Coach Joe’s Ironman Lake Placid 2025 Race Report

8 straight years of Ironman training led to Ironman Lake Placid 2025. I felt different leading into this race. Our family schedule had become very demanding (the kids are 8 and 6). I knew this was my last Ironman for some time where I could find the consistency needed to train how I wanted. Feelings were mixed. I met my training goals, but had to juggle a lot to do so. I didn’t know how the race was going to go, but I was at peace and happy to be in Lake Placid.

IMLP is in my soul. It’s my favorite race of any kind anywhere. I find it hard to muster the internal motivation to race anywhere but Lake Placid. The beauty, challenge, and comradery are second to none. We find ourselves in Lake Placid 4 or 5 times every year largely because of Ironman. We used to travel elsewhere, but now all my family wants to do is to go back to the Adirondacks.

With time, each Ironman sits with me differently. Writing this more than three weeks’ post-race, I find myself not thinking about the 2025 race at all. The reflective theme of 2025 for me wasn’t my performance, the course, or the weather. It was simply the people. When I think of IMLP 2025 I think of:

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Julia – This doesn’t happen without your support. You’re the backbone. I’m lucky to have you in my corner. Speaking of corners….You somehow made it to almost every cheering corner on race day! Thank you.

Eleanor and Liam –Mom and I wouldn’t consider doing these races without you on the sidelines. You both are our “why” and our favorite Ironkids!

Mom: You’ve never missed an Ironman. I always appreciate your support. It’s wonderful that we get to share these race weekends together.

Dad and Jeanne: I always know you both are cheering me on whether in person or afar. Thank you for your support!

Dan, Kiwi, Rowan, and Ollie – You guys are the best! Thank you for coming and spectating. Some of my best memories on this course over the years are tied directly to you all.

Michael and Nancy – Michael, working with you in 2024 was a highlight for me and you had the single most epic finish I’ve ever seen at any race. Nancy, thank you for opening your home to my family and I. Seeing you volunteering in the rain and then coming in for my finish made my day that much more special. I’m so glad we’ve been able to share the Ironman together over the last two years.

Arezou – Everyone fights to reach their Ironman start line, but what you overcame this year was so impressive! You inspired me all year long and to see you at the finish line was just perfect. You’re a rockstar!

Rich and family – Rich, it was awesome having you on the course. Your enthusiasm is contagious. Thank you for the cheers and videos! Can’t wait to see how the rest of the racing season goes with your family. Kudos on your Whiteface ascent!

And many more:  Cara, Patrice, Dan, Meghan, Greg, Dean, Amanda, Drew, Anne, Lynn, Cassandra, Jeff, Pat, and Jeffry. You all had a huge positive impact on my race. Thank you.

The Race:

Swim  1:06:16

This was my 7^th Ironman Lake Placid and while my swim times have been relatively similar, the way I felt has varied quite a bit. I’m proud of my 2025 result. I did a lot of swim training this year and felt completely in control for the whole swim. In years’ past I have tried to swim on the cable, but I had an issue two years ago where I was in a group that got “heated” (one person stopped swimming and started yelling). I didn’t want that again. It’s not in the spirit of the race and it still bothers me. I chose to swim wide and out of the melee. My first lap was smooth sailing at a hard but sustainable effort. I felt strong jumping back in the water for lap 2.

I continued to feel strong through lap 2 with some zig zagging, but overall was able to swim at my own pace. My goal was to swim under 1:05. I thought for sure I had made it, but alas, I was a few minutes short. Despite missing my goal, I felt great getting out of the water and I consider this my best ever swim at IMLP. It’s just a few seconds off my personal best, but I was in total control the whole way and never felt desperate.

Out of the water, through the spectators and down to T1!

Bike:  5:53:31

Out of transition, down the hill, waive hi to the kids, and off we go!!!

Similar to the swim, my goal on the bike was to ride my own race and focus on nutrition. I’ve learned over the years, that my bike and run performance is directly tied how well I hydrate and take in calories. Yes, I know this is obvious, but in previous races I’ve always fallen short of my targets. I wasn’t going to let that happen this year.

