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Life's Better In Yoga Pants

IRONMAN 70.3 Jones Beach


Who didn't see this coming from a mile away?


My triathlon journey started in 2021, when I was asked to sub in on a relay team in St. Croix for the Beauty and the Beast Olympic Tri. The next year, no one had space on their team, and in 2023, I ended up at the IRONMAN World Championship for work.


In my 20s, triathlon didn’t feel as mainstream as it does now. Kona was broadcast on cable and tucked into the rotation with the majors, local NYC races, and other big sporting events. Even if you didn’t follow triathlon, you knew what Kona was, because it was a big deal. What's going on today?, someone would ask, Kona.


After a rough month in May 2024, I secretly signed up for my first solo sprint triathlon upstate. And I didn't hate it. A big PR in Chicago last year was my main priority, so that took over my focus for the rest of the summer.


For 2025, I knew I wanted to add another sprint, which I raced in the Adirondacks, and even snagged a second-place age group award! I was also already signed up for Challenge NJ Olympic in July [recaps on Tinman and Challenge to come]. Earlier in the year, I toyed with Musselman, but timing just didn’t work. Then, on a whim in early July, I pulled the trigger for Jones Beach.


The Build

I put this race in my TrainingPeaks as a secret midlife crisis race. I wanted to have myself a summer for the first time in a while, so I knew that my training was not going to be like Chicago, and I was completely OK with that.


Swimming was going to be my biggest challenge, and it was pretty obvious that I either wasn't going to get out of it, or I'd cut it reallll close.


In late winter, I bought a road bike off of one of my running teammates - a 2017 Trek Silque. She had cages vs clip-ins on it, which worked well for me since I didn't plan on clipping into anything.


One thing that was important to me was not losing all of my running days, and I also knew that I wouldn't be able to get outside rides in during the week since I won't ride that bike near cars or on city roads.


I joined Chelsea Piers because it was affordable and checked all my boxes - classes, coworking, and the pool. And it was a solid decision.


Eventually, I figured out what worked best for my schedule and maximizing results.



Doug [coach] eventually figured out what I was doing, and we chatted and agreed (or maybe I just insisted this is what I was doing, being naturally stubborn) that this could be OK. We made a game plan for my longest BRICK session and the bare minimum distances to complete.


My entire training block for this was barely 12 weeks, and I felt my build was consistent and manageable. I could tell I was getting stronger and started to feel more confident in my cycling. Despite being in the pool two days a week, I did not get any faster, but I made sure I could do the entire distance before race day.


Endurance for the swim wasn't the issue - when I did my first sprint, I had only swum for exercise one other time in my life (you'll always find me in open water, just not exercising), and had no issue completing the 750m without stopping - it's speed that eludes me.


My longest BRICK was a 60-mile ride followed by a 7-mile run, and it went so smoothly. My long runs hovered from 10-16 miles throughout the summer because I had a few different road races, plus I wanted to run to the beach.


As I neared the last two weeks of training, the last 10 weeks hit my body like a Mack truck, and I suddenly couldn't wait to be done. I slogged through the last week of work, then finally made it to the taper, where I did next to nothing and it felt glorious. And I made sure to work from home and do as little as possible so I didn't get injured or sick - I am the type of person that needs to be bubble wrapped because I can't sit still.


Then all of a sudden, it was Friday, the day before the race.


Pre-Race

The IRONMAN Foundation does a lot for Adrienne and Doug, and I am privileged to be able to accompany them to many events, so I try to do what I can to give back with time since I'm financially challenged - and for Jones Beach, that meant volunteering at registration again.


Earlier in the week, Doug and I had a pre-race call, dialed in my messy nutrition plan, and made sure my packing list had everything on it.


On Friday morning, I ordered an egg sandwich and made coffee to go, and headed out early to the venue. I did a short bike and run shakeout before I ate, and later in the day, a quick swim.



The race director for IMJB is also the founder of Race Awesome, a company I've recently started working for on weekends, so I had a great day-before support system. I got ready for my shift while I waited to check in, and Lisa informed me I was making her nervous and that I looked like a ghost - so clearly, at this point, I was terrified of what I've gotten myself into.


