The Iyer Family: IronMan Lake Placid

Eleven months ago my mom told me the family was going to Lake Placid to watch my brother Andy and Uncle Phil do the IronMan. 3 days later, I signed up as well, having never done a triathlon. I've always been a runner but had a lot to learn for the swim and bike this past year. After a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26.2 mile run in Lake Placid on Sunday - I am an IronMan! This was an awesome journey and I couldn't have done it without the amazing support of family and friends!

We had 25 family members there supporting us and it was awesome to spend the week leading up to the big event with them. The kids had a blast playing with their Kieffer cousins and their second cousins the Kanes! And the kids all completed the IronKids race on Friday! So cool!

Here are some of the highlights from the professional photos:

The swim was the thing I was the most nervous about so I was sure happy when I finished the 2.4 mile swim! See that buff guy in the background? When I came out of the water I gave him a high five and said "We are going to be IronMen today!"

What an honor to be on the 112 mile bike course! I kept shouting to other athletes-we are going to be Ironmen Today-woohoo! The course has one of the highest elevation gains of the IronMan courses and most of the hills were towards the end of each loop. By the time I was done, I didn't want to see my bike again!

I have always been a runner so I felt at home on the marathon, though it sure was tough to run 26.2 miles after the long swim and bike. I ran solid for the first 16 miles and then I did a mix of running and walking. It was during this time that I met a lot of other athletes and I loved getting to know them and powering through together.