Sometimes, the journey holds more significance than the destination itself. My path leading up to the Mightyman Montauk was years in the making. Although I’ve done countless half-distance aqua bikes in training, the Mightyman Montauk presented by EventPower LI was set to be my first official half-Ironman aqua bike race.
Training Buddy
Ray, my training buddy, and I have been training for years. I love training with him; even though he’s much faster, it doesn’t matter. Together, we’ve braved the elements at Tobay, traversed the path from Cedar Creek to Captree, and conquered the hills at SUNY Old Westbury and the Alpha Win Hudson Valley course. We even tackled the Montauk course as part of our training regimen a few weeks ago. I’m truly blessed to have him in my life.
Open Water Training for Mightyman Montauk
Preparing for the race took months. Swimming at Tobay set the stage for my marathon swim training and prepared me for the 1.2-mile challenge at Fort Pond in Montauk. Tobay can be unpredictable; most days it has a strong current, while on others, when the water is as calm as a lake, there are other challenges like bugs, jellyfish, and sea lice.
Fear of the Hills
Despite our training, I was initially terrified of the hills. I considered downgrading to the Olympic distance numerous times, even up to race day. Thankfully, my coach Jackie from QT2 was incredibly supportive. She sent me a message that read:
“Flying tomorrow at 6:20 am but will be sending love and strength to you every step of the way! Go get ‘em like the champ you are!”
Her words instilled confidence in me, empowering me to push through and tackle the race head-on at the Mightyman Montauk half-Iron Aqua Bike.
My Coach
I hired QT2 after a friend highly recommended them. After interviewing several coaches, I found Jackie to be the perfect fit. She was supportive and designed challenging workouts that truly pushed my limits. As a coach myself, I believe having a coach is crucial, especially for athletes. Whether you’re doing a sprint or a full event, a coach provides invaluable support, and I’m grateful to have Jackie guiding me.
Packet Pickup for the Mightyman Montauk
EventPower made the packet pickup process seamless. They hosted several races alongside the Half, including an Olympic, a sprint, and relays. Their goal is to accommodate everyone, fostering inclusivity. Packet pickups were conveniently held a few days prior at TYR in Roosevelt Field Mall, Runner’s Edge in Farmingdale, and at the race site in Montauk. When I picked up my number, I was amused to receive number 69—a number that elicited some laughs from my running buddies, and I couldn’t help but chuckle too.
The Swag
The swag for the half was fantastic. We received a stylish jacket, a comfy towel, and a variety of other goodies, adding an extra touch of excitement to the event.
The Day of Mightyman Montauk
Ray arrived at my house at 3:15 am, and we set off for Montauk, a two-hour drive from home. With the transition area opening at 5 am, we planned to arrive by 5:30 am to get a good spot.
Being among the first to arrive, the transition area was nearly empty. We racked our bikes and meticulously set up our gear. Just as I finished, I spotted my friend Sharon, a skilled physical therapist and a formidable athlete herself. She, too, was competing in the aqua bike.
I noticed that our rack had very few bikes, while Ray racked his in the designated area for his division.
With ample time on our hands, we took advantage of the facilities—a crucial routine for events like these.
Race Day – Mightyman Montauk Half Ironman Aqua Bike
After Vicki of EventPower LI read the announcements, a flag ceremony commenced, signaling that it was “go time.”
In our wetsuits, we made our way to the water. Fortunately, Ray had warned me about the rocks along the shore, so I wore booties for protection.
Ray’s group started first, and it all happened so quickly that I didn’t get a chance to wish him luck. Four minutes later, my group entered the water. While the half-distance triathletes were few, the Olympic and sprint events were packed.
Vicki initiated a countdown, and we were off.
I love open water swimming and felt the rhythm with each stroke, though the thought of the upcoming bike leg kept intruding.
I tried to concentrate on the swim, but my mind’s wanderings caused me to drift off course. A volunteer even called out, “You’re way off course!”
Amusingly, halfway through, my watch read 20 minutes. Yet, due to my drifting, I finished closer to 50 minutes.
Transition 1 (T1)
Covered in Toms2 Sports Balm, I quickly shed my wetsuit, though my foot got momentarily stuck. After some effort, I freed it.
As I donned my glasses, the woman next to me remarked, “You’re going to ride with one lens?”
I realized I had lost a lens and scrambled to find it. Once located, it took a frustratingly long time to pop it back in, costing me precious time in T1.
With my vision restored, I put on my helmet and bike shoes and walked out of the transition. Normally, I would run, but a troublesome knee made even walking a challenge.
Bike Course at Mightyman Montauk
I reached the mounting line and spotted a familiar face from the Merrick Running Club who was volunteering. With his signal to go, I set off on the bike course.