When the doors opened, I got in line to check in like everyone else, which I was grateful for. I wanted that first-time experience!



Timing chip, swim cap, packet, and most importantly, backpack secured, I headed over to rack my bike, where I found I had a great spot, so I was super happy about that. I took some photos, bought a spare tube and a name shirt, and headed back to my shift.


I love working registration because you meet so many amazing athletes. First-timers, legacy athletes, the list goes on. This year, meeting the first-timers was exciting because I got to say 'me too!' and we bonded over that. I also received six volunteer appreciation bracelets, including one that I raced in. A man I checked in brought one he had saved from 2023 Eagleman; it was a different color red, so easily differentiated, and it became so special to me, so I knew I had to wear it for the race.


Before I knew it, Lisa was sending me on my way, and I trekked back to Queens to have dinner (chicken and pasta leftovers), pack all my gear, shower, do my signature triathlon hairstyle, pop a sleep gummy, and set a 3 AM alarm.


Ready or not, Saturday was about to arrive.



Swim - 56:39

The swim is my worst sport, and the only cut-off time I'd been stressed about. The morning was windy, and when we arrived by the water, the bay was way rougher than it had been the day before. Uh oh.



I ran into an Endorphins Running Strava internet friend, and she has a very calming, meditative personality. She brought the best pre-race vibes. The wait to start didn't feel very long, and before we knew it, we were off!


I absolutely should have looked at the swim course map because it was incredibly choppy. Every time I tried to look up to sight, I got smashed in the face with a wave. I had no idea where the buoys were, and people were everywhere.


After two turns, we were headed back to shore. It was the first time I got a glimpse of my watch - 40 minutes. I thought Wow, I can totally make it back to shore in 30 minutes. Then looked to my left and realized I was really off course now, like worse than the first half. There were again people everywhere, so it wasn't just me.



I had to start pushing way more than I was and try to go diagonally. Eventually, I made it back to the course and settled into a group for the rest of the way in. I saw a few guys stand and start to walk in, so I was like ok, yay. Turns out I couldn't touch the ground yet (this also happened in Tupper Lake and NJ - so I need to accept that when men start walking, my short ass needs to keep swimming more lol). Once I could finally stand, I tried to jog it in. As I was getting out of the water, I ran into Corey, and we chatted for a second - it was mostly me being shocked and ecstatic that I made it out and will be able to continue racing.


My sister was also at the swim exit, and Alison from Hellgate Road Runners was volunteering, both great surprises there. As I was running and getting my wetsuit off, I flung one of my bracelets off, which is why I always say I only race in jewelry/bracelets that can be replaced. I owe Runner's Edge Huntington a visit soon to see if they even still have them.


Fuel: 1 Maurten 160 about 40 minutes before I started



Bike - 3:26:45

After an uneventful T1, I headed out on the bike! The first five miles were ultimately along the bike path that I was riding on a lot, though the bridges felt steeper and more challenging on the parkway vs the path. Once we passed Cedar Creek, it was all new territory for me. There were definitely some unexpected climbs!


On my bike, I had two bottles of Tailwind, and in my sports bra that has a front pocket, I had Rice Krispies treats and a Honey Stinger waffle. My goal here was to fuel early and fuel a lot.


As I got settled, I took a peek at my watch and realized the screen was not what I wanted, but I wasn't stopping to fix it. Instead of showing me my bike time, MPH, and distance, it showed me my last activity split (the swim) and total race time. Not ideal because now I had to rely on my watch going off every five miles to determine where I was. Spoiler - I had no idea the entire time. Most of the splits ended up being under 20 minutes, so I was happy with that.



My teeth felt so caked with sugar, and I had barely eaten or drunk anything yet, so I grabbed a water at the aid station and chugged as much as I could until I got to the last trash zone to toss it.


The bike course was two loops, which ended up going well. We had a headwind on the way north, but a decent tailwind going south. I felt the second loop was windier and had more crosswind. I did the same thing at the same aid station as before - grab a water bottle and drink as much as I could before having to toss it. I actually didn't realize there were only going to be two aid stations; I thought there were more. And I did read the athlete's guide!


