Yep, she did it again!

Sorry for the delay, folks. Between spotty (at best) cell signal (this many people in town seems to have choked our cell towers to death, regardless of carrier), dead phone batteries, and then just plain exhaustion across the board, I didn't ever get a final blog post up last night.

So, how did she do? Awesome, of course! Even with some pretty severe gastro issues likely brought on by drinking hot ironman power drink (nasty, sugary stuff even when properly chilled) and some high temps, KI managed to finish in just over 13 hours. It wasn't her best time, but she put it all out there and finished super strong, "chicking" a guy in the chute to the finish line in honor of Coach Krista's presence (who? www. KristaSchultz.com).

Throughout the race, the on-site IronKip fan base was exceptional. We weren't the biggest crowd this year, but I'm pretty sure we had the most omnipresent impact we ever have. Our home base and shirts drew enough attention that the official voice of ironman, the guy who calls the finishers "Kimberly LaClair of Watertown, NY You. Are. An. Ironman!" stopped by the tent in the morning to ask us "Who is IronKip?". We also had more comments about the awesomeness of our team shirts this year, with one spectator telling Tammi Jones that he'd seen them all, and ours were the best. (Banger of a job again, Scotty!)

Perhaps the biggest addition to the IronKip fandom this year was the DJ equipment. We started with it playing on IronKip Corner but, during the bike, moved it to the horse show grounds. For those of you unfamiliar with Lake Placid, this area is part of both the bike and run courses. It's a long stretch of road where runners are on a long out and back that they have to complete twice suing their marathon. We found that the music really made a difference to the runners. Granted, over 5 hours of dancing like fools to keep them entertained and loved didn't seem to hurt either (except our hands from clapping and maybe our legs from being such dancing fools). KI even hears comments out on River Road about wishing the people with the music could be out there too.

Back to IronKip....her stats weren't completely populated on the ironman site last I checked, but what we do know is that she had a banger of a swim, a wicked fast first bike loop, a pretty good second bike loop despite the gastro struggles, and then she pushed through the run with grace and perseverance, even though she felt like doody for most of it. She did get to hear her Strawberry Swing at least once on the run, and like always, music made a huge difference for K and she pressed on, finishing strong in front of an adoring crowd.

We'll get her blogging this morning and see if we can't get a true blow-by-blow of her day. For now, suffice it to say that for an unbelievable 4th time. IronKip is again an Ironman!

Best,
Melissa

Running and running and running some

KI just passes us at the horse show grounds on her way back to town after the first run turnaround. She'll head back to Main Street then head back out this way for her second and final loop of the marathon.

Essentially, she's traveled about 124 miles today so far, under her own power. What have you done since you woke up this morning?

Yeah, my big sister rocks.

Best,
Auntie M

She's running

KI came of the bike with het usual smile. She is a little nauseous going out on the run, but is pushing through. We hung with her on our bikes for a while until she hit the horse show grounds where we have a DJ outfit and greeted her with Strawberry Swing, this year's theme song for KI. The change in her demeanor was instant!

We are having a BLAST! Cheering and dancing and the music is making SUCH a difference to these tired ironpeople!

Best,
Melissa

Waiting...

We are standing at the bike finish waiting for her to transition to the run. We'll be heading out on our bikes to cheer her along the run.

Best,
Melissa

Her Splits So Far

Her official swim time was 1:13:30
Her official bike time for the 1st loop was 1:33:59 and she averaged 19.15 mph.

You want to know how she has improved over last year? Stay tuned. I'm looking.

Oh, and Scott just gave up the update from the horse show grounds that he thinks she'll be off the bike around 2:20. I quote "she's tearing it up!"

Best,
M

Bike

KI passed us around 11:38 on her first bike loop. Again, unofficially, it looks like she was around 4 hours and 40 minutes, which is definitely faster than last year....we're thinking, in total, by about 20 minutes. No jinxing going on here, but she seems to be having a banger of a race so far!

It's warm and breezy, but not hot hot, so hopefully she holds onto her energy and has plenty left for the run!

IronAndy came through about 30 minutes later and was pushing hard.