My coach and I had a strategy: ease into the first half and push hard in the second. Easier said than done, especially with the wind threatening to topple me over at times.
The hills began after the first mile. Climbing at a cautious 5 mph, I would then soar downhill at 30 mph. With four more hills to the lighthouse, I felt determined and ready. “You got this,” I repeated out loud with each climb.
After the initial hill, I followed a fellow cyclist’s lead at a turn, only to find out from a police officer that we were off course. We quickly corrected our path to face the upcoming hills again.
In the zone, I felt a meditative rhythm but still questioned my bearings. Despite practicing here with Ray weeks earlier, the course felt unfamiliar and isolating at points. I relied on signs and volunteers to guide me, as there was often no one else in sight to follow.
Stopping at a public bathroom, I wrung out my soaked bike shorts, which provided much-needed relief. The views along the route were stunning, with the lighthouse and ocean offering breathtaking scenery, though my focus remained on completing the race.
After Two Hours
After two hours, I returned to transition, ready to tackle more climbs. I felt strong until the second hill, where I had to dismount and walk for a bit. An older cyclist who had been trailing me passed by, but when I suggested riding together, he preferred to go solo. So, I continued on my own.
The course included two neighborhood detours, with the second featuring a steep ascent. Exiting the first, a Babylon Bike van intercepted me, suggesting I skip the next detour due to time constraints. “But I’m an aqua bike,” I protested, hoping to finish the full distance. He shook his head, but I was determined.
Reaching the second detour, a volunteer redirected me away. Disappointed, I returned to transition, completing 55 miles instead of the full 56.
As I got off the bike, a Merrick Run Club volunteer assumed I was about to start a run. Clarifying I was doing the aqua bike, he seemed relieved for me. I racked my bike and crossed the finish line, receiving a medal that felt undeserved. Missing that final mile stung, knowing I could have finished it in five more minutes. I started to cry.
Despite the setback, Janeth and Shandy, my supportive friends, were there to cheer. Though disheartened, I reminded myself of the hills I conquered. It was a hard-fought win, nonetheless.
Called My Coach
I left a message for Jackie, and she promptly called me back. Her support was invaluable as we both tried to make sense of the confusing turn of events. She reminded me to focus on the journey and the immense preparation that led me to this point. Her words of pride and encouragement meant the world to me.
Emotionally overwhelmed, I realized I should celebrate my achievement. Despite missing a small part, I accomplished more than I ever imagined possible.
Telling EventPower
I found Vicki amidst tears and explained what happened. She mentioned that the Mighty Hamptons has a strict cutoff and apologized for the mix-up. She said she wished she had known because she would have let me finish. Her simple invitation to “come back next year” was comforting.
Lunch with Friends
After finishing, we headed to John’s Pancakes for lunch. I changed into dry clothes but found myself unable to eat much. Whether it was the emotional toll or post-race fatigue, my appetite just wasn’t there. Nonetheless, I was grateful for my friends’ unwavering support. They are truly wonderful, and I regretted dwelling on the lost mile instead of celebrating the victory.
At the Finish Line
We watched Ray triumphantly cross the finish line at 7:15, setting a personal record by 15 minutes! I was deeply proud of his hard work.
When he asked about my race, tears flowed as I recounted the story. Like Jackie, he reassured me, “It was still a win. You worked hard and achieved what you thought was impossible.” His words lifted my spirits.
The Champagne
Janeth and Shandy’s mimosas were a delightful surprise, offering a much-needed attitude boost. They are truly incredible friends.
After they left for Nassau County, Ray and I attended the awards ceremony.
Awards Ceremony
Vicki approached me to say I was eligible for an award due to my certified finish. I felt conflicted about accepting it but ultimately decided I deserved it for the effort and dedication I had shown. Her gesture meant a lot, and I appreciated her kindness.
I texted Jackie about the award, and she wholeheartedly agreed, “You did it and earned it.”
Standing on the podium, receiving a beautiful medal and a bag of cookies, was a moment of pride.
Back in the Car
Ray, ever the supportive friend, reminded me, “You should be proud of yourself. You did it.” His encouragement underlined how blessed I am to have him as a training partner.
When I Got Home
My husband, Brian greeted me with soup dumplings for dinner and asked about the race. I explained my slower pace due to the challenging hills and wind. His question briefly stung, but the knee pain overshadowed any disappointment. After taking some pain meds, I went to sleep, exhausted but content.
Reflecting on the Day
The morning had been cold, with a thick cloud cover and winds gusting up to 25 mph. I conquered the elements and the climbs, feeling strong.
I recalled a previous relay race where my friend who was an avid cyclist, had been pushed to his limits on the same course and couldn’t handle it. He collapsed after the race.
Reflecting the next morning, I realized that despite being slower and a back of the packer, I completed the race and am proud of my achievement.