I didn't finish my Tailwind bottles, but I think it was because I had the extra water. I ended up eating one Rice Krispies treat and the Honey Stinger waffle.


And, in true Lynette fashion, found people to yap with. When I had five miles left, I took a Maurten Caffeine 100 gel to prep for the run.


Overall, no complaints on the bike. I didn't have any mechanicals and felt relatively good the entire time. I was hoping for a little faster, but this was my first go at this distance.


Fuel: 2 bottles of Tailwind, 1 Rice Krispies Treat, 1 Honey Stinger Peanut Butter Waffle, 1 Maurten Caffeine 100, aid station water



Run - 2:09:14

Made it to my favorite part. When I rolled into T2, I immediately asked my sister what my bike time was because I had no idea. When she told me, I was pretty content with it. After a quick transition and yap sesh, I was off.


For me, the run in a triathlon can be challenging because it's a lot of my fellow competitors' least favorite sports, so finding the right pace or people to tuck in behind is hard. I had to find where I wanted to be.



My BRICK sessions went really well, and I was dropping some low 9s after my 60-mile bike, so I was hoping to keep it a little speedy. Eventually, I settled into a 9:30ish pace. I decided I'd be going to each aid station and I'd walk through them so I could drink water, dump water on my head, and drink Mortal Hydration. I also got ice at one station. My fueling was going to plan, but it was now midday and sunny, so I wanted to ensure I wouldn't bonk.


Regarding gels, I did the same thing as if I were in a standalone running race: a gel every 3 miles.


About three miles into the run, I looked at my total race time - 5:06 so far. I got it in my head right there that I could, and wanted to, go sub-7 hours. I had just under two hours to run 10 miles. I can do that!


The run was also two loops, and I usually don't like out-and-backs or multiple loops, so it was going to be a surprise with how I responded to it. There ended up being enough turns and different areas along the boardwalk, where it didn't feel overly monotonous. As I was heading back east, I saw Catie cruising into her last few miles, and we shouted a few things at each other, then she was gone.


At the turnaround, there was a woman who was looking up bib numbers as you passed and cheered using your name, and I loved that.



I saw my mom and sister at the end of my first loop before they went shopping to buy all the stuff I picked out.


When I got to the second loop/finish split, there were so many girlies cheering for the girlies, probably because there were so few of us. As I started the second loop, I was still feeling good and strong! I powered up the little hill and headed back to the boardwalk. This time, I ended up consuming more at each aid station - it was warmer, and I was a little more dehydrated.



As I was rounding into mile 10, another Endorphins teammate, Nicole, ended up being right next to me! We ran and talked for a little then we separated.


At some point, I missed my watch going off for mile 11. I was still gunning for that sub-7 finish, but when I looked down at my watch, it didn't seem possible anymore. I was trying to speed up, but wasn't going anywhere fast.


Then, I got to a mile 12 marker. Oh shit - I missed mile 11, I can and will go sub-7. I zipped my kit back up (it has to be up and zipped when you get to the finish) and powered on. I said I wasn't going to stop at the last aid station, but my body said otherwise, so a quick water and electrolyte stop, and off to the finish line I went.


Once I went under the last tunnel, the entire experience became even more surreal to me. My finish line reaction is just pure, raw, real emotions. I immediately saw a Race Awesome colleague and just kept saying, "There's a six, I got a six!"




Post-Race - 6:44:50

Pure disbelief. I am in complete awe of myself that I did this, and am so proud of my time.


I surprisingly felt fantastic the entire race and smiled almost the entire time. This was obviously my first 70.3, so I really didn't know what to expect. I exceeded my own expectations and goals, and while this could be first-timer's luck or whatever, I can't wait to see if I can improve, get faster, and still like the distance.



I don't think it's a shock that I loved this distance more than sprints and Olympic given my favorite running distances are the half marathon and marathon.


As with marathons, I didn't get here alone. I'm so grateful for my family, Doug, Adrienne (and all the Bunns), Endorphins, Dirty Bird, and Hellgate for being along for the journey.



Never did I think I'd become a triathlete and enjoy it, yet here we are. I'm excited for my off-season (after another road race) and to set up my race schedule for next year.


Stay tuned to learn about all the gear I used!


XO,

Lynette





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