We're so proud of them both!

Best,
Melissa

1st pro through his first bike loop

The first pro just passes Ironkip central in a total time of 3:06 with the second place pro just a minute or so behind.

Best,
Auntie M

Hanging At IronKip Central

What Do We Do While We Wait??

Headed out on the bike looking great!

Best,
Auntie M

Swim pics

On The Bike!

KI came out of the water looking FAN-TASTIC! While we don't have her official time, it looked like about 1:13 out of the water, which is about 5 minutes faster than last year.

Coach Krista (who? www.kristaschultz.com), while a veteran to triathlon, is new to the dot crew dot com bonanza known as IronKip fandom, has aptly noted that she has already seen KI four times, more than she's ever seen another racer.

After a brief altercation with security, Scotty led the brigade to a full breakfast, including pancakes, bagels, bacon, sausage and more. Yes, we make sure our crew is really well nourished. We train all year for this!

She's on her bike now, and we'll see her again (many times) in about 3 hours.

Best,
Melissa

She looks great on the swim!

KI just finished her first loop of the swim in 36 minutes. Better than last year!

She came out of the water with a big grin and her head turned toward our crowd. We are all so proud of her!

Best,
Melissa

Annnnnd they're off!

KI entered the water strong and happy. Coach Krista (who?? www.kristaschultz.com) says KI was both positive and calm. Scott said she was her calmest ever.

We've done our annual final time guessing, and will announce the winner at the end of the day. Some winners might foretell a PR for KI.

Stay tuned, ironfans! We'll let you know when she finishes the first swim loop!

Best,
Auntie M

It's RACE DAY!!

It rained hard here last night, hard enough to cool things off a bit hopefully. The morning is still and quiet, and I know it's going to be a beautiful day. I'm fueling up now with wheat toast & peanut butter, oatmeal, a banana, & yogurt. Sounds like a lot, I know, but with all of that, I will already be at a calorie deficit when I exit the water to head out on the bike. Scott, Coach Krista & I will be heading down to transition in an hour. Body marking, tire pumping, bottle loading, & IRONMAN 2011! WOOT WOOT! Again, I thank you all for your interest, encouragement, & support. A shout out to my parents who are unable to be here this year~ Dad & Mom, thank you for the love, tears, & sacrifices you've made for me over the past 41 years!!! I've been a handful in many ways along the way, but I promise I'll be safe & race smart. I know you are here with me today for every stroke & step of way. XOXO.
Sent from my iPhone

Iron Saturday - 2012 registration! 

Day 2 of Ironweek - expo, ironman kids fun run

Day 1 of IronWeek In Photos

day 2 in pictures part 2

Twas the Night Before Ironman Lake Placid...

...and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, except for when Ruby fell out of bed, needed a drink, wanted to see the dogs, and went get her shoes so they were tucked under her bed for when she needs them...

The Aunties have a house full tonight, with Hunter, Andrew, Romi, Ruby, Jake, Roxie, and Caicos all part of a giant slumber party.

KI should be drifting off to a very short but important sleep right about now. I just joined Scott, Christi, and Emily (Po) at the tent to do some late night prep of food and accessories, so the morning goes smoothly. We had a crazy heavy, and crazy fast rainstorm swing through Placid right after we got settled back in at home. Fingers crossed that our stuff is all OK. Hopefully, it all passed, and tomorrow's weather is as fantastic as the forecast implies!

Today was full of plenty of activity fo everyone. After the morning swim with IronAndy (check out his new site at www.IronAndyLP.com) and Dan Gray, KI headed out for a bike ride. She zipped back into town and got down to the business of packing her transition bags.

For those of you who don't know much about triathlon as a sport, these bags are filled with the things an athlete needs for the transition from swimming to biking, and from biking to running. Sometimes people change from a swimsuit to bike shorts, and from biking clothes and shoes into running apparel. KI has been working on cutting her transition time down over th last couple of years, and has been wearing a tri suit (good for all three sports, and eliminating the need to change) and this year has also moved to zoot running shoes without socks. So, her transitions are fast fast fast, and her transition bags have grown smaller each year.

