Prior to this Labor Day weekend, I had only passed through the southernmost part of the Lake George area while on a few business trips. From what I saw, It was not a place where I would be interested in spending any vacation time. I remember a group of GMM’ers doing the LG triathlon a bunch of years ago and saying that they had really enjoyed themselves. I think because of my limited exposure to the area I just couldn’t get with the idea of doing an event there. Besides, I had found a really fun venue in Pumpkinman which brought us to the true vacation land, Maine. Jess and I made it a holiday weekend (traditionally the week after Labor Day weekend). We were part of a crew of other GMM couples who rented a big house almost right on the ocean in York for a long weekend. Can’t say enough good about Pumpkinman, if you haven’t checked out this race, definitely put it on your list. I believe we hit that one three years in a row. It was one of those events that as soon as you left you couldn’t wait to get back the next year and have more great times. A long running event, very grassroots-ish feel, like to old days before the monster IM Corp took over.
For several reasons, this year, the group had dispersed a bit and Pumpkinman wasn’t going to be like the previous years. I started researching what other race opportunities might be available around the September time frame. I was pretty convinced that the LP 70.3 was the one for me. Then realized that I had a schedule conflict that weekend. Dang! I was stuck. Not sure how I re-remembered the LG Tri fest. I think I heard someone talking about it at IB one morning. I started to give it some degree of possible consideration. Well no, of course not, we couldn’t possibly miss the Green Mountain Stage weekend. Although I have done that race several times, these days we marked that weekend by celebrating all the fun we’d had throughout the summer, chilling out, and getting some good training in. Long weekends ROCK! And of course, we would spend the day at watching the Downtown criterium and catching up with lots of friends. Some of which we only saw on that day due to crazy schedules and paths simply not crossing anymore. Well, this year, it was time for a change.
Back in the day, my good friend Sean Lutjens used to participate in this crazy format at Mooseman (later known as monsoonman because it always rained hard during that race) where he would do an Olympic distance on Saturday and a half iron distance on Sunday. Sure, I thought it was nuts but it always kind of intrigued me. Because of timing and a few other factors, I had arrived at considering LG trifest weekend. When I learned that it had this format, I was on board. Me and my Air BNB app cozied up and commenced to tracking down what ended up being a dog friendly cabin in the woods about 30 min from “million dollar” beach as its called in LG (the starting line).
From Richmond we were at our cabin in 2 hrs, by 1630 we were settled and right after a snack I would head into town and snag my packet for the weekend of racing fun. Never having competed in this format before I was a bit nervous, but I figured stage racing on my road bike was pretty similar and I had done a bunch of that before. It was a slight trek to packet pick up in downtown LG. Driving through town I was glad I wasn’t staying in this part Lake Placid, part Niagara Falls, and part Hampton beach chaos. Packet pickup wasn’t bad, minor choke point at chip pickup table, only one person there. All the volunteers were really friendly and the shwag was real, especially for doing the double race format. Very different vibe from IM Corp races, locals, tourists, hobbyists, and “normal” people stood in line at the various tables to receive their racing identity. While taking advantage of the opportunity to drop the bike in transition that evening, I recon’d the transition, parking, and start line areas. Spacious, plentiful, and the best bike holders I’ve ever seen, (sensible-held by wheel, not by seat, on the ground) this was going to be good.
0400, race day one was here. It was dark but temps were comfortable, not hot, not cold. Eating was not much fun, “never done this race before” nerves were alive and active. Bag was packed, Jess, Wilma (our wire haired pointing griff [WPG]) and I cruised 25 min to spacious all-day parking for $10, which includes access to the bath house on million-dollar beach. With bike already there, set up went quick. Jumped in for a quick warmup, water was a calm 72.5 degrees. Took the wide angle in approach to turn buoy. This worked great for me, allowed me to have my own space until I got my breathing under control. Hit the mosh pit at the turn and followed the buoy’s from there. I had a single drop of water in my googles that slid back and forth across my eye ball for a good portion of the swim. I was only partially blind coming out of the water. Lots of kayakers and SUP’ers on the water for support and encouragement.
Quick transition and out on the bike I went. This event hosts a collegiate race category during the Olympic distance day, so the energy was youthful, the vibe was easy, and the competitive field was deep. Also made for bike companions during the whole ride, in contrast to the half distance where the bike leg was a tad lonely. It was great to have fellow teammate Adam Osekowski there flying the colors with me. Bike leg over all was fairly technical, no real steep hills (worst one was at the start), fun rollers most of the way. With NY state Police at every major intersection I felt safe and well directed. Cruised into T2, moved through pretty quick, and out on the run I went.
A hill right at the start of the run isn’t funny, but does give the running inclined some motivation as the true cyclists wince up the climb. A mix of bike path, road, and trail make up the double loop course. You also get to see who you are gaining on or is gaining on you (Adam!) with a double back portion in a huge school parking lot. Some ups,some downs, a little bit of everything. Clouds stuck around and kept the sun off the athletes, but the high humidity could be felt throughout. Jess and Wilma relaxed, cheered and meet some cool people from all over the place.
Day 1 in the books. Post-race food was plentiful and yummy (love chocolate milk after a race). Volunteers continue to be amazing, happy and supportive. Can’t emphasize enough about the laid-back feel to this race. Real grass-roots, more celebrating the event as apposed to who finished where. I mean where else can you get your award etched on a cedar shingle?
Retreat to the cabin for napping and re-fuel. Left the bike overnight at the venue (so convenient). Up at 0400 and repeat with a few more miles/yards of everything. Definitely some tender spots from the previous day. Good stretching and warm up, then rock N roll. Same awesome volunteers on day 2, cheering and helping all get through. Different bike course, slightly less technical, went by some crazy beautiful houses on a serene Adirondack lake, gorgeous, big $$$. Teammate Jamie Harnish joined in the fun for this day which was really cool. Finishing the bike through the busy town was kinda nuts, dodging in and out of pylon’d lanes, no injuries were reported. Was happy to get off the bike, not that happy to be running up that same hill again at the start of the run. Ups and downs, twists and turns on the run, no trail today, all bike path and road. Aid stations were well stocked, workers were cranking the tunes and offering lots of encouragement to all. Lost a few places on the run, but mostly to non “Kingers” (one day racers). Post-race support was even better on day two with addition of pizza (love pizza after a race), and more chocolate milk…and more cedar shingles!!!
LG trifest has won our hearts, the whole process from registration to awards was top notch. Old school feel with modern technology and organization. Unfortunately, a dying breed of race. Pumpkinman, Tupper Lake, and Lake George, the trifecta of triathlon racing from yesteryear. Trust me, It makes you feel good to participate and support these home town venues.
—–Cheers, Chris Cover