atmosphere here, great historical sporting games happened here in the same place, same spot.

The line was a little bit long to get in and get your number and everything else, but I did not mind you always meet interesting people in these lines.

My number is 664. Great number really ;-)
You can't really see it but that is where I will be racking my bike tomorrow

We met some of our Trifitness members today for lunch, and even Josh had lunch with us ;-)

Here the run out arch, I always like to see it...

Day 3 July 23

Oh no the race is tomorrow!!!

The weather is supposed to be great in the 70s, so I guess it sounds pretty perfect.

I had a great swim this morning, the lake is awesome.

I relaxed today, met people, got my bike ready, ate and drank water and gatorade...

I am really spoiled to be able to do something like that, and it is a real privilege, so tomorrow I am going to enjoy the day but also give it my best. I spent a lot of hours training for a day like today and would like to thank my family, friends and team for allowing me to go that far. Thank you!

Here am I near my bike in transition in the historical oval at Lake Placid, pretty cool really.

There are a lot of bikes around for sure!

So that is it it for now. I am heading down for dinner a pasta dinner organised by steve Attle and Clay Tebbets from Team Mossman! Thank you guys! ;-)

I also would like to share these two verses sent by Sue Stuart tonight to me, they are pretty powerful;

Here are my 2 favorite dig deep verses.....







Hebrews 12:1 "Run with perseverance the race marked out for you."






Proverbs 27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."