Today she had the special treat and reassurance of having coach Krista (Krista who? www.kristaschultz.com) with her for the packing process.

We headed down to transition with IronAndy, Cherstin, and Krista to rack the bikes and hang the bags. Scottie showed up at the oval and then took KI to lunch at Steak and Seafood.

After that, KI actually took some time to relax while the kids went to the beach for a swim.

Everyone is excited for race day. We'll have a good crowd here in town, and hope those of you not in town will follow the big things going on. We'll get info up as often as we can.

I'm going to follow this post with a photo recap from this week so you can get a feel for all of the goings on.

Cheers!
Auntie M

Saturday

Great day in Lake Placid today. A nice short swim this morning, & an easy bike ride. All of my gear and lil' speedy (my bike), are racked in transition & ready for tomorrow. The kids spent a good portion of the day with their aunties, Nan & Pop, & some friends. I'm quite tired & heading to bed shortly, hoping for a great day tomorrow! Thank you to everyone who sent good vibes & texts, I'll carry them with me throughout the day tomorrow. I am fortunate to have so many loving and supportive family members and friends! Yip Yip!
Sent from my iPhone

Face painting

Our tent

Best,
Melissa

RACE DAY INFO FOR IRONKIP SPECTATORS

hey all, if you're going to be in Lake Placid on Race Day, and want to hang with the coolest posse on the planet, our home base is at the corner of Mirror Lake Drive and Park. That'd be the corner where the tennis courts are being redone. You'll spot us easily by looking for the light blue Life is good tent. I'll post a picture of our tent later in the day for those of you who are directionally challenged.

The cool thing about where we hang is that if you didn't move at all (we are an on-the-go crew) you'd still have at least 6 chances to see KI and those other Ironcrazies!

This is an open invitation to hang. If you're cool with music, food, and fun, this is the place to be!

Best,
Melissa

Good Morning!

Hi folks, it's Auntie M. We are in line for IMLP 2012 registration. Yep, you heard it here first, she's doing it again next year!

IronAndy is signed up too. 2012 is going to be his 8th and her 5th. What the?

Once we are done with registration, we'll swing through the Athlete Village and then head to the lake for a leisurely swim, starting a brick that will involve a short bike ride, and quick run.

Dan Gray is going to join IronKip and IronAndy for the swim, in preparation for his IMLP 2012 debut.

Today will be a prep day - dropping off bikes, packing transition bags, and hydrating the heck out of KI. We'll keep you posted. Keep sending those good vibes!

Best,
Melissa

What's up in LP and IronKids!

I'm back! It's been a very busy 2 days here in LP. I arrived Wednesday afternoon, prepared the house for the ensuing mayhem, had a race tune & race wheel install on my bike, then enjoyed a late night visiting with my sister,Auntie M. Thursday was a good training day, spent with IronAndy and my most excellent coach, Krista. We placed tents for spectating Sunday, picked up race packets, & Had a great meal at Lisa G's last evening. Scott and the kids arrived around 9pm. This morning I had a short easy run around the lake, then met up with friends for the IronKids fun run. Hunter and his buddy Spencer ran the full mile, Romi and her friend Max, (who has 6 stitches in his foot), ran the 1/2 mile with Coach Krista, & Ruby ran the quarter mile with her pals Harrison and Jack. The temp was 94 degrees, but the kids did great! The race was followed by a swim in mirror lake, then a shopping trip in the athletes village. The gang is now off to the pool for a bit. I am pooped. This is such an intense few days, it seems to fly by with little time for sleep. I will continue to update, as will my sister. Thanks for your encouragement and support!!
Much love and gratitude,
Ironkip
Sent from my iPhone

Ironweek Day 2 So Far

Hi Folks! Auntie M here. We are at the Ironman Expo at the oval. The kids rolled into town with Daddy last night.

Fwd: Is this thing on?

>

> Testing...testing....
>

And so it begins!!

It's day 1 of ironweek here in Lake Placid and we got off to a leisurely start. Ironkip and I hung on the back deck sipping coffee and visiting until IronAndy woke up.