Iron Man, Lake Placid 2011

As you may know I was a spectator at the 2011 Iron Man where approximately 2500 individuals participated in this physically grueling event.

Some of the stories:
At the press conference on Friday, we learned that 33-year-old Alex Gonzalez, an Ortonville, Michigan resident, once weighed 265 pounds but decided to make a life change. He lost 100 pounds and today he crossed the line in 11:47:50 (1:11:56, 5:43:26, 4:43:12).

Jared Masarek and Matthew Griffith the Welcome Dinner on Friday. Both 18 and from Connecticut, Jared said he was here to take down his father’s Ironman Lake Placid finishing time of 14:40:20 from last year, and Matthew humbly stated that he was not a superstar athlete and just wanted to finish before 17 hours. Jared easily crushed his father’s time (12:34:55), while Matthew did a bit more than just finish under the 17-hour deadline (12:54:18).


and then there is our Jess, Martin and Karina - all with there own stories to tell. 

This is Jess' third Iron man - all Lake Placid and her very best time 12:48.  I was able to see Jess train for all three - but his was the first time I saw how her body reacted and the beginning of recovery - AND incredibly she is signed up for Lake Placid 2012. 

2.4 mile swim

110 mile bike

26.2 mile run

140.6 mile total - God Bless Them!

*****

"What matters is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight -

it's the size of the fight in the dog."
~Dwight D. Eisenhower