I was thrilled when I started the bike. I was in a perfect group for me. I was lucky to be with a small number of athletes with plenty of spacing and fair riding. We would yoyo but nothing too bad. We were cruising.

While this course is challenging, I love the scenery and the scope of the loop. You get so many different types of riding and can call on different skills throughout the ride. Climbing, descending, time trialing, there’s even now a covered bridge and a short bike path. Literally everything! I was incredibly lucky that I was able to do the descent from Cascade to Keene in completely dry conditions on both loops! The rain began for me about half way through the first loop. Thankfully, for me, I was never cold and was able to keep hydrating and taking in calories.

Smooth sailing for loop one in a time 2:51:48. This was ahead of my target and I felt great, but things were about to get interesting.

***TMI from here on out.

I began the second loop feeling strong and still riding with a great group. We were soaked, but having fun. For a minute the sun even came out and in a wild stroke of luck we did the descent into Keene in dry conditions again! The sun had even dried up the road from the earlier rain. No white knuckling for us. We enjoyed the descent.

I had stuck to my fueling plan religiously so naturally I had to use the restroom. I stopped at the aid station on the way to Jay and thought it would be a quick stop, but I was wrong. I stood in the Porta John for 3 full minutes, trying to go, with no relief!

Uh oh……….

The challenges of Ironman

I know, and we coach our athletes, to always be prepared for the unexpected during an Ironman race, but this one threw me for a loop. Not being able to Pee??? This was new to me! I thought to myself, ok, if you can’t “go” then just keep riding and maybe things will improve. While I still felt a lot of urgency, I was able to carry on and by the time I was at the Hungry Trout Aid Station I knew my friends Michael and Nancy would be there. I handed off my bike and we shared a very funny moment with me talking to them from inside the Porta John explaining how I couldn’t “go” while they stood in the pouring rain holding my bike…….Ironman memories.

With just ten miles back to town, I figured I would tough it out and deal with the discomfort. I didn’t care about the teaming rain, or the river that was running down route 86. I just thought I would get back to town, get off the bike, and I could finally get some relief!  

I arrived back to town with legs still feeling very strong and an overall solid bike split given the conditions. All I can think is how badly I want to get running and PEE again!

Run: 4:24:59

Legs felt great, but I was still very uncomfortable so I went out at an easy pace with a plan to stop at the first aid station and use the restroom. I thought everything should be good to go and then I could build into my Ironman run pace after a quick pit stop. BOY WAS I WRONG! Same issue, Painful, No Relief! I’m going to spare the details, but I ended up with a plan to run aid station to aid station and try to use the restroom at each. I use the word “plan” loosely because I didn’t really have a choice!

My shot at a PB run split was clearly over, but it turned out to be one of the best Ironman experiences I’ve ever had. I high fived every single kid I could find. When I saw my family I would stop and hang for a quick conversation. I knew people all around the course and got to meet others having a similar experience as I was having. Somehow my legs felt good the whole time and I was able to actually turn over a good pace when I wasn’t standing in a Porta John!

 I would be remiss if I didn’t call out how INCREDIBLE THE IMLP VOLUNTEERS AND SPECTATORS WERE! The pouring rain didn’t hamper the best volunteers and crowd in all triathlon. Thank you to you all. You made our day.

Finish:  11:40:56

This was really special for me. I was able to stop in the finishing chute and high five my family and wait for a few athletes to pass so I could enjoy the finish line. I’ve never had this experience and I’m so glad I did. When I crossed I immediately saw Arezou. We were on this path together all year and I was so grateful to see her at the end of the race.

What’s next?

Looking forward I’ll be taking a break from Ironman training for the first time in 8 years. This was the first time in more than a decade where I didn’t already have a race on the books. Instead of having a strict race calendar, I’m taking a more loose approach to racing. My goal is to stay fit and do whichever race excites me!

I’m so grateful for the experience IMLP 2025 gave me. I come away with a deeper appreciation for the race itself and taught me an additional lesson I can bring to the athletes of Endurance Mentors. Another arrow in the quiver for my next Ironman whenever that may be. We’re already looking forward to volunteering for IMLP in 